4.0L V6 -- Oil Change Horror Story

[kymatt]

My girlfriend drives a 2005 4-Runner with the 4.0L V6. It has about 2000 miles on it. A couple of days ago I took it to a local, but fairly reputable instant oil change to get the dyno oil out of it. They've changed the oil on my Tundra in the past and I've been pleased, even though I try to do it myself as much as possible. Apparently, the oil change tech forgot to tighten the drain plug, result: an oil slick about 1.5 feet wide and 10-12 feet long appeared under her truck one afternoon. Additional investigation found that there was about 1.5 quarts left in the engine, and maybe a 1/2 quart on her garage floor. Apparently the plug was loose (hence the puddle in the garage) and then got jarred out on her way to work. The oil change guys came out to work (where her car was parked) and they surveyed everything, added oil, and a new drain plug. She told me that her oil light never came on during the drive over. Hence my question: Do we have anything to worry about? There was oil leaking on the drive to work (about 20 miles). I could tell this just by some oil residue on the skid plate and back hatch, but due to the fact that there was still 1.5 quarts of oil in the motor, and probably ~ 3 on the ground, I don't think she ever got too low. The 4-runner is at the dealership today for an inspection and a real oil change.

Any suggestions or things to look for? I don't think we have too much to worry about, but please disagree if you have other ideas. I must say that besides the initial screw up, the oil change place has been very good about this, offering to pay for any service necessary at a Toyota dealership, a tow if necessary, and any detailing the vehicle may require.

[czechm8]

That's a bit of bad luck! I'm sure the quick lube place will continue to kiss her back side because the realize they are liable for damages to her engine.

The hard part is that without tearing down the engine, it is difficult to tell how much damage has been done. While there may not be any immediate evidence of damage, there most certainly will be some long-term issues.
with the top-end deprived of oil there may be long-term valve-trane issues or even damage to the main bearings on the crank. If your girlfriend intends to keep the vehicle beyond the warranty period, you may want to explore her options very carefully. I would have the dealer go over that engine with a fine-tooth comb at the quick lube's expense. That means possibly pulling the motor to confirm/deny damage to those critical components.

[nucleus]

Running without oil will effect the bottom end first. If you can hear any difference when running the engine up through the revs, like the shaking or pounding of a washing machine, then the rod bottoms are loose.

Drop the oil pan and open up a connecting rod. Look for scoring and discoloration. Often the bearings can be replaced with just a simple polishing of the crank journals.

[Gadget@URD]

If they do not find anything on their inspection, then I would get the oil changed and drive it. On the next oil change take an oil sample and have it tested for any abnormal wear that would indicate damage.

In the mean time, doccument the whole thing and keep your oil change reciepts, take pictures, take very good notes of who said what, when and where.

Chances are everything is fine, but if not have your ducks in a row.

Gadget

[keninsb]

One other thing to consider: I know that proving/disproving any damage may be difficult, so you may want to approach the oil change place with the offer that they pay for an extended warranty for you. ?It may not "fix" any damage, but at least would offer some peace of mind. I would definitely have the dealership check everything out thorougly. Just a thought.

Ken

[KLS]

It is always a good idea to carry an unused disposable camera in the car. It would have been great in this case, or in case of a crash, especially a phony claim.

Too bad the oil has been changed again...the sample from that would have very interesting. The sample from the next batch of oil will be good. I'd think anytime after 1000 miles would be indicative. Don't cheap-out on the testing.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/dyson_analysis.html


Ken

[DevinSixtySeven]

my advice is if you care about your vehicle, dont use the quicky lube kinda places. either change it yourself, or take it to a known, reputable tech, where you know the guy who will be working on your ride, and you know theyll do a good job without any screwball mistakes like this. youre not the first to have this happen, its fortunately uncommon but with an expensive truck, there's not a lotta point in running the risk.

also, if youre not squeamish and have a garage, it's easy to change the oil yourself on the trucks, no need for stands or jacks or anything, there's plenty of room to crawl under safely.

-sean

[kymatt]

Thanks to everyone for all of the good advice. I did have a digital camera in the truck which I used and intend on keeping the pictures. Everything checked out OK per the dealer and I'm happy with that. They didn't seem too worried about it based on the circumstances. Guess I won't have to worry about it being broke in now!

I would like to see how the next oil test comes back. I've never done that but I should. I've been running my Mobil-1 synthetic + Mobil-1 filter up to about 8 or 9k based on what I've read here and other discussions, but I've never done the oil test on that either. I'll be sure to let you guys know how it turns out.

[RSLAND]

This is about the 6th or 7th story I've read on the net about oil change nightmares. Most are with quicky oil change franchises, but some are with dealers.

I remember when I was about 12 years old, my dad got a coupon for an oil change at a local gas station. He had always changed his own oil, but he couldn't resist the offer. He took the car in and brought it home, and the next morning, the garage floor was covered with oil.

From then on, I became the oil changer. He showed me how to do it and I have continued to change the oil in all my cars for the last 40 years. I have only screwed up once. I drained the oil in my 240Z, but forgot to put the drain plug back in (what was I smokin?). After I had added about 3 quarts of oil, I noticed that I was standing in a viscous fluid. Boy, did I feel stupid.

Hope there was no damage for you.

Rob

[tuesdayd]

Originally Posted by RSLAND

I have only screwed up once. I drained the oil in my 240Z, but forgot to put the drain plug back in (what was I smokin?). After I had added about 3 quarts of oil, I noticed that I was standing in a viscous fluid.

I've done the same thing. I was also the oil changer for the family vehicles. I was about eight or nine at the time, but I didn't stop at three quarts...I got all five 'in' there. Well, it's been thirty years since then, and it remains my only oil changing mistake ever. It was a valuable lesson learned that day.

[EngineerBoo]

That's excellent advice to NEVER take your vehicle to one of those "quick" lube places.

Either do the oil change yourself or pay the extra money at a dealer/reputable mechanic.

My Toyota dealer (Liberty in Colorado Spirngs) is actually LESS than Jiffy Lube or Grease Monkey for oil/oil filter changes! ($21 versus $29 and $24)

Anytime I get my vehicles worked on, I don't drive a foot without popping the hood and inspecting everything. (If it insults them, too bad...it's MY vehicle!) I've seen them forget to replace the oil fill cap, reconnect spark plug wires/battery, leave tools in the engine compartment, etc. If you haven't gone anywhere, they can't deny it.

One trick I've heard about at the express oil lube places is that they'll take a napkin and wipe off the oil filter to make it look new instead of actually replacing it. (Especially if they don't have one that fits.) I always put a small mark on it with a permanent marker before going in to ensure it's replaced.

Boo

[RSLAND]

A friend of mine bought a Camry wagon for his wife. They followed the maintenance schedule religiously at the dealer they bought the car from. One day around the 100,000 mile mark, the automatic transmission would not shift out of 1st gear so his wife drove it over to the dealer very slowly and left it for diagnosis. When my friend arrived later in the day the service manager told him he would need a rebuilt tranny for about $2400. When he asked specifically what was wrong with it, they couldn't tell him. Upon further questioning, he found that they had not even driven the car nor inspected the transmission.

He got in the car and drove down the street to the nearest transmission shop ignoring the dire predictions from the service manager. He left the car overnight and returned the next day. The transmission shop mechanic told him that when they pulled the transmission pan, the fluid was filthy and the filter was clogged. The guy said that it looked like the transmission had never been serviced. They flushed the tranny and cleaned the filter and charged him $150. The car went another 50,000 miles without a hitch until they sold it. Keep in mind, that this was one of the largest Toyota dealers in Northern California. Now, I refuse to even buy parts from these guys.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by EngineerBoo

That's excellent advice to NEVER take your vehicle to one of those "quick" lube places.

Boo

ALSO!!!!!!-----------Never let WALMART change your oil.---Buzz

[motoretro]

Bottom line is never trust anyone with your Tundra. If their not making the payments, they really don't care about your vehicle. $27.00 and a 1/2 hour of my time. Thats what Mobil 1 and a factory Toyota filter cost me to do my own oil changes. Plus its good for the soul....And you know its done right.
Motoretro