Need Help! Please give me your opinion.

[scottp999]

Hi, I went to the dealership on Friday for my free 1000 mile oil change on my 2003 6cyl. I just noticed late saturday and this morning that the engine sounded king of weird while accelerating.

There seemed to be some valve noise. More tapping than normal. I checked the oil level and to my surprise the dealer had over filled the oil by almost 2 quarts. If you look at the dipstick and you see the distance between the first and last marks, the oil was that same distance above the highest mark. I drained out the excess but the engine still sounds rough while accelerating. Still tapping.

What do you suggest I do? Do you think there may have been major damage? I drove almost 90 miles with too much oil. I was thinking of calling the dealer tomorrow and seeing what they say about it? Should I ask them to do some sort of diagnostic on the engine? What do you think? Thanks, Scott.

 

[peter78]

Too much oil can ruin a engine. The oil turns to foam and the oil pump does not get enough oil. There may of been damge to the valves. One of my concerns is you drained the oil, I hope the dealer belives your story. I would take it in and have them look at it.


http://autos.yahoo.com/repair/results/ques052.html



http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/1996/July/07.html

 

[scottp999]

Thanks for the info. I am afraid I have damage. I called Toyota today and they started a case # on it. They have sent the info to the dealer to let them know they know about it and that toyota wants to know what the results are. I have an appointment for Wednesday. Amazing a $37,000 vehicle, go in for the 1000 mile change, and they may have ruined the engine. I am upset to say the least.

One more thing, I do think I hear valve noise. Can you explain to me what you think may have happened to them if there was too much oil. Also do you know of any diagnostic tests I can ask for to check things?

Thanks again!

 

[jharris2]

Sorry to hear about the possible damage. Never overfilled a vehicle by 2 quarts, so it makes you wonder if they really drained the oil properly then refilled with the normal capacity.

How many miles did you drive it before you noticed the noise?

I was unaware that there is a free 1000 mile oil change. Where is that documented? Or is it an unwritten policy?

 

[peter78]

I remember reading about a person who had their oil changed and the dealer filled it up twice with oil. The engine got destroyed because the parts could not get enough oil. How can that be? Well, if you put too much oil in, the oil in the oil pan hits the crankcase which is acting like a blender mixing up your oil. The oil foams up and the oil pump picks up foam, (mostly air and a little oil), instead of oil. The result is parts of the engine do not get lubercated with oil.

Having said that, I am not sure that is what happened to you. Hopefully, no serious damage was done. As far as how they could test it, I would imagine hooking up the computer will tell a lot, along with the noise that is heard. If they feel there is damage, they would pull the head and go from there. I just hope you don't have any damage.

 

[scottp999]

It was 90 miles that I went with too much oil. The 1000 mile change might not be standard.

I appreciate the info. I hope everything works out!

 

[EDGE]

Did you tell them you drained it and how could they make you an appointment when they should taken you right away

 

[scottp999]

They are obviously incompetent. I was looking at the work order and it shows they inflated the tires to 38 psi. I checked them last night and they are at about 40 when it says right on the door to fill them to 32.

I am afraid to take it back there.

 

[jharris2]

Any other dealer you could take it to?

Here in our area, there is one dealer that I wouldn't trust anything to, yet it's the closest to home. As with anything else, YMMV.

 

[scottp999]

That's an idea. There is one about 30 miles away. I will call Toyota and let them know what I plan on doing. Thanks.

 

[scottp999]

I talked to the asst. service manager to cancel my appt. there tomorrow so I can take it to another dealer. He let me explain the details to him. He would not even admit that overfilling can damage an engine. I didn't day that it did damage mine, just that I was concerned and wanted it looked at. He continued to tell me that it would just come out through the exhaust. I told him what about rings or seals? He asked, who told me that? That isn't going to happen. I mentioned, what about if it is overfilled and the crankshaft whips up the oil and air gets into the oil pump? That can't cause damage from lack of oil to vital parts? He said in all his years he has never heard of such a thing. I told him I thought that was funny since it is well documented many places and I have had one mechanic tell me that can happen, not to mention it is even in the owners manual that over filling can cause severe engine damage. Anyway I couldn't get any further with him. He even told me that the recommened tire pressure by toyota would give me worse treadwear than the 38+ PSI they over inflated the tires to, but wouldn't explain why I would get better treadwear with the tires way above the recommended level.

Oh well will have another dealer look at it and post the results.

By the way, it is DARCARS Toyota in Frederick, MD. in case anyone is wondering.

 

[peter78]

So the dealer never heard anything about it, huh. I tried to pull the story about overfilling the oil twice and killing a engine. I couldn't find that but I did find one story on the inter-net that talks about overfilling a engine by more than a one quart. You may want to give the dealer the article.


http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2001/August/03.html



My guess is the extra quarts put a strain on the engine and I bet they will say nothing is wrong. If that is the case it would be nice if they would give you a extended warranty on the engine, like Toyota did with the 3.0 V6 engine that had a sludge problem. I mean you bought a brand new $37,000 SUV and you don't want to live with the hassle of possibly rebuilding the engine because of a mistake that they made. Let us know what happens.

 

[aj1100]

OP, what was the verdict? Same issue is happening to me currently. Thanks

 

[ads2539]

OP, what was the verdict? Same issue is happening to me currently. Thanks

This thread is over eighteen years old. The OP might not be on here anymore.

Edit: I just clicked on his screen name. His last visit was over a year ago, and his 2003 V6 is long gone.

 

[rdruss]

Love it when a thread like this gets going and the originator just disappears without ever telling outcome!!