Well I've had my first verified bad experience with toyota

[VoodooTitan]

I've read the horror stories. I've seen the photos. I've heard the complaints. I never thought it would happen to me.

The ridiculous state I'm currently in requires yearly inspections on vehicles when you renew the registration (thankful in this instances). 14 month old TE-P, 15k miles... I was deployed May to August. Right after I deployed my wife brought it in for service...

Back to today... they plug in the OBD2, pop the hood. I start pulling leaves from the little leaf collection center by the windshield wipers. Glad I did cause the tech was about to close the hood. I did a walk around, "checking out" the hood.

"Hey do you still need the oil cap off?" I ask the guy.
"No we didnt take it off."

My heart sinks. Not sure if its supposed to be there but there is no heat shield under the hood either. I call toyota customer care and have an appt with the service manager. I'm extremely dissatisfied.

What do i expect?
What do i ask for?
What should i be worried about?

I feel like I can never know if the engine will hold up like it's supposed to. How much dirt got in? How much water? Did any evaporate? Did any leak out when the engine temp was up?

I took some photos but not sure how much it'll do. I tried to post from the phone but connection is delaying.

Any thoughts on how to approach and what to look for/expect as compensation? I'm going to the dealer in about an hour.

 

[Mistaken]

Wow! That isnt something you would think you would have to inspect after having your car serviced...

Was there oil anywhere that you could see? You would think it would be all over in the engine bay.

I bet the dealer will probably just flush out the old oil and filter and call it good. There shouldnt be much dirt or water getting in there. I guess depends on if you take your rig off road.

Hope it all works out.

 

[1engineer]

So they left the oil cap off from August to November. Correct? How many miles? There is no hood insulation on the TE or SR5, only the LE.

 

[1000MPH]

Where did you find the cap? Was the oil level low?

 

[VoodooTitan]

[MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION]So the oil cap was sitting to the very front of the hood. Basically on the plastic, where the hood latch is, and it was pressed againts the hood. The guys that did the state inspection checked the oil and said the level was ok and it seemed clean. But, i feel like the t4r is tainted now...
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] the cap was off from may to today. Approx 4k miles.

 

[Kenworth]

Not the end of the world, surprised u did not have a mess to deal with

 

[1engineer]

[MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION]So the oil cap was sitting to the very front of the hood. Basically on the plastic, where the hood latch is, and it was pressed againts the hood. The guys that did the state inspection checked the oil and said the level was ok and it seemed clean. But, i feel like the t4r is tainted now...
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] the cap was off from may to today. Approx 4k miles.

No, not the end of the world.
I would:
1. Be NICE
2. Get a sample (on the dealer dime) and send in to Blackstone
3. Change the oil, again on their dime
4. Have a note put into your file and computer that the dealer messed up. This should cover you should any future oil related engine problem arise.

I doubt any harm happened but you never know. A mouse could have pooped a rock down there or something...

I said be nice because being mean never gets you anywhere, especially in this situation.

The oil sample of the current oil will show what, if any, contamination happened. Make sure to write a note with the sample informing Blackstone of the circumstance.

Again, be nice but firm. The dealer (NOT Toyota) screwed up a bit. You currently hold the upper hand and I doubt they would refuse any reasonable accommodation for you. A sample is cheap. Get one BEFORE they change the oil.

 

[VoodooTitan]

I was overly polite on the phone. They seem willing to accommodate me but just want all my ducks in a row. I have no intention of being rude because I
1. Hate that
2. Have been in a job where you have to deal with people and stuff like this
3. Have no real reason to jump down someone's throat. (Yet)

Will update when done.

 

[1engineer]

I was overly polite on the phone. They seem willing to accommodate me but just want all my ducks in a row. I have no intention of being rude because I
1. Hate that
2. Have been in a job where you have to deal with people and stuff like this
3. Have no real reason to jump down someone's throat. (Yet)

Will update when done.

Good luck! I have to remind myself to be nice so it just slipped out lol. Oil sample of current oil is key.

 

[8086bruce]

So they left the oil cap off from August to November. Correct? How many miles? There is no hood insulation on the TE or SR5, only the LE.

Did they just change this? My SR5 P. Has hood insulation.

 

[1engineer]

Did they just change this? My SR5 P. Has hood insulation.

You are correct. My previous two did not have and neither did anyone else as evidenced by this thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/89759-hood-insulation-missing-te.html. I just checked and my new SR5 does have insulation. Note to everyone who has a 2010-2013: Go buy a new 4Runner. They have hood insulation.

By reading the linked thread you will see nothing has really changed here in the past three years...

 

[cbreze]

Wow! Hope this story has a happy resolution. I'd be stressed. I always check under the hood right after a service anyway just to make sure all is well including the fluid levels. Then do recheck at least a couple times a month. But I'm a bit OCD especially when it comes to my wheels.
EDIT: I do not have hood insulation on my '12, came this way.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would agree with 1engineer. Stuff happens but it does need to be documented.

Let this be a learning experience for you and your wife. Always check the oil level and whether or not the oil cap is on tight before starting and driving out of the service bay. I would also look underneath for any oil dripping as well. The alternative to this would be DIY oil changes which I also recommend but I know not everybody has the time.

 

[phillyd2]

Let’s not overlook the obvious. Blame the wife and have her fix her mistake. Hopefully she will finally learn her lesson. If your engine is screwed it will be her fault that you need to buy a brand new truck. Problem solved. ound:

 

[diverscale]

if your cap was off only 1 day, you would have oil splashed all over your underhood, now for a few months, you would clearly see the signs!

I know because I did forget the cap after an oil change on my tacoma V6, which is basically the same engine. Forgot it for about 1 hour and there was a mess.

I find it weird that no oil spashed. Maybe you keep your truck under 1500 RPM at all times... for months... ??

 

[Whiplash Willy]

You are correct. My previous two did not have and neither did anyone else as evidenced by this thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/89759-hood-insulation-missing-te.html. I just checked and my new SR5 does have insulation. Note to everyone who has a 2010-2013: Go buy a new 4Runner. They have hood insulation.

By reading the linked thread you will see nothing has really changed here in the past three years...

Or you can spare yourself from having a "Poop Front End" and buy hood insulation for a 2010-13 limited like I did.

Parts:
Insulator, Hood
53341-35160

Clip, Hood Insulator (10)
90467-A0003

 

[Stifler]

so the cap was off... if you checked the levels and they were fine I dont understand what all the stress is for. demand a free oil change and a new cap.:snacker:

 

[Mistaken]

I wonder if the inspection place did actually take the cap off. Seems like there would be a mess of oil under the hood otherwise.

 

[2014 Warthog]

You are correct. My previous two did not have and neither did anyone else as evidenced by this thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/89759-hood-insulation-missing-te.html. I just checked and my new SR5 does have insulation. Note to everyone who has a 2010-2013: Go buy a new 4Runner. They have hood insulation.

By reading the linked thread you will see nothing has really changed here in the past three years...

Weird. My 2014 SR5p does not have hood insulation.

Wonder if it t's one of those dealer options or something... What is it for anyway? Keeping heat from the paint and premature aging or noise or ???

 

[VoodooTitan]

So the service manager met me and was very accommodating. Went ahead and did a full service for me and everything is documented for record. They updated the nav, basically anything I needed except a one-for-one swap on the white TRD Pro in the showroom. Its nice, the lights are accented black like the older 2013 trails.

Anyhow... he chdcked my vin and my vehicle did not come with hood insulation. I guess its vehicle dependent?

I'm honestly not too worried. The inside hood was clean, no oil marks or oil splatter in the engine. Ironically [MENTION=84331]diverscale[/MENTION] I keep the rpm pretty low and try to keep the eco light on all the time. I rarely go above 2500 rpm.

The oil was clean when we checked it. They did a full drain and replacement. I'm still awaiting the vehicle no but I've never had a CEL or SES light and never had a code pop. Again my biggest concern would be particulates in the engine. I do have a lifetime powertrain warranty so with this documented and my warranty I'm not stressing too much. Had it been my Mitsubishi lance evolution, I would have had a meltdown.

I'm not gunna lie... some all weather mats or something woulda been a nice gesture, but pipe dreams right?!

Anyone wanna see pics of that white TRD Pro?