2017 Used Tacoma Off Road, Extreme Engine Problems

You could always fix it and then trade for top dollar to Carvana or Vroom.

Its a 2017 so its got to have powertrain warranty, unless someone ran the miles up crazy high.

 

Warranty isn't going to fix problems from someone adding diesel to the tank.

 

OP didnt do that though, he bought this truck from a dealer with powertrain warranty. As far as OP is concerned it has an issue and needs to be repaired under warranty.

I could see it getting ugly legally speaking if they refuse to help him. And why should a dealer bitch about it anyway? They know the new owner didnt do it, and they still get paid all the same by Toyota for doing the work.

I'll never understand why some folks just dont do their jobs and look the other way on things. Like you know it can be warrantied, just do it for the guy. Damn. Its not like the money is coming out of their pocket.

 

OP bought the truck used “as-is” from a dealer. However the truck may still be in factory powertrain warranty. If so toyota will not cover damage to the fuel system or engine due to damage cause by someone putting diesel fuel in it

 

And to that id say such damage should have been presented to the buyer to consider during the purchasing process. Clearly the dealer had prior knowledge of such, as they did the work.... I understand the concept of "AS-IS" but its hard to image the dealership is really going to fuck OP on a 2017 Toyota. Seems like something a Toyota dealer would want to avoid.

This is a case for Steve Lehto for sure if he was in Michigan. Probably be covered under "Implied warranty of merchantability "

 

I think everyone will agree with you here. But the dealer owning up and fixing this is different than it being covered by warranty.

 

Not sure of all the details. The selling dealer might be different than the dealer who performed the original repairs. A lot of dealers when a problem car comes in and they buy it they turn around and ship it to action. The dealer OP bought it from must of new something, to sell it “as is” doesn’t sound like a Toyota dealer or some big named place. Sounds like a back yard lot. There are certainly laws to protect people from this stuff but they vary state to state. That’s why people are telling OP to consult with a lawyer.

 

You really do have to wonder how they did it 3 times, there isnt even a Diesel Taco option, so its not like you could easily get confused. And the the pump nozzle doesn't fit it either. For real, whomever it was really shouldn't be driving vehicles at all.

 

It depends on the first date in service. My truck is a 2017, but the power train warranty is nearly expired since it went into service in late 2016.

But as everyone else said, Toyota is likely not going to cover that under warranty. It was someone's doing that wasn't related to Toyota. They'll be happy to fix it, just not under warranty. The dealership is the one who should be making it right; but it sounds like there may be no obligation on their part.

 

Interested to see how this gets resolved

 

sounds to me like he made some enemies. maybe a dirtier joke than sugar in the gas tank

 

Give them a chance to unwind the deal. Pay for a one hour legal consultation if they don't. As-is laws vary from state to state, but you do have documentation that proves they knowingly sold you a truck with undisclosed damages.

 

How could they have put diesel in it 3 times?

From a gas can that someone put diesel in or they don’t know that the yellow cans are for diesel. Previous owner may have been stealing gas cans from job sites? Shit happens.

its a messed up situation. Best of luck to the OP

 

I bet it was just running shitty and they wrote "diesel/bad gas" as an explanation. A new brain for the car seems more logical than "bad gas".

If it were me I'd be going after the dealership for my money back or limp it to Carmax.

 

It’s not that easy, you’d have to be a total moron to do it on purpose and not realize it. But it’s not that hard either, if the fuel delivery truck put diesel instead of gas into the ground tank at the station.

Sadly, I’ve seen that more times than I care to count to the point that I go out of my way NOT to gas-up at the same pump that has diesel fuel too.

All that said, the damage I have seen is nothing like is being described here. It’s usually just a matter of draining out the wrong fuel and running good clean fuel thru it. Others with different actual experiences please chime in.

Pro tip:
Always ask for a fuel-fill receipt so that you may have proof of any damage that the station may be held responsible for.

 

So apparently everything thing is working normally and it’s an intermittent issue.......?

 

I've heard of someone doing this to get back at somebody. It's alot easier to overlook since diesel smells (somewhat) similar to gasoline and won't kill the motor immediately.

I'm not saying sugar in the tank is easy to notice, but diesel is alot easier to dismiss as neglect by the owner than outright revenge by someone else. More time passes as the shop tries to troubleshoot the issue and the police have a harder time proving a crime was committed by someone else.

 

Now's your chance! It's running fine, no dash lights? Go straight to Carmax, or jump on carvana. Get out while you can.

 

Diesel isn't doing this to the engine.

 

Check the main engine wiring harness where it goes through the firewall?