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Any engine damage from driving a few miles without any oil?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Gleninaz, Sep 9, 2020.

  1. Sep 9, 2020 at 4:38 PM
    #1
    Gleninaz

    Gleninaz [OP] New Member

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    My second Tundra. 2015 and just put new Smittybilt M1 bumpers on her front and back. I have the 100000 mile Toyota warranty so always have the dealer change the oil. Today they changed the oil and I drove 4 miles back to my shop. No lights on but a slight whirring sound. Got in it to drive home and noticed the oil guage was at zero. Checked and not one drop of oil in it. The dealer sent someone over to fill it with oil. Seems to run OK but did notice the oil guage goes up and down a little while driving. Wondering if the engine could have been damaged. Thanks.
     
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  2. Sep 9, 2020 at 4:42 PM
    #2
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    :eek2: How much oil did they end up putting in, did you see?
     
  3. Sep 9, 2020 at 4:50 PM
    #3
    Gleninaz

    Gleninaz [OP] New Member

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    No. The guy took out the dipstick and said it was low on oil. I told him to look again as there was nothing on the dipstick at all. He put the oil in when I was in my shop but he had two large containers and one extra quart with him.
     
  4. Sep 9, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #4
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    Based off of your description, whirring sound and a fluctuating oil gauge, I say yes to long term damage..
     
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  5. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:05 PM
    #5
    CaptainGrumpus

    CaptainGrumpus The Mailman

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    The fluctuating oil gauge is normal IF, when you start the truck you have normal oil pressure and it rises to the 3/4 mark upon acceleration. If its bouncing all around, you should bring the truck back to the dealer for a new engine.
     
  6. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:05 PM
    #6
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    This is the time when you get every single thing that happened from what time you arrived and dropped off the truck to where you were when you stopped and were met by the tech and names of who you spoke to about what and when. You should then take the truck to an independent mechanic for a thorough engine inspection and have all those documents saved as well. Then go to the dealer with those receipts from the other mechanic and the documents and kindly try to come to a resolution. Do not get angry. It will not help. Toyota dealerships have an emergency fund for things like this.
     
  7. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:08 PM
    #7
    Gleninaz

    Gleninaz [OP] New Member

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    The gauge is at the halfway point now and goes a bit above then below depending on acceleration. Doesn't go to 3/4 any longer.
     
  8. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:10 PM
    #8
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    This is why I always open the hood and check everything out before I leave the dealership.
     
  9. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:11 PM
    #9
    BAZZMAZZA

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    Good advice above for sure. It appears the liability is squarely on the dealership. Sorry this happened to you but they (Toyota) will have to make it right. Best to you and hope it goes well.
     
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  10. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:14 PM
    #10
    hefty smurf

    hefty smurf New Member

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    I dunno I mean MAYBE it’s fine but I personally would never be able to have any peace of mind after that. Not sure what you can do with the dealership about it. I’d start by calling and asking how much oil was put in, but I’d be skeptical about what they say. Have it documented at least.
    Does your oil pressure go up and down randomly, or move with rpms?
     
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  11. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:16 PM
    #11
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    I would definitely notify Toyota Customer Care and have that documented. You drove 4 miles with little or no oil, you probably have some ring damage. Metal against metal with no lubrication on a hot engine is not good.
     
  12. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:16 PM
    #12
    TundraMcGov.

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    And yet another dealer story of random reckless stupidity. The pile of these stories is so high that it has now finally made it TO THE MOON.

    Go and get a new truck. They will tell you that there's nothing wrong with your truck. You will tell them then they should have no problem selling it to the next guy and providing a warranty if the new buyer chooses to want one.
     
  13. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:20 PM
    #13
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    That’s normal in our third gen Tundras. That’s oil pressure. It will fluctuate as you drive. Especially after an oil change or lack thereof. Totally normal for that gauge. Sorry if that sounds juvenile. It’s educational.
     
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  14. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:30 PM
    #14
    CaptainGrumpus

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    That doesnt sound good if it doesnt go to 3/4 any longer.
     
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  15. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:32 PM
    #15
    jtwags

    jtwags Concrete jungle

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    No oil warning light is very strange. You should have had a warning light come on. I would definitely check that out too.
     
  16. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:34 PM
    #16
    jr1016

    jr1016 New Member

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    I only get my oil change on all my cars at the dealership and I'm gonna start from now on checking everything before I leave. Too many horror stories with this.
     
  17. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:42 PM
    #17
    bleach

    bleach MEME Fiend

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    Get an oil analysis. That will show what types of metal contamination you have. If there is bearing damage it will come up in the oil.
    Also, don't drive it for now.
     
  18. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:42 PM
    #18
    Cummins3500

    Cummins3500 Never finishes.....

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    So if your still under the 100,000 mile warranty, I’m betting Toyota would be very interested to hear about this truck being drove with no oil. Might help Expedite things if the dealership had some pressure from Toyota corporate
     
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  19. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:44 PM
    #19
    Bucks04

    Bucks04 New Member

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    Forget the new truck , and new engine , won't happen. But what you can get is probably a new 100,000 mile warranty , and free lifetime oil changes , just so they can keep an eye on it also. It is probably ok , if you only drove 4 miles , and easy driving, the pressure gauge does move in all of them. Also the engine is probably ok , because with new synthetics they protect well , and no matter how you look at it the rings always run metal on metal ,with just a film of oil. that film won't wash off, and there was oil in cooler yet any way, and some in lines . Just after I bought mine used 2013 with 34,000 miles, I was changing oil , I was underneath it putting drain plug back in and it started up. I freaked out not knowing what happened ,and couldn't figure it out and I jumped inside and I had key in my pocket , and it was running on its own , I put key in and turned it on and off a couple of times , nothing happened , I finally turned key on and put in gear and it died. This is how I found out it had a remote start, dealer never told me , and when I was under it I must have rolled onto key just right to ht button twice. Ran for at least 3-4 minutes, no oil ,still runs great. Just go for the warranty , and free oil changes for life.
     
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  20. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #20
    bleach

    bleach MEME Fiend

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    I would never trust them to change my oil ever again after a fiasco like. Sounds like something stupid Jiffy Lube would do.
     
  21. Sep 9, 2020 at 5:54 PM
    #21
    Midnite72

    Midnite72 Anything DIRT !!

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    YET another example of why I made my decision to ignore the Toyota “free” oil changes when I bought my 18’

    If you want something done RIGHT do it YOURSELF !!

    Good luck to you and your motor !
     
  22. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:02 PM
    #22
    Bucks04

    Bucks04 New Member

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    Let me rephrase that , new 100,000 mile warranty , and free oil and filters for life. You pick them up and do yourself , if they let you , probably won't , just because of what happened, so they can keep an eye on it. But anything is worth a try, and that would be very reasonable for toyota ,
     
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  23. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:06 PM
    #23
    Rngr188

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    A BassBoatCentral member I see. My username there is Cestratton.
     
  24. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:09 PM
    #24
    Gleninaz

    Gleninaz [OP] New Member

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    Been a member there for 20 years. Good site and a great Champion group.
     
  25. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:09 PM
    #25
    JLS in WA

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  26. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:21 PM
    #26
    TundraMcGov.

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    EGGZACTLY right. If you have to check all their work all the time----------why the heck would one even have them do the work.
     
  27. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:21 PM
    #27
    Black Wolf

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    This^^^^^
    I don't use the dealer for oil change. I use my local Grease Monkey. I know the manager. I stand there in the bay next to my tunny and watch everything. Everything.
     
  28. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:27 PM
    #28
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Man, I have the 100,000 mile warranty myself and I would never let those dumb asses change my oil. Keep good records of your purchases and log your work. You don’t need to have them do it to keep your warranty in tact.

    Good luck. For me, I would never sleep again knowing what happened. I would unload that thing.
     
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  29. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:28 PM
    #29
    Black Wolf

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    OP definitely should call Yota Corp and file a complaint!
     
  30. Sep 9, 2020 at 6:29 PM
    #30
    Gleninaz

    Gleninaz [OP] New Member

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    Well when it's 115 degrees out I don't think my fat 71 year old but could take an oil change. :) I wrote Toyota Corporate and really would rather get a new truck if the deal was decent. I will be worried about burning it up on a hunting or fishing trip now.
     

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