10K maintenance... leaking oil due to over-torqued drain plug

I crossed the 10K mile mark while on a road trip. Had my 10K service performed at a "Southern Coastal" California Dealer. When I get home (after another 2K miles), I notice an oil slick on my garage floor. On close inspection, the oil plug was torqued so tight that the crush washer was severely deformed and leaking. No oil warnings occurred, and dipstick still shows oil. I'm hoping the oil pan threads are not damaged. The felt 'Skid plate' bolts and oil filter were all torqued normally (as I left them after my 5k oil change) almost as if filter was not touched, but I can't say for sure. Two messages to the service manager have gone unanswered. I love the truck for towing and zero issues in 12.5K miles. Any suggestions on how to get quality service? I may even pay the Lexus premium if they could do the maintenance.

 

Damn dude, that sucks, & quite obvious. It should have never left the dealer like that. I e made it a habit to replace that washer every other oil change. Hopefully your threads are fine, & just leaking where it not sealed.

 

Just because you pay the Lexus premium doesn’t mean you going to get it. Take it back to dealer and tell them to fix it.

 

Looks like someone did their first oil change on your truck
This sucks
Exactly why I never let anyone touch my autos

 

That Pic & washer says alot btw

 

I’m afraid to take my truck for its first documented service just because of this shit right here.

 

Leave them reviews online, and make sure to specifically say that the dealer is not responding you. You might get a response then.

 

Do it yourself.

 

I don't blame you AT ALL! Always expect the worst. That being said, when I buy my next new vehicle (hopefully a Tundra), the dealer isn't doing ANY service even if it's free. Recall/warranty being the exception. But I won't drop it off and HOPE for the best. I'll ask for the best tech, no exceptions. Respectfully, of course. Because the better they are, the more likely I am to use them for service if ever needed in future. Will even take a day off work if I have to accommodate their schedule. I want to know who's going to work on the vehicle. I'll tip and reward accordingly.

 

You need a Two Step Program.
1. Throw away the drain bolt and install a Fumoto (or equivalent) valve.
2. Do your own engine oil changes.

Another damn dealer story. Here's what we'll need to hoist your story to the top of the Crappy Dealer Stories pile.

 

In my experience, Lexus' service departments are FAR better than Toyota's. At the ones I've been to, they send you a video of the work they did after they're done working on your vehicle. So they can't do a hack job (at least a visual one) since there would be video proof of it.

 

Feel the same way as 389 24/7 and Tundrum74

 

I agree with some of the others. You'd do yourself a huge favor by changing the oil yourself if at all possible. I absolutely won't let a dealer do it even if it's free. They have lube techs (Not the mechanics) that do the oil changes, and a lot of times they just fuck it up. Overfilling and putting the filter on too tight are other common occurrences.

 

I made the decision the other day to never go back to a toyota dealer for anything. The local ones to me are horrible and don't even do half of what they say they will, and try to tell you it's your fault. (nevermind the paper trail).

Go find a good local mechanic shop, with lots of good reviews. Get your work done right for 1/2 the cost and support some locals instead of some big ass chain dealer. There are almost no real "local" dealers left that actually give a damn about you.

 

I worked at a AAA in Durham NC about 10-12 years ago. I was the shuttle driver with no mechanical experience, and I changed a dozen or more cars oils while I worked there for maybe 8 months. They were happy to let me help and learn as I went. Luckily I didn't ruin anyones ride, but not only are you correct about lube techs, you might even have the work done by the shuttle driver!

 

Still no reply from the California dealer so I went ahead and did an oil/filter change myself. (I had to carefully pry off the old crush washer and clean up the 'shrapnel').
I'm happy doing the work myself (and how difficult is that 40k mile spark plug change?... but that's a question for another thread later) …
I will just continue to save all documentation to keep up the warranty...

 

I am not taking my truck to the dealer for the free oil changes, ever.
Picking up the OEM filter from the dealer later this week (because it was on sale for less than $7); will buy 12 quart (bulk) Mobil 1 synthetic 0W-20 oil ($60) from Walmart, and most likely a Fumoto valve to help with subsequent changes. First one at 1,500 miles, then at 5,000, and then every 5,000. That's my plan and I am sticking to it.

 

I've had nine new-from-the-dealer Toyotas. Seven of those came with some version of "free service" "free oil change" "free................" I've never once let them touch my Toyotas. And, NO SURPRISE, I don't have a dealer Halloween Horror story.

My lawyer asked me to include this >>>> YMMV.

 

Coming up on 10K change. Did first at 1K, second at 5K. (Did Blackstone analysis on that one.)
I'm 40 minutes from my nearest dealership.
I have a Fumoto installed and ramps. It won't leak when I'm done and the level will be correct.
Bought a case of 6 OEM filters and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-20
Not worth my time or possible headaches from taking it in.
If you can DIY, you're better off. Save your oil and filter receipts folks!

 

at many shops, the guys doing oil changes at dealer are "new" employees or less experienced. So you get guys that don't care (if they plan to quit soon) or guys that really care (that was to stay on with the dealer). It's hit and miss, it doesn't matter which shop you are dealing with. It's the actual employee that's the risk. You're always rolling the dice when you get anyone to work mechanically on a car. It's the person vs the company (although a reputable company can reduce the risk if they hire good people).

I refuse to let anyone do an oil change besides myself or a buddy that works at toyota as a tech (he will torque everything to spec with a box of fried chicken and treat my truck like his 2nd born son).

 

I'm inherently a cheapskate, so I didn't pass up my 2 free oil changes from the dealership.

However, I did mark the old oil filters so that I could confirm they had been changed. And I always check the oil drain plug and filler cap before leaving the dealership.

My 10K service also included a free tire rotation, so again, I marked my tires, so I could confirm the work had been done. Guess what? When they said my truck was ready (4 hours later), I immediately notice they hadn't touched my tires. When I complained, they told me all the techs were at lunch, and it would be another 2 hours before they could complete the work. I said screw it and did it myself when I got home.

I'm done with my freebies now, so future maintenance will be done by me, or my trusted local mechanic.