Oil change disaster advice needed

Wow, I would draft a letter to toyota corporate, asking what is their standard warranty response when an engine is run dry of oil due to dealership error, especially when that oil runs out 15 minutes after receiving ToyotaCare 'Service, and leaving the dealership until knocking and pounding and dash lights stopped the vehicle. I would hand deliver the cc copy to the dealership, wait for them to read it in their presence, while in the other hand is the signed cc, addressed, stamped envelope to Corporate Toyota. When they completely read their copy, ask them for a better response to the problem. If not satisfactory then mail the letter. Consult an attorney.

 

So the OEM plastic housing unit may have been over-torqued, causing the cut in the unit? Maybe it was a slow leak that got bigger as the heat affected it.

Can they provide photos?

I'd also ask for a second opinion from another Toyota dealership.

Apparently, the o-ring around the housing may nave been cut...causing the leak.

When I do my own oil change this summer, I will pay particular attention to where the o-ring was placed on the plastic housing unit removed.

I'll be installing a Fumoto valve too which even with the 1-inch nipple, will still fit within the coverage of the TRD Skid.

 

The dealerships only want to work with oem parts and should stand behind them. The tech/dealership failed to inspect the work... there was a oil puddle under the truck in the dealership parking lot for god's sake. From what i've experienced with corporate they acted almost like a mediator between myself and the dealership... might be worth looking into.

 

You write, or speak with toyota after when the dealer can do nothing more for you for any warranty...learned that a long time ago after you've exhausted all avenues with your dealer first.

 

That shouldn't be a problem, they're his parts.

 

All kidding aside is that legitimately a good idea? Sounds like it might be. I think they can tell though how far you drove with the warning light on.

 

A friend of mine's Dad bought a brand new Chevette (yeah...going back a ways here). The engine developed a knock while under warranty. He dropped it off at the dealer. When he went to pick it up, the service department said the noise was normal and they would not be doing any further work. There was nothing wrong with the engine so there was nothing they could fix. My buddy's dad (an engineer who actually worked for GM at the time) got into the Chevy, drove it onto the highway next to the dealers, turned it around so he was headed back the way he'd come, as he got to the off ramp leading to the dealer he put it in neutral and put the gas all the way to the floor as he coasted. The engine stayed reved past redline until it threw a rod and oil and oil smoke began billowing out from under the hood to the point he had to turn on his windshield wipers. He coasted the chevette back to the service bay, got out and met the same service writer who had come out to see what all the commotion was, handed him the keys and asked, "Can you fix it now?"

They replaced the engine under warranty and advised my buddy's dad that he was henceforth banned from their dealership. Like he was going to go back there anyway.

That was 40 some years ago. YMMV.

 

That Chevy didn't have an array of onboard computers recording diagnostics in real time

 

In another thread recently a guy was having trouble with a leaking oil filter housing. He didn’t put the o ring in the right recess on the housing.... the o ring was cut when he pulled it out.

aren’t there directions right on the box about this?

 

No. Some manufacturers include paperwork in the packaging with the o ring others don’t.

 

My point trying to be that the instructions would be on the oem box, the dealer should have followed.

 

They most definitely do not still have the “failed” oring, and if OP pushes that request on a disingenuous dealer they can just mess with a brand new oring and call that one the culprit. Getting the parts won’t do diddly here.

 

This right here ... don't confuse being patient with being a push over. In hundreds of business negotiations I have normally found that it is the calm ones that are the most firm and drive the toughest bargains. You don't need to pound the table or scream to get what you want. Firm, clear, professional more often than not produces the best results.

Good luck OP ... hang in there ...

Based on what we now know about the dealer (and their initial position), I think you focus on two things: 1) Get the cost to have a Toyota Certified Master Mechanic from another location break the engine down and give it a thorough inspection. That cost should be born by the dealer as a second opinion. 2) Require the dealer to give you a lifetime warranty (transferrable) on the engine and associate parts.

If the Toyota Certified Master Mechanic comes back and says the engine is okay, I would tend to believe them. The lifetime warranty is insurance. Of course, you could skip 1 and 2 and go for the buy back / trade / new truck option as well.

Wishing you the absolute best outcome!

 

Why not turn lemons into lemonade and negotiate top dollar on your trade and MSRP on an inbound pro?

 

Many states have laws that they have to show the customer the defective parts that were replaced.

 

Strangely enough I think the oem is one of the that doesn’t come with them but I could be wrong I can’t remember the last time I saw one for a third gen. I have thought that to be interesting because I do a lot of oil changes at the shop I work for and 0% of the Tacoma owners that bring there trucks there both 2nd and 3rd gen use oem filters. Most use what we have in the shop and the majority of customer provided are K&N with a few other top brand synthetic filters tossed in but no oem at all.

 

Although most of us expect this entire thing will end with a trade in, I get the impression that Rannyhill isn't the type of guy that wants to pawn off a potentially broken truck onto someone else to have to deal with; he wants it restored to the condition that he brought it in originally as.

But at the end of the day, our best of intentions sometimes go out the window when it means WE for some reason end up having to pay the price for someone else's mistake (and we don't judge you for having to do what you have to do Ranny; this wasn't your fault). We all know it SHOULD be diagnosed and fixed properly, and then Ranny could trade it in if he chose, or keep it, but I think the dealer will play their cheapest cards first, and find whatever card catches Ranny in desperation, meaning I think they'll give him the run around, demand their loaner back (he has no authority to try to keep it), and he'll either drive a potentially broken truck, or feel safer trading in. They'll make a new vehicle sale out of it, and upcharge his potentially broken used truck on a used sale with no added warranties, and they'll come out on top either way.

 

Good summation.

Yeah, OP wants his truck fixed but I don't believe it should be at his expense.

Tough decision on that part of the situation.

The real story is with the outcome of this egregious error.

 

Dealer may have gotten me too. Just got my 10k change done last week and came out to this. Oil filter housing is covered in oil but the level checks okay

 

Ugh…. Statistically unlikely to happen, but such a pita when it does. I recently switched over to doing my own for these very reasons. This weekend is my first foray under the truck for an oil change since I turned 50. Plugs too. That was an easy call. I do the math and if I can safely save myself >$100/hr, I tend to do the work myself.