Dealership dropped something in cylinder head during spark plug replacement

Let me start with the fact that I'm well aware that a nut or bolt in the engine manifold would destroy the engine if it were run....

Yesterday my Toyota dealership was doing the 60k service on my 2014 Tacoma, which included replacing the spark plugs.

They had an issue and i asked them to email me the issue to put in in writing. The email said:

"While our technician was removing the spark plugs, something broke. We don't know if it was the tool or the spark plug, but something fell into the cylinder head and we can't figure out where it went. We will need to take apart the cylinder head to find out what is going on. Fortunately the truck was not running when this happened. We are going to take care of the charges for this repair for you...."

My poor baby :'(

What I'm curious to hear from more knowledgeable wrenchers is, assuming they "fix" my problem and the car runs smooth and I can drive it home.

1. What other issues should I be concerned about after this sort of thing happens? I'm almost more concerned about issues this may cause in 5k+ miles since it will be harder to attribute them to the service center.
   
   
2. What questions can I ask to de-risk above?
   
   
3. What guarantees can I ask for from the dealership to protect myself?
   
   
4. has anyone had something similar happen or have some wisdom you'd like to share - Id' really appreciate it!
   

 

They're being upfront and honest about it and taking care of it, I would just go along with it and treat it as though it were any other repair...keep the paperwork and writing that you have from them and if anything seems weird about the truck when you get it back, take it in. Stuff like this happens a lot, for a fix of this nature they'll have experienced techs working on it. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Who leaves the vehicle running while changing spark plugs?

 

I am surprised they couldnt do a boroscope inspection inside the cylinder(s)

 

It is basically a head gasket job. Since it is at a dealer, they’ll use all OEM parts. They’ll warranty the work as it is all done at Toyota. It sucks to have the truck be down, but there isn’t too much to be concerned about and sounds like they are being up front and doing the right thing.

LOL I had the same reaction!

 

When you get the truck back, drive it like you stole it, just for a short time to be sure whatever broke and fell into the engine isn't still there.

 

Sounds like a bolt or something else the tech had screwed in his face fell out and into your motor. Have you seen some of these guys who work in the service department? Don't ever let them shit all over your engine compartment again. Good luck OP.

 

Welcome to TW and I hope it all works out for the best.

 

I just hate the idea of having my engine cracked open at 60k miles when it doesn't need to be. Especially on an engine that I'm expecting to go at least 250k miles without needing such a thing. I'd look into asking for extended warranty on the engine beyond what they'd normally offer.

 

Terrible luck.

 

I don't see it being that big of an issue, but I would ask for an extended powertrain warranty in writing.

 

This is *exactly* my sentiment. I'm definitely concerned that my 250k engine just became a 180k engine, though I'll never be able to pin it on this event that far down the road. That's a good call on asking them to give me a new warranty.

Has anyone else had any luck getting a new or an extended warranty after a service center makes a mistake?

 

see what they will give you for it and get a new 2019

 

Just as easy to look at this optimistically instead...you get a new head gasket which could extend the life of your engine long term.

 

How can they not know what fell into the cylinder? If it was a part of the spark plug it should be obvious what it was by examining the plug. The same apples if it was a part of the tool. I’d ask how they know it was a piece of the plug or tool if those two things appear normal. It kind of appears like they are being somewhat upfront but not totally.

 

If they think something fell why not just use a bore scope in each cylinder. No need to pull the heads.

 

As mentioned, the strange part is they don't know what's in there. Is the sparkplug broke? Is the "tool" broke? They should have 98% of a broken something in their hand. Yes, they should look in the cylinder with a borescope to confirm what's in there.

 

all of that. without that broken something and evidence that the other part of that broken something is in the cylinder... i dunno seems like a really invasive exploratory operation