Disaster After Dealer Oil Change

To start, I've bought and sold lots of cars. Never....NEVER.... on a modern car have I heard of anyone worried about "numbers matching"...."decreasing value"...blah blah blah.....Huge load of BS IMO. These aren't 65 Chevelle's.

Ok...Considering I worked at a dealer (Lexus) here's likely what will happen. They'll figure out a way to make the motor fail. Possibly run it low on oil, throw in some metal shavings....I dunno...something. Then they'll write up a warranty story. The factory sends a reman engine, the dealer gets paid for their time, and you get a good motor.

I did this once in the three years I was there. And I did a shitload of oil changes because I was the new guy. I had started on my test drive when I saw the light so pulled over and shut it off. Caught a ride with a tech back and got oil. No issues with the car aftward.

Really though.......I seriously doubt there's anything wrong with your motor and I'll tell you why. My current Tacoma had a seized motor from being underwater. In fact it still had water in the cylinders after it had gone through auction and arrived at my place 2 or 3 months...at least). I used diesel to free the motor, got it broke loose, new ECM, drained the gas tank, flushed the trans, and it's been running great. Yeah took a while to get all the crap out of the exhaust, but in december made a 4k trip from AZ to Canada and back with no issues. These engines are tough.

I understand everyone's paranoia, and you do deserve at least an extended warranty......for free. But a new engine? Probably a bit of overkill.

 

Don't involve corporate unless you are not satisfied by the dealer's attempt to make things right. If they won't correct things to your satisfaction, then by all means contact them and get them working for you. Everyone makes mistakes, its how they get dealt with that separates good from bad. Though there have to be a few fundamental errors for this situation to occur, not just one simple bout of forgetfullness.

To, me, making things right would be a new engine, not a reman, with an equivalent loaner in the meantime, or a new identical truck. I wouldn't hold my breath on the latter.

 

NOPE.... im sorry ... without oil you can spin a bearing in seconds...

damage has been done to the OP's motor beyond repair hands down, a fix like this (replaced motor) WILL show up on carfax report etc, decreasing its value.

New truck.... nothing less IMO. I think I will get my free oil and filter from the dealer and do the change myself on my brand new truck.

 

In general, they won't do it.
Some members have tried. Some have gotten a case of filters, but most walk away with "we have to do the service"
You won't get the oil and filter.
Toyotacare is a moneymaker for Toyota... they get you in for the "free" oil change (that you paid for in the price of the truck), and then hit you up for the routine maintenance items that are not free... and charge you $60 for a $15 air filter.

 

That sucks man! Hope they give you a new engine or offer to trade-in on a new Taco.

What did you get as a loaner?

I never had a problem with my local dealer service, they did the first 5 oil changes for free.
Though I did find a set of Torx bits they left on the cowl. Score!!!

 

Of course, the one they were using was missing, and that's probably the one you'll need

 

Yup...and I have needed that exact size on more than one occasion.

 

I've left tools in customer cars before, and man am I grateful to get those back.

 

Hmm, I agree with what others have said. Make sure you have everything doccumented. I would contact the service manager and tell him what happened and ask him how they are going to make it right for you. Be firm but very polite with them and let them make the first offer, they might offer you a new motor or even better a new truck. If their offer is not acceptable to you I would tell them what your expectations are. You could also tell them that if they don't take care of this to your satisfaction you could get the BBB involved and file a complaint against them. By being very polite and professional with them they will probably make out pretty good on this. Has there been any other issues or complaints from other people with this dealership ? When the dealership learns that your very educated and that you know how to deal with this I am sure they will treat you good. I hope this turns out to be a win win situation for you and that they properly take care of this for you. Good luck.

 

I wonder how much this has to do with the service department at the particular dealership. Is such a fundamental error really possible at any dealership or are some just badly operated?

Horrible thing to happen to you, OP. Very sorry to hear it.

 

It happens.

I had my '94 in for a warped exhaust manifold. Found out after climbing a 6000ft pass that they had left the radiator cap next to the distributor.

 

Marked for outcome.

 

I AM a professional mechanic. (Not in the automotive field.) Engine damage will happen very quickly with no or low oil pressure. the moment that metal parts touch metal parts without the protection of an oil film..What sucks is that very often the damage doesn't show up for hundreds, even thousands of miles later with a knock or blown engine. I don't know you or what your level of mechanical knowledge is, but you will NOT be O.K. if you do not have at the very least a total bearing replacement.

 

Demand a new engine and to be present when they uncrate it and install it. If they refuse have the truck towed home get a lawyer and sue. Don't let them put in a lower unit or just an upper end unit. The whole engine. There should be serial numbers and a packing list describing everything that came with it.

 

For sure. Be kind, rewind...

 

Sounds like my old B7 2.0T.... I did the oil change once on that thing. Fuck that noise. It was worth $60-70 for someone else to do it after that.

 

Toyota is using the filter cartridge on their corollas and Prius. They are changing most of their vehicles to this old technology. These cartridges are very difficult to Change without the correct specialized oil filter wrench. It's toyota's way of forcing you to use their sub-standard service dept.

 

Subbed for outcome.

Sorry that this happened to you, I would atleast wait to see what the dealer will do to compensate you.

I would accept nothing less than a new engine. If you're not satisfied then you should contact corporate and possibly get your attorney involved.

Good luck.

 

There's a big difference from a motor that was under water to a motor that ran with no oil. Your talking about rusted parts. He potentially has spun bearings, scoured cylinders, and over heated internal parts.

Overkill for a new engine? No way!

If his engine had some oil in it, then it may be alright. If it had none, no good. It takes very little time with no lubrication to burn up a motor.

 

At the very least I would try and hold out for a new engine, but there is going to be one hell of a depreciated value on your truck ( much like an auto accident). I would first try for a replacement truck but I'd say the chances for that are very slim without help from an lawyer. However if you are not happy with what they tell you I think this would be a very worth while topic to get legal advise on. Hope all turns out well for you.