Help

I am new here and appreciate any feedback. I have a 23 4 Runner that I’ve had for about a month. It just turned 20,000 miles. I got the oil changed at the dealer and now it’s running rough at an idle. It’s missing a bit. Took it back and according to them, there’s nothing they did that would make it do that. At a stop it’s idling at about 500 rpms. Seems low but I don’t know.

 

The engine is not the smoothest running. If it was missing there would be a flashing CEL and a stored code.

Did they disconnect the battery because that can reset learned parameters.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Low RPM, rough idle... hmmm. Might want to check for a vacuum leak. Not to disparage the dealer from the outset, but creating a vacuum leak is one of the oldest tricks in the book to generate repair revenue.

 

Thank you for responding.
No codes. That’s why they say nothing is wrong. I was thinking maybe they bumped a wire or something. I’m going to get under the hood today and look. It’s under warranty but my confidence in them isn’t great. I only take my vehicles there for oil changes.

 

Welcome.

You can always try another dealer and take it in under warranty.

 

Since you are under warranty, and it appears that the dealer has lost your confidence, I would take it to a different dealer for warranty service.

 

Under warranty... well that pretty much rules out the intentional creation of a vacuum leak. No reason for a dealer to create warranty work for themselves.

I would probably still try to check for a vacuum leak though.

 

After rereading this a few more times, I find this irritating that the dealer just wanted to blow you off and make you go away. Idiots! They should have made a work order and requested that you leave your truck so they can do some diagnosis.
If you feel up to it, you might visit the original dealership and ask to see the service department manager, or the dealer general manager and ask them to explain themselves, and for them to give you a reason to come back there again.

You just might get an apology and several more oil changes for free as an incentive. Assuming you ever want to return to that dealership.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

did they put 6.6 qrts back in? Sounds suspect to me.

 

There should be no reason for them to disconnect anything electrical for an oil change.

 

this is why people (if they can) should do their own oil changes. Stealership oil changes always come at a risk.

 

theres no wires to bump on an oil change. Sounds very odd to me that it was fine going in and shit coming out.

 

Yes but it’s the dealer and the oil change people are bottom of the barrel.

 

Ok so I’ve looked around under the hood. Of course it’s nothing obvious. I think they put to much oil back into it. It’s way too far up on the dip stick. According to the paperwork I got from them, they put in 5 qts. Is that right?
i really appreciate all of you helping me through this.

 

For a complete oil change on a 4Runner like yours, it takes 6.5 quarts with filter change.

If the oil was way up the dipstick, then it likely wasn't drained completely - or they didn't change the filter. Oil level too high would make the engine run poorly.

 

Agreed with 2Toys. 6.6 qrts with filter change is correct. If they only put 5 in with a filter change its almost 2 quarts low. If they put 5 quarts in and its reading high, i dont think they changed the filter. F that place either way.

 

Welcome Newby

I hate to say this, because I know it might sound patronizing, but service departments have a well deserved reputation for assuming that female customers lack savvy and can be talked into anything. When my daughters were new drivers I would go to the service department with them. I’d just stand behind them and let them do all the talking. Just my presence was enough to get the service rep to take things more seriously. Now that they are older, I don’t go with them, but just prime them with a few jargon-filled questions. (I also taught them how to do their own oil changes, rehearsed spare tire changes before they’re needed, install snow chains, etc.)

It speaks well of you that you noticed the rough idle and can read a dip stick. I bet you can teach yourself to change your own oil. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing the process. You don’t need to find one specific to your year or trim level. It’s the same for all 5th gens.

Attached please find a pdf explainer I made up for my daughter. It has a daunting number of steps because I broke the process down in minute detail, but don’t be intimidated. It’s easy.

Cheers!

 

man this is great. Ive been changing 4runner oil since 2007 and I just printed this out for a quick reference. Cheers to you sir!!!

 

Happy to be of help!

 

I can’t thank you all enough for your input. I have changed my oil before, but I’m just to damn old to be doing it now.
I wanted to give you an update on what has transpired since Saturday. i took it back in on Monday, told them I thought they put to much oil in it. Of course they assured me it wouldn’t run rough if that was the case. I told them I would be back on Tuesday after work and they were going to figure it out.
Tuesday back in, they drained the oil out of it and discovered that they put 2 quarts too many in it. Hmmm how crazy is that. They basically gave me another oil change. Apologized for their ignorance and assured me it was just an accident. It’s running fine now, no more rough idle. I am making them send me the service notes and I have written up a statement. Now if there are any issues cause by their “mistake” I will at least have some documentation.

 

jesus!! Thats a total of almost 9 qrts of oil (8.6).

perfect! Document document document!! Nice work!!

im sure you double checked their work, meaning only 6.6 qrts and matches the dipstick reading

 

I’m glad it worked out.

 

I am too. And I know what you mean about being a women. They think we are a braindead. I know I’m not the sharpest but I do know a few things. thank you guys!!