5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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This is just insane. Some how between Roseville and Stockton on the back of a flatbed my oil stopped leaking, there are no signs of a leak and the crankcase is full according to the dipstick. Went to the dealership yesterday looked under my car, ran my hand under the bottom of the car where the oil was leaking. My hand came out perfectly clean. Something fishy is going on here. So what do I have on my side? 2 other people who witnessed the oil leaking from the car. All 3 of us looked under the car and even felt the oil around the drain plug. I have pictures of all the spots ... of course none of this means anything really huh? But wait, there is the security camera in the install bay at Circuit City, showing us pushing the car in on Friday night and pushing it out Saturday morning and there being a lot of oil on the carboard box that I placed under the car (which I have) and the oil on the floor. So ... someone screwed up and is trying to cover their tracks .... but they aren't going to get away with it. I am being calm, but at this point I feel like someone is not being honest with me. Today when I go to the dealership with a copy of the security video in hand and the pictures of the oil spots, we'll see what they say now.
I'll keep everyone posted .... this is total BS. If you make a mistake, admit it and make it right. It is like politicians denying it, getting caught, and then appologizing for it and hoping it will be ok.
I haven't asked for anything, nor do I care to get anything out of this but honesty and a guarantee that my car will be okay. And now an appology for their screw up and cover up attempt. It baffles me why people are like this.
Yes, it soulds like they are trying to cover their tracks and that is never good, but I have some questions. I didn' recall reading earlier that you had checked the drain plug, nor anything about pushing the car in or out of a service bay, so here you go--was the drain plug in place but just loose? Did it appear that the leak was at the drain plug or the filter or both? Was the oil in your driveway real clean and new or did it appear it might have come from another vehicle. One time long ago I thought I had a leak but I was parked over a spot where another REAL leaker had sat for awhile.
If you had oil leaking out hours after you parked, it is entirely possible that there is no damage at all. The oil pump can suck down to the last few drops, so if you need to know, drain all the oil out to a very clean pan and then add it back a cup at a time until the oil pump finds it and the idiot light goes out. It's going to pump oil with less than a quart in the pan.
If the engine had run dry you would have known it as well--friction causes a lot of heat. One guy awhile back had this happen to him and the giveaway was overheating when the engine fried and melted down. If that had happened to you, you'd know about it.
In any event, the dealer owes you an apology and if you don't at least get that, go higher and make noise.
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2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
Yes, it soulds like they are trying to cover their tracks and that is never good, but I have some questions. I didn' recall reading earlier that you had checked the drain plug, nor anything about pushing the car in or out of a service bay, so here you go--was the drain plug in place but just loose? Did it appear that the leak was at the drain plug or the filter or both? Was the oil in your driveway real clean and new or did it appear it might have come from another vehicle. One time long ago I thought I had a leak but I was parked over a spot where another REAL leaker had sat for awhile.
If you had oil leaking out hours after you parked, it is entirely possible that there is no damage at all. The oil pump can suck down to the last few drops, so if you need to know, drain all the oil out to a very clean pan and then add it back a cup at a time until the oil pump finds it and the idiot light goes out. It's going to pump oil with less than a quart in the pan.
If the engine had run dry you would have known it as well--friction causes a lot of heat. One guy awhile back had this happen to him and the giveaway was overheating when the engine fried and melted down. If that had happened to you, you'd know about it.
In any event, the dealer owes you an apology and if you don't at least get that, go higher and make noise.
The oil was definately coming from my car. We pushed it to a clean spot and you could see the oil spot forming right under the car, plus the video is pretty clear from the security camera. All I know is that I took my car for an oil change, and all this happened. I just want them to be honest with me ... I haven't asked for anything ... but if they keep being dishonest with me I am not gonna continue being nice. I wish I had the video on a format I could play on the computer, I would post it for everyone to see. The put it on this thing called VHS ... something from the 80's - hahahhaha
"All 3 of us looked under the car and even felt the oil around the drain plug."
Was the plug there or not? It is very important. If the plug was gone, then the bulk of the oil may have drained out a couple of miles before you parked it and there might be mechanical damage. If the plug was tghere but loose and leaking it is another matter.
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2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
"All 3 of us looked under the car and even felt the oil around the drain plug."
Was the plug there or not? It is very important. If the plug was gone, then the bulk of the oil may have drained out a couple of miles before you parked it and there might be mechanical damage. If the plug was tghere but loose and leaking it is another matter.
The plug was there and felt tight ... I left it alone since they said they were coming out to get the car. At this point either way they did something wrong and are trying to cover it up, which is what is pissing me off.
Did they put on an oil filter?? Or was it on, just not tight enough??? I wouldn't even show them the video and threaten them a lawsuit. Then bring it to court and make them give you something out of it. I'm sure there is a way that you can test the oil and compare it with the oil on the cardboard... but then again... that's going to require some $$$ from you. The oil in the car should match the oil on the cardboard... if it's not a match.. they fixed the problem and filled it back up with new oil (the cover up).
I don't know... I'd probably be making a lot of noise by now!
One time, I took my car to Toyota for an Oil Change, the tech removed the Oil Filter before draining the oil from the oil plug, I had oil in every freaking crevice in my car! Oil was dripping and it smelt so bad when the engine got to hot! They had to steam clean my engine 3 times!
Did they put on an oil filter?? Or was it on, just not tight enough??? !
It's a V6 engine and does not have a spin on oil filter. It uses a cartridge filter and has two O-rings that have to be installed correctly or the cartridge housing will leak oil.
Sooo.
Was there oil on the cartridge housing?? If yes they did not install the O-rings correctly
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2008 Highlander Limited AWD, Silver, SmartKey, VSC/TRAK, Bluetooth, Remote Start, No Nav, Tow package/hitch/color matched fascia, roof rack cross rails, Color keyed mud guards, Camry trumpet horns
The plug was there and felt tight ... I left it alone since they said they were coming out to get the car. At this point either way they did something wrong and are trying to cover it up, which is what is pissing me off.
What a nightmare you are going through!!! It's a good thing you have a video. Good luck and please keep us posted.
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Back on stock height and love it!
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