oil levels Urgent thank you ! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Nico · 02-10-2004, 10:06 AM

Hello guys,

I am in the shit now as my engine broke 1000 miles after a rebuild (rod bearings). The guy from the shop is pretending it is my fault as the oil level was at the minimum level, between the minimum and max level.
So my question is (even if I know that an engine should be running even with oil at its minimum level), what does Toyota say about it ? Would I be at fault if the level was at minimum and is it always supposed to be at the maximum or am allowed to keep it on minimum?

Any help would be appreciated as I am right now writing a notice letter to have the car repaired asap before I call a sollicitor...

***EKam*** · 02-10-2004, 10:12 AM

Which shop did the rebuild for you? Was it done at a Toyota dealership?

Nico · 02-10-2004, 10:16 AM

No it was done at an independant repair shop here in Belgium, nothing to do with Toyota. The engine actually died 1 month ago and they said they would do it but untill now they still haven't done a thing and say they will do it but they "take their time" and say I am lucky as they "wouldn't be supposed to do the work anyway".
Here is their website (but it is in French...)
http://www.lambaux.be/

***EKam*** · 02-10-2004, 10:36 AM

I would question that shop for sure for their lack of care on the vehicle.

It's their responsiblity to make sure that enough oil is there for the engine to run before the next oil change interval.

Unless the engine was abused, it is obvious that something is not done correctly to blow a rebuilt engine in less than 1000 miles.

Nico · 02-10-2004, 10:41 AM

Well in fact I did the engine swap myself and they did the engine rebuild only. So I am the one who cared about oil and oil levels. As far as I am concerned, I did oil changes every 300 miles and made sure oil was at an acceptable level. It might be that it burnt some oil for it to be at minimum level (I don't know how...) but he admitted anyway it was just above minimum.

Nick · 02-10-2004, 10:41 AM

what do you mean at minimum? at the "low" mark on the dipstick?

if so i wouldn't worry about it, toss in a new litre in, its gonna burn oil while the rings seat

Nico · 02-10-2004, 10:47 AM

Yes, it is at the "low" level. But what is legally advised in these kinds of circompstances ? Would I be "legally" considered as "not taking enough care of the engine with oil level at minimum level" ?
What do you think Toyota would say about that ? I know this seems very stupid but the guy says that "Toyota would say you're at fault because of that"...

Nick · 02-10-2004, 10:52 AM

i think its ok, since the hash marks are usually 1L from top to bottom,

running on 3L isn't the end of the world, but its probably not the best thing

anyways, did you check the oil level before leaving the shop?

Nico · 02-10-2004, 10:59 AM

In fact as I said, I am the one who filled the engine with oil so he would not be responsible for that. In fact I have the impression (as I did oil changes every 300 miles, and 100 before it breaks) that I had put the maximum level of oil or at least a very acceptable level. Maybe it just burnt or lost oil just before but that seems strange to me. Oh yeah another thing I had noticed is that the oil used to become quite black very quickly

Nico · 02-10-2004, 11:09 AM

btw I had put 10w40 oil of a very good brand...

Nico · 02-10-2004, 12:57 PM

Do you guys think that the defective rod bearings might be the cause for some oil consumption ?

csaxon · 02-10-2004, 03:17 PM

Nico although the oil is important, the real question is what kind of rebuild did the shop do? What on or in your engine broke after the rebuild?

If they did poor work and didn't torque nuts and bolts correctly or reseat piston rings and prelube the cylinders then your engine becomes self destructive!

If the engine is properly prelubed and broken in then being a litre low in oil will not hurt the engine.

Nico · 02-10-2004, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by csaxon
Nico although the oil is important, the real question is what kind of rebuild did the shop do? What on or in your engine broke after the rebuild?

If they did poor work and didn't torque nuts and bolts correctly or reseat piston rings and prelube the cylinders then your engine becomes self destructive!

If the engine is properly prelubed and broken in then being a litre low in oil will not hurt the engine.

Thank you for your help again, all of you !
What they did is resleaving cylinders, new pistons, new rod bearings, crankshaft reconditionned. Regarding the cylinder head they didn't do anything to it except testing and placing it back on the engine.
What broke is (according what they did tell me) is the rod bearings. They said they "didn't know why they broke but guessed it was due to lack of lubrification". What I noticed btw is that the oil used to becoe very black from the first day of rebuild.

csaxon · 02-10-2004, 04:40 PM

If they installed "new" rod bearings then they should be covered under warranty. You could be 2 litres low in oil and the rod bearings still get lubrication. It could simply be a defective bearing..that's not impossible. There should be a warranty on their work and liability insurance in case you sue them. They can then sue the bearing manufacturer if it's found to be defective.

Nico · 02-10-2004, 04:49 PM

Thank you Csaxon, that's VERY helpful, and interesting.

I remember them telling me they had had big problems finding the right ones when they did the rebuild (Toyota parts are f** difficult to get in Europe). Do you think they could have just used the old ones ?