Hey everyone. This past wednesday, I had my oil changed at a valvoline quick lube. I believe they left an old oil filter gasket on and put the new one on over it. Im not sure. Because on Sat, 100 miles into the oil change and in the middle of central indiana, my 88 4runner 3.0 lost all oil pressure, oil was sprayed all over the driver side engine and the underside of the y junction after the air filter was coated in oiland had to tow it back to my house. After the engine quit I havent touched it or started it since. If they did double gasket it, what steps and actions would I need to take to prove that valvoline was responsible for leaving the gasket on it and make them responsible for any repairs?? I know I am going to get flak for taking it to the quick lube but I have to be honest and say I might have done the same thing if I did it my self. So in other words better them then me right. This is why I took it to them in the first place. They should know to check for this. They are supposed to be trained right? Anyone have any idea?? Thanks

 

Do not touch it yourself. Get a hold of there district mamager. Let me know you want it checked out by a stealership. Because you doubt the experience the quick lube has. Talk to a lawyer, not sure about laws in recording phone conversations, but in texas, if you are a person involved in the conversation, then can record it with out letting them know. Document everything as well, including tow service, mileage everything.

PS you went to a quick lube place, are you nuts. JK When you talk to the DM or above, let him know you are worried about internal problems that may have acquired. Also what year make and model of your truck with engine type, is needed for help on here

 

He has an 88 4runner sr5, 3.0 a340h auto.....

 

Well I have decided to call a few place from advice I have recieved. Given the fact that Im not sure it is a double gasket issue, Midas has offered to check it out and not charge me for labor. So I am having it towed over to the midas. I figured that Midas is a reputible place. My girlfriend is a clerk at a court house so she is going to ask the small claims court JUDGE what I need to do and get to prove it was valvoline if it is valvolines fault to beging with. I am hoping anyways. If anyone else has any other suggestions or experience to this I am open to anything. Thanks

 

I don't know if Midas would be the most reputable place to take it. Dealership would be better IMO. Just my .02

 

In 1980, the same thing happened to my Tercel....The Lube Pit in Tucson AZ changed the oil...it lost it's seal about 1000 miles later....engine started knocking before I realized the loss of oil pressure....my car-pooler took the inititive and removed the filter and found it doable gasketted. I had a lawyer handle it. Since I had a "witness" other than myself determine that it was 2 gaskets, I had no prob getting a replacement engine.
You are wise to take it to Midas for a second party looksie.

 

:pat: :pat: :pat: I need more coffee

x2 with gohawks, get a hold of District manager, tell them what happened. Let them know you had it towed since it broke down on you. And you want the dealership do check it for internal damage (ie spun bearings, etc..) on there dime.

 

I would have taken it to a dealer for a second looksie, someone who is an "expert in toyotas" thats what I would have done. But a second place is a second lpace, I suppose...

 

I did consider the dealer but what if it isnt a double gasket. Dealer would try telling me that my cigarette light is the cause and charge me $500 to install it. Midas offered to inspect it and not charge me labor. To work at midas you do have to be ASE certified which is the same certification need to work at the dealer. So they are a crediable option IMO. And yes I went with a 3.0 auto. It is so much more convienent not have to worry about 3 petals to mess with. I love driving manual cars. Just not in rush hour and off roading.

 

I also love my 3.0 AUTO

Good luck to you with your problem.

 

You could have done the inspection yourself by taking off the skid plate, loosening up the filter a bit and looking at it with a flashlight and mirror and then take pictures, would have saved the towing charge.

 

who ever dose the look over have them take pics or go and take pics as they do the work.

 

Heck, I would wanna watch the entire thing if they let me into the work area.

 

I 2nd that

 

No, and No. I was offered a job at Midas as a tech, and I have no formal training.

Same with the dealer. Depending on the location and when a tech was hired, you dont have to have any formal training at all to be a tech. Although recently they are requiring you to have some schooling to be a tech, but still no ASE cert. is required.


Back on topic. Have you talked to valvoline yet? FIrst thing I would have done would be to call them and let them know what happened, and that you were taking it to midas to have it looked at.

 

I would like to say that midas did look at it. Wasnt a double gasket. It was the HG. Pressure was building up and spray out of the oil cap and pcv. You can see burn antifreeze all over the pcv. Engine is toast. Thanks agian for the help everyone. Now a new thread. Rebuilt or remanufactured 3.0???

 

dont assume the dealer is an "expert". Theres only about 2 or 3 people that personally I would let touch my vehicle. I was at the Toy dealer the other day picking up some oil and a new runner was pulled out of the bay. Customer gets in runner and takes off. I look over and see a puddle of oil on the ground and 4 technicians come running out looking down on the ground. They saw me laughing but it was too late...she was gone already

 

Thanks Freakin Funny!!
Well at least she is getting a new Engine on there behalf...

x2...
The only experts I trust are y'all here on the site...
You have the most experience out of anyone I believe...
I went to 3 diffrent dealers trying to ask them a spimple question...
Not even the master mechanic knew...
Came here...
Question answered...

So yeah...
my .02