Oil leaking after dealer oil change

[whitetiger]

I'd say the minimum you want is an extended warranty on the engine. Maximum you want is a new engine.

It's likely from the sound you recorded that the hydraulic lash adjusters de-pressurized. Best case is no damage, worst case is cam lobe and/or rocker arm damage plus bearings at the crank mains and rod journals. If they're damaged, metal (iron, chromium, aluminum, lead) will usually show up in used oil analysis and be at higher levels than baseline.

Blackstone Labs, NAPA are both reputable oil analysis services in the ~$25 range.

Thanks waypoint for the input. I will be sitting down with the GM tomorrow to review the documentation they have prepared. I’m not fully mechanically incline so your suggestions of possible damages is greatly appreciated I will make sure that this is discussed in the documentation.

I had a brief phone call with him today. I mentioned if they did an oil analysis which they said no and do not do. After hearing that, I asked to meet in person as them assuring me no damage was done went out the window.

Do you recommend any other test to perform for documentation purposes? I have the kit from Blackstone Labs being mailed so I will make sure an oil analyst gets done.

 

[waypoint]

Do you recommend any other test to perform for documentation purposes? I have the kit from Blackstone Labs being mailed so I will make sure an oil analyst gets done.

Other than any new audible engine noise, used oil analysis is your only useful diagnostic.

In your meeting, I'd push for the extended warranty on the engine.

If the meeting doesn't go well I'd contact Toyota corporate and open a complaint. This will document the defective work leading to the oil leak, engine noise, and oil pressure warning light...those 3 are your only actual issues at this point. If you later find additional problems such as new engine noise and/or abnormal wear metals in the used oil analysis, these data points support your original complaint and provide a cause of action.

It's very likely that the engine incurred no damage from this, and there will be no further issue. You'll just need to increase your diligence for the next few oil changes via lab analysis, and be listening for ticking/knocking noises that weren't there previously.

 

[WNY PAT]

Did you call or email Blackstone Labs? The guys there are super responsive and super knowledgeable, and if you haven’t yet, I would contact them before your meeting with the GM. Ask them what intervals they would recommend at this point to monitor for any possible engine damage. Once you inform them of this, I’m sure they will not only personalize your OA write up but provide specific guidance for the frequency and duration of the tests. Then you can ask the GM to foot the bill for the tests and for (what I am assuming will be) more frequent oil changes for awhile. Blackstone has been around a long time and I’m sure they’ve dealt with this before. I’m really curious as to what the findings will be. If you’re willing, please post the OA results here someplace. Fingers crossed for you!

Thanks waypoint for the input. I will be sitting down with the GM tomorrow to review the documentation they have prepared. I’m not fully mechanically incline so your suggestions of possible damages is greatly appreciated I will make sure that this is discussed in the documentation.

I had a brief phone call with him today. I mentioned if they did an oil analysis which they said no and do not do. After hearing that, I asked to meet in person as them assuring me no damage was done went out the window.

Do you recommend any other test to perform for documentation purposes? I have the kit from Blackstone Labs being mailed so I will make sure an oil analyst gets done.

 

[JAXJeremy]

I cringe when I hear stories like this especially since I've got one more complimentary oil change through the dealership..makes me not even want to use it..

Regardless of what happens with the dealership, I'd still lodge a complaint with Toyota corp, just to get it on record. They can put a lot more pressure on the dealer.

 

[CavPro]

Do you have any idea how much oil was lost? Did the oil still register on the dipstick? How far did you travel before you discovered the leak? Of the videos you shot and posted, which one was recorded first? You don't need to post up the answers here if you don't want to but you better be ready to answer those Q's at some point. If you didn't get any of this before the dealer got their hands on it, well, good luck.

 

[the_fornicator]

Given the nature of the **** up, I'd ask for extended warranty on the engine that covers it up to 120K miles. Heck, I'd even push for lifetime warranty on the engine. Argument is that it's a 4runner and the engines should last foreeeeeeeever if properly maintained. So, they should warranty it up to a reasonable point where they expect the engine to at least live to.

If the engine doesn't die, nothing comes out of their pocket. If they are 100% sure that no damage has occurred, imo, they should have no issue giving you the extended warranty.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Another example of why I do all my own maintenance.

 

[Mutant138]

Most important thing right now is getting everything documented to a T. They ****ed up big.

 

[fubarovich]

skip the free maintenance offer?

So after reading posts like this one (sorry for your trouble OP), do I even bother with the free maintenance that comes with my new 4runner ORP? Current vehicle mileage is 2k and I'm going to do the first oil change myself at 2.5k but was then hoping to use the free dealer changes starting at 10k.

 

[rb92673]

If the low oil pressure light did not come on, then there was oil pressure withing factory specifications while it was running. If it was me, I would change the oil again after 5,000 miles and send a sample to Blackstone to verify wear is similar to other 4Runners.

 

[mesooohoppy]

So after reading posts like this one (sorry for your trouble OP), do I even bother with the free maintenance that comes with my new 4runner ORP? Current vehicle mileage is 2k and I'm going to do the first oil change myself at 2.5k but was then hoping to use the free dealer changes starting at 10k.

you could always check the drain plug and the dipstick before you leave the dealer after every oil change. that way if there is an issue, its much easier to prove the dealer is at fault and very unlikely of any engine damage or oil starvation issues.

i do all my own work, but holy hell, i had no idea some of these toyota dealers are this bad. if i didnt do my own work, these threads would be enough to motivate me to learn. these dealer issues cant be limited to just toyotas, correct?

 

[Mutant138]

do I even bother with the free maintenance that comes with my new 4runner ORP?

No..

 

[RockyM]

So after reading posts like this one (sorry for your trouble OP), do I even bother with the free maintenance that comes with my new 4runner ORP?

I wouldn't and never do. It is not worth a) the risks (see original post), b) spending time driving to the dealership and waiting x hours for them to perform a simple service, c) having to reset my seat position (no memory seats here) and radio, and d) just being in a dealership that gives me the willies.

I also [gasp] enjoy working on my own vehicle

 

[Mutant138]

I wouldn't and never do. It is not worth a) the risks (see original post), b) spending time driving to the dealership and waiting x hours for them to perform a simple service, c) having to reset my seat position (no memory seats here) and radio, and d) just being in a dealership that gives me the willies.

I also [gasp] enjoy working on my own vehicle

I ****ing hate wrenching with my bad back and knees yet it's still worth it for said reasons.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I took my new 4R in to the dealer for the first four services with two free oil changes. I checked it over after each service. And found problems every single time. I went back and confronted the service manager each time and got a resolution, more or less. He said they put the least experienced, greenest new guys on the oil change and tire rotation jobs. So they learn. They have to, for economic and training reasons. All the best techs do the hard and more interesting jobs.
It’s no wonder so many mistakes are made.
And it happens at all dealers, all makes.
I do my own maintenance now.

 

[JAXJeremy]

I took my new 4R in to the dealer for the first four services with two free oil changes. I checked it over after each service. And found problems every single time. I went back and confronted the service manager each time and got a resolution, more or less. He said they put the least experienced, greenest new guys on the oil change and tire rotation jobs. So they learn. They have to, for economic and training reasons. All the best techs do the hard and more interesting jobs.
It’s no wonder so many mistakes are made.
And it happens at all dealers, all makes.
I do my own maintenance now.

they have to learn somewhere, but at the very least they could have the shop manager or someone Sr do a quick QA before the vehicle is sent out the door.. oil fluid correct, plug in pan, check, no leaks..that would take less than 2 minutes.

 

[waypoint]

they have to learn somewhere, but at the very least they could have the shop manager or someone Sr do a quick QA before the vehicle is sent out the door.. oil fluid correct, plug in pan, check, no leaks..that would take less than 2 minutes.

Sounds like apprentice training, a concept lost on much of the automotive repair industry except for some diesel/heavy shops I have seen over the years.

 

[flyrv9]

People have posted before that they remove their skid plate before going in for their free oil change. Then they make a thorough check before leaving the lot. This prevents the dealer from stripping the skid plate bolts and they can see if there are other issues.

 

[cbreze]

So after reading posts like this one (sorry for your trouble OP), do I even bother with the free maintenance that comes with my new 4runner ORP? Current vehicle mileage is 2k and I'm going to do the first oil change myself at 2.5k but was then hoping to use the free dealer changes starting at 10k.

I was in the same situation wanting the free oil changes but definitely leery of dealer service. Went ahead and got them but always, always checked for obvious mistakes afterwards before driving away. Dipstick replaced, oil leaking from underneath, oil spilled on engine, oil level at proper level, etc. Then check underneath for oil leaks in my garage for the next couple of days of use. When warranty was up I got myself hooked up with a great shop that does great work.

As for the original posters issue I’m just kind of scratching my head why a big puddle of oil wasn’t noticed under the rig when picking it up. Even the shop people should have seen it after he drove away.

In any case a really bad situation for the OP. I hope it gets worked out correctly for him.

 

[denim]

[MENTION=177200]whitetiger[/MENTION] - any update since your conversation with the manager?