Oil change disaster advice needed

I 100% understand what your saying and I get it. I'm the same way with the majority of my cars. I'm a particular guy with a lot of quirks and I've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on cars and trucks over the years. I brush the carpeting a specific way, to give you an idea of how quirky I am. With that said, as much as you love your truck to most people they are just that, they go from point A to B and non car people can't wrap their head around it. The truck isn't rare, it's not exotic, with proper documentation the diminished value claim, while relevant, is easily explained and logical to 95% of the buyers... the other 5%(me) are not buying a used truck anyway you slice it.... I made it past the stage in my life where I had to drive 500$ beaters just to survive and I'm willing to pay the stupid tax and take the depreciation for an unmolested truck. Most people cannot relate to that mindset. In my case with my diesel, it was a bit different, in 2006 it was a 60k$ truck and it was literally brand new, on the way home from the dealership. I had no real idea what was going on other than all of a sudden I had lights on the dash, and a dead engine that wouldn't turn over, it wasn't until the tow truck arrived that I learned more about what caused the problem. At the time I thought it was electrical. I left the dealership back in my trade in (which technically was now theirs) and later that afternoon I got a call from the service manager about what the problem was. I was a little hotheaded once I heard what the solution was going to be (Fly an engineer out for failure analysis and corporate will determine what we can do). In the end the dealerships owner got involved and expedited things and they took the hit.

If I were you, I would get myself mentally prepared to get yourself out of this truck. Not because the truck can't be made sound... but because I feel your like me and fall in that 5% maybe even 1% car guy crowd. For them it's just business, and as much as you and I would like to argue that having oil spray all over the undercarriage is an issue, the rational side has to say that most are not going to see it that way and that it can be steam cleaned on a rack and removed. For that matter it could be undercoated and be better than new if you live in a salt state. You can use the same logic against the dealer to negotiate a discount on a new rig as a customer satisfaction angle, and if they say there is no diminished value because of the repair/cleaning then call their bluff and have them take it in on trade on a new rig. Even if you have to cover a portion of it yourself for the upgrade.

I used to be of the mindset that I would never let a dealer work on my rigs, I'd refuse the free oil changes and services that were bundled and just do it myself. But I no longer enjoy doing that work and some life changing medical issues have made me rethink some of my priorities about what is important... cars are just cars.. I'm still an enthusiast, I'm still particular and I research things ad nauseum before I make a decision. But I've made the choice that at this stage in my life I need to just let some things be handled by other people and accept the risks associated with that choice. My current issue is that I want some larger tires on my new Tacoma and a lift, but I'm positive that I'm the guy that will have TSS issues and driveline vibrations unless I do it myself ( which I can't do right now). The level of anxiety that has created and the amount of reading and questions I've asked where There is this tiny chance I may not have an issue, have convinced me that I will be the 1/500 guy that has issues.

 

RustySocket…my brother from another mother!

 

Right, I wouldn't trust the dealership to install a whole new motor when they were so incompetent they couldn't even perform a simple oil change properly...

 

I understand and sympathize with the OP’s very difficult and extremely unfortunate situation. However, if a new engine is installed, the mechanic performing the actual work would almost certainly be a highly experienced Toyota Master Certified Technician, not the Oil/Lube guy making near minimum wage.

 

You do realize if no actual damage was done and can be proven they are not likely to give you anything right? I’m on your side and feel they should make it right and in a perfect world they would give you a sincere apology and a new truck but we all know that’s not how things work. If no damage can be found they aren’t going to give you anything. Maybe an extended warranty of some kind at best and a lawyer isn’t going to change anything. If nothing can be proven then nothing can be proven. How you feel about it won’t mean anything. Personally I hope there is damage so you have some options but I would be prepared for the possibility of them handing you your keys and sending you on your way.

 

I quoted EXACTLY what the OP stated. Are you struggling with reading comprehension? Like everyone else that gets the slightest little scratch, they immediately think they should get a complete replacement. Also, since when is a truck with 7k a brand new truck?

 

The mechanics I’ve talked to have all said there is no question that the engine is damaged only a question of the degree and when it becomes apparent.

 

Yeah but it has to be proven. What could possibly happen in 25k or 50k or 150k isn’t going to mean anything. What damage it has right now from this event that can actually be documented is all that’s going to matter.

 

No need to fight guys; OP sounds like a reasonable guy. As sucky as the situation is, and as sucky as the outcome we hope for may be, his respectful attitude will take him a long way. No one, including OP, expects that the dealer is just going to swap a truck, no questions asked. I do think OP could end up in a new truck though. I see this being a fix at dealers cost, more than fair trade in for the vehicle towards a brand new truck for OP, and then the dealer gets a new vehicle sale, and a "barely used" vehicle (with probably no warranty) marked up to make their money back. Keeps customer happy, they make 2 sales technically, and no money lost at the end of the day. And no, I'm not suggesting every dealer would do this for every instance like this. I'm suggesting that OP is beyond reasonable sounding, respectful, yet stern that he will be unhappy and personally wants the reliability of a brand new vehicle (which is why he bought multiple brand new vehicles from them), in which they'll probably suggest the trade in idea.

 

Thank you for reminding folks that I have not demanded anything. This is my first post as a brand new member of Tacomaworld who is dealing with, I would think, a somewhat rare event. I’m grateful for all responses thus far and feel like I’m much better prepared when word from the dealer comes in. Sungod, I do consider my truck that just had its first tire rotation in February and first oil change last Friday a new truck. The only reason the thought of potentially asking for a replacement vehicle is because of the newness and excellent condition of the truck.

 

The pen is mightier than the sword. if you want to apply maximum pressure for whatever it is YOU want, (not us) and you are not getting
any traction ( no pun intended ) from the dealer, show up with the press. Nothing stirs these fkers up like a news-crew in their face
wanting to see images of the truck, speak to the tech who did the oil change, and to independently verify that the truck is 100% sound.

That dealer will know that if that story makes it on the air he may as well shut down operations.
Toyota Corporate would rather give you 2 new trucks than to see that story on the air.

 

I’d make them replace the engine. Running it to the point you hear knocking and see warning lights means there’s a high probability you have some degree of damage. No doubt the bearings etc have been compromised despite what they tell you.

 

We see it all the time out here,... some local news station goes to bat for the little people (us) against the big people ( whoever )
and man do the big-people get in line. Recent story of a dude who bought a car from Carvana ( i think ) and they never found or
sent the title. Six months later he still couldn't drive it or get insurance on it and got zero response - until the news-dude showed up.

They refunded his money in full the next day.

 

Thats all well and good how you keep a vehicle, but many dealers that doesn't matter to them. Most only do what the warranty allows them. If this fiasco was negligence on the dealers part its another issue. It could get nasty. Hopefully you have an honorable dealer.

 

This is what happens when adults enter the room...

 

Yeah maybe but some of you dudes are not being realistic about the situation. Some guy gets an oil change filter is left loose oil light comes on a couple miles down the road. Dealer tows is back. Master technician does full diagnostic and can find absolutely nothing to indicate any damage was done. Dealership won’t give guy bran new truck and you think the news is going to show up over that and anyone is going to care? People will laugh and call him a Karen. I’m on the side of the op but if nothing can be proven to be wrong then they don’t have to do anything because there is nothing to warranty. It would be up to the dealership at that point and we all know how much they love giving away free stuff for no reason.

 

what is the worst that can happen, OP gets called a Karen by the news crew. What is the best? OP gets a brand new taco. Worth a try in my mind. But wait for the dealership to make the first move, then decided what your counter move is. Because it is a dealership and they run off sales people blood, I am willing to bet the Dealership comes in low to see if you will accept.

 

You're funny

But seriously, OP will get a new engine and possibly some sort of extended warranty. Dealer's insurance will pay for the engine and dealer will swallow the cost of extended warranty. Case closed.

 

If OP gets a new engine, and the dealer pays for a Toyota extended warranty to make him happy, would the extended warranty even cover the new engine? The warranty is for factory defects and this certainly wasn't one. So I could easily see Toyota saying in the future engine issues aren't from us you need to talk to the dealer about that.

 

don't know if already mentioned, too much to keep up with, but if a engine change or re-build is done will that show up on car-fax and stick with the truck for the rest of time?