2GR-FE V6 LSC90K (recall) oil line fails-Dealer won't cover damages-WARNING

[Paul3637]

Sorry to start a new thread on this "dead horse" issue but now it appears the recalled oil line replacement hoses are starting to fail so if you have one of the 1.6 million 3.5L V6 engines with a build date prior to 04/08 please beware.

Despite the fact that the "campaign" documents essentially extend the "warranty" to March 2013, Arlington Toyota of Palatine Illinois (a Chicago suburb) has refused to cover oil line replacement and engine damage caused when the new rubber recall hose replacement ruptured and the engine essentially ran out of oil

Facts: Owner has a well maintained 2006 Rav4 with a placed in service date of 07/25/06. She takes it in to Arlington Toyota in April 2010 at 31,719 miles for regular oil change service and LSC 90K (recall) hose replacement. According to her receipt, correct parts were replaced pursuant to LSC 90K. The car was taken into Arlington Toyota for service every 5K miles thereafter. Then, on Christmas Eve 2011 at 48,471 miles - just 16,652 miles after the vvt-i recall hose was replaced and only 2,000 miles since her last oil change visit, the replacement oil line ruptured causing the oil to rapidly drain out of the engine so she has it towed to Arlington Toyota.

Arlington Toyota ignores the March 2013 date noted in the LSC 90K documents and tells her "you are only entitled to one oil line replacement .... " and hands her a $700 bill for new oil hose, ancillary damage, and tow. Within 15 minutes of driving it off the lot, the engine starts making loud noises and the owner has it towed back to Arlington Toyota. They tell her essentially "tough luck" and want $1,200 just to inspect the engine for damage .... which is probably going to run into the thousands of dollars. She calls Toyota headquarters and gets no relief. I called and sent an email to their service department director and told him of the many cases where Toyota paid for post warranty repairs relative to this issue and was stunned by his has callous response " the warranty is up and it time for her to take reponsibility and ownership of the vehicle." WOW I told him - had Toyota taken ownership and responsibility for its admittedly defective parts in the first place and replaced the rubber oil lines with the metal ones used in the manufacturing process beginning in April 04/08, this problem never would have occurred in the first place !!!!!

What is particularly ironic and absurd here is that had the owner NOT taken the vehicle in at all for the recall in April 2010 and the origianl oil line failed, she clearly would have been covered by LSC 90K since that document clearly states the "recall" is good through April 2013 and there is no sense of urgency about bringing the car in prior to that date.]

Another LSC 90K Oil Line failure: A similar story is found in the Edmunds.com Camry forum where a 2008 Camry had the recall performed in September 2010 and the replacement oil line blew Thanksgiving day 2011. The dealer paid for the repair but the person that posted the
announcment does not accept private messages so it cannot be confirmed that the car was still within the 60,000 mile limit of the powertrain warranty.

Look at how fast these oil lines ruptured: Just 16,652 miles and 20 months on the Rav4 and 14 months on the Camry. Even the old 2005 Avalon hoses did not go out this fast. Since the new improved rubber oil line is suppose to be reinforced with Kevlar or some other such substance, I didn't figure we'd be hearing about any failed LSC 90K replacement rubber hoses until about 2015! And oh what logic: "Dear Toyota Customer: We are recalling your defective oil line that has already lasted you 30,000 miles with another part that will fail right after your warranty expires ... ya know ...... we just don't want to pay for your new engine !!!"

Warning to anyone with 2GR-FE V6 engines manufactured prior to April 2008 where the recall has been performed: Since the new hose is subject to failure, essentially 1.5 million or so people are driving vehicles that are potentiall "ticking timebombs." If other dealers follow the policy of Arlington Toyota, once your powertrain warranty has expired by either the passage of time or by the mileage limit and it has been more than one year since the LSC 90K oil line replacement was done, then repairs that occur as a result - which can easily run into the thousands of dollars - will not be covered by Toyota.

What you can do if your affected vehicle is approaching or has past the applicable dates of warranty expiration: Go back to your dealer and demand that the dealer either:

(1) replace the "band aid" rubber hose fix called for in the LSC 90K with the same all metal oil line that Toyota/Lexus installed on all 2GR-FE V6 engines manufactured beginning in April 2008 even if you have to pay some reasonable charge. There are many threads in many Toyota & Lexus forums on this. Many people have already used the metal oil line replacement despite an assortment of lame excuses by dealers stating that the metal version either would not fit and/or the all metal line would void their warranty

or

(2) that the dealer put in writing that the LSC 90K replacement hose is guaranteed until at least March 2013 ... or longer.

Question: Has anyone else heard of other cases where the oil line recall repair failed and if so, how was the issue resolved and was a cause determined?

Either the dealer(s) did not perform the original service at all, incorrectly performed the service, or Toyota has a bad batch of parts. All possibilities SHOULD have been investigated by the dealer(s) as soon as these oil line failures occurred.

https://sites.google.com/site/toyotav6oillinescandal/

Update February 7, 2012: Owner wrote to to the President & General manager of the dealerhip who was very responsive. In the end, toyota paid for everything. Owner essentially got a new engine including short block, camshft assemblies, water pump, etc.

[9volt]

Anyone have a part number for the metal line and/or a good place to order it online?

[sweeneyp]

also, would anyone know the average cost to have a dealer/mechanic replace the line with the metal one?

9volt, i get my OEM parts from TRDsparks, they are usually cheaper than most other places I look, so if you get a P/N I would look there.

I have had the recall done, but I plan to keep my car another 5-6 years at least. So, I definitely want the permanent fix, that way I don't have to worry about the car's self-destruct "feature" .

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by Paul3637

Sorry to start a new thread on this "dead horse" issue but now it appears the recalled oil line replacement hoses are starting to fail so if you have one of the 1.6 million 3.5L V6 engines with a build date prior to 04/08 please beware.

That's cool. I can understand and agree with the need to post up these new developments with the oil line issue, instead of having it buried neck deep in the old 2GR-FE oil line failure thread. To that end, I'll make sure that both threads link to each other. Thanks!

For new Highlander owners or people unfamiliar with this issue, here is a link to the 2GR-FE engine oil line failure thread (addressing the original issue and fix)

[becks]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

also, would anyone know the average cost to have a dealer/mechanic replace the line with the metal one?

9volt, i get my OEM parts from TRDsparks, they are usually cheaper than most other places I look, so if you get a P/N I would look there.

I have had the recall done, but I plan to keep my car another 5-6 years at least. So, I definitely want the permanent fix, that way I don't have to worry about the car's self-destruct "feature" .

Sweeneyp, can post a link to the part you are refering to ?

Thanks

[summerwind]

I was told when my HL had the recall done that the dealer would not replace the oil line with the all metal one even if I paid for it as Toyota had not certified the all metal line on the vehicles subject to the recall.

What a pile of crap..

The only way to get the all metal one is to buy the parts and install them your self or find a non-Toyota mechanic to do the deed for you.

From previous thread

Hi all, this is Carlos @ Toyota of Poway parts dept. We have the updated pipe in stock and we can ship it anywhere in USA for $7. Price for pipe is $16.40, the 2 top gaskets are $0.87 each, the lower gasket is $1.58. The plastic timing gear cover is also available if necessary. It sometimes gets ruined from the oil if you already have the leak. It runs $40.19. Send me a private message if interested. thanks.
part numbers
15772-31030 pipe
90430-16016 gasket
90430-16017(2) gasket
11322-31021 cover

[becks]

Summerwind,

Did you go ahead and do this yet from Carlos ? If you did can you remember what it cost you to have it installed (minus the parts) ?

Thanks

[summerwind]

Originally Posted by becks

Summerwind,

Did you go ahead and do this yet from Carlos ? If you did can you remember what it cost you to have it installed (minus the parts) ?

Thanks

No. I am doing the watchful waiting thing for now

[9volt]

I haven't looked at the instructions in a while but isn't this a relatively easy part to swap? Correct me if I'm wrong but I think once the wheel is off and the wheel liner is out it's right there.

[sweeneyp]

9volt, I think you can get to it in the engine bay. You remove the engine chassis mount, and wireharness to gain access. Take a look at these docs they are the dealer's recall notice letter (first link) and the repair manual for the recall (2nd link) It should help with how to replace the whole line. Though it only shows how to replace the rubber portion, you might still have to remove the wheel/wheel liner to get full access to the bottom portion of the line.

http://www.mediafire.com/?s3dnlfy3ogxwcwg

http://www.mediafire.com/?5gy6okaqf3y7s3q

[2008HLSport]

I got my recall done at 44K and the old hose held up just fine. Have put another 20k on the new hose and hoping it continues to function as intended till i get it replaced at the shop in the near future.

Has anyone got this done locally and have a cost on the labor as it seems atleast and hour to two job?

[Paul3637]

Another "improved" rubber oil line bites the dust:

Warning! 2008 highlander oil leak

[PhotonDreams]

Just checked at my dealer $296.92 if I have them put in the metal oil line. Wonder if Toyota will do another recall and put in the metal line. If not I'll be looking at a private mechanic to do it, or perhaps do it myself when the weather gets a bit warmer. A fellow on line here did it and it seemed to fall into the do it yourself area if you like to mess under the hood a bit.

[sweeneyp]

I just called a local private mechanic that works on Toyota/Lexus. if I brought the parts ($40-50) he said $180. Definitely is a price difference between dealer and private

[becks]

Good info Sweeneyp ! Thanks