Toyotacare Service Issue

[STLDAVE]

I work during the day so I had my father take my 14 runner in for the 20k service. When he brought it back to me I immediately noticed a significant vibration while idling, accelerating and decelerating. I called the service dept and of course they're gone for the day. I checked the dipstick and the oil level appears to be several inches above the normal range. Would too much oil cause this?

Those are exactly the symptoms of overfilling. Be glad you decided to drain it. Had you let it set overnight the oil could have seeped past the rings to fill the cylinders. Then, when you tried to start it the piston gets part way up the cylinder and the oil hits the head. Since the oil isn't compressible, BANG! A sudden stop and a bent rod.

Saw the symptoms on my girl friends car once. The next morning I drained the oil (8 qts. in a 4qt engine). I then pulled the spark plugs, followed by hitting the starter. Oil shot out two of the spark plug holes like a fountain. If I hadn't done that she would have had one dead Mini.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

I owned a Durango once (yeah, don't hate me for it!), 3 weeks after we got it, I had the oil changed at the dealership. Got back to the house, about 3 miles away from dealership, next morning oil was everywhere and dipstick showed a lot more than it should have!

I was pissed, but tried to stay professional about it, after about the first 30 seconds of the service advisor giving me a bunch of shit, I ripped him a new ass, then promptly had him get the general supervisor.

From that day, I never had a good relationship with that dealership. Ended up having to drive 40 miles to the next one to get work done.

Did I regret it? Not one damned bit! The dealership was a piece of shidt and I made absolutely sure everyone I knew heard about them (it wasn't the only issue I had with them, there were several).

Go in there, be nice, be professional, let them burn themselves first, then rip 'em a new ass! Call the general manager of the store over, let him have an earful, then while they are both standing there, call the toyota care line! Watch how fast their attitude changes!

Of course, if they are willing to take care of the problem, document the issue, and put it all in writing, why burn that bridge? I'm sure the tech will be in deep shit by the end of the day. they'll always make sure to service your vehicle properly from this point forward, you will most likely get 5 star service after this!

 

[jordan_tm]

I called Toyota HQ and they were pretty furious. They documented everything and assured me that the engine would always be covered. They gave me a number as well for reference in case of any problems. They also are compensating me as well. I was very impressed. I drove it about 40 miles today and it ran perfectly fine. Hopefully no damage was done and this will just serve as a lesson to not trust a dealership under any circumstance for routine maintenance. Sad that it has to be that way, but the next nearest dealer is two hours away where I first bought it. Thanks for all the help and advice fellas.

 

[oljedi11950]

Certainly hope guy doesn't lose his job but that's pretty weak & the service mngr should both be reprimanded ?

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Certainly hope guy doesn't lose his job but that's pretty weak & the service mngr should both be reprimanded ?

Respectfully, I disagree with you.

Anybody that is so stupid and incompetent as to not only not drain the oil, but most likely not change the filter either and then double fill the oil should be fired. And I have zero sympathy for him.

I recommend he seek a career at a fast food joint or 7-11. He should not be touching a $40K vehicle.

Edit: Scratch the fast food option. He should not be handling items people are going to eat. Let's go with 7-11 clerk or Wal-Mart greeter.

 

[oljedi11950]

You know what I meant ! Of course if the guy made a true mistake no but if he's a tweaker or worse then yes & they should review their hiring people . But ya this will cause me to make a point of telling my dealer this before hand .

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I did.. I was replying to this in particular "Certainly hope guy doesn't lose his job...".

You are nicer than me. I think his sorry butt should be fired immediately.

I think we all agree that this is so far beyond human error, past the point of ineptitude that he needs to find a new career.

In my profession we have a definition for this type of major FUBAR: "Career Defining Moment"

I think what angers me the most about this is that if this were my new vehicle, I am not sure what I would do. I have rebuilt motors, I am savvy to all things mechanical, and double filling a motor with oil scares the hell out of me.

Not as much today as 2 or 3 years down the road. What seals got stressed and may not be leaking now, but may croak prematurely down the road, etc...

 

[oljedi11950]

TOTALLY agree ! The service mngr had to be shitting his pants , major fubar . As long as OP has it in writing all good .

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Yeah, but it just sucks. OP paid out a substantial amount of cash for a new vehicle and some idiot, who is entrusted to be skilled, professional and knowledgeable totally screws up.

This is why my vehicles don't go to the dealer unless I absolutely have no alternative (warranty repair) and then I let them know I am a dick right up front and if ANYTHING is screwed up, hell will come to lunch. I make them note any damage (door dings, etc.. on the service order BEFORE I leave).

Sad it has to be that way but I have been burned by dealerships before so I just let them know right out of the gate where I stand.

 

[oljedi11950]

Of course it sucks , we're just a number to most not all but most ! I'm lucky in that I found a guy for all that stuff & save the warranty stuff for dealer . Way of the Corp. world now , mine has the low end supervisor do the jobs of 3 & if he/she doesn't get it done well adios !

 

[Kennyr44]

One time after one of my screwups the customer was insisting I be fired. That was so far off the table. If every mechanic was fired after a mistake there would be very few left. A good service manager stands behind his crew and moves on. If you have multiple problems well thats another story. I understand peoples anger over this but doing it yourself is the only surefire answer if you dont screw it up yourself.