lost all oil, 4runner stalled, damage???

[TheDurk]

I was just looking at the bills, the original oil change used 5 C0009-00530 oil.

This is what it says on bill after being towed:
condition: customer just had oil change, now oil light came on and engine stalled, towed to shop

cause: oil plug fell out

correction: installed new plug, gasket, filled oil, test drove vehicle, no faults

used 5 C0009-00520 oil

(my question- what is the difference from 00530 oil that was put in the original oil change compared to 00520 oil)

I assume 00520 is 5W20 and 00530 is 5W30. Recommended oil for our trucks is 5W30. 5W20 is a little thin for our rigs, but probably OK this time of year. I have no idea why they would have changed.

 

[brian2sun]

Jeez, the saga continues... Make a note that they did not even put the correct weight oil back in your engine. 5w30 is what the manual says, you got 5w20. These guys are idiots. Don't fall for their 1 year guarantee BS - Get a new engine out of them and a new engine only. What if your engine would have lasted another 10 years and now it only lasts 3? You get screwed and the idiot who worked on yours, lied to you, forgot to tighten the plug, put the wrong weight oil in, and fatally screwed your engine gets a break.

 

[Hepar]

I was just looking at the bills, the original oil change used 5 C0009-00530 oil.

This is what it says on bill after being towed:
condition: customer just had oil change, now oil light came on and engine stalled, towed to shop

cause: oil plug fell out

correction: installed new plug, gasket, filled oil, test drove vehicle, no faults

used 5 C0009-00520 oil

(my question- what is the difference from 00530 oil that was put in the original oil change compared to 00520 oil)

Make copies of that. It's in writing that it was an error on their part that caused this. True, it was a human error, but an error none the less. If you had made the error, I would say to just keep your fingers crossed and keep going, but it was made by a professional establishment. They have to be held accountable. I've never heard of an engine losing all oil and having zero damage from it. Especially if it forced it to shut down.

Good luck and sorry to hear it.

 

[BTO]

The only thing that I can think of that might stall an engine before it seizes from running dry would be hydraulic lifters losing their oil pressure.

 

[animal]

I would ask them ,since it was their F Up, to check the engine. Remove the head and check for scoring from the pistons and check for a leak in the engine block. I wouldn't leave it at a oil fill and a year warranty. I'd be piss'ed as all hell. I'd demand the service be done to check and on their dime. If not, complain to corporate and tell them what happened. I am sure they'll take care of you.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I would ask them ,since it was their F Up, to check the engine. Remove the head and check for scoring from the pistons and check for a leak in the engine block. I wouldn't leave it at a oil fill and a year warranty. I'd be piss'ed as all hell. I'd demand the service be done to check and on their dime. If not, complain to corporate and tell them what happened. I am sure they'll take care of you.

I would honestly be afraid to let them check anything at this point. If it had only been they forgot to put the plug back in securely then that would be one thing. One guy could screw that up but for them to say the engine shuts off by itself to prevent damage is nothing I've ever heard of before and seems no one on here either. Seems they are just telling you whavever and I wouldn't trust them now.

 

[Nelsonmd]

That lie would piss me off something fierce if it was me. Not only did they f**k up your engine out of pure negligence, then they make up this magic sensor that saves the day (or more like their asses) and ends world hunger. You need to talk to their manager and the regional manager immediately and not only demand they replace your engine, but expose their lie.

I think your best idea is what Brian said, talk to the general manager of the dealership (General manager, not department manager). If they refuse to help you, then you can call your actual regional Toyota office. Here is a link to some info I found...

Toyota Customer Service: Tips for Getting Your Problem Solved | Tundra Headquarters

Generally, it is best to try to go through the proper procedures, meaning exhaust your options at the dealership, then try another dealership. Go to the dealership GM, and be honest, you are concerned that there could be undisclosed damage and a 1 year warranty isn't enough. You have the documentation that it was their fault (you have the receipt from your last oil change there right? showing they were they last to put in the oil plug?). Just take all the documentation you have of the work they have done for you (loyalty to the dealership will help). More than likely the GM will order additional checks or work done, just to prevent further liability, if not, then call Toyota directly.

Let us know how it goes.


BTW, Sorry Bootown, it is illegal to record a conversation without informing the other person or having a warrant.

EDIT: Also, be pleasant when you talk to them. Getting emotional or upset is usually not the way to get what you want because you seem unreasonable or unsatisfiable. Don't accuse from the start, just state your concerns.

 

[TheDurk]

BTW, Sorry Bootown, it is illegal to record a conversation without informing the other person or having a warrant.

Not true. See this site: "Can We Tape?"

Twelve states require, under most circumstances, the consent of all parties to a conversation. Those jurisdictions are California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington. Be aware that you will sometimes hear these referred to inaccurately as “two-party consent” laws. If there are more than two people involved in the conversation, all must consent to the taping.

In the other 38 (plus DC), you can tape as long as ONE of the parties (you) consents. So it depends on what State Debbie and her dealer are in. There are additional restrictions on what you can take to court that vary by state. Otherwise, good advice, Matt.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Not true. See this site: "Can We Tape?"



In the other 38 (plus DC), you can tape as long as ONE of the parties (you) consents. So it depends on what State Debbie and her dealer are in. There are additional restrictions on what you can take to court that vary by state. Otherwise, good advice, Matt.

I stand corrected. I do think it is overkill here though. This would be handled in small claims court, and a recording would probably be unnecessary given a service record and the documentation she mentioned about the oil plug falling out.

I am really curious how this will turn out.

 

[piperoo]

BTW, Sorry Bootown, it is illegal to record a conversation without informing the other person or having a warrant.

That actually varies from state to state. In Alabama you can record a conversation as long as at least 1 of the people on the phone are aware it is being recorded...and the person recording can actually be the person
'that is aware'.

Regardless, great info in this thread about what you can do. They messed up and you need to get every test they do in writing, etc...and don't believe anything verbal about a 'year warranty'....ask them to put that into writing and if they won't then it was a lie to begin with....

 

[theizzardking]

and please please ask them to show where this auto shut off sensor is located and take a pic and post it here, really get on them about that, as we're pretty sure it's a bold face lie, we would love to be proved wrong though so really get after them about this and let us know what happens!

 

[blackbeauty]

I have been checking the oil. First check was about 1 inch above the top line. Then 1/2 an inch above, and yesterday it was just at the top line. So it is using oil. So, when 5 litres of oil is put in, why does it show an inch above the top line. Or did they add something else and it looks green (like gear oil that was suggested here before) and that on top of 5 litres put it over on the dipstick.
Once it goes below, I will take it back to Toyota. And hopefully get this whole mess cleared up.
And if the service manager doesn't want to do anything, I will be making an appointment with the GM. Thanks for the help everyone and the great ideas.

Debbie from Canada.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I have been checking the oil. First check was about 1 inch above the top line. Then 1/2 an inch above, and yesterday it was just at the top line. So it is using oil. So, when 5 litres of oil is put in, why does it show an inch above the top line. Or did they add something else and it looks green (like gear oil that was suggested here before) and that on top of 5 litres put it over on the dipstick.
Once it goes below, I will take it back to Toyota. And hopefully get this whole mess cleared up.
And if the service manager doesn't want to do anything, I will be making an appointment with the GM. Thanks for the help everyone and the great ideas.

Debbie from Canada.

Mine never fills past the top line with 5 quarts. Could sludge cause that much displacement as to add a full quart over the fill line?

 

[TheDurk]

Debbie, that is a LOT of oil to use/burn/leak in a day or two. New oil can be tough to read sometimes, but Yikes. 5 litres should not overfill the engine--I have no idea why it was high if that was what they put in. Since they did not change the filter, some oil was trapped in there, but even so....(spec is 4.7 litres w/o oil filter change on the V6, which I have been assuming is your engine.)

 

[Satter]

Also, be pleasant when you talk to them. Getting emotional or upset is usually not the way to get what you want because you seem unreasonable or unsatisfiable. Don't accuse from the start, just state your concerns.

Just needed to be quoted again for the truth. Being professional is always the way to go. Just my opinion.

I'm currently dealing with too much oil in my engine as well. Too much oil can bust your seals, plus other things. Stupid question, but when you check your oil are you making sure the engine has been off and cooled down? It usually takes around 5 hours for all the oil to completely settle back down into the pan. At least that is what I heard.

 

[blackbeauty]

Yes, mine is a V6. I've been checking the oil when it is cold. The last check was after 3 hours, so perhaps I shouldn't be so fast in saying it is using oil. They didn't change the oil filter the 2nd time. It was 25 kms from the original oil change.

 

[Supra725]

That's a lot of booty. I think the dealership is trying to run away from the fact that they were wrong and refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

My friends dad had a similar situation, he took his Honda Civic to the dealer for a oil change. But after the oil change, the plug felt out and all the oil came out quicker than the Hoover Dam..

The dealer were the last one that touched the vehicle, and they replaced his motor with a new one.

take it to another dealership, have a different point of view than the one that worked on it.

 

[blackbeauty]

After his Honda Civic lost the oil, was his engine shot. Or did it start up after more oil put in.

With mine it started up and it is running good, has lots of power. But as everyone is saying there has to be some sort of damage that would have occured.

 

[Supra725]

I asked him and this is his answer..

'The Engine didn't seize up completely but got hot enough to tear up the ring and the cylinder walls, bad enough they replaced the engine. '

 

[TheDurk]

I asked him and this is his answer..

'The Engine didn't seize up completely but got hot enough to tear up the ring and the cylinder walls, bad enough they replaced the engine. '

...which leads to the idea that a borescope examination of the cylinder walls and a compression test are the minimum that should be done to assure the health of the engine--preferably by an objective third party at the dealer's expense.