***Mini Update*** Oil Filter Fell Off

The most common dumb ass mistake (which I've done at least twice myself), is to forget to replace the drain plug. That makes a fun job out of it in a hurry.

 

I always have the opposite problem.

"I know the oil filter doesn't need to be very tight, but I'm going to give it one little extra nudge just to be safe"

5000 miles later

"FUCK THIS MOTHER FUCKER WHY DO I ALWAYS OVER TIGHTEN IT"

2 minutes later

"I know the oil filter doesn't need to be very tight, but I'm going to give it one little extra nudge just to be safe"

5000 miles later.......................

 

I've always just removed and installed my oil filter by hand, never used a wrench and never had any problems. I tighten it down as hard as I can by hand with my gloves on and have never had an issue.

 

I lol'd pretty hard on this one.

 

On one of my last free oil changes, the kid at the dealership left this oil drip can in my engine bay. You can see where the serpentine belt was rubbing.

 

I’ve done that with a bottle water once.

 

****UPDATE****

So they are replacing the motor. They've had the truck for about a week and my Mom and Dad have a 2019 as a loaner. It's true that the engine is no longer available, so they are building it from the block up for about $18k. I have insisted to my dad that they need to make sure they get a 100k warranty on the entire power train with it.

It turns out that it was indeed the wrong filter. According to the service manager, it was one of their more experienced guys that did it; he simply grabbed the wrong filter and it seemed to snug up well enough that he didn't notice it was the wrong one.

I understand that shit happens. The dealership has stood very tall to try and make it as right as they can. I still take major issue with them putting my 66 year old mother in a situation where she was broken down on the side of the highway twice, but again they've really stepped up in every other way. That being said, I think my dad might still end up selling it.

 

Call TNA and report the incident after it's fixed.

 

Last time I let a dealer or anyone else for that matter change my vehicle’s oil (free service) they left the filter loose and the truck was leaking oil shortly there after.

 

I find it really hard to believe Toyota doesn't have any new engines for a 2015. Making a new engine?
Where did they get a new block? Just weird. I would have had my lawyer with me on this one.

 

Thanks OP for the story and update.

The OEM filters have a sealant on them already and need no oil wipe/smear before install. But regular dry aftermarket filters may benefit.

And yes I always hand tighten too but still usually need to wrench when removing. Never can get the yen yang feng shui not to tight balance just right. Feel like I should stop as soon as it barely snugs. Lol

I think they expand when hot and get tighter over mileage.

 

For some, a built in knowledge of how tight is "just right" works just fine. For others, like me, it took years of broken fittings and stripped threads to learn, yet, my "finger tight" still gets a confirmation tweak from a wrench. I'm the guy they invented the stubby socket wrench for!

 

OP, thank you for the update. Great to hear that at least the dealership is accepting responsibility. That's rare these days.

 

Tell them you’ll take a salvage yard engine and a check for 15k. Lol