Oil leak after dealership oil change

MuddyButt

New member
I got my oil changed at a Toyota dealership about 200 miles ago and while inspecting my CV axles (as I do after trail riding), I noticed a fair amount of oil by the drain plug and spreading all throughout the front diff, transmission, and so on. I clarified the drain plug was the source. this is a new leak so here's my question, will the dealership fix this for free? I feel they should since it seems to be the gasket they installed that is failing. could it also be the bolt?
 
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Could be either one, or worse, threads in the pan are stripped and plug can't grip. Usually happens when some idiot spins plug in with an impact. Dealer should know better, but no guarantees. In any case, give dealer a try. Maybe they just forgot the gasket. They are good for three or four changes IF TORQUED CORRECTLY--I change mine every other time and never had a problem. But by the book they are one-time use.
 
Could be either one, or worse, threads in the pan are stripped and plug can't grip. Usually happens when some idiot spins plug in with an impact. Dealer should know better, but no guarantees. In any case, give dealer a try. Maybe they just forgot the gasket. They are good for three or four changes IF TORQUED CORRECTLY--I change mine every other time and never had a problem. But by the book they are one-time use.

looks like a metal gasket is in place, maybe its defective. or maybe even worse they did strip the threads ill take it back when I get a chance.
 
looks like a metal gasket is in place, maybe its defective. or maybe even worse they did strip the threads ill take it back when I get a chance.

OEM Toyota gasket on the V6 is a composite of some kind, not metal.

images
 
OEM Toyota gasket on the V6 is a composite of some kind, not metal.

images

whelp there's the problem. the one that is on looks like a aluminum gasket. And I also noticed they put the next oil change in 3000 miles from the oil change. this makes me think they knew this was a problem.

every visit to Toyota stealerships makes me question my decision to have my 4runner dealership maintained more and more. why do they make it so hard to take care of my 4runner
 
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I have to ask why you went to the dealer in the first place and just don't change it yourself.

I wanted to treat my car with care by giving it "Toyota certified service" this is the first car I bought myself and I want it to last a long time. I changed the oil in my last vehicle the whole time I owned it after I got it from my mom, until I sold it. this isn't the first time I've had a problem with a Toyota dealership during an oil change so I'm seriously considering changing my oil again and keeping my own logs.
 
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It's an oil change. The dealer can't do anything special that you can't do yourself, certified or not. Stop drinking the dealer Kool aid.

That said, I'd take it back to them if it didn't leak before the change.
 
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I have always felt that no one has the ability to care for my 4runner or any other of my autos like I can. That is why it is a constant exercise in learning how to fix new things. It hasn't been without many bumps in the road. In fact on this 4runner I left the old oil filter gasket on the block while putting a new filter on. Not a pretty site seeing all that oil leak.

Go back to the dealer, be polite but firm and tell them to fix the drip correctly.
 
That OEM gasket is metal, probably aluminum from it's light weight, coated on the flat sides with a very smooth graphite-like material. They can usually be reused many times.
If it were mine, I'd carefully check the tightness of the plug myself, just to make sure it's roadworthy.
If it's not safe to drive(crazy loose and won't tighten), call the dealer and ask them to arrange a tow in at their expense. That should get their attention.
And then make plans not to use them again for service.
My local dealer used to be OK for service, just expensive. Then they went crazy/incompetant, and I had to put them on my personal blacklist. I'm lucky, though: I live in the big city, and there are many service places to choose from, including other dealers.
 
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I got my oil changed at a Toyota dealership about 200 miles ago and while inspecting my CV axles (as I do after trail riding), I noticed a fair amount of oil by the drain plug and spreading all throughout the front diff, transmission, and so on. I clarified the drain plug was the source. this is a new leak so here's my question, will the dealership fix this for free? I feel they should since it seems to be the gasket they installed that is failing. could it also be the bolt?

That's what happens when you go to the dealer!

showposter.jpg
 
I wanted to treat my car with care by giving it "Toyota certified service" this is the first car I bought myself and I want it to last a long time. I changed the oil in my last vehicle the whole time I owned it after I got it from my mom, until I sold it. this isn't the first time I've had a problem with a Toyota dealership during an oil change so I'm seriously considering changing my oil again and keeping my own logs.

I usually don't trust other people working on my 4runner :o I know the gasket is cheap but you can get away only changing it every 3 or so oil changes.
 
I took mine to the dealer for the first time for an oil change. It was a great experience. I am sick of changing vehicle oil. They changed the oil, washed my 4runner, basically inspected the whole thing and gave me a work list for $40! I don't think I could change it for any cheaper. Plus its on record and will show up as a service on carfax if I ever get rid of it. Now everything else I will change and work on myself.. but I don't consider an oil change from the dealer a bad thing.
 
Nowadays the person who is changing oil at the dealer is the young wet behind the ears kid who isn't earning squat and more importantly has fallen in love with power tools, especially the cordless impact. Some bolts can take repeated over torquing though others can not.

My brother's neighbor's kid has been a tech at Lexus for two years and doesn't own or I am not sure even knows to use a torque wrench.
 
I took mine to the dealer for the first time for an oil change. It was a great experience. I am sick of changing vehicle oil. They changed the oil, washed my 4runner, basically inspected the whole thing and gave me a work list for $40! I don't think I could change it for any cheaper. Plus its on record and will show up as a service on carfax if I ever get rid of it. Now everything else I will change and work on myself.. but I don't consider an oil change from the dealer a bad thing.

Have you seen under your 4Runner lately? You are in for a surprise! :faint2:
 

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