Disaster After Dealer Oil Change

In regards to the resolution offered and accepted, it sounds fair for all and hopefully no additional action for repairs is needed.

One area the OP might consider is to trend monitor the next few oil changes.

If desired send the oil to a quality lab for analysis. I would also consider inspecting the filter elements for metal. Being a newer truck the engine may use the open element cartridge, this is easy to inspect visually. You might also consider placing each filter in a plastic bag with notes of date and miles. Store these in a plastic box for a few oil changes in case issues do arise.

Then again, maybe don't worry about it and consider that the dealer merely shortened the break in process.

You should be fine.

PK

 

So you ripped your brother off? Lol

 

I have had to deal with those kinds of warranties before. It is a Select Toyota Dealer Warranty. If the OP moves, and the engine DOES have a failure, then he takes it to a local Toyota dealership, they will contact the original dealership that offered the warranty, and they work out the cost. The OP would still get the same peace of mind.

In some states even a handyman is required to be licensed to work in a residential or commercial capacity.

Took a couple of times reading this to figure out what you were saying. And I would be more than happy to trade. Yes, I am an ASE tech, but I do not sit on my laurels on that alone. I have been turning wrenches for some 25 years working on cars, trucks, and industrial equipment at times. I do have my ASE diesel certification. Also I have 8 years working in the US Marines as a tank mechanic doing engine, transmission, electronics, and hydraulic diagnosis, service, and repair, so yeah. I do know what I am doing.

That being said please understand that I am not saying that if you are not ASE certified, that you don't know what you are doing. I want that clarified. What I AM saying is that in today's modern vehicles, with all the advanced systems and electronics, why CHANCE a vehicle that you paid between $25K and $60K for, to someone that you can't VERIFY that they have the experience. There are people in this town that run their own shop. Anything more than mechanical repairs and guess where they send it to? My shop. These smaller shops don't have dumb guys working there, but they do not have the proper test equipment, or the experience and knowledge to work on the advanced systems. There is not a SINGLE technician in this entire COUNTY besides myself that are actually certified to work on a hybrid. So yes, I think that if you have a valuable asset like your truck, and you want it diagnosed and fixed right the FIRST time, take it to a technician that you can verify he knows what he is doing.

Highlited area is a VERY good idea. Thanks for mentioning that. I would get with the service manager and discuss that with him. To have the next 2 or 3 oil changes monitored for excessive wear, and if there is, that the engine should be considered as verifiably damaged.

 

WTH? All if these garbage posts.

OP...is your lifetime warranty from the dealer OR Toyota?

 

How did the test how quick the engine would shut down when loss of oil pressure occurred, and did they test this on your engine by letting it run dry again?

You may want to consider doing regular oil analysis to keep an eye on how your engine is doing.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free-test-kits.php

 

created a thread here two weeks ago regarding the toyotacare free oil changes.

my 2013 Tacoma has 9k miles and im ready to get my 2nd oil change. the first one was done at the dealership but I was already hesistant because of horror stories like this and ive always just done most of my vehicle work myself.

two weeks ago I called the dealer to see if I can just pick up the Oil and filter as part of the toyotacare and I do the oilchange myself but they said they don't allow that.

guess ill be buying my filter and oil and skip the free Toyota care oil change.

 

Good question. As others mentioned, I would want it to be a document from Toyota headquarters and their legal department guaranteeing it from any Toyota dealer and for any future owners as well. In fairness, they could place reasonable stipulations such as the exact engine serial number and maybe a mileage limit such as 200K or something so there's less gray area as the engine gets older.

After all, they didn't just accidently leave off a couple bolts on the AC unit, they released the engine with no oil after and oil "change". The engine, that basically drives the usefull life of the vehicle.

 

On vehicles with automatic shut down systems, the computer uses oil pressure input to determine engine safety. If the pressure drops below a specified point, the ECU shuts down the engine. To test if this works you simply unplug the oil pressure sensor. The loss of this input will trigger a shut down. No damage done.

 

Reason the dealer won't supply you the oil/filter for DIY is because Toyocare is nothing more than prepaid service that keeps dealer service departments in the black.

Toyota MoCo only pays the dealership if they do the work.

It's a consumer ripoff and I hope to never buy another Toyota vehicle with it again.

 

You should let them do the free oil changes! Just check that the filter has been replaced, oil added and plug tightened. Put a mark on the old filter (or scrape the paint), which should not be on a new filter. Plug and filter tightness are easy to check, as is the oil level. You should also be able to watch while the work is performed (correctly). I wouldn't pass it up.

 

All they have to do is unplug the oil pressure sensor.

 

Dealerships are more than capable of running in the black without Toyocare.

 

You are correct

I should have posted: helps keep them in the black.

 

Nice deal Mike... I would have taken it too.

 

Toyota has no lifetime warranty at all. Nor do they have a 125k power train warranty. The Toyota 125k would be a bumper to bumper ( with normal exclusions) and good at any Toyota dealer. Good luck on those "Lifetime" warranties. The only way we will take one is the dealer selling them pre-pay by credit card the warranty work about to be done. Once more, good luck.
Just think about it. Lifetime is a long time even on a Toyota. The most the Factory will sell (cost money) is 125,000 miles. If money could be made then Toyota would sell a longer one.

 

I have been fortunate to have been properly instructed by my uncle many years ago on how to do regular maintenance. He went to school to be a mechanic some 30+ years ago and has continued his craft. the first thing when I turned 16, "if you're going to drive it you need to learn to service it". So I have been doing all of my own oil, filter, fluid, brakes, plugs and any other minor work for almost 20 years. Major issues I take it to him and get his advice.

He is self-employed and like Bama mentioned does not have "all" the equipment necessary to do every repair but has enough to get jobs done right. When the dealership found a small leak coming from the water pump we decided to do the timing belt and pump in one shot (was just over 90k anyway). That same dealership did not handle the frame TSB and months later still did not give me an appointment to get it done. Contacted another dealership (Spitzer) and was in by Friday with a rental for the two days (was winter so clean, dry, and cure time).

I occasionally watch while he repairs to get a better idea of what needs done and also to help when he needs it. I have personally seen him torque to spec every nut and bolt before doing a test drive. I remember him being ASE certified but not 100% sure if he's kept up on testing (although I do seem to remember hearing about him going somewhere to take a test).

Bottom line is it is all about who is doing the work and what they take away from it in pride and workmanship. The steady stream of vehicles that I see reassures me he's doing a good job.

 

This is the most logical post of this thread.

If the engine had shut down from no oil and things burning up, it would have been alot more violent with noises, smells, and smoke.

I think you're safe. Just keep an eye on your oil for metal. I wouldn't blame ya for checking your dipstick after every oil change in the future.

 

When I mentioned "no damage done" I was referring to the test procedure to make sure the ASD system was working. I do know that it takes very little engine run time with low to no oil pressure to cause damage. The average engine today can operate with NO significant load on the engine, at 3psi of oil pressure, and not cause any damage. There is only ONE way for anyone to know if there has or has not been damage: Remove the connecting rod caps and crank caps and visually inspect the bearings. Anything else is just a guess.

 

I'm curious to hear anyone respond to these guys saying that the warranty the Op has been given is not worth anything very much. I have no clue what these warranties mean but I'm hoping the OP got the correct warranty that will actually help him incase the engine does have trouble down the road. When they say "lifetime" does that mean if the engine isn't working properly in any way shape or form at 50k miles or 250k miles then the dealership will cover the bill?

 

All of the ones I have seen advertised by Toyota dealers claim they cover repairs at any "licensed" mechanic or dealer, require that all maintenance required by owners manual be documented to have been performed at a licensed" mechanic or dealer.

They are not transferrable when you sell the car and they will not cover cars if the repairs exceed the book value of the vehicle.