Dealer didn't put enough oil in my engine

Stopped at the dealer this morning on my way to work for a routine oil change and tire rotation. I used to do all of the maintenance on my vehicles myself but I don't have a good spot to do it where I live now. They normally do a pretty good job and I like this particular Toyota dealer. So anyway, after all the work is done the car jockey brings my truck around to the pickup area and I go to hop inside while the engine is idling. I noticed a sound that I haven't heard on this truck before and told the guy it doesn't sound right. As soon as I get in the truck I notice the oil light is on and then I figured out the sound must be the valves and rockers clicking around from low oil. The guy hopped back in and took it into the shop. I spoke to the mechanic and he said his oil fill gun must be out of calibration and apparently it happens sometimes. He topped off the oil and I was on my way. The question is, did running the engine with low oil do any damage? I don't know how low it was, but I assume he did put at least some oil in after the oil change so it probably wasn't empty. The engine ran for only 5 minutes at most before it was topped off.

 

Does it sound better now?

 

I highly doubt for that little amount of idling time , there was any damage to the engine. Although I would have them note this in the system and your printout receipt for your protection down the road. How hard is it for a tech to check the dipstick after an oil change? especially when they admit that the oil gun is faulty at times?

 

It should all be fine IMO. Faulty oil gun. Lol I may have to use that one

Next time pull the dip stick tube for your self to see how low it was.

 

The answer to your question is absolutely yes it did some damage, but that does not mean it is going to blow up. The damage could be very minimal. The amount cannot be known without a teardown and inspection. I hope they documented in writing what they did and gave you a copy. Also the excuse that the oil gun is out of calibration is lame. Who changes oil and does not check the stick after they are done!? Who drives the vehicle back inside with the light on? Why didn't he turn off the engine, pop the hood, check the oil dip stick and bring the oil to the truck or get some help and push the truck back in? This guy has no business changing someone oil. If it were mine I would demand it be torn down and checked by someone else and they pay the bill. If they refused I would have it torn down by another certified dealer and pay the bill and take them to court for the costs.

 

You should be okay, OP, because it doesn't sound like it idled long like that. Best of luck!

 

Sounds fine now, although the oil level is about 1/2" above the full mark on the dipstick, maybe he put in a little too much extra? I'm at work right now and I didn't think to have them note it in my history file. I'll call the dealership and speak with the service manager later today when I have a chance. I don't think the mechanics actually check the dipstick when they fill the oil. I think they just look up how much goes in what engine and measure out what they need. After all you need to let the oil settle a bit after you fill it before you can get a good reading on the dipstick, and I don't think they're going to wait for that to happen.

 

Dude when I first started driving I did my first oil change and I ran the engine for a few seconds with no oil in my Camry. Luckily I realized my mistake and was able to stop it immediately.

 

You are a lot kinder about this than I would be.

 

I was in a rush to get to work and I didn't think it really did any damage.

 

Lack of oil can spin a bearing in seconds....question is...HOW LOW was it?

I would get it documented multiple times, and keep copies of everything ASAP.

 

How low does it have to be for light to come on?

 

The instant it loses pressure and to lose pressure means it is not pumping so the oil had to be less than a quart in the pan.

 

Some may dispute this but I would have them drain the oil until it's within the full mark. Too much oil is not good either. I would bring it back to them and make sure all of these transactions are noted in writing. Don't make excuses for these clowns.

 

WOW, please tell me it was NOT Dube.....I would definetly be talking to at least my writer and then my service manager...

This needs to be WRITTEN into your service records and someone needs to "SPEAK" to that tech.....We all can have DUH moments BUT do not learn from them unless they are addressed.....

Hopefully your truck will be fine and this will just be a "lesson" for all..

 

No it was TOP. I've always had good luck with them, it was a surprise. I spoke to the service manager again and he said that the tech said the engine had at least 3.5 quarts in it the first time it rolled out of the shop. He noted all of this situation in my file and I am going to pick up a hard copy tomorrow morning. I'm not terribly worried about it because it's not like I can do anything until something goes wrong down the road, if it even does. If something does happen at least I will have documentation.

 

I think you were reasonable. Everyone makes mistakes but he should have checked the oil before he took it out of the shop. Both times. Second time he probably put in 6 qts. instead of 5.5. Happened to me before but it never hurt anything. I imagine running with only 3.5 qts. may have added some premature wear but I bet it will still last 250,000 miles.

 

I'm generally not someone who raises holy hell when mistakes are made (although it depends on the mistake). I just want things fixed. I've found that you can get more accomplished when you're firm but reasonable. The only thing I'm still wondering about is how low does the oil have to get to make the oil pressure light come on? I know it's a pressure sensor not a level sensor, so I'd figure the level would have to get really low before the light comes on.

 

As long as there is oil to pump and not suck air the light will stay off. The second the oil gets below what can be pumped the light comes on. My guess is you had no more than about a quart in the pan in the beginning. Certainly not more than two. When the oil filter filled up that made it too low to pick up and the light came on. This is not about low pressure. This is about NO pressure.

 

The "free oil change" thing is just a sales gimmick. Be afraid, be very afraid.