Oil/check engine/master warning lights: all at once

Hello all,

2017 TRD OR, 17,500 miles, manual.

I was going up a moderate pitch in 4 high (very slow). Almost stalled twice so I was about to switch to 4 low, but right at the end of the second time almost stalling, all 3 of those warning signals came on- check engine light, low oil pressure, and the (!) master warning light.

I immediately turned the truck off and checked the oil, which was fine. I’ve put another ~400 miles on it since (between off roading and street driving) with no issues. I’ve been genuinely curious what could have caused this?

Thanks.

 

https://youtu.be/kSmLH0svmJQ

 

Unfortunately, this is normal.

 

Thanks for the responses... I guess I didn’t research hard enough before purchase. Is there anything else to watch out for regarding this issue?

 

Not much except watching how long you are on inclines and the angle you are at. As far as I know it can happen going up hill as well as down. If it gets to a certain point, the truck will just stall out.
The oil runs to the front or back of the engine leaving nothing for the pump to do its job.

 

So just to clarify- this is a known issue that is common and there is no recall or fix Toyota offers for it? These trucks sell for upwards of 40k, so that's insanity they don't acknowledge this.

 

Yup, you are correct with you above statement.
No fix, no recall, just the way it is with this 3.5 Lexus engine.

 

I wonder if anyone has looked into modding a head for these. Maybe it's the whole passage but opening a hole up in the head doesn't seem too difficult.

 

Supposedly the fix is throwing an oil catch can on there
https://youtu.be/qqr4hh-F3-Y

 

*temporary fix.

 

Maybe if you were in 4lo none of this would have happened? As soon as it starts to get hilly, i throw it in 4 low so i dont lug the engine. Not an issue with AT, due to the torque converter. I only use 4hi when ripping down FSRs or driving in the snow in the city and highways.

I never had this smoking issue and i was on some pretty steep hills, i got that low oil light a couple of times. As soon as i returned to flat ground, all good.

None of my MT 4X4 trucks liked to go uphill in 4hi.

 

Mine shut down on a steep incline in 4lo. I put in a catch can and have not had it happen since, but I don't know that it's "fixed". Catch can should help out if it's an issue of burning oil, like in that video where he is smoking. It won't do anything for the starvation though. I don't think you can stuff enough oil in the heads to run low enough that the pick up isn't pulling oil, but I'm not sure. I have wheeled hard after the catch can though and have not shut down again.

 

Is this what you are referring to? - https://www.stage3motorsports.com/3104D-2016-2020-Tacoma-35L-JLT-30-Oil-Separator.html

I’ve only had this happen on mine once, so I’m not sure if it’s worth installing anything.

 

Sorry, was out camping the last few days. That would work. Mine is a different brand, but the idea is the same.

 

Yup the fix is a oil catch.

I read that it is only needed if you drive on very steep inclines often. Like someone commuting up mountains and such.

 

How does an oil can that "supposedly" catches oil vapors and stops them from building up in the intake. Going to stop the oil pump pickup from being starved for oil on an incline?

 

I think he meant for the smoking on incline issue.

 

Yes thank you that's what I meant
=)

 

Update on this:

Yesterday I was backing out of some snow in 4 high and I stalled out. The check engine light came on and the low fuel indicator came on. The truck wouldn't start, so I ended up letting it sit for a minute, then it started right up again.

I brought this issue up to the specialized truck shop that was installing a few mods and they said the catch can would only be viable in a turbo vehicle. They then asked if I was in 4 low when this issue occurred, which it was not, and they said it's a common issue (if you're going below 20mph in 4 high.. for this to occur).

Is this just common and should I still be worried about it? I've had a standard vehicle for 10 years and never once did the CEL come on for stalling, or would it not start up again after stalling.

 

you do the fuel pump recall yet