Help with diagnosing from a 2018 trd sport engine failure

Hi all, here is my blurb that I have posted on a few other threads. I'm wondering if I could get some advice related to best guesses on what is going on based off of the diagnosis steps? Trying to figure out what could have led to this? (Linked post has mechanic notes)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-a-2018-trd-sport.825957/page-2#post-29629627

Here's the long story short

2018 TRD sport Tacoma with 77k miles on it. Has been babied, no towing no off-roading just a daily driver stock, oil changes every 5k. Was driving back on a road trip and about 100 miles from home the engine light flashed while we were going 65 on the highway. Was driving super smooth beforehand, engine chugging and total loss of acceleration. Had to get it towed to the dealership near me and its still there here is where its at.


What the tech has done so far
-checked and replaced spark plugs
-swapped coils and still got a misfire
-said he checked all external parts for leaks
-wet compression and dry compression tests done - low compression cylinder 2 (failed test)
-cylinder 2 still had a misfire and used bore scope and saw scoring in cylinder 2 so sure enough needs a new engine

I was shocked, babied the truck, oil change every 5k on the nose.

Here's the kicker that would be really helpful if anyone can reply. I bought it CPO at 50k, so it has the 7 year 100k powertrain warranty. The dealership called Toyota Warranty to see if its covered and Toyota got back with they need to find the exact point of failure and do a teardown that can take up to 14 hours of labor. If they find it and send it to Toyota then it may be covered (though the powertrain would lead me to think it would be). Okay so Russian Roulette with 3k bill of labor and maybe coverage is leaving me super uneasy. Also, they thought initially it was spark plugs so they replaced them and I have a spark plus, labor, and 2 hours of diagnosing the engine failure after that, that could easily be 1.5---2k (I'm gonna fight for coverage but idk) It looks like thanks to this forum it is looking like I am in the boat of issues listed that should be covered. But if anyone can also let me know the treatment they got and what was covered to know what I should expect. I called Toyota Corporate and said I was incredibly disappointed with the potential 3k labor change and they are calling the dealership to see what they can do.

Thanks all

P.S. I have been added to the 2GR-FKS Engine Failure/Problems Thread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2gr-fks-engine-problem-failure.774579/

 

Did you buy it new or used? Babied after you got it or from day one. If you bought it used, how do you know how it was treated?

 

Buying a used truck even if it is a certified preowned is always a gamble. Would also never buy used truck without first looking at the service records. Can only assume that oil change intervals were used, sticking pistons rings are most often attributed to the scoring of the cylinder.

 

Everything should be fully covered, since it's a CPO. I had 2 Lexus cpo and never had to pay a penny out if pocket. 1 was totally engine replaced 06 is250, and other was gs350 f-sport transmission replaced. The Lexus/ Toyota same cpo warranty.

 

Ok. That ain’t good.

 

I missed the extended warranty statement. You should be fine, it should be covered

 

It the truck at a toyota dealer now?

 

No guarantees of course but I would imagine it be covered, dealerships do have an obligation to say though that there is a chance it's not covered which would make you financially liable.

Because it's only on one cylinder i'd say you're fine as from what I can picture with only one cylinder being damaged I don't see how a guy could cause that unless something was dropped and left in the cylinder at one point. If a guy had a torn air filter or something that could be prevented, all the cylinders would of probably been scored relatively equally.

 

Well that sucks!
Another member got the lemon law thing after 3rd I believe motor failure.
I’m at 57k on my 18 makes me nervous.
They gotta give those 12 yr olds more nap time during their 18hr shifts.

 

So here's my advice as a former toyota tech. It's covered. Their guessing at diagnosis is not your financial responsibility. Missfire on cylinder 2? Why wouldn't they just try swapping ONE known good spark plug? How is replacing 5 others going to help with a single cylinder miss firing?

Personally, for me, I'd tell them to put your old plugs back in since it didn't fix it, take that portion of the labor off, diagnosis of a warrantable concern isn't your financial responsibility. You wouldn't pay for it under factory warranty and CPO is basically an extension of that. Tell them to pound sand. That is exactly why techs and dealers get a bad rap.

 

CPO with 50k….

That’s all I needed to know and that makes the “5k oil changes” a moot point.

However that warranty should take care of everything.

 

Hi all,
Thank you very much for your input, its really appreciated. Just trying to get opinions from every angle. Great point saying the CPO isn't a guarantee, it was leased before hand with dealership taking care of maintenance. Great points on the spark plug charge they are trying to throw my way regardless, I will talk to the dealership and for sure talk to corporate if I get some push back.

Yes the truck is still at the dealership, I am expecting to hear back from corporate today. I didn't want to okay the labor charge to investigate the engine failure without talking to corporate as I think they should be responsible for why their engine failed. I double checked my records and the last oil change showed full levels of all fluids...so if they happen to say I didn't have enough oil that is an oil leakage issue which is their problem and has been documented by other 2GRFKS owners and explained by the CareCare Nut. Although I have never seen any oil leakage coming from the car and I had a tech check last oil change since there was the high pressure fuel pump campaign.

Hoping my luck turns around. Thank you!

 

Thanks this is great information to know!

 

Thank you for your input, this is really valued as as you have been in the technicians position.

 

As long as you can prove you’ve maintained it from purchase date to current, you’re fine. The dealer is just being shady.
Previous maintenance history should’ve been verified by selling dealer prior to CPO certification. Example, if a 2021 Tacoma is traded in with 25k, but has never had an oil change, then it’s the selling dealers responsibility to not certify that vehicle.

 

They swapped his ecu as well..

 

Correct and luckily that is covered under the 80k emissions warranty

 

But they were troubleshooting in the different zip code of the actual problem. It is a perplexing way to come to the conclusion that there is no compression.

 

Spitballing here. Did the air flap fail, and spit its guts in cylinder 2?

 

thanks for the insight, that’s reassuring. I guess I will authorize the tear down today to get information on why it failed.