Oil change disaster advice needed

There is a serial number he could check but as long as the old starts and doesn't make noise, this won't happen. He shoulda walked in there from the tow truck and died, or at least had a heart attack or stroke while calling a lawyer, who in turn, could have called a Doctor.

 

I’m not a mechanic either and that’s why I have one standing by to review any findings on my truck and if engine replacement is the ultimate outcome, it’ll be going straight to my friends shop for a thorough inspection.

 

I've followed your progress. Good luck OP. We all value our Toyotas!

I suggest to not be complacent (not saying you are). Their lack of communication and asking if prior services sounds like they are trying to point the finger elsewhere.

Keep contacting them, of course in a professional manner, and be persistent on wanting resolution. The longer your well maintained truck sits in their hands, the bigger chance of other carelessness will occur.

 

Wow just wow. Things happened. Bet the dealership is insured.

People say don’t get a lawyer but unless you are a professional negotiator remember you are going against a corporation. You better believe that they are getting advice from their attorney.

A drain and fill is a no go. I doubt it would be worth anyone’s time to break open the engine and taking a mic/caliper to check for wear.

Write up what you want as a customer. What is the least you will take.

(1) Engine swap with 100k warranty
(2) Full underbody steam clean

They can send the old engine to Toyota if their engineers want to play with it.

Make sure whatever they do you authorize it first.

Make sure everything is in writing.

Good luck. Had a Honda Accord Tranny that leaked. Had nothing but trouble even after a full swap. Tranny finally threw errors over 120k miles.

Note: You might get a rebuild on the engine.

Any insurance guys know if he can call his insurance so they can play ball against the dealer?

 

I have a buddy who is a service write at a large dealership(not toyota)and the positive surveys is how they determined what his monthly bonus was.

 

If OP does that, then they must front his/her deductible, and there is a chance their rates increase down the line. Of course, the insurance company would attempt to recover all legal fees and maybe the deductible for reimbursement, but going this route is not recommended, IMO. (I'm not an adjuster, but work at an insurance company.)

If the OP opts to go the legal route, they are far better off getting a private lawyer and sueing for whatever, plus all legal fees.

@Rannyhill
It's been said a lot here and you've mentioned it before. Document every interaction with date, timestamp, who you spoke with, and a break down of the conversation. The same goes for all your replies. I did this with my previous home rental company and it saved my ass when I had to hire a lawyer. (Google Docs was my friend)

Again good luck on a favorable outcome.

 

Good question. And, good answer @sigrooms

 

His own insurance will not get involved. Per my insurance agent.

 

I would be happy to take that survey for you. I love it when they open the door for you to unload on them. That one will be fun. You might want to hold up a few more days to do it though.

 

So far if I have all things straight, this was op's first oil change, it would be the first under Toyota care since it had 7000 on it. It's not really Toyota's problem unless there was something wrong from the factory. This sounds like a dealership problem. So far the only thing that surprises me is the length of time they are taking to let him know what the status and resolution will be. The dealership I was at the service manager was involved right away and gave the customer what would be the outcome in 48-72 hrs usually older car engine from a salvage yard with similar or less miles. In this situation new engine, block and heads. We had this tech that did those swaps and he was amazing at it. You would swear he was on a race car team. The longer this draws out the more people talk and the more damage to their reputation.

 

I would love to get some opinions on the following scenario, especially from anyone who has been employed in the automotive repair business: Let’s imagine that instead of taking advantage of ToyotaCare that I chose to change my oil myself. Let’s say I made the same error the tech made (whatever that is determined to be). I drive a few miles from my house and experience the same result (knocking, warning lights, complete coating of oil on the underside).

I have my truck towed to the dealer for assessment/repair. Could I reasonably expect to be provided written notification that because of my error that my warranty is now voided? Would I have any standing to contest my warranty being voided?

 

IMO, when they find out there is no oil in the truck, and find stripped threads or whatever, you will be SOL. You would be better off, fixing the leak and putting oil in it before having it towed.

 

Even if you kept all the receipts and documented the dates you changed your oil, theres no way to prove you actually did.

 

I'd have to read all the warranty fine print, but at a minimum, the dealer now has a record of someone that could be considered non-qualified performing maintenance and making a mistake, potentially causing damage to the engine. They may not notify you immediately in writing that your warranty is void, but down the road they have something to point to that could shift liability. Like if you took it to Jiffy Lube and that happened, they'd likely want to shift liability to them. But, if nothing bad ever happens within the warranty period, it's a moot point, so there's no need to start discussing cancellation of warranty unless it is warranted.

 

That’s my thinking. I’m just preparing myself for a wide range of responses from the dealer especially if I get the word this week that they’ve found no damage and send me on my way. In that scenario I still feel asking for an extended warranty is reasonable due to the uncertainties. I’m very confident if the roles were reversed that because of the uncertainties they would use my mistake to void the warranty.

 

Was it routine at your former dealership that engine replacements came with extended warranties? Also how common was it that this type of thing occurred? I’d hope it would be rare.

 

Well, you could say that about your services at the dealer too. I think we’ve all wondered at one time or another if a dealer (or any mechanic) really did all the work they said they did. It’s why people mark their oil filters, bolts, etc… to see if they were moved. Warranty claims go off records and receipts, whether it be from the dealer, yourself, or an outside shop. If you have all the receipts and a good work log, that’s all you’re required to show, and corporate would have to show significant reason to believe they were falsified or incomplete to deny a claim.

 

I really hope for your sake it doesn’t come to a pat on the head and a free oil change, but don’t diminish the threat of a massive social media uprising if you are forced to name and shame them.

How many views has this thread received?

 

Subbed for the massive social media uprising.