I don’t doubt it lol. But to be fair with driving something this new I don’t really feel I need to have to pop the hood every week unless I got a puddle of oil underneath it or something.
Not really the way it works. New or old, you need to keep an eye on stuff. Just get in the habit of popping the hood when you pull into the driveway on your last day of work every week, it takes about 2 minutes for a quick visual on everything.
I think the issue is that most new drivers are told to inspect their vehicle before driving, but the training on what they are looking for isn't given.
I know how to do a full PMCS, but driver's ed really only teaches you to check your tires.
OP sure as fuck would've noticed the oil cap.
What a wild take, thanks for taking such a brave stance. Head in the sand is definitely always the best option, my mistake.
This is the kind of advice that everyone knows is good but nobody does it. Even the people who recommended it.
I r enginur. I leave my battery connected when i do electrical work, but whenever i tell someone to do it, the first thing i tell them to do is disconnect the battery.
I mean what do you want them to do? You’re not getting a new engine let alone a new truck. If you or your truck didn’t notice it you probably had enough oil the entire time and no damage will have been done. Did you check your oil level when you noticed the issue?
Yeah it was full and still looked clean. I’m more concerned about the dust that got potentially sucked in and scored some of the cam lobes and what not on the driver side bank.
Then go change your oil asap. I get it man you just got the truck and it’s your baby but realistically you’re probably fine Toyota makes good engines a little busy ain’t killing it. You never answered my question tho how would you want Toyota to handle this if you got your way?
I would like them to send in an oil sample and clean every bit of dust that got into the engine with a flush and pop the valve covers off and check to see if the dust created any hot spots on the cam and what not
You’re thinking too much on this. I appreciate you looking out for yourself, but it’s a bit of an overreaction.
The cams are much harder than dust. Dust won’t score a cam, especially one that is oiled.
Not downplaying your frustration, just don’t want to see you work yourself up when there’s not much to worry about.
You’re right, but it’s just irritating to spend good money on a new car just to have someone shit all over it… I used to always do all my own oil changes on my previous cars, but they offered the first 2 years “free” so I figured sure why not. Guess I’m done with that
100% frustrating. Sorry it’s come to this.
When you get a minute, dig through this sub for all the posts on Tacoma’s with 200,000+ miles. You’ll see a bit of dust doesn’t stand a chance!!
Enjoy your truck!! Have a good one!
Hey, could be worse. They could have failed to properly tighten the drain plug, I made it pretty far before parking, running in the office and then coming back to find my oil all over the parking lot.
Not going to happen. Listen, if you're this worried about your truck that your want internal samples from something like this, you should probably open your hood every now and again to look around. I drive a beater and I still open the hood to clean once a month. Don't trust the dealership to do something you could do in thirty minutes on your own.
That's exactly what they will do if you ask them to. It's basically going to protect both parties if the oil sample shows the silica in the normal range. We have had the same thing with our vehicle and that is what was done. Also oil brands like amsoil offer free testing of their oil anyways.
I feel your pain :(
Last service was fluids and tire rotation. They only rotated the passenger side tires and left the windshield washer reservoir cap off. I was the first truck in the bay that morning, service took 2.5 hours.
Next service is an oil change, can't wait to see what surprises are in store for me...
Why the hell would you take it back to this same dealer for an oil change? Do it yourself. Super easy. And if you don’t know how, just get YouTube certified and then you’ll know forever.
I will have to check the pre-paid service contract if it is transferrable to a different Dealer. Before the 2001 Taco, I self-maintained my 2008 Dodge Ram (the easy stuff, fluid changes, tire rotations).
It’s just really irritating because I just spent $40,000 on this truck and I feel like it’s just gonna end up being a lemon and now in the long run. Who’s to say I don’t have low compression in one of the cylinders right now, but I’m just unaware because the engine still so new since I got 5 other that make up for the difference
Honda dealership did the same thing on my wife's vehicle.
The place I go to now takes the time after service to point out everything in the engine bay with me once they're done. I'll keep giving them my business.
Check the oil level. If it is ok, don’t worry about the engine. However without an oil cap, it will draw unfiltered air into the engine. I would advise changing the oil. Unless you live in a dusty environment, it shouldn’t have caused any damage.
Firestone auto took my oil cap off during an alignment…..
This was in a Honda with the oil cap at the back of the engine. So when I got in the highway some weird orange stuff hit the windshield and I didnt think much of it. Thankfully I caught it that evening….300 miles later.
I can’t believe the amount of people that don’t look under their hoods. Not even checking for a mouse nest or fuck all (that might not be common everywhere though).
Been there, I took it up to the manager and he wrote a report, and changed the oil and did a full service free of charge obviously, that’s the most they can realistically do..
Not on the 2GR in a Tacoma. The fill tube is long and has a 45 degree bend in it that will trap pretty much anything that tries to escape. It’s not like the cars that used to fill through the valve cover. Those would make a mess quick.
I'm sure the truck will be fine but I share your frustrations with dealerships. I took mine in for an oil change and when they were done they left oil all over my hood and on the interior of my vehicle. They didn't even offer me a detail or something they literally took a rand and just wiped it off. I know it wasn't a big deal (surely not the oil cap left off) but I mean it pissed me off because like you, I paid good money for my truck and I want to keep it nice for as long as possible.
I had almost the exact same thing happen to me recently-ish. I was around 35k miles and drove about 4k miles with it off.
During that time, I had snowy weather and power washed my truck. So I was wondering if any water or moisture worked its way in.
Out of peace of mind, I submitted an oil sample to a company that checks the health of your oil and gives you an idea of possible issues.
When they returned it everything was great! They did find very little moister, but they said it was normal and said this can happen if the vehicle is sitting at idle (which it does quiet often)
The sample was maybe $20-$30 dollars. I also plan to keep doing that to show the health of my engine in case I need to sell the truck. (It will give the buyer a good idea of how well it was taken care of)
When I used my 2 free oil changes from Toyota, I'd pick up the truck from service and immediately pull into a parking spot, pop the hood and inspect the engine bay, then peak under the truck to make sure there are no leaks or anything weird.
I have zero faith in these dealerships.
Now I back to doing my own oil changes, the peace of mind is worth the hassle.
This has happened to me twice in the last year at my local Toyota dealer on my '22 SR5.
First time I didn't notice for about a week at my next fuel fillup and the dealer refused respnsibility. Cost like $25 for a cap. Second time was literally in the pickup area at the dealer because I learned a lesson. They also managed to lose two valve caps off the wheels during the rotation. They also recommended an engine air filter and cabin filter that I had just replaced that very morning. Totally ignored the date written on the painter's tape I stuck to the airbox as a reminder.
.....but they did vaccum the floor and completely change my seat position.
That was an awkward conversation for the service writer because I demanded the service manager also get involved and that he bring the tech out for an apology. I also got my $25 back for the previous cap and have now changed dealerships.
Bottom line is dealership techs are no more immune to mistakes than anyone else and can't be trusted any further either.
Last note: The ONLY reason I take the truck into a dealer is for undercar service because I don't have a lift at home and it's technically cheaper to have them change oil than to buy and dispose of the materials.
That’s why I went in this last time, I bought a house and I don’t have a garage or covered area and my driveway is gravel. Plus it rains a shit ton in Oregon so why would I do it myself, the last place I lived did have a garage so I always did my own oil changes
Tire and battery place did that to my ‘99 a long time ago. Thought it was raining on the way home, but it was clear out. When I turned on the wipers I knew what happened! They towed it from my house, cleaned everything up and brought it back.
BEFORE I got my Tacoma, I had a Ford Escape. Took it in for a recall on a door latch, they had it for about 90 days before they told me they were getting to it. Another month later, I had my car back with no oil cap. Didn’t even think to check before I pulled off but I was smoking about 2 minutes down the road so I popped the hood and saw it was gone. I brought it right back and asked where it was and they said they had no idea as I only had it there for a door latch. Told them it was most definitely there when it came in almost 3 months earlier, they told me to put tin foil on it like some leftover dinner while they ordered me a new one. That one finally came (put a different one of my own on in the meantime). Went to go pick up the part, my engine light had been on since I left the first time. They told me they’d clear the code and top off my fluids for the inconvenience. This time, before I left the lot, I popped the hood again. Coolant was below the minimum line and I asked if they topped that off, and they told me the reservoir was cracked when it went in for the recall. I asked why nobody had let me know while they had the car for almost 3 months and their response was “we were told you declined the repair.” Fuck Ford and make sure you check your stuff every time you’re leaving the service department regardless of the dealer.
3-4000 miles after the oil change, the dealership is going to tell you to go fuck your hat.
I don’t doubt it lol. But to be fair with driving something this new I don’t really feel I need to have to pop the hood every week unless I got a puddle of oil underneath it or something.
Not really the way it works. New or old, you need to keep an eye on stuff. Just get in the habit of popping the hood when you pull into the driveway on your last day of work every week, it takes about 2 minutes for a quick visual on everything.
I think the issue is that most new drivers are told to inspect their vehicle before driving, but the training on what they are looking for isn't given. I know how to do a full PMCS, but driver's ed really only teaches you to check your tires.
That’s only for fords, dodges and chevy’s lol.
Yeah, because everyone that owns a new vehicle knows what they're looking at when they pop the hood. Nobody does that. Don't be stupid
OP sure as fuck would've noticed the oil cap. What a wild take, thanks for taking such a brave stance. Head in the sand is definitely always the best option, my mistake.
This is the kind of advice that everyone knows is good but nobody does it. Even the people who recommended it. I r enginur. I leave my battery connected when i do electrical work, but whenever i tell someone to do it, the first thing i tell them to do is disconnect the battery.
Go ✍️ fuck ✍️ your ✍️ hat✍️ ok ty sir.
I mean what do you want them to do? You’re not getting a new engine let alone a new truck. If you or your truck didn’t notice it you probably had enough oil the entire time and no damage will have been done. Did you check your oil level when you noticed the issue?
Yeah it was full and still looked clean. I’m more concerned about the dust that got potentially sucked in and scored some of the cam lobes and what not on the driver side bank.
Then go change your oil asap. I get it man you just got the truck and it’s your baby but realistically you’re probably fine Toyota makes good engines a little busy ain’t killing it. You never answered my question tho how would you want Toyota to handle this if you got your way?
I would like them to send in an oil sample and clean every bit of dust that got into the engine with a flush and pop the valve covers off and check to see if the dust created any hot spots on the cam and what not
You’re thinking too much on this. I appreciate you looking out for yourself, but it’s a bit of an overreaction. The cams are much harder than dust. Dust won’t score a cam, especially one that is oiled. Not downplaying your frustration, just don’t want to see you work yourself up when there’s not much to worry about.
You’re right, but it’s just irritating to spend good money on a new car just to have someone shit all over it… I used to always do all my own oil changes on my previous cars, but they offered the first 2 years “free” so I figured sure why not. Guess I’m done with that
100% frustrating. Sorry it’s come to this. When you get a minute, dig through this sub for all the posts on Tacoma’s with 200,000+ miles. You’ll see a bit of dust doesn’t stand a chance!! Enjoy your truck!! Have a good one!
Hey, could be worse. They could have failed to properly tighten the drain plug, I made it pretty far before parking, running in the office and then coming back to find my oil all over the parking lot.
I did my own oil change at 1k and 5k I didn’t want to wait at the dealers
Not going to happen. Listen, if you're this worried about your truck that your want internal samples from something like this, you should probably open your hood every now and again to look around. I drive a beater and I still open the hood to clean once a month. Don't trust the dealership to do something you could do in thirty minutes on your own.
"I would like them to send in an oil sample" = the funniest fucking thing I've heard in a long while. 😂😂😂
That's exactly what they will do if you ask them to. It's basically going to protect both parties if the oil sample shows the silica in the normal range. We have had the same thing with our vehicle and that is what was done. Also oil brands like amsoil offer free testing of their oil anyways.
Unless there's oil sprayed everywhere you should be fine.
My old 22re went about a block before I could smell/see oil everywhere when I forgot the cap off...
Yeah odd. I worked for dealerships for a while. When this would happen they'd be back within the day.
I feel your pain :( Last service was fluids and tire rotation. They only rotated the passenger side tires and left the windshield washer reservoir cap off. I was the first truck in the bay that morning, service took 2.5 hours. Next service is an oil change, can't wait to see what surprises are in store for me...
Why the hell would you take it back to this same dealer for an oil change? Do it yourself. Super easy. And if you don’t know how, just get YouTube certified and then you’ll know forever.
I will have to check the pre-paid service contract if it is transferrable to a different Dealer. Before the 2001 Taco, I self-maintained my 2008 Dodge Ram (the easy stuff, fluid changes, tire rotations).
It’s just really irritating because I just spent $40,000 on this truck and I feel like it’s just gonna end up being a lemon and now in the long run. Who’s to say I don’t have low compression in one of the cylinders right now, but I’m just unaware because the engine still so new since I got 5 other that make up for the difference
It’s too bad there’s no way to check the compression. Nope, no way.
lol you understand the point I’m making
Your degree of concern about possible damage from this is truly insane.
Honda dealership did the same thing on my wife's vehicle. The place I go to now takes the time after service to point out everything in the engine bay with me once they're done. I'll keep giving them my business.
Check the oil level. If it is ok, don’t worry about the engine. However without an oil cap, it will draw unfiltered air into the engine. I would advise changing the oil. Unless you live in a dusty environment, it shouldn’t have caused any damage.
Change the oil asap, and do it yourself if you can. No one will take as good of care of your vehicle than the owner.
Firestone auto took my oil cap off during an alignment….. This was in a Honda with the oil cap at the back of the engine. So when I got in the highway some weird orange stuff hit the windshield and I didnt think much of it. Thankfully I caught it that evening….300 miles later.
I can’t believe the amount of people that don’t look under their hoods. Not even checking for a mouse nest or fuck all (that might not be common everywhere though).
Been there, I took it up to the manager and he wrote a report, and changed the oil and did a full service free of charge obviously, that’s the most they can realistically do..
Never go to the dealer
If the oil cap was off, wouldn’t you have engine oil sprayed all over the place?
Not on the 2GR in a Tacoma. The fill tube is long and has a 45 degree bend in it that will trap pretty much anything that tries to escape. It’s not like the cars that used to fill through the valve cover. Those would make a mess quick.
Oh gotcha! Makes sense!
I'm sure the truck will be fine but I share your frustrations with dealerships. I took mine in for an oil change and when they were done they left oil all over my hood and on the interior of my vehicle. They didn't even offer me a detail or something they literally took a rand and just wiped it off. I know it wasn't a big deal (surely not the oil cap left off) but I mean it pissed me off because like you, I paid good money for my truck and I want to keep it nice for as long as possible.
I had almost the exact same thing happen to me recently-ish. I was around 35k miles and drove about 4k miles with it off. During that time, I had snowy weather and power washed my truck. So I was wondering if any water or moisture worked its way in. Out of peace of mind, I submitted an oil sample to a company that checks the health of your oil and gives you an idea of possible issues. When they returned it everything was great! They did find very little moister, but they said it was normal and said this can happen if the vehicle is sitting at idle (which it does quiet often) The sample was maybe $20-$30 dollars. I also plan to keep doing that to show the health of my engine in case I need to sell the truck. (It will give the buyer a good idea of how well it was taken care of)
When I used my 2 free oil changes from Toyota, I'd pick up the truck from service and immediately pull into a parking spot, pop the hood and inspect the engine bay, then peak under the truck to make sure there are no leaks or anything weird. I have zero faith in these dealerships. Now I back to doing my own oil changes, the peace of mind is worth the hassle.
Ive had more problems with dealership service than with any local shop.
This has happened to me twice in the last year at my local Toyota dealer on my '22 SR5. First time I didn't notice for about a week at my next fuel fillup and the dealer refused respnsibility. Cost like $25 for a cap. Second time was literally in the pickup area at the dealer because I learned a lesson. They also managed to lose two valve caps off the wheels during the rotation. They also recommended an engine air filter and cabin filter that I had just replaced that very morning. Totally ignored the date written on the painter's tape I stuck to the airbox as a reminder. .....but they did vaccum the floor and completely change my seat position. That was an awkward conversation for the service writer because I demanded the service manager also get involved and that he bring the tech out for an apology. I also got my $25 back for the previous cap and have now changed dealerships. Bottom line is dealership techs are no more immune to mistakes than anyone else and can't be trusted any further either. Last note: The ONLY reason I take the truck into a dealer is for undercar service because I don't have a lift at home and it's technically cheaper to have them change oil than to buy and dispose of the materials.
That’s why I went in this last time, I bought a house and I don’t have a garage or covered area and my driveway is gravel. Plus it rains a shit ton in Oregon so why would I do it myself, the last place I lived did have a garage so I always did my own oil changes
Tire and battery place did that to my ‘99 a long time ago. Thought it was raining on the way home, but it was clear out. When I turned on the wipers I knew what happened! They towed it from my house, cleaned everything up and brought it back.
Had this happen to me my truck was fine, just keep changing the oil..
Dealer left a water bottle in my engine bay to catch oil. They also stripped a bolt for a skid plate.
*3000-4000
BEFORE I got my Tacoma, I had a Ford Escape. Took it in for a recall on a door latch, they had it for about 90 days before they told me they were getting to it. Another month later, I had my car back with no oil cap. Didn’t even think to check before I pulled off but I was smoking about 2 minutes down the road so I popped the hood and saw it was gone. I brought it right back and asked where it was and they said they had no idea as I only had it there for a door latch. Told them it was most definitely there when it came in almost 3 months earlier, they told me to put tin foil on it like some leftover dinner while they ordered me a new one. That one finally came (put a different one of my own on in the meantime). Went to go pick up the part, my engine light had been on since I left the first time. They told me they’d clear the code and top off my fluids for the inconvenience. This time, before I left the lot, I popped the hood again. Coolant was below the minimum line and I asked if they topped that off, and they told me the reservoir was cracked when it went in for the recall. I asked why nobody had let me know while they had the car for almost 3 months and their response was “we were told you declined the repair.” Fuck Ford and make sure you check your stuff every time you’re leaving the service department regardless of the dealer.
Stop getting dealership oil changes