2011 Camry missing oil filter

[mtstewy]

We purchased a 2011 Toyota Camry about 16 months ago. We took the car in yesterday to have the 10000 mile service completed which is oil change, tire rotation and the typical servcie work. The tech that was changing the oil walked in and showed the manager the oil filter cap and said to him this was all there was in there, meaning there was no filter from the day we bought it with around 200 miles on it until now with 10000 miles. My question is what will this do to the engine and especially during the breakin period. I'm worried about metal fragments in the oil and not getting filtered out. The manager and tech were shocked. They had to rob another filter from another car on the lot. I work on cars and not having a filter I am concerned what may have happened to the engine. Am I over reacting?

[Tech1984]

I can't seem to get what you are saying here. The oil filter is the canister type. There is an element in there. If that what was missing, then one can be gotten from parts just like that. Being missing from the factory...I'm speachless for that.
As far as the oil filter cap. That unscrews to expose the element. If that was missing, there's no way you could have driven it all this time.
You're not over reacting. This needs to have documentation and in the files of your service work. After this service I would return after 500 miles and a complete synthetic oil change done over again since the (now in place) new oil filter element was installed.
Your Camry has 60K powertrain warranty. So don't over react too much.

[inov8]

Is this a 6 cylinder Camry?
Did you see the aforementioned oil filter "cap"? If yes, can you describe it?
Did you happen to see the part they supposedly scavenged from another car?
Did this happen at a Toyota dealer or some other oil change emporium?
Did the tech look like it might be his first week on the job?
Did you actually drive for 16 months and 10K miles with the factory break-in oil, or is this not the first oil change for this vehicle?

This might be just a misunderstanding. Any part they would have to take from another car is not one your car would run without. Without an oil filter assembly, all of the oil would have drained out before you traveled 100 feet, let alone 10K miles.

[mtstewy]

The manager said the filter was there but the internal parts were missing that hold the filter in place. When the shop tech came into the waiting room all he had in his hand was the cap and he said to the manager "This is all there was in there and when I went to remove the cap oil sprayed all over me". I saw what he had in his hand and all there was was a round cap. No filter or anything else. I saw the part when the other tech brought the part in off the other car. and the first tech did not have any of the parts in his hand. If there was no filtering taking place is there a chance the engine was damaged which will have an effect later on?

[mtstewy]

This is a 4 cylinder Camry. I did see the cap. It almost looked like a cap one would remove an oil filter with. I did see the part removed from the other car. It looked metalic and had an inset threaded end. It's rather hard to describe. This happened at a Toyota dealer. The tech seemed to know what he was doing and was experienced in this field and familiar with the Camry. This was the first oil change since we purchased the car. If there was an oil break-in change I do not have any information to varify this. The manager said it was missing the part that holds the filter in place. In his words he said it was missing a rod with holes in it and a spring, that slows the oil down so it can filter the oil. I have been on the internet trying to see what this type of configuration looks like. I found some photos for a 2010 camry. Is the assembely the same?

Is this a 6 cylinder Camry?
Did you see the aforementioned oil filter "cap"? If yes, can you describe it?
Did you happen to see the part they supposedly scavenged from another car?
Did this happen at a Toyota dealer or some other oil change emporium?
Did the tech look like it might be his first week on the job?
Did you actually drive for 16 months and 10K miles with the factory break-in oil, or is this not the first oil change for this vehicle?

This might be just a misunderstanding. Any part they would have to take from another car is not one your car would run without. Without an oil filter assembly, all of the oil would have drained out before you traveled 100 feet, let alone 10K miles.

[Paul3637]

This wins the "el Bizzarro" award.

What did you do when your "maint reqd" light came on at 5,000 miles? Or is that broken, too? Did you take the car into the dealer for its free 5,000 ToyotaCare "checkup" which should include checking all fluid levels including the oil plus tire rotation.

If you did take it in at 5k, did they have to add any oil? I am guessing the dealer may have changed your oil at 5K miles and some "newbie" tech messed with it. Did you personally ever check your oil level? If your car came from the factory with no oil filter ...... then there are probably others. I can't believe the thing would even run without an oil filter. If you went 10K miles with no oil filter, your engine is probably toast.

BTW: Your car came from factory with 0W20 synthetic oil that is supposed to be changed 10K miles or 12 months - whichever comes first ... not 16 months. Short trip driving in cold weather and other severe service requires 5K/6 month oil changes.

I am posting this one for you in the toyotanation Camry forum and the bobistheoilguy.com forum. Avalons all come with V6 engines.

2011 I4 Camry came with no oil filter from factory

[inov8]

The average layman is not going remember every detail when confronted with an unexpected occurrence like this. I think you did pretty well.
There are several possible scenarios and we will probably never know the actual facts. The tech could have accidently broken off the center pipe (they are flimsy; mine often comes loose) and prefers not to admit it because he will have to pay for a new filter housing. The center pipe and drain valve spring could have been missing from the factory. It sounds like the filter element was there, but who knows if it seated properly? I don't think there is any way to know if the oil has been properly filtered during the last 16 months.

You have some potential leverage that could work to your advantage while putting your mind at ease. Get the names of the service manager and tech. Bribe someone with a box of donuts if you have to. Armed with this information, ask for an appointment with the Toyota Regional Manager, or phone Nissan USA customer service. Tell him or her what transpired (avoid mentioning the 16 months if you can), and cite the full names of the tech and manager, so he/she knows you have those names. Explain you are concerned the oil was not being filtered, and ask for a written engine warranty extension to 100K miles (with unlimited time) at no cost. This will cost Toyota virtually nothing. Speak calmly, and don't appear to be agitated or argumentative.

If the Region Manager seems hesitant (or outright denies your request), you could mention that Consumer Reports Magazine might be interested in hearing about what you were told by the tech and service manager. Use their actual names, not job functions, so it is clear that you will quote them by name, which gives your story credibility.

[deadrx7conv]

16 months without an oil change?

If they had to borrow it off another car, the filter cap was missing the center perforated tube. Filter was probably there. The question is, was it in bypass without the filter cap's internals? That'll depend whether anything else was missing.



An early oil change during break-in is something that I'll always recommend.

A once a year oil change, if you don't meet the mileage, is also recommended.

I wouldn't worry about it. Any engine damage would be through your future neglect and not because of questionable filter.

[Mike Murrell]

Did I read "4 cyclinder" ???

The 4 cyl has a spin-on filter.

The 6 cyl has the setup in the photo above my post.

Which engine do you have - 4 or 6 cyl?

[deadrx7conv]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wmliu/5345108168/

[gdanaher]

Just remember that the old VW air cooled type I engines never had an oil filter of any kind and they would run forever and almost never fail from a lubrication issue. If a new Toyota engine ran without a filter, it likely is of no consequence. Later as sludge and crud accumulates, it is more important to have that filter in there.

[deadrx7conv]

There is no comparing an engine of today with 1 from 50+ years ago.

Sludge and crud should never accumulate in an engine.

I hope that there aren't any VVT screen filters for the vvt control solenoid-valves. Without a working oil filter, makes you wonder how much break-in debris is blocking the screen?? I'd also worry about the timing chain, their tensiors, and the balance shafts(which usually operate at a higher rpm).

Also, if one is so negligent in going 16 months without an oil change, it makes you wonder if the oil level was ever checked and topped off regularly. Running low on oil is another nail to the longevity coffin.

[DOHCammer]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Did I read "4 cyclinder" ???

The 4 cyl has a spin-on filter.

The 6 cyl has the setup in the photo above my post.

Which engine do you have - 4 or 6 cyl?

2.5 4 cyl engines do indeed have the same cartridge filter as a 3.5 V6. Camry started using this engine in 2010.

[Mike Murrell]

Are you saying the 2010 4 bangers now use a paper insert filter same as 2GR-FE?

I maintain an '07 Camry - spin on filter.

What year did the 4 banger switch to the 2GR-FE style filter?


UPDATE - Never mind - I researched it online - 4 banger Camry for 2010 now using same "style" filter as V6 2GR-FE

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopBy...er+Kit&mode=PD

[mtstewy]

I asked about the 1 year oil change and we were told to do it at 10K not 1 year. They, as I wish to beleive, are the experts. My wife drives the car to and from work each day and needs only to travel four blocks to work.