Oil dump on the highway

I had the stealership do a service last week including an oil change. I used it a couple times since then but was out on the highway this morning and saw a trail of smoke behind me, so pulled over and shut the engine off. Saw a stream of oil pouring out from under the engine, like the drain plug fell out.

No warming lights came on, I was pretty quick about it, hoping there was no severe damage. It was towed back to the dealer and awaiting word.

Here's the video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/f4nR4uEgXOI

 

Did they maybe not put the filler cap on and that was all running down from above? Did you pop the hood?

 

Yup popped the hood and filler cap was on, the engine bay was clean from the top.

 

Cant wait to hear this one....

 

Good luck & keep us posted what you find.


Oh, and you're at 66 posts mikesixtysix.

 

Most likely missed or incorrectly installed o ring

 

Looks like the plug fell out...Faulty torque wrench,washer or whatever they can think of...

 

I'd guess an O-ring eff up, or the lazy ass "tech" used an air wrench in the drain cap of the filter housing and went to town using it to tighten the whole housing and cracked it.

 

I'll take "Filter canister O-ring in the wrong place for $800, Alex"

 

FWIW, I just checked my garage floor and there is some oil. I have those ribbed tiles so its not obvious without getting down and looking through the tiles.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/uP6Cq9WKKMc?si=MrMxEABKGzPai0jt

 

How worried should I be about something very bad having happened to the motor, given that none of the warning lights had come on?

 

Most likely its not hurt...but you could push for a extended warranty..

 

No idea. Not sure what the threshold for modern cars is for low oil pressure if there is no gauge.

 

There is the oil pressure and level sensors. If they both did not go, you probably ok. I had O ring blew on me on my other toyota with a low oil pressure light, but I still have the car and motor is fine.

 

REASON #4,788 WHY I DO MY OWN OIL CHANGES


OP I think you'll be fine, you caught it before the oil pressure dropped enough to light up the dash. Make those feckers pay for towing, lost wages, pain & suffering and whatever else you can think of. Buuuuut they won't.



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Perhaps run some oil in there for 500-1000 miles and pull a sample and send it to blackstone. They’ll be able to tell you if you’re losing bearing material or anything like that. I personally would be concerned. I lost a front main seal and lost all oil in my 85 4Runner years ago and replaced it filled with oil and it ran just fine for many more years. I eventually did a long block rebuild and they said the core was in amazing shape still. I’d do everything you could to ensure nothing is wrong though especially since the dealership is at fault.

 

You're likely okay given how fast you pulled over and killed the engine. The smoke from the oil burning on the exhaust was helpful in that regard.

Contact the service manager ASAP. Let them organize the tow. Get them to pay you back if you had it towed somewhere prior to contacting them.

If they don't already disclose their inspection process, makes sure they borescope the engine for possible damage. If they say all good, I'd recommend you do a very short interval oil change after they give it back and cut the oil filter open to examine; if not drop the entire pan to examine.

 

You're in NJ? Don't worry, the engine will outlast the frame and body by many years.

 

Service manager: best I can do is a $25 coupon on your next service.