Figure this one out - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Newyorktunersdotcom · 10-13-2010, 09:29 AM

2009 corolla le automatic

I do all my own maintenance and save all the receipts for the oem parts I purchase from the dealer, I'm an avid enthusiast and a proud owner of a rsx with a fully built race motor which I built my self and it's still kicking 5 years later with all of the abuse I give it but this is about my poor daily driver.

Car has less than 40k miles on it and the oil was changed last week by me as always with an oem filter, new gasket and yes the old one was removed, new washer on the drain bolt and 5w20 Dino oil.

I commute about 75 miles a day on the highway with no traffic or harsh driving conditions. Even at 7500 miles the oil level has never dropped below the min or burned oil at all. Ive never beat on the car, it's barely been above 70 mph and I can count the times on one hand it's ever even been close to 5.5k rpms.

On the way to clAss this morning I merge onto the highway and notice smoke out the back window. I look down at the temp guage thinking it was condensation from a cold motor but it was between the 1/4 and 1/2 way mark after I smelled oil I quickly pulled over and as the car came to a stop it started to buck and jerk. The cel and oil pressure light came on and I killed it before it incurred any further damage. First thing I did was look under the car, drain bolt and filter are still in tact (great! I'm not an idiot) but there was oil EVERYWHERE! steering rack, subframe, axels, exhaust, you name it. The oil level read less than a few mm at the end of the dipstick so I'm guessing maybe a quart left in the block but WTF happened. I'm completely baffled

***FlawedLegacy*** · 10-13-2010, 10:13 AM

You did put the new washer/gasket back in, right?

Newyorktunersdotcom · 10-13-2010, 10:24 AM

Yes as already mentioned in my OP

v8eaterWRX · 10-13-2010, 10:58 AM

Without getting it on a lift that is a tough one. Did you notice any creases or anything on the oil pan? Is it leaking while sitting or only if the motor is on? If it is while just sitting then I would suspect some sort of physical damage, if only when the oil pump is running then I would look for any oil feed lines that may be damaged (provided the car has any). I had this problem once and it turned out that the return line from the turbo had came off so all the oil leaving the turbo was going on the garage floor.

Newyorktunersdotcom · 10-13-2010, 11:02 AM

After the car started shaking I shut the car ofF for fear of seizing the motor but oil seemed to have stopped coming out. The car is bone stock so I haven't put in any oil feeds or returns so I don't think the car would have any external oil lines unless the 1.8s came equipped with some sort of oil cooler

v8eaterWRX · 10-13-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newyorktunersdotcom

After the car started shaking I shut the car ofF for fear of seizing the motor but oil seemed to have stopped coming out. The car is bone stock so I haven't put in any oil feeds or returns so I don't think the car would have any external oil lines unless the 1.8s came equipped with some sort of oil cooler

With oil only coming out when the motor is running it almost has to be something like an oil line. I have not been under my 2010 for anything more than an oil change so I have no idea if there is an oil cooler or anything, but to only leak when it has pressure on it, there is an open hole somewhere.

Good luck in your search!

Newyorktunersdotcom · 10-13-2010, 12:53 PM

The car is at the stealership now since it's under the extended warranty through them but they are already trying to find ways to pin this on me. Ill be waiting on them for a call back to see what happens and then decide if I need to get Corp. Toyota and a lawyer involved

WindyCityPilot · 10-13-2010, 12:56 PM

Be sure to let us know what happens. I'm interested to hear what the cause of the leak is.

Newyorktunersdotcom · 10-13-2010, 01:09 PM

The dealer is insisting on something to do with the oil filter (hint: it's my fault) but with the filter still on the block the only thing that could have happened was a busted gasket or cracked filter housing. Either way I don't think that's the case

msncorolla422 · 10-13-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newyorktunersdotcom

The dealer is insisting on something to do with the oil filter (hint: it's my fault) but with the filter still on the block the only thing that could have happened was a busted gasket or cracked filter housing. Either way I don't think that's the case

just B$%^& and you will get your way....just rant and defend yourself and they will give in eventually. Works for me

Newyorktunersdotcom · 10-13-2010, 01:25 PM

Oh I will! This is the second corolla I've purchased from them in less than a year, they should at least give me a goodwill repair

v8eaterWRX · 10-13-2010, 02:16 PM

If it was the filter leaking one would think it would continue to leak until the oil got below it, and it is set pretty close to the drain bolt.

Newyorktunersdotcom · 10-13-2010, 02:29 PM

So here's the dealers story, apparently the gasket on the filter was half in the groove where it's supposed to be and half of it rolled out of the groove onto the threads and 4 days and 300 miles later all the oil decides to blow past the seal (which wasn't ripped or broken) at once.... I'm not an idiot and that ring was in the groove before I put the filter on. He says it happens to the techs all the time when they are threading them on the ring comes ou of place and had I had them do the oil change and it happened it would have been there fault.

What doesn't make sense is that there wasn't a drip of oil in my garage and it's almost been a week since the oil change. Also for oil to get as far as it did as fast as it did with the seal still intact is beyond me.. he said I stopped the motor in time because there don't seem to be any signs of permanent damage. I'm just out 200 dollars for a tow, oil change, and a clean up

ZO6_Vette · 10-13-2010, 06:37 PM

Are you saying that the o-ring was not ripped or cut?
If that is the case let them show you how it is possible to have the o-ring half in and half out and not damage it.

lilaznviper · 10-13-2010, 06:58 PM

if you do more searching on google, there has been many ppl with the same issue with you. i read it a couple days ago where everyone was pissed by the new filter and how hard it is to change it and ppl with leaking oil where the filter is