This was confirmed to me by a Toyota shop manager. It’s a commission system. Faster work = more jobs = more money. Even if the managers may not like it they have to do it this way, that’s the business model they’re dealt. Oil changing is the job given to the new inexperienced guys, although they’ve all gone through a training course and have been “certified”. (It wouldn’t surprise me if certification was done by watching a PowerPoint presentation).

I took my new 4R in for its first four dealer services of oil change/tire rotation, etc. and they screwed something up each time. It took more of my time to get each one resolved. I do my own routine maintenance now.

How did he know the filter wasn't changed? Was it crushed? I kept the last oil filter installed by the dealer when I did my first oil change. I'll compare it with the oil filter I installed when I change oil again.

I had a similar experience with the plastic canister on my 4Runner too after taking it in for the free service. I broke a tab because it was so tight which put hole in the canister. It would not come off. I called the dealership to have them tow it and replace the canister. I asked if they hired a gorilla to do that work and have not been back for service since.

Back in the 90's, my office closed down a couple of repair shops. It started with a complaint by the base commander that his oil hadn't been changed at the on-base garage.

We sent through a series of prepared cars with simple problems (loose battery terminals, oil leak because of a loose drain plug - those kinds of obvious things) and saw what the customer was charged. The oil leak was a head gasket job and so forth. We went in one night and copied all of the data on the concession's computers and raided him the next morning.

The German police raided his house and found lots of parts. He ordered parts cheap through his on-base shop but was running a repair shop downtown specializing in American cars. We found one alternator that he bought for $35 that he sold for $650.

He went to German jail for several years.

Funniest part was that he probably did the oil change on the base commanders car (an old diesel Toyota pickup), but the base commander (who wasn't a car guy) checked his oil several hundred miles later and found it dirty.

Now, I always mark the car before going in for service - the oil filter if I can see it easily or plop some mud over a bolt holding on the belly pan - marking the screw first. If the mud and mark are still there then they didn't pull off the cladding.

Wait ,what, 4runner has Plastic oil filter housing ????
Is this a joke?

You think that is bad- some vehicles have plastic oil pans now.

The Toyota plasic oil filter housing is easily replaced with an aluminum OEM Toyota one for under $20 if it bothers you.

If I recall because it was quite a few years ago when I had my 15 Tacoma. I think there are certain numbers on them from factory install does them.

My ‘69 Honda CB750 has a plastic cam chain guide. It might be time to get used to plastic in modern engines.

It’s protected by the front skid plate too and can’t really be hit and hurt unless a severe hit happened.

I love a good "do not go to the dealer for an oil change" thread.

Same shit over and over since the beginning of car forums.

I hear ya. It can happen anywhere. I have confidence in the dealer I deal with based on years of use. Service guy I deal with always takes me back to show me the issue if one exists. You just have to develop a good relationship with the service folks regardless if dealer or not.

For example, I had my dealer install my front hitch receiver and the mechanic came out and said he did not have a torque wrench to properly torque bolts. Loaned me a vehicle to go get my wrench.

Yes it is plastic but you can replace it with a metal Toyota housing or other after market metal housing. Toyota Part N 15620-31060. take the stem out of your plastic housing and replace the shorter one in this part and you are good to go.

Here is a link:
Metal Oil Filter Housing Upgrade + Motivx Tools Oil Filter Wrench

I was just looking at this at Auto Zone.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Good info . Thanks

Has leaked for others in the past.