Beware of Third Party Oil Changers

New User, First Time Blogger, sorry for the bathroom read
Apologies if someone has already posted this up as I am a newbie to this. So bought the 2008 Tundra new, with it bought the extended service plan (5 yrs I think) for oil changes and what not. At some point in time I decided that I didn't have enough time to change my oil and took it to one of the drive-in, drive-thru places. As you all know an oil change in these trucks are not as quick as a normal car as you need to remove the front skid plate. I got tired of paying >$100. for an oil change so I've done them myself. I've religiously change my own oil for the past 8+ yrs. Fast Forward to this week, when I got a couple engine checks, local mechanic said he had a similar check on another Tundra which was the two modules on the port side of the motor, valve cover. So we went with his fix. The fix did not resolve the issues. He added a 1/2 quart then cleared the code. Then he proceed to tell me about his son's Tundra that JL had changed oil and <5 miles on the freeway blew up the engine which JL eventually replaced. The reason was they removed the inner filter support tube on the oil filter canister, the filter collapsed, lost oil pressure. Back to my issue. On the way home, check engine light come back on. I look at the idiot gauge and at idle oil pressure is 1 needle above low. OMG, this is my issue with oil filter collapsing. YEP sure enough that was the problem. Had to buy a new canister which came with the tube. Since I didn't know about this tube, it wasn't there when I started changing oil. So if you have had someone else change your oil make sure this tube is in the canister.

 

One thing thats a bit alarming, he suspected it was your oil filter canister missing the tube but didn't check it?

Good info for others though. Hope you caught it before damage happened.

 

Exactly why I won't let anyone touch my vehicles for routine maintenance like an oil change. I had one horrible experience that almost turned catastrophic. Never again.

 

He offered to change oil, but I figured I could do that and wanted to discover this myself.

 

Ahh, that is more understandable.

 

Wow! Change it yourself from now on! Like most people I was given two free oil changes when my truck was new. Never used them.

 

What u expect, only high school drop out work in those dumps. No ase master mechanic work there

 

I used Amsoil in my dirt bikes, but it has been awhile, do they have an Synthetic oil and has anyone sent in the used oil for test results.

 

So would anyone suggest I not use the free two years of ToyotaCare I'm being given with my new 2021 truck? Two years of free oil changes is 'bout impossible for me to ignore after dropping 40k+ on this truck. I think the answer for me is obvious, but asking anyways as I value the opinions of the more experienced Tundra owners. No, would never use a quick lube type of place.

 

I just ordered 3 jugs of amsoil 0w-20 signature series. Testing it for 10k miles. All my vehicles take the 0w-20, tundra, tacoma and even the wife's Malibu. Makes buying oil easier.

 

that's only 2 oil change and 2 tire rotation. but have to bring the truck in and wait for an hour, if you have hours of free time and got nothing to do...

 

The Amsoil faithful can't resist a threadjack.

 

Even at a dealership, they're having the 18y/o do your oil changes - the least experienced/cheapest-per-hour one in the bunch. It's a big no-thanks for me. Not worth the risk when it can be done at home easily & inexpensively....& you have peace of mind knowing it's done correctly. As stated above - it's only 2 oil changes anyway.

 

I used to work at Toyota and I will not take my 20 Pro for them to do my free services.
I do it myself.

 

Oil places have a bad habit of breaking these filter canisters and replace them with the dorman POS. The Forman’s have a Center piece that can be removed and it usually falls out when you change the filter.


We’ve dealt with all the quick lube places at work due blowing up motors with these things. They’re always a headache to get to cover repair costs too

 

Lol! This speaks volumes. I'd love to hear some of your stories...

 

I've seen it all after writing services for Toyota for 2 years.

 

Does Amsoil have a lubricant series that doesnt have signatures all over it?

 

Yeah that was my bad, in my original post I actually wrote, "I didn't even know amsoil had oil filters." So I proceeded to their site, checked em out and with that type of reinforcement, the OP wouldn't encounter that problem again.

Somehow it fell off the keyboard along the way.

 

The John Hancock of lubricants, petroleum or water based. They're expanding markets.


At any rate, thanks for the PSA, OP.

 

Wix xp filter an Castrol full synthetic high milage 0-20 is the only stuff I use , convinced on it after several vehicles I been around consuming oil like its nothing but then holding oil after this switch. Don't know why , also considering the Service pro oil Toyota uses , alot of other manufactures use. Much comfortable using Castrol that oiled a bunch of legendary Toyota racing vehicles. also remember if your ever buying a oil filter for use with full synthetic that the filter is rated for it.