Scary Situation

There could not be enough "residual oil" to pressurize the oil system. 2-3 minutes without oil pressure and you have bearing damage, period.

 

I would look for a new or almost new 4Runner and trade that thing in. You will never stop wondering if and when the engine will seize up. Once I lose confidence in a vehicle it’s sold as quickly as possible.

 

When you get your oil changed, there is no oil in the pan or oil filter. Essentially, your engine is dry. On a cold start all of the top end has drained into the pan. The engine is essentially dry.

If the tech only drove it out of the bay and shut it off, you're fine. If it was idling when you got in, it's toast. Sounds more like a couple of cold starts. Even 10-minute lube places check the oil level and pressure before moving it out of the engine bay, damn that dealership.

 

Long time ago, at the shop class we once drained oil and run the engine as an exercise. Then we took it apart to see the damage. The engine lasted less than 5 minutes at idle before spinning a bearing and that was a simple I4. Interestingly, when we took that engine apart there were a lot of residual oil on everything, obviously not enough to build oil pressure but all surfaces were still covered in oil. About the only place with visible damage was crankshaft bearings and they were all damaged but end ones were toasted. No visible chunks missing, just worn down to copper. This is because crankshaft bearings require not just lubrication, but oil pressure to work.

 

That makes sense, no oil pressure to feed the bearings. I would definitely be talking to the dealer about a lifetime warranty.

 

Just have them put it in writing that should the engine fail in XXX miles they will get and install a new 4.0 engine at their cost. I would go all the way up to whomever owns the dealership and have them sign off.

 

Which works until the dealership changes owners, I would assume. The 2 Toyota dealerships here have been bought out in recent years more times than I can count.

 

That could happen but do you have another suggestion? Toyota is most likely not going to help out here since it’s a dealer mistake. Maybe but I would doubt it

He could always ask for a new 4.0 now within next few weeks that’s one other option

 

About 8-9 years ago at my work, we have a 2005 f250. Oil stick was bone dry. I put it on the lift, drained about 1 quart out of it. New filter, oil, etc. 120k miles later still doesn’t burn any oil, no knocking sounds, and engine is still strong. Granted it’s apples to oranges being ford vs Toyota, but I don’t think there was any super serious damage done.

Like other have said, I’ve have the dealership offer an extended warranty and document this well. Hopefully the tech that did this was wrote up or dealt with.

I’ve even read horror stories they drain the trans fluid instead of engine oil, and fill the oil up, so it’s got double the amount.

hopefully everything will be ok. Maybe use that Valvoline restore and protect

 

I would additionally document it with Toyota. What can it hurt to do that ‍♂️‍♂️. After all they can see the problem if it is documented in the maintenance history, which I think it should be, along with what the dealer has offered/done, if anything.

 

Toyota will be looking out for its own interests, not the owner's. Toyota can flag the vehicle in the system to deny OEM warranty coverage due to incorrect service action by the dealer. So yes, it can definitely hurt if the wrong person at Toyota gets wind of it.

 

This was a semi-common occurrence when then FJ 1st came out. Not at the dealer but people doing their 1st DIY oil changes.

 

I expect if it fails during OEM warranty, that being highly unusual, Toyota would look carefully at the service history and some lies are going to be necessary to keep it covered up. JMHO.

 

This is a very interesting consideration.
That said, with the vehicle being a 2020, the 60mo/60K power train warranty is expired or very near expired already. Therefore, the OP might be able to leverage the threat of notifying corporate should the dealer decide to not play nice.

 

God damn dealership monkeys

 

Dealers damage vehicles somewhat frequently and fix them, often without the customer knowing. Toyota will just tell the OP to work it out with the dealer. OP bought an extended warranty.

 

I too would also recommend an oil analysis. Like “hey you guys notice anything unusual in this sample?”

 

Next time this happens to someone, don’t shut the engine off. Leave it running, while you get out of the car and go wait for the service advisor to go over your multi point inspection with you. Then, have them open the hood and check that all of the fluid levels were checked, including the oil. Once they realize that it has been running for 5-10 minutes without oil, video their expression and enjoy a brand new motor.

In all seriousness, most of the entry level workforce are lazy and careless. Things are different now vs 10-20 years ago. Even some of the ASE Master techs are getting lax at their jobs.

 

I understand and do not disagree with the scenario you are describing. I'm simply suggesting that potential loss of the remainder of the OEM warranty is not as big a factor in this particular case. Of course, if the dealer knows as well that Toyota will tell the customer to "work it out" as you've noted then it may not actually be that great of a leverage point as I originally thought.

 

Another option is having the responsible parties replace the rod/main bearing and piston rings.

 

Luckily I only have 50k miles on it, and I did purchase an extended warranty when I purchased it.