2006 4 Runner broken down

A

atomic

New member
I was driving my 4 Runner into work last week when all of sudden I couldn't go over 40 mph. Then about a minute later I started to lose power completely and the Oil Light came on. Luckily I had just made it over a long bridge and was able to pull over safely.

I had it towed to the closest Toyota dealership. When I talked to the service writer he said it sounded very bad. The next they called me up and told me to come in and get a loaner. Well now it has been 8 days and every day they say they haven't figured out the problem yet. I went by this weekend figuring they were lying and hadn't touched the vehicle yet but it wasn't in the lot.

I did find a big puddle of oil in my driveway when I got home. This is very frustrating as the Vehicle only has 6000 miles on it. And they won't tell me what is wrong with it. I have this RAV 4 as a loaner and my legs are all crunched up. I have been driving my Harley most days so I guess I don't care too much about not having the 4 runner but I want to know what the heck is wrong with it.

Then today I see an article that says Toyota is recalling a bunch of corollas and prius because they leak oil and the engine stops. I am begining to think that Toyota is a brand to be avoided.

Oh well if they keep it 21 more days I get a new one.
 
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Wow, that's a new one. Did you recently get a service done? Maybe you lost oil pressure because of low oil? You didn't happen to take it to Jiffy Lube or one of this quick oil change places did you?
 
sharp4runr said:
Wow, that's a new one. Did you recently get a service done? Maybe you lost oil pressure because of low oil? You didn't happen to take it to Jiffy Lube or one of this quick oil change places did you?
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I was about to say the same thing. If there is a puddle in your driveway where your 4runner was parked, then there's a good chance that your engine siezed due to no oil.
 
sharp4runr said:
Wow, that's a new one. Did you recently get a service done? Maybe you lost oil pressure because of low oil? You didn't happen to take it to Jiffy Lube or one of this quick oil change places did you?
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I took it the dealerfor an oil change about 800 miles ago. I thought at first that maybe they screwed up and didn't put the drain plug on back tight enough and they don't want to tell me.
 
atomic said:
I took it the dealerfor an oil change about 800 miles ago. I thought at first that maybe they screwed up and didn't put the drain plug on back tight enough and they don't want to tell me.
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That could be the problem. I'm hoping that it's not a defect, but if it is, it should have surfaced with the earlier models since there was no changes in the engine design. You did say you took it to the nearest dealership right? if they weren't the ones that did the oil change, then they shouldn't have an issue of telling you that the other dealership didn't put the drain bolt on correctly.

I read the toyota recall in the news. It seems to affect passenger cars that were manufactured in 2001. There is also a recall on the older mid 90s' 4runners for the tie rod assembly. Other than that, there wasn't anything else listed for the 4 runner. I also checked the NHTSA for any recalls and to my suprise, they had no recalls for 04 - 06 4runners. The 03 4 runner had a recall for the fuel regulator and wheels, but that was it.

So I think this is an isolated incident that may have been due to the dealership's workmanship.
 
Is it a V8? Maybe the oil filter wasn't tight and didn't seal correctly.
You are definitely patient about it. You have a right to know and I'd have already been there asking. If you think it is the oil then stop by the dealer. Ask to see the truck, lift the hood and pull the dipstick. How can they refuse; you own it. Another telltale sign would be a film or coating of oil on the rear underside. Bend down and look. I had a remote filter adapter crack on a Jimmy and lost all my oil. Luckily it was daytime and I saw a cloud out the back. I was able to shut it down before it siezed. The rear was covered in an oil slick from the leak.
 
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xUSNavy said:
That could be the problem. I'm hoping that it's not a defect, but if it is, it should have surfaced with the earlier models since there was no changes in the engine design. You did say you took it to the nearest dealership right? if they weren't the ones that did the oil change, then they shouldn't have an issue of telling you that the other dealership didn't put the drain bolt on correctly.

I read the toyota recall in the news. It seems to affect passenger cars that were manufactured in 2001. There is also a recall on the older mid 90s' 4runners for the tie rod assembly. Other than that, there wasn't anything else listed for the 4 runner. I also checked the NHTSA for any recalls and to my suprise, they had no recalls for 04 - 06 4runners. The 03 4 runner had a recall for the fuel regulator and wheels, but that was it.

So I think this is an isolated incident that may have been due to the dealership's workmanship.
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The dealer looking at it now is the one that did the oil change. I didn't buy it from them because they wanted $5000 more than where I did end up buying it.

I guess it's possible that others have had problems with their engines in their 4 Runners but they haven't gotten around to doing a recall on it yet. As the other cars were 2001's it might take a while for them to realizing they have a problem.

Of course it is all conjecture as I don't know what is wrong with the vehicle. I think I will stop by at lunch tomorrow and see what is going on. It seems strange that they haven't told me what is wrong with it yet.

I have always done my own oil changes in the past I really don't trust places like Jiffy Lube...but I got lazy and took it to the Dealership. I guess when I get it back I will do all the maintenance myself. At least that way I know it is being done correctly.
 
atomic said:
I took it the dealerfor an oil change about 800 miles ago. I thought at first that maybe they screwed up and didn't put the drain plug on back tight enough and they don't want to tell me.
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That is what I immediately thought after I read the first post. They could have installed the oil filter incorrectly as well. I would blame this problem more on the dealer than Toyota. Did you happen to check the drain plug or oil filter after this happened?
 
I used to perform oil changes myself or shopped for cheap shops. Then I bought my new 4Runner. With the oil sludge problem of previous model of V6 (not 4.0) I decided to pay a few extra bucks and always let the dealer change the oil.
 
Well keep us posted on what happens. I don't think it is something affecting all 4Runners as I think this is the first time I've seen an oil related failure on the forums (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
 
Well I headed over to the dealership at lunch time and after spending an hour getting the run-around I finally got the answer that the oil drain plug came loose and that they are replacing the bearings on the camshaft.

I am angry that they have been telling me that they couldn't figure out the problem..Obviously they knew what it was from day one and were afraid I would go off on them.

I said does that mean you didn't tighten it enough. And they said it wouldn't have come off if it was tight enough. I mention that I have been changing my own oil for years and have never had the plug come off and the first time i bring it in to a professional it falls off. He said I went through express service if I went through my team at the dealership master technicians would be doing the oil change.

I am so what if I have other problems with my engine and he said they were going to check it out to make sure there are no other problems.

This is kind of frustrating and I don't want a vehicle with a engine that has been destroyed due to running without oil.
 
atomic said:
Well I headed over to the dealership at lunch time and after spending an hour getting the run-around I finally got the answer that the oil drain plug came loose and that they are replacing the bearings on the camshaft.

I am angry that they have been telling me that they couldn't figure out the problem..Obviously they knew what it was from day one and were afraid I would go off on them.

I said does that mean you didn't tighten it enough. And they said it wouldn't have come off if it was tight enough. I mention that I have been changing my own oil for years and have never had the plug come off and the first time i bring it in to a professional it falls off. He said I went through express service if I went through my team at the dealership master technicians would be doing the oil change.

I am so what if I have other problems with my engine and he said they were going to check it out to make sure there are no other problems.

This is kind of frustrating and I don't want a vehicle with a engine that has been destroyed due to running without oil.
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Freaking stealership!
So... you want them to give you an extended/lifetime warranty on the engine internals. They shouldn't have a problem with that if they are confident of the repair and that nothing else is wrong and lurking. Maybe a few years of free oil changes by their master techs, just to put you at ease.
 
atomic said:
... they are replacing the bearings on the camshaft.
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I'm not expert, but I would expect more needs repair if the engine completely lost power due to lack of oil.
 
A spun bearing would throw the timing off. This may explain the 40mph limitation. However, if the camshaft bearing siezes, then the timing belt could snap and possibly cause the valves and pistons to collide. I would imagine that they would at least have to replace the camshaft and resurface the camshaft journals prior to installing new bearings.

Go raise hell with the General Manager and make him give you a free extended warranty. Get everything documented and make sure they state that they were at fault (may be difficult to do). This will cover your ass in the event you have problems down the line and have to take them to court.
 
xUSNavy said:
A spun bearing would throw the timing off. This may explain the 40mph limitation. However, if the camshaft bearing siezes, then the timing belt could snap and possibly cause the valves and pistons to collide. I would imagine that they would at least have to replace the camshaft and resurface the camshaft journals prior to installing new bearings.

Go raise hell with the General Manager and make him give you a free extended warranty. Get everything documented and make sure they state that they were at fault (may be difficult to do). This will cover your ass in the event you have problems down the line and have to take them to court.
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You only had 6k miles on the vehicle. I'm sure driving 800 miles without oil may have added an increase in wear on some of the internal parts. If the camshaft bearings spun, then they better check the crankshaft and rod bearings for any signs of wear or out of tolerance. Actually, have them replace all the bearings just to be on the safe side.
 
i would call a lawyer first then i would call toyota then i would ask to recieve a brand new 4runner and not settle for anything elese since it was there fault
 
tampabay4runner said:
i would call a lawyer first then i would call toyota then i would ask to recieve a brand new 4runner and not settle for anything elese since it was there fault
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I disagree -- it sounds like the dealership's fault, not Toyota's. Toyota shouldn't have to provide him a new 4Runner, but you could certainly argue that the dealership might.
 
tampabay4runner said:
thats what i mean let toyota know about it and go after the dealership they have liability insurance right
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Well, they should have insurance! And you're right -- Toyota may be able to bring some pressure on the dealership.
 
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