Early stages of sludge??? 2010 Tundra 4.6L

[unDummy]

Its possible your dealer sux. Used 6.5 quarts and you know it takes 8. Invoice stated "oil and filter".

I foresee many future issues with all the free service that many automakers are now 'marketing'. What a fraudulent joke!!!

When having a vehicle serviced, MAKE AN EFFORT TO WATCH THE SERVICE!

If you changed your oil cold, like you shouldn't, thats just the colder thicker oil on the bottom of the housing. Its not sludge.

 

[demarpaint]

If possible do your own oil changes from now on. If the oil was changed twice in 12,000 miles I think you're GTG no matter what they used.

If for some reason you can't change your own oil then I would make it a point to watch and request the 0W20 oil they claim to be giving you comes from sealed qt containers that you inspect. The odds of them having 0w20 in bulk I'd say is slim to none. If they aren't happy with your request take the vehicle elsewhere, the free oil changes aren't worth it if you plan on keeping the vehicle.

I worked at 5 different dealerships and I wouldn't have bought a car or had one serviced by any of them. I saw first hand how they operated in sales, parts, and service, they all SUCKED! Given a chance they'd rob their own mothers. JMO

 

[crw]

On my '75 BMW 2002, the oil drain plug is so large that I can reach my finger in there and touch the side of the oil pan on the inside. When I do, long after the oil has drained, I find something of that same description, dark oil the consistency of honey, and it doesn't drain. It's just a film, maybe 2mm thick. I've had the valve cover gasket off this engine and it is perfect on top. It's pristine. I've taken good care of this engine since I've had it.

I think there are spots in most engines where these "deposits" will form. They could become sludge, but probably only in extreme situations.

 

[Brons2]

Sounds like the OP might have found some left over assembly lube from the time of manufacture. I've found it in new cars before.

On another note. When did the Tundra base engine shrink from 4.7 to 4.6 liters?

 

[Alex38]

Originally Posted By: Deer_Slayer
Originally Posted By: someguy
What does your last invoice/paperwork from the dealer say?


The last invoice says: Change oil and filter with Synthetic. It doesn't say what grade but 0W20 is the only synthetic oil Toyota makes.

The first invoice actually said 0W20 but the strange thing in that one was that it said they used 6.5 quarts, but my truck takes 8 quarts. It is possible that the first time they didn't change the filter and as a result they didn't have to put as much oil in it.


Don't count on the guys at the dealer actually knowing how much oil your engine takes. My Corolla came with some free changes, and twice they put 5 quarts into my car, when it takes 4.4. The oil level was about a half inch above the top notch on the dipstick. I called them out on it, and they said it wouldn't hurt anything. I drained some of it out myself. No one else will ever change the oil on that car, especially the dealership.

 

[Hootbro]

The 4.6L is not a sludge prone engine. It is basically a short stroke version of the 5.7L engine that has been out since 2007 and no reported issues of it being a sludger.

That being said, I have a 2010 4.6L Tundra also. With the 2/25K maintenance plan, the dealer is to follow what actually the engine came from the factory with in relation to oil. Some of the early 2010's had 5W-20 and later 0W-20. The easiest way to tell is to see what is printed on the oil cap for weight.

Now with the maintenance plan, if the factory fill was 5W-20, the dealership is suppose to change it at the first 5K mile maintenance interval and go to 0w-20, which is the preferred weight now (note; 5W-20 still can be used). If the factory fill was 0W-20, then the first change out is not suppose to happen until the 10K service.

The problem is you actually have to educate the service advior to properly write up what needs to be changed at that interval, as they tend to screw up the sequence for your successive use of the 2/25K maintenance plane. I have used mine twice and coming up on the third use at 15K miles. By right, they can skip changing my oil at 15K since they put in 0W-20 at 10K mile service.

My dealer has been pretty good about proper quantity and type, but that is because I have stayed on top of them. If you are having issues with thick and abnormally dirty oil, then I am inclined to thing your dealer is not following the service plan correctly. FWIW, when they write up the 2/25K maintenance plan service, the dealership actually bills it to a third party for them to be reimbursed. So the dealer is not out anything and should not be substituting cheap oil for any reason.

 

[btanchors]

The bottom line is, You can't afford Free service!

They offered me this deal when I bought my 2011 Tundra Crewmax 5.7L 4x4. I played along, asking how much the sales guy thought all this free maintenance was worth. He came up with a figure, thinking he was showing me what a great deal it was. I told him to deduct that from the price, since I didn't want it. He backtracked, saying he can't do that, etc., etc. I got a great deal on the truck but I am not taking it in for the free oil changes. Too much incentive for them to cut costs.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Hootbro
FWIW, when they write up the 2/25K maintenance plan service, the dealership actually bills it to a third party for them to be reimbursed. So the dealer is not out anything and should not be substituting cheap oil for any reason.


Actually the dealer will be ahead by cheating if he substitutes bulk oil instead of using the recommended 5W20, or 0W20 oil. I really wish I could trust a dealer. As I've mentioned several times before, I worked at 5 different dealerships, all with different owners, I quickly learned they can't be trusted. Even the different departments at the dealership rip each other off. The shop was known for ripping off the used car dept, with bogus repairs, and fuel system cleanings, a classic! LOL

As I tell my friends when it comes to a dealership, the saying: "if its free its for me", becomes "if its free it ain't for me".

 

[JetStar]

I got a new Tacoma right after thanksgiving. Came with the ToyotaCare plan (free oil changes for 2yr.) I'll be doing my own maintenance just like always. I wish I could give the coupon book to somebody that would use it, but its linked to the vehicle VIN.

 

[electrolover]

yep i would keep running the redline. its a better oil than anything you can get for free and if you have sludge it will be gone soon!

 

[digitalSniperX1]

I bought a Mazda rx8 and the first oil change was free. After the car was in the service bay I asked the service wonk what brand of oil they are using. He sAid I dunno I think it is Quaker state. So I look around and see no Quaker state signs . I look in the parts dept and see none for sale and still no signs. I then get my car back with no mention of the oil brand on the invoice or on the reminder sticker. So I then decide they are probably cheaping out on the oil they are using and I change it out almost immediately and never returned to that dealer. If any or all this story applies in your case then never return for their service and do it yourself.

 

[cronk]

Originally Posted By: digitalSniperX1
I bought a Mazda rx8 and the first oil change was free. After the car was in the service bay I asked the service wonk what brand of oil they are using. He sAid I dunno I think it is Quaker state. So I look around and see no Quaker state signs . I look in the parts dept and see none for sale and still no signs. I then get my car back with no mention of the oil brand on the invoice or on the reminder sticker. So I then decide they are probably cheaping out on the oil they are using and I change it out almost immediately and never returned to that dealer. If any or all this story applies in your case then never return for their service and do it yourself.


Thats pretty asinine! Many dealerships use bulk oil from a major supplier (Pennzoil, QS, Valvoline, Mobil)and don't have signage. I have worked at dealerships that used bulk QS and later Mobil, we never advertised it or had signage up for either brand. If a customer asked the service advisor or manager, we had no problem telling them, it was just not something we advertised.
Just because there aren't banners all over the place for a certain brand doesn't mean you can assume they are using no name [censored].

 

[Artem]

Lol. I'm shocked that in today's time and age, the amount of miles people put on their cars and the high volume oil change places, that people are shocked when they get shady service done.

Of course these dealerships, etc are skimping out on certain things. They either change the oil and not the filter or the other way around (depending on mileage)

I can understand not getting 100% of the work when its FREE

its when people PAY for services and then end up not getting what they paid for, that really bugs me.

I too worked at both dealerships and fast lube places and saw the stuff that goes down behind the curtain, its not pretty.

 

[electrolover]

Originally Posted By: cronk
Originally Posted By: digitalSniperX1
I bought a Mazda rx8 and the first oil change was free. After the car was in the service bay I asked the service wonk what brand of oil they are using. He sAid I dunno I think it is Quaker state. So I look around and see no Quaker state signs . I look in the parts dept and see none for sale and still no signs. I then get my car back with no mention of the oil brand on the invoice or on the reminder sticker. So I then decide they are probably cheaping out on the oil they are using and I change it out almost immediately and never returned to that dealer. If any or all this story applies in your case then never return for their service and do it yourself.


Thats pretty asinine! Many dealerships use bulk oil from a major supplier (Pennzoil, QS, Valvoline, Mobil)and don't have signage. I have worked at dealerships that used bulk QS and later Mobil, we never advertised it or had signage up for either brand. If a customer asked the service advisor or manager, we had no problem telling them, it was just not something we advertised.
Just because there aren't banners all over the place for a certain brand doesn't mean you can assume they are using no name [censored].


but there are some who use [censored] oil. my local dodge house uses sureguard in every oil change and charges a premium price. its true! i have friends that work there

 

[rslifkin]

When my dad bought his 05 Camry, he got free oil changes for life with it. He does use them (every 5k), and hasn't had any issues yet. It helps that he always keeps an eye on the service guys though. However, if they point out that he's coming due for other maintenance, he won't let the dealer do it, and takes it to his mechanic for the work.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: electrolover
yep i would keep running the redline. its a better oil than anything you can get for free and if you have sludge it will be gone soon!


Unfortunately, Redline will not meet his warranty requirements. I would not use it in this application for that reason.