Oil change disaster advice needed

Maybe their insurance company instead of lawyers.

 

@Rannyhill

You're already doing the right thing by letting them do their due diligence on the matter. If they don't offer a new engine replacement, you may want to look into getting the vehicle towed to an independent shop. The likelihood of them covering the tow & inspection costs are slim. You may also have to return the loaner if you go that route; at least for the duration the vehicle isn't in their possession.

I would personally push for a brand new engine from factory, no junk yard or rebuild. This route should keep the truck in good standing with Toyota corporate warranty (as well for resale). Dealerships have insurance for cases like this, this won't hurt them much at all.

Good luck.

 

I did exactly that in bold/underlined above...because of the horror stories I've read here about dealerships, plus...I had a bad experience with my first Toyota Care visit. The 5K mile visit did not include an oil change but I told the dealership I would pay for them to do it. The young tech over torqued my skid plate and Air Dam screws but at least he tightened the drain pan bolt and filter assembly.

From what I've read so far in this thread, I'm waiting to see what the Dealership does in response to this Huge Error.

No matter the resolve, I'd be trading this vehicle once they inspected and checked it good. I'd wait until they fix it and add free warranty and trade that sucker in and select an inbound Tamoma at the same location. If THAT dealership isn't helpful with your proposal, take their free warranty and truck to another dealership.

You'll have to see how the dealership annotates the work done on CARFAX...I don't think they will tell you how they update their work.

Your goal is to dump this vehicle as it is a liability and will weigh heavy on your mind every time you get behind the wheel.

I'm confident when I get into my Sport and start her up! I'd want that for everyone who owns a vehicle they paid for with their hard-earned money.

 

When my Tacoma was new I found that 2 times out of the 5 free oil changes something was wrong after the oil change. First time the tech left a water bottle under the hood with oil in it from the filter, second time the tech left the oil filler cap off. I caught both of these before leaving the lot and showed them to the service manager.
On my Wife’s 4Runner the tech stripped out the pan bolts and put zip ties in it to hold it. I caught that and made them install rivnutts and new bolts.
The young employees that they have doing oil changes are under a lot of pressure to perform these tasks fast unfortunately the customer gets screwed in the process unless you do your part and check behind them

 

I forgot to add...at my second Toyota Care visit which included an oil change, I was told I didn't need to provide the wheel lock lug because the dealership has a universal lock lug as long as the lock lug is OEM. (for tire rotation)

Well guess what, they needed it so I told them I'd leave it in the center console.

After job completion, I was given my truck back and upon inspection, I did not see my lock lug returned to the center console. I quickly told the service rep who located the tech and returned my locking lug.

You gotta stay on top of these people so they know you inspect your truck before leaving.

 

Yes, but sometimes the only way to inspect is to completely tear down the engine. Your cams lobes may be damaged, main bearings, piston rings and skirts, wrist pins, etc, etc. You don't see that stuff by just looking at the oil (which by the way drained out).

 

Dealerships use bulk oil that they have a contract on and try to get the lowest price on. and then sell it to the paying customer for a higher price. That being said the bulk oil does meet OEM standards but most bulk oil is reconditioned oil that has been filtered and additives added back into it. As a retired City and County Maint Manager I have approved those contracts and know this to be a fact. I stick with Penzoil because they make their own oil.

 

This is the route they will take. They will have the engine inspected by their top tier tech and correct any problems if any, caused by their error. Your truck should be returned to you in pre-incident condition. This happens more than you think and it definitely sucks. Complete truck replacement won’t happen.

 

Don't assume. You know better.

 

You missed the ones on page 9 with the guys that have airplanes and 27 foot boats.

 

here’s hoping the OP lawyers up if they refuse to either replace the truck, replace the engine or offer an insane warranty. I’m actually thinking the new truck might be the cheapest option for them - they should be able to sell his truck for nearly the new price. There’s no way an engine swap would cost less.

 

In my humble opinion, you are playing this exactly right. And, maybe this forum is a bit of venting and therapy.

I am rooting for you to have a positive outcome ... but I think you have the right approach ... do nothing until they make the first move. What they come back with will tell if how they want to handle the situation -- either they are going to be professional and customer focused about it or they are going to come at you with a hardline. But, and maybe this is just how I would handle it, you have to let them show you your hand first. That is what I would do.

This truck is the most important thing to you but to them it is one car on the lot. They started off on the right foot by giving you a loaner (that is a no brainer). Given them time to get back to you. If you don't hear from them by Wednesday afternoon then I would call and let them know you are deeply concerned, you know they are busy, swamped and understaffed and you would just like to understand the process they are going to go through with your truck. They might not have the actual results of what they find yet and they may not know what they want to offer as a remedy but it seems very reasonable that by Wednesday they should be able to articulate their process to move forward.

Personally, if you are reasonable, I think you will get a solid remedy. Waiting on pins and needles over here that this works out in your favor !

 

What exactly are you saying here? I’m honestly asking. You think this truck is not worth keeping and needs replaced but that it’s ok to sell to someone else at new price as long as they don’t know what happened? Why do you care about this guy’s situation but not the person that will end up with this truck?

 

Set a "drop dead" date that is reasonable to you for a response and then call or better go in person to see the Service Manager.
Take notes of every phone call and direct conversation. A Regional Toyota Rep. might be involved if there was an equipment malfunction.

 

Leave it with the Dealer to resolve this issue. What's an Independent shop going to do? Open up the engine for inspection? Once that happens it only "muddies the water".

 

Not his issue...

 

You didn't say what State you live in. California has a "Lemon Law" that might apply here.

 

Might be a warranty issue if there was a part or mechanical malfunction.

 

the more i think about it maybe they cracked the black plastic cap that threads onto the bottom of the filter canister?