Oil change disaster advice needed

If the brakes on my truck fail I have an emergency brake. But anyway.

If the e-brake fails too, I have a range of outcomes anywhere from rolling to a stop safely, all the way to death.

If I’m in an airplane and say, lose control of a flight surface, I’m going to die.

The point is that the outcomes of aviation maintenance and auto maintenance, done incorrectly, have completely different risk profiles. They’re not comparable.

 

When I took my truck in shortly after buying it for a transmission inspection, it was documented and is still on file with Toyota . That was over 11 years ago.

It’s not hard to obtain service records from the dealership. And when/if I ever buy another used Toyota. I’ll ask for the service records first.

As for CarFax? I don’t know.

 

If it was starved of oil enough to start knocking, the motor is dicked.

 

Do you all really think that the engine would be damaged in that short a time? I thought he was searching for opinions on what problems to look for if his dealer just added oil and gave his truck back. I think I'm going to skip my free service appointments now. As high as gas is, it's about a wash to change it myself.

 

Yes, the engine can be damaged in a very short amount of time. I lost the bearings in a big block that I shut down less than a second after the low oil warning light.

 

Yes the OP engine is damaged, It may not fail right away but it definitely will fail from this

 

By the time this threads ends. OP will need to start a whole new one just to update us.

OP, I seriously doubt you’ll get a new engine if a cylinder scope and pan drop shows nothing. I’d push for that and an extension on the warranty.

Then take the truck an run it hard a few times. Don’t abuse it. Just let the transmission shift where it wants with the pedal to the floor. If it’s going to blow, you want it to blow sooner than later.
If it doesn’t blow, (and I doubt it will), drive the truck and forget about it.

Or worry yourself endlessly.
Or trade it in.

 

Same thing happened to me with an old jeep I had. They ended up just re doing the oil change and sending me on my way. Looking back on it, I probably should have raised hell a little more. But i never had an issue

 

What they do or do not find is unknown at this point. Based on the totality of the circumstances my money is on significant detectable damage.

 

That would be best case scenario.
And I’d be just fine with them finding damage. Then you know the problem and how to fix it.

 

If it was knocking, it was damaged.

 

I hope they make you whole on this, Just don't forget you are the victim here in this situation. Play your position.

 

Then the question becomes should I trust the dealer’s findings? I would have no immediate way to contest a finding of no damage. I still have a little faith that most people will at least try and do the right thing.

 

Ask them for a mega extended warranty at the least. The motor is likely to grenade in the near future. Unless they totally dissemble it they won’t find scorched, scored or melted main bearings etc.

 

Dealer is probably waiting to hear back from Toyota how to best proceed. Be patient. Toyota has a specific Field Rep. for each dealership. Once you get your first answer back or "proposal" and you aren't satisfied, you can ask to contact the Toyota Rep. directly. In addition, the Dealership has Insurance. If you want a new engine or "buyout" and replacement don't be shy about asking for that. I was an Insurance Agent for 10 years that specialized in Auto Dealerships. If you go the replacement route the dealership should provide you with a loaner or rental while you wait for your new Tacoma.

 

It was knocking indeed. Surely that knocking would produce visible metal shavings and/or scarring of certain components.

 

If done properly they will have photos and your engine serial # included. If they really want to help you out they should invite you back to the service dept and show you the damage.

 

You sound like a nice person, to the dealership...it's only business. Take a stance that best fits your needs.

 

Patience is one of my few virtues. I haven’t talked to anyone from the dealership since Friday when this happened. I do appreciate your insight on what could be going on behind the scenes. I’m not sure why they would involve a regional Toyota representative when this is clearly an issue involving a mistake made by a technician during the service.

 

Why Toyota? It’s not a warranty issue. They may be waiting to hear back from their lawyers.