Denied Service Request for “Liability”

I’ve been doing my own oil changes on my 3rd gen. Got a drain valve for the plug and opted for a screw on attachment for the filter housing that allows for control of the oil leaving the housing as well. Makes for quick and easy oil changes with little mess, love the system. Long story short, the bolt that covers the filter housing so you can plug the drain into it was too tight, turning it ended up turning the whole filter housing. I opted to over pay for an oil change at a Toyota dealership just so they could loosen that bolt, I specifically requested it actually and they said they would take a look at it. Didn’t think there would be any issues, it’s loosening a bolt that Toyota recommends for their oil change. I get the car back and the service advisor tells me the tech didn’t do it because he would be liable for it??? Don’t want to bash the dealership because their service is otherwise great, but this was just a slap in the face. Anyone ran into anything similar. Just want to know if I should pursue this anymore or just get an oil change somewhere else (or just replace the housing).

 

Same issue with baked on filter plug, as apparently others have experienced as well. A very large channellock plier on the filter housing while you torque the plug should work. Mines very hard to do with a CBI skid to reach above.
Dealer is jerking you around, an excuse to avoid service since you're doing your own work. I get the same b.s. from subs if I hand them a construction spec. Find a decent mechanic you can work with.

 

I can see the Techs point of view.
That drain bolt doesn't "technically" have to come out.
If it's stuck, you leave it stuck. Never create a problem, especially on a customers car. As soon as you "unstick it", it will break. And you don't get paid extra to fix stuff you break.

 

We hate stuff like this. I just remote the quick valves and let the oil out like its normal.

With a filter adapter I would be very cautious as well, dealers screw people all the time, but customers rage and get what they want as well.

If you had the standard plug I'd happily remove it and replace it for you, but I also dont work the lube rack for straight oil changes. The kids are usually very green and shouldnt be trusted for anything beyond routine.

 

This ^^^

I also understand the Tech's concern to not touch a non factory part. Probably looked at it, scratched his head, and said "not today my guy" almost like entrapment. Tech doesn't really understand your odd request to begin with.

 

Any pics of your filter housing modification?

If they touched it last and something happens that results in a loss of oil they'd be responsible.

I likely wouldn't want to touch it either. It's not like they're making any money off you

 

I just did the first oil change on my recently purchased 2019 Tacoma. I didn’t even bother with the filter housing drain plug, just loosened the entire housing and let the oil spill over the edge. Thats the way I’ll do all oil changes going forward.

 

Sorry if I wasn’t clear in the og post. There’s no modification to the filter housing, it’s the OEM one that came with the truck.

$14 POWERWORKS Oil Filter Drain Tool Release Hose Tube Pipe Fit for Toyota, Lexus, Scion 2.0L - 5.7L Engines with Cartridge Style Filter System

The attachment just screws in where the filter housing screw goes in. It is meant to replace the plastic drain Toyota gives you in the filter kits. I use it because you can attach a tube to it and also you can control when you start the flow, makes it a lot cleaner and easier for getting it in some random cartons.

 

I get that part. I just wish they were up front about it if he knew he wouldn’t touch it. No matter what, I have to get this issue solved. Wouldn’t have minded if they just replaced it even and told me it was shot, I would have paid for a replacement. I just wasted $110 on an oil change I could have done for a hell of a lot cheaper

 

The SA probably didn't know if the tech would do it or not cause the SA does not know the condition of the filter housing, also in my experiance most SA's are bad at explaining work out of the norm that customers want done.
Theoretically let's say the quick lube guy tried to get the drain plug out the filter housing cause you asked and it breaks off, now you are on the hook paying the dealer price for a new oil filter housing in addition to the oil change. If you say that you'd be ok with that then just go buy a new housing now and quickly swap it out then top off the oil level.

I've had tickets like this where the customer wants something extra done that isn't actually needed done and the park breaks doing what the customer wanted, its always a shit show of who's paying for the new part, and the tech is the one who gets screwed cause now that lift is occupied for 30 minutes so they can't work on the next vehicle.

 

Did you attach the drain tool to be a permanent solution. As to only add flex tube on next oil change, or did it just get over tightened on previous oil change service thus leading to assistance from dealer?

I had purchased one of these from motiv x tools and found it to be a pita. I also don't want to store oily residue parts in shop (the oil filled tube). The plastic oil removal tool included with oil filter is quick, and easily discarded.

 

The filter housing drain setup is something I use as well. Really does limit the mess of an oil change. I just throw it in a gallon zip loc when I'm finished. As for breaking the drain cover on the filter housing I would suggest removing the entire filter from your truck and break it free while working on a bench. I would try a rubber strap wrench, everyone should own one, to secure it while breaking the plug free. Channel locks or anything like a vise as a last resort to limit any damage to the housing. Remember the torque spec on that screw in plug is only 10 ft lbs. on the reinstall.

 

It would be challenging to hold the Housing in position to focus on removing that "overtightened" flat cover/bolt.

I would have removed the entire Housing Unit and cleaned the mess.

Then, I would have put the Housing Unit on a vice with cushion wrapped around with the flat cover/bolt facing up and remove it with 3/8 extension+ratchet.

But since they probably replaced the oil, I would wait until your next oil change and do it yourself as I described.

Maybe buy a new housing unit in case the original breaks.

 

It’s only on my truck when I’m doing an oil change. I don’t think it’s meant to be left on. I reduced the tubing to where it’s less than a foot, just need it to reach my container right below. I store it in a bag like a different comment said, tucks away neatly. The plastic ones are but it’s just too messy and variable when I’m under my truck. Just a preference but if I had a better setup I would probably opt for that plastic bit since i could just throw it out after

 

im apartment living right now, no access to nothing more than the basics so I don’t have a vice unfortunately. I think I’m just going to opt for the new housing. Thank you for posting the pics though! I couldn’t figure out how to attach them on my phone.

 

Gotcha. For some reason I had read the original post as you leaving the drain portion of the system attached.