The answer is about 500 yards.

[marshal]

*I thought the 4runner engines were Aluminum block with a cast iron sleeve on the cylinders? IIRC there was some literature on the motor that essentially said you need a new block if the sleeves are damaged as they are not repairable or replaceable.

That is correct

 

[Jetboy]

toyota corporate won't care. their minimum-wage phone lackeys will just refer you to a dealer.

This.

Lexus corporate (toyota corporate) didn't give a shit when Lexus employees left my car out of the fence so they could strip it. The old Toyota is gone. If Toyota screws it up - they fix it. If a dealer does - they don't care.

IMO - I would accept nothing less than a factory new fully dressed engine and a 100k warranty. That gives them the absolute least possible amount of parts to screw up re-assembling. And I would ask that only a Toyota factory trained mechanic touch anything on the install.

I think the dealer should give you a new one and fix and sell this one used as is with no warranty. Like Toyota did with the Tundra 5.7 cam shaft failures for a while.

Good luck! Sorry to hear about this.

 

[Ol'Blue]

It's 50/50, Lube Techs aren't always representative of the Dealer's Technician's capability... but it doesn't mean their Tech side can't be bad either. :/

Make sure it is a NEW engine and not an LKQ replacement.

I said the same thing dude. I posted it on another forum. Bran Fing new crate engine complete. All they will have to do is drop it in and plug it in and go. NO LONG BLOCK!

Whats wrong with LKQ anyhow, lol....

Blue

 

[BigredTEX]

I'm in the area and curious as well.

I'll let 4RunRunFun respond to you directly. He's actually a neighbor of mine and we've wheeled together. He texted me this morning with some details and what is going on with the dealership, so I'm sure he'll post progress here on the forum.

I will say it was a dealership in the northern suburbs on I-35.

 

[nevada]

Do the 5th gens have an oil level light...? You think they would have clued into that.

im curious as to why they even closed the hood before visually checking to make sure it had the proper oil level via the dipstick?

oil light or not, though if it doesn't have a pressure gauge, its got a light.

Tell them to drop a v8 in there.

this. haha.



I would echo some of the others in here, and suggest that buying it back, and giving you a deal on a new replacement would be the most reasonable and acceptable resolution to this situation.

 

[wfo9]

I said the same thing dude. I posted it on another forum. Bran Fing new crate engine complete. All they will have to do is drop it in and plug it in and go. NO LONG BLOCK!

Whats wrong with LKQ anyhow, lol....

Blue

I think you missed the point that Toyota does not do crate motors. This is not Chevy or Ford....

 

[serial0l0]

I'll let 4RunRunFun respond to you directly. He's actually a neighbor of mine and we've wheeled together. He texted me this morning with some details and what is going on with the dealership, so I'm sure he'll post progress here on the forum.

I will say it was a dealership in the northern suburbs on I-35.

How far North? I'm in Denton and my maintenance is due. Feel free to PM me if it's not public in the posts below...Haven't read all the way through yet. Thanks!


edit:// now I have...2 posts later...ha.

 

[4RunRunFun]

Hey folks,

Thanks for all of the advice good and bad. I really appreciate the support I am receiving with this situation.

Many of you have asked for details of what exactly happened. Well, I hopped in at the service drive thru and drove 100 yds out to the street turned and I drove about a couple hundred yards and the dash lit up like a christmas tree (check engine/battery and 1 or 2 more). The engine cut off and I was coasting about 45-50 with no power steering or power brakes. I got it slowed down and pulled into the first parking lot. That was it. No early warning lights or weird sounds. I did have the radio on at a normal level which could have drowned out some smaller knocks or pings but nothing notable. The lead tech and one of the service reps showed up in about 5-10 minutes. The first thing the tech did was check the dipstick twice and there was no oil registering from what I could see. They offered a car but I had them take me home where I have my other ride. They towed the 4Runner back and called me a couple hours later. They found metal shavings in the oil pan and I knew it was toast. They said that they didn't think a rebuild would be good and offered a new motor which I thought was acceptable at the time.

Today, I called and briefly spoke with the GM. He told me that he had just heard about it 5 minutes before and didn't have any details other than the tech was fired on the spot. I told him that I was offered a new crate engine but after doing research that I thought they needed to replace it with a new vehicle because of the resale value and possible problems in the future. I told him since he was just hearing about it, I would give him some time to get all of the information together and he could call back to discuss how we move forward.

I will keep you updated.

4RunRun(NotHavingMuch)Fun

 

[bane]

Considering what happened I think you handled that about as well as you possibly could have. GL with getting a new 4Runner, here's hoping the dealership treats you right.

 

[4RunRunFun]

How far North? I'm in Denton and my maintenance is due. Feel free to PM me if it's not public in the posts below...Haven't read all the way through yet. Thanks!


edit:// now I have...2 posts later...ha.

Someone said it earlier in this thread, "Everyone makes mistakes, EVERYONE." The offending tech was fired on the spot and I am waiting for the GM to make it right. I will release the name of the dealership good or bad later but it will be with high praise(because they did the right thing) or scorched earth(the wrong thing). This should be sorted out in a few hours. If not, I will PM you the name. Let's keep the pitchforks in the barn for the moment.

 

[serial0l0]

Thanks. Either way, I am checking the oil after the maintenance. Even if they just rotate the tires...lol. My wife's prius and my 4r are both due. :/

Hope everything works out well for you with minimum hassle.

 

[wfo9]

Really surprises me that the 1grfe does not have an oil level sensor. That is a real handy sensor to have and most cars I have owned in the last 10 years have had one. Only downside is they occasionally alert erroneously on steep hills.

Even without that, no oil pressure should throw an immediate code... I Just get the feeling that all the diagnostic in these things are way behind the times. I guess that is not a strength of Toyota.

 

[Ol'Blue]

I think you missed the point that Toyota does not do crate motors. This is not Chevy or Ford....

I just confirmed this.... You Sir are correct and I can't even believe they do not have a complete option. Looks like they are going to have fun building this from a short block. Have fun dealership. Sir I wish you the best of luck.

Blue

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

I would get a LOW mileage complete LKQ engine before I let them build one.

However, I would first want to be traded out and put in a new 2016.

Just my 2 pennies.

 

[JeremyB]

I would get a LOW mileage complete LKQ engine before I let them build one.

However, I would first want to be traded out and put in a new 2016.

Yarp. Building a shortblock isn't too hard, but I think getting a low mileage factory motor (assuming it wasn't damaged when the donor vehicle was totaled, another risk) is a superior option.

If you go the shortlblock route, you're due some money for diminished value. I would steer clear of a vehicle with such a blemish on it's Carfax.

 

[turdpro]

Hope you get this horrible situation resolved to your satisfaction OP.

Kinda a side note, but I wonder if the significant damage in essentially the time before the low oil pressure light came on is attributable to the 0w-20 oils they are using these days. I get why they use stuff, VVT and mileage, but in these instances it's detrimental.

In the early 1990's I used to race a M3, and blew an oil cooler line on the straight at Lime Rock, effectively dumping the whole sump--the engine was redlined when it happened. I was using M1 20w-50. I shut it down, and coasted to the outrun with the clutch in. Towed the car home, did a full teardown of the engine and surprisingly only the #4 crank bearing needed replacement. High viscosity oil saved my bacon. Not advocating changing weights in the T4R in any way.

It also seems odd that the oil pressure warning light did not come on sooner. In my FJ, if the filter cartridge was not filled after an oil change, it used to come on right away on start up, before extinguishing itself.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I wouldn't drive a car some dealership too dumb to do an oil change visually inspected for damage and fixed "accordingly" further than I'd be willing to walk.

I'd get a lawyer/go into arbitration and make them buy the damn thing from me... they've essentially lemoned your vehicle.

I may not get a lawyer right away but I would make it very clear that I would expect a new vehicle. Nothing less than that.

You don't say exactly what happened. CE light come on? Engine seize?

If the former, you are not likely damaged, and the last thing I'd want is a major teardown. (I'd sure want a loooong term Toyota extended warranty at a minimum).

If the latter (or you're sure there's damage) I'd lawyer up and accept nothing less than a new vehicle. I can see nothing but trouble forever with an engine teardown - in this case it should be Dealer's/Toyota's problem. A repair of this magnitude will diminish your value. Perhaps a very attractive trade-in and replacement ?

I'd say it's a 50/50 chance that you'll end up with a good tech that will get everything just right and not damage anything else.

I agree with everyone who says the dealership needs to make this right and that means you should be happy. In this case I don’t really think it would be un reasonable to ask them to purchase the truck back from you and then you get another one if that’s what you want. This is not Toyota warranty work, it is a mistake by a dealership employee. That said don’t be an a%$ hat in this situation, remain calm, understand that no one wants to be here anymore then you do and that you are now an expensive customer for the dealer (it was their fault but the fact remains). Everyone makes mistakes, everyone. While I agree this is a “large” mistake I hate to see people losing their cool over engines or damaged sheet metal, it never helps your case. Outline the situation and how you would like it fixed and put the ball into their court. Best of luck

Now some questions:

*Did a check engine light not come on the second you started the truck and it sensed no/low oil pressure?
*Did the motor not sound funny (this is an honest question, I have a good understanding of engines but I have never listened to one run without oil but would assume it would not sound normal....does that mean clattery or screechy I don't know but I would assume there would be a hint/clue there
*I thought the 4runner engines were Aluminum block with a cast iron sleeve on the cylinders? IIRC there was some literature on the motor that essentially said you need a new block if the sleeves are damaged as they are not repairable or replaceable.

Exactly right. Don't be an ass right off the bat. I'd try talking to them first. If you feel like they are playing games or pressuring you, that's when you walk and find a lawyer. On the other hand, sometimes just a letter from a lawyer is all it takes to get your way.

I was wondering the same thing as the questions above. Doesn't anybody check the oil before they leave? Didn't it sound funny (like rocks in a coffee can) with no oil? Of course, I guess 500 yards may not be much time to determine a sound.

I'd say let this be a lesson learned. I change my own oil (and most other maintenance) and I still double check my own work.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I said the same thing dude. I posted it on another forum. Bran Fing new crate engine complete. All they will have to do is drop it in and plug it in and go. NO LONG BLOCK!

Whats wrong with LKQ anyhow, lol....

Blue

Well besides they seem to regularly mix-up/mislabel their inventory and they butcher wiring harnesses; I actually have little issue with them to be honest (they tend to be really good about fixing their mess-ups, it just takes time which is frustrating for time-sensitive jobs.)

The reason I said they should make sure it's not an LKQ block is because LKQ is a salvage yard, not a new parts supplier. Many dealerships and shops will source good used parts from them for jobs to help the customer reduce the price of the work (or some crooked shops will use it to increase their profit margin.)

But in this case, the dealership should be replacing any and all damaged components with new genuine Toyota parts, not LKQ stuff. That's all I was getting at, I actually like LKQ and recommend them for used/salvage parts on the forum.

~

I'm happy it seems they are trying to do the right thing. Best of luck man!

 

[Ol'Blue]

I use allot of there parts for customers because they have good stuff if you know what you are looking for. My local LKQ guys know not to send me junk because I'll return it ASAP. We have used several good salvaged Engines and I have no complaints at all. Like you said they make it right.

I wish you the best of luck on this issue and I'll be following it to see how it turns out.

Blue

 

[RedMagik]

Hey folks,

Thanks for all of the advice good and bad. I really appreciate the support I am receiving with this situation.

Many of you have asked for details of what exactly happened. Well, I hopped in at the service drive thru and drove 100 yds out to the street turned and I drove about a couple hundred yards and the dash lit up like a christmas tree (check engine/battery and 1 or 2 more). The engine cut off and I was coasting about 45-50 with no power steering or power brakes. I got it slowed down and pulled into the first parking lot. That was it. No early warning lights or weird sounds. I did have the radio on at a normal level which could have drowned out some smaller knocks or pings but nothing notable. The lead tech and one of the service reps showed up in about 5-10 minutes. The first thing the tech did was check the dipstick twice and there was no oil registering from what I could see. They offered a car but I had them take me home where I have my other ride. They towed the 4Runner back and called me a couple hours later. They found metal shavings in the oil pan and I knew it was toast. They said that they didn't think a rebuild would be good and offered a new motor which I thought was acceptable at the time.

Today, I called and briefly spoke with the GM. He told me that he had just heard about it 5 minutes before and didn't have any details other than the tech was fired on the spot. I told him that I was offered a new crate engine but after doing research that I thought they needed to replace it with a new vehicle because of the resale value and possible problems in the future. I told him since he was just hearing about it, I would give him some time to get all of the information together and he could call back to discuss how we move forward.

I will keep you updated.

4RunRun(NotHavingMuch)Fun

Good luck, hopefully he comes back with good news. :cheers: