I got my Oil changed for my 98 4 runner about 3 months ago at jiffy lube and found out yesterday while getting oil changed at AAMCO there was no air filter in it. How much is this going to mess up my engine? I have a filter now.

I will say i took my car in to get some work done to pass CA emissions after my jiffy lube oil change, so I can't necessarily blame Jiffy Lube. I got the O2 sensor changed, they cleaned the IAC, and they also put some sort of engine cleaner in it as well. Do you think it is possible they took the air filter out when they used the engine cleaner? I am pretty pissed but I don't want to complain to Jiffy Lube unless I am absolutely sure that they did it.

 

First thing I would do is change the oil (which you did) and clean the MAF and throttle body. It is likely that no real problems will come of this depending on where and what conditions you drove your vehicle. You may just have some high silica numbers in a UOA.
Also, might want to disconnect the -ve for a few minutes to adjust from going from no filter to filter

 

As long as you didn't drive though any dust or sand storms, you should be OK. That's why I always try to watch when my car is serviced.

 

i would do the ISR/deckplate mod, and buy the K&N filter. and put the sticker on the box. So if you don't service your truck, they don't try to con you into buying another filter.

 

my truck may see a little different terrain than yours but i've seen some crazy stuff at the bottom of my airbox, both before and after the snorkel. if your front passenger fender well liner is secured you can rest a lot easier, if not i'd start diagnosing the engine bit by bit..well if you hold longevity high on your priority list. 4000 miles isn't too long, but all it takes is one time

 

I dont think your engine is going to blow up anytime soon..

Id say change the oil again after another 1500 miles just to be sure...

 

Well I am going to be on the bad side of this discussion...I just had my motor rebuilt, and they said that there was sand in the engine, I even saw it, that more than likely came from the fram air filter I had in there that didnt fit just perfect, now mine sat for 1yr and right after I did my SAS I went to an offroad park where there was a lot of dust...it was sucked in and got between my pistions and cyl walls, scuffed them up pretty bad!!

Keep an eye on the oil level, because if it did any damage it will probably start burning oil!

 

Like others have said, change the oil and clean, and hope for the best. Don't get Fram, STP, K&N or other aftermarket crap filters. Stick with OEM for the best filtration and sure fit.

Also, change you own oil. (unless you can't work on your rig at your residence). And never ever ever take your 4Runner to Jiffy Lube again. I hate that place with a passion.

 

napa has a leak proof oil container, think it was about 15 bucks. has an o-ring on it and the sucker doesn't leak!

 

So I just called the Jiffy Lube and they are going to open a case and talk to the district manager about it. Any suggestions on how demanding or what exactly I should demand from them?

The only thing that worries me is that I just took my 4 runner last weekend on a really dusty road in the San Bernardinos. I put in a new STP air filter a couple days ago. I didn't do anything else. I don't have a garage or anything so what I can do as far as working on my car is pretty limited.

 

Not sure how demanding you can be. It took 4000 miles to notice it & currently there is no known problem.

 

man i would be so pissed. it shouldnt have happened.. alot of air gets pulled in. maybe get a compression test?

 

theres the problem

 

Thats why do you own preventive maintence.

 

Maybe have them pay for a mechanic to look at your engine and components? (and no, not their in-house "mechanics". A place of YOUR choice).

Also, get that POS STP out of there and put in an OEM unit. Changing your oil is very easy. You don't need a garage. Just get one of these:



from any auto parts store. You don't even need a jack. Just a 14mm socket (or was it 12??? I always take both with me. ) and that's it. Some take off the skids. I don't.

EDIT: Here is a useful write-up. http://www.4runners.org/writeups/oil/index.html

 

My fear would be that there is grit, like sand, in the cylinders. Dust would just blow out but something heavy would just sit in there. You could have a camer/scope look inside the cylinders. This would show any grit and scuffs in the cylinder walls.

 

most likely if you sucked in sand you would notice it burning oil by now. If they won't pay for a compression test and your going to be out in the san bernardio area anytime soon drop me a PM, and i'll grab my compression tester and leak down tester from work.

 

Oh, do a UOA. Blackstone-labs.com

 

those pans leak! rain gets in those. NAPA baby! serious mine sits outside in the snowbank. and your right a 14mm, and a couple of extensions. i seriously have changed my oil in some ghetto places, parking lot at school, buddy's house, appt complex, the KEY is to not looking like your doing anything. don't leave the hood up.

 

I would be more concern with what did AAMCO screw up!
--sorry not a fan of the double Amco--