Do You Think This Tundra is Okay?

Hi everyone, I just purchased a 2021 Tundra SR5 with 27,000 miles from Carmax. The engine cover and bottom skid plate are missing. I added the VIN to the Toyota app and here is the service history:

1/13/2021 - 189 miles - Sanitation
02/02/2021 - 1641 miles - Sanitation
4/30/2021 - 3198 miles - Sanitation
06/23/2021 - 5504 miles - Rotate Tires
08/04/2021 - 8979 miles - Sanitation
09/10/2021 - 15430 - Rotate Tires
10/18/2021 - 20885 miles - 8Cyl Oil Change, Rotate Tires

Autocheck says this was leased in FL, sold at auction in FL on 2/15/2022, and at another auction in GA on 2/22.

So, I'm wondering if they really went 20,000 miles before the first oil change and the engine sludged. The missing engine cover and skid plate, makes me think that someone removed the valve covers and oil pan. On the other hand, it has gone another 7000 miles since then and the oil was recently changed again, because it is very clean and slightly overfilled.

Thoughts?

 

Gut reaction to the limited amount of information (not on your part OP). Change the oil at every 5k or less for a few cycles to clean any possible sludge out.

 

May have been best to do this research prior to purchasing.

 

Would 20K cause sludge to build up? I want to know what sanitation means. Is this Covidspeak for car wash?

 

I do have 30 days or 1500 miles to return it, but I'm trying to decide if I should return it or just do frequent oil changes and hope for the best.

 

You could always have a mechanic look at it?

 

This. Pay a mechanic to give it a once over, IMO that is fairly inexpensive peace of mind. Good luck!

 

Yota engines are tough AF, however, one bad unlucky oversight will cost WAY more than removing a valve cover or getting a snake camera in the cylinder chambers.

 

Look at the underside of the oil filler cap. If its cruddy then the 10K oil change might've been skipped.

 

Yep. Around here, local shops will do a pre purchase inspection for $35-50.

Very much worth it, @danield40 if you have some time before you’re stuck with it.

 

Yes, I would love to pay a mechanic take a look, but my trustworthy mechanic retired. If y’all have any recommendations in North Miss, they are appreciated!

 

Ask your guy who he recommends now that he is retired.

 

Do some leg work. Make some calls.

 

I’d get an inspection done if I were in your shoes. I’m not really sure how stuff gets uploaded or documented in CarFax/AutoCheck, but when trading in my Sierra, some of the service/repair records were missing from the report. Fortunately I’m religious about keeping service tickets so I was able to show the dealer when he asked. Interestingly, the missing Carfax records were from the GM dealer, not the 3rd party mechanic. It’s possible the work was done by the owner or a shop, but AutoCheck doesn’t pick it up for some reason.

 

Post some pics of the engine compartment, inside of oil fill cap and look down the filler. Also some underside and interior shots. I suspect you'll be just fine. I change my oil religiously and don't let the dealer touch it since his monkeys used an impact wrench on the canister so my truck will appear unserviced as well.

 

The sr5 skid plate wouldn’t cover up the oil pan just the filter housing

 

I’d definitely be a nervous. Best thing to do is get it checked out by a good mechanic.

 

I’m going to make some calls tomorrow after work. Here are some pictures and I will try to add a video as well.

 

Did you go through all the included manuals and paperwork if any came with the truck? I'm famous for stuffing 3x5 index cards scrawled with maintenance notes and signed with greasy fingerprints in the glovebox so later I can property fill out the maintenance schedule with clean hands.

 

Yes, it was still sealed in the plastic.

 

I wouldn't sweat it. Get the PPI as suggested, do oil every 3k for a few rotations like some have said.

For all you know the parts are missing because the person did the change themselves and was lazy about putting things back.

Dealer ain't cheap to do the change and they always take 3 times longer than they should. Drives me nuts.

 

Unfamiliar with Carmax so wondering if you still have any bargaining power? Can you tell them since they didn't disclose the two missing parts, (assuming they didn't) they owe you the replacement cost? That sure has to be cheaper than them taking the truck back and since you made it clear those parts were missing, I believe they must either disclose that or fix it.

 

Have you seen any issues? I wouldn’t imagine you’d have any problems if it’s running well, etc. Toyota’s are pretty darn durable. Well, at least the v8 ones are. I can’t speak to the new stuff.

 

Run it , it'll be OK.

 

Some SR5 have no plate. Nothing is covered.

 

I think I’m doubting my own capabilities. The truck sounds fine and has plenty of power. I’m going to change the oil and filter, so I know exactly what’s in it and maybe have a look at the spark plugs. If that’s okay, I will take a short road trip.

 

Drive it. The cover is just plastic and some don't have a skid plate. You can also add a better skid plate. Is it 2WD. Looks clean.

 

I don’t see anything concerning. Yup do an oil change with full synthetic and new Toyota filter. I’d also recommend AGM battery or at least clean the terminals and posts. Use those red/green felt pads and light coat of grease on posts.

 

I dated a girl that had underwear like that.

 

A little late here but I would get a $30 Blackstone Labs oil analysis on that oil change and maybe a future one or two. They can give you a rundown of the oil condition and what's found in the oil - different wear metals indicating how certain parts of the engine have worn/are wearing with oil changes.