This is disturbing

[04jckhmr]

So I got my 04 t4r just over 3 months ago. When I bought I asked that everything was checked out and what needed to be fixed- fixed. They said yes of course, we will take care of it, no problem. I bought it from a dealership and it came with new tires- although really shi**y ones, new ones none the less, detailed, the whole nine yards. So today I had off and was just over the 3000 mile mark and needed to do an oil change. I got underneath and started draining the oil and HOLY CHRIST!!!! This stuff was like dark as night. I have seen some nice oil in my day and this was bad. On top of that there was about 2 qts less than there should have been. Now thats shes changed and good to go- on my standards- what do i do? Can I go back to the place and be like wtf????? Anything I should look out for? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I'd run it and watch for oil consumption. If there appears to be none (after a 1000 miles or so) I wouldn't worry too much. I might put a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in 200-300 miles before the next oil change. After that just treat it well and enjoy it.

Don't freak yourself out, the V6 is incredibly tough and unless someone was running it full throttle for hours one 7 or 10k oil change isn't going to ruin it. The other thing to keep in mind is the V6 is a noisy engine. There's lots of little mechanical noises that come and go. When yours makes one of those noises just turn the radio up and forget this incident ever happened.

If the truck has some warranty I'd make sure to tell the dealer and get them to verify you're not responsible for maint records prior to purchase.
:cheers:

 

[alaskaman]

If the V-6 would work in an Airplane Flyer would most likely take it across the country.:cheers:

The engine is solid. If you want to cover yourself, write the dealer a letter, that way you have a record of your finding.

 

[Dungeroo]

Disturbing....

Document it.....then get to know it more. Change the plugs (if it has more than 35 or 40k on it. If it has the NGK/Denso thing going on (3NGK's/3Densos)) that is what came factory, get 6 of the same plug and put them in. Like the others are saying, this V6 is pretty much the shit. Proof lies in the mods to suspensions, etc...that people are able to do to their Runner with the v6 and not have worry about gaskets and compression. I'd be pissed though and I'd call the three *******s at the dealer (sales prick, financing prick, delivery prick) and let them know: When the truth requires something simple like a basic service, then the expectation would be that it would happen. If not strictly for the purpose of your future business, whether that be in the service ,parts or sales department of their business. They've gone pretty far in ensuring that you will be looking elsewhere for services from now on.
:boxer:

 

[Kmvreter]

Was it a Toy stealership? If so, then go back and politely ask them for a hardcopy of the service history for the vehicle. Then let them know what you found.
Is it a V6? How many miles? Based on the history judge if it needs a driveline service (grease zerks, change gear oils and tranny fluid) and other items (plugs, antifreeze, brake fluid) to bring the basic items up to date.

 

[04jckhmr]

Document it.....then get to know it more. Change the plugs (if it has more than 35 or 40k on it. If it has the NGK/Denso thing going on (3NGK's/3Densos)) that is what came factory, get 6 of the same plug and put them in. Like the others are saying, this V6 is pretty much the shit. Proof lies in the mods to suspensions, etc...that people are able to do to their Runner with the v6 and not have worry about gaskets and compression. I'd be pissed though and I'd call the three *******s at the dealer (sales prick, financing prick, delivery prick) and let them know: When the truth requires something simple like a basic service, then the expectation would be that it would happen. If not strictly for the purpose of your future business, whether that be in the service ,parts or sales department of their business. They've gone pretty far in ensuring that you will be looking elsewhere for services from now on.
:boxer:

This is basically my point in a nutshell. I have done a fair amount of reading about the 4.0l v6 and came to the same conclusions you all are saying- which makes me feel real good!
I do think that documenting it is a good idea and I will be asking for the service records on Monday. I luckily work close by.
It's a thing of principle really. Honesty and integrity are really important when operating a business to say the least. And if as a person they cant even get that right I would expect them to get it right as a business. So, right on; I will not be rturning to them for any future business. Plus, word of mouth is a fantasic tool.......it just depends on which side of the fence you are on. Not to mention 99.9% of stealerships are just that, stealerships.

 

[Will_4R]

Are you sure you drained the oil and not the tranny? From what I understand the tranny has a dark almost black fluid and you can drain about 4 quarts from the pan (which is roughly 2 quarts less the engine oil pan holds.)

 

[Alaskan_Runner]

So you are saying because it is dark now and after 3k that you didnt check the oil at the lot when you were purchasing it?? I would always check oil on a lot to besure its clean and ask for any service history, if it is a Toyota lot they can show history for any visit to any Toyota lot in the country it has visited. You can ask for records but it is kind of on your shoulders also to properly check things out. :shrug:

 

[Bamaskeet]

There is no way I would buy a truck and not check the oil etc a couple of times in the first couple of weeks of ownership.

Before you jump on the dealer you need to look a little closer to home.

 

[04jckhmr]

I am sure I drained the oil. and yes I probably should have checked the oil numerous times that first month. So this cold be partially my fault too.

 

[TechWrench]

Are you sure you drained the oil and not the tranny? From what I understand the tranny has a dark almost black fluid and you can drain about 4 quarts from the pan (which is roughly 2 quarts less the engine oil pan holds.)

Transmission fluid that is in good condition should be red in color. Older fluid can get darker in color, but still red. If you have transmission fluid that is "almost black" you have a problem.

 

[Will_4R]

Transmission fluid that is in good condition should be red in color. Older fluid can get darker in color, but still red. If you have transmission fluid that is "almost black" you have a problem.

My transmission fluid is red, but I thought the newer "sealed" transmissions had an almost black fluid. The colour and quantity of fluid he drained sound excatly like what other people on this forum have described when they drained their transmissions.

 

[04jckhmr]

What I drained was motor oil..... I got photo confirmation of the oil pan from the forum and then I also thought to myself.....If I pour oil into the top of the motor, and oil comes out of the oil pan where I drained then I must have drained the motor oil. Not to mention its smelled like motor oil.

 

[TechWrench]

My transmission fluid is red, but I thought the newer "sealed" transmissions had an almost black fluid. The colour and quantity of fluid he drained sound excatly like what other people on this forum have described when they drained their transmissions.

My '03 uses the Type IV fluid, the same as yours, and it is red. To be truthful, I have never actually seen the newer Toyota 'Lifetime' sealed trans fluid, so I suppose it is possible that it is a different color than the Type IV and all other trans fluid I have previously encountered. For as long as I can remember, which is unfortunately TOO LONG, all auto trans fluid has been dyed red to make it easier to determine if a fluid leak seen under a vehicle is transmission or something else. It is my understanding that is the only reason trans fluid is red in color. So it is possible that Toyota decided to change the color of the new style fluid, but I can't understand why they would.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

My transmission fluid is red, but I thought the newer "sealed" transmissions had an almost black fluid. The colour and quantity of fluid he drained sound excatly like what other people on this forum have described when they drained their transmissions.

My '03 uses the Type IV fluid, the same as yours, and it is red. To be truthful, I have never actually seen the newer Toyota 'Lifetime' sealed trans fluid, so I suppose it is possible that it is a different color than the Type IV and all other trans fluid I have previously encountered. For as long as I can remember, which is unfortunately TOO LONG, all auto trans fluid has been dyed red to make it easier to determine if a fluid leak seen under a vehicle is transmission or something else. It is my understanding that is the only reason trans fluid is red in color. So it is possible that Toyota decided to change the color of the new style fluid, but I can't understand why they would.

WS is red also. WS w/ 50k or more is very dark and similar to old motor oil to the naked eye. That's one of the issues... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/53168-ws-transmission-fluid-stands.html

 

[074.0Runner]

There is no way I would buy a truck and not check the oil etc a couple of times in the first couple of weeks of ownership.

Before you jump on the dealer you need to look a little closer to home.

Hell, I'll change everything. I dont trust the past owners.