The Unexpected Risk of an Early Break-In Oil Change

mrCharlie

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May 12, 2025
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I've had my 1958 for just over two weeks, and I'm already up to ~1300 miles. Probably my favorite vehicle that I've owned, and one I intend to keep for a long time. This particular car was delivered to me with just 6 miles on it, 2 of which I put on during my initial test drive. I liked that since it meant some yokel didn't flog a fresh engine on a test drive. I've since babied it through the full break-in period as required, and even still been very light on the throttle.

So in the interest of longevity, I scheduled my initial oil change at a local dealer (which I did not buy the car from) today, paying out-of-pocket to keep the included full-service ones for later. When I was ready to leave, it sounded normal at first...then almost like something was rubbing the fan, or some other rotating part. A horrible, diesel-ish mechanical ticking sound that varied with RPM - but it quickly went into hybrid mode, so not long enough to confirm, or see if it fixed itself. I had my suspicions, but all I could do was a short loop in the parking lot to confirm the sound remained - which it did.

Pulled back in, turned truck off, got the service advisor who had me start it up. Sounded okay at initial idle on startup, but the tick was there when the engine revved up at all. Yelled for me to shut it off, pulled the dipstick to confirm it was dry. Checking with the shop, said "the oil pump malfunctioned and dispensed .5 quarts instead of 5.5". Offered that they would do an analysis at the next oil change to check for damage, which I got in writing. Said if that doesn't look good we will "talk to Toyota".

So that's where we are. Truck didn't run much with low oil since it was aggressively going into hybrid mode, probably no more than a minute or two after I got it - who knows how long in the shop. Probably never revved above 2500 rpm or so. Really surprised tech hadn't noticed something was wrong when backing it out of the service bay, but clearly said tech also didn't verify the oil level on the dipstick. I knew enough to know something was wrong, this could have been a major disaster (for them) for so many others, who would have driven until the engine seized. I'm not out for blood or to get something for nothing, but I want to keep this car a long time, and I don't want to worry that dumb mistake (that I paid someone else to make) has doomed the longevity of my engine. My questions:

• How worried should I be about engine damage?
• Am I likely in the clear if the analysis turn out okay?
• Even if the analysis is good at 5000 miles, did this do something that will show at, say, 150,000 miles?
• Should I wait until 10,000 mile for my next oil change to give whatever damage may have occurred the opportunity to show itself?
• Interestingly, no warning lights or notifications. I would have expected something to scream the oil level is low.
• What seems fair and reasonable to ask for here? I love the truck, I want to keep it - but if it does need a new engine, I'm a little uneasy about that level or work required on a truck I just bought. And then I have no truck while the work is being done. But I also don't want to have to worry about it dying early, or I'll end up trading it in way too soon.
• At minimum, regardless of the analysis, would it be fair to ask for a Toyota extended warranty? Ideally the highest mileage they offer, to ensure I'm covered if there are engine issues that come up well down the road?
• Any other advice?

The advisor is going to let the service manager know. I'm hoping someone reaches out tomorrow and makes a reasonable offer to make things right and set me at ease - whatever that is. I'm both hesitant to ever take the car back there since the tech didn't check the dipstick after (is that procedure, or a huge oversight?), but I'm stuck for at least the next oil change.

Thanks!
 
Adding to the above post: The advisor came back with a case of Toyota 0W-20 oil and filled it up to the correct level. After a few seconds the engine sounded pretty much normal again, even when revved. It was a little lumpy (but it is anyway...) and seems to run fine for the 14 mile, two stop drive home. Idles and revs as normal, old pressure gauge looks good.
 
I'm sorry to hear this but not surprised. I will not and I would advise not to have oil changes done at Toyota even free ever! Trust me on this, they are the worst. Now, for what damage they did, most likely engine and you should be very concerned. Again, I feel for you and would up channel your experience to Toyota corporation and have them replace your 1958. Do you trust them to swap out an engine after this?
 
I'm sorry to hear this but not surprised. I will not and I would advise not to have oil changes done at Toyota even free ever! Trust me on this, they are the worst. Now, for what damage they did, most likely engine and you should be very concerned. Again, I feel for you and would up channel your experience to Toyota corporation and have them replace your 1958. Do you trust them to swap out an engine after this?

Thanks. Yeah, really don't think I'd want these guys doing the work if an engine replacement is necessary - at minimum, I'd want it done elsewhere. I'll reach out to them in the morning an see what the want to do to make things right.
 
I just don't think at 0.5 quarts of oil in the crankcase that the oil pump would pick it up. So, essentially the engine ran without oil for a short period of time. Would live in constat fear of issues in the future. Time for a lawyer?
 
I've had my 1958 for just over two weeks, and I'm already up to ~1300 miles. Probably my favorite vehicle that I've owned, and one I intend to keep for a long time. This particular car was delivered to me with just 6 miles on it, 2 of which I put on during my initial test drive. I liked that since it meant some yokel didn't flog a fresh engine on a test drive. I've since babied it through the full break-in period as required, and even still been very light on the throttle.

So in the interest of longevity, I scheduled my initial oil change at a local dealer (which I did not buy the car from) today, paying out-of-pocket to keep the included full-service ones for later. When I was ready to leave, it sounded normal at first...then almost like something was rubbing the fan, or some other rotating part. A horrible, diesel-ish mechanical ticking sound that varied with RPM - but it quickly went into hybrid mode, so not long enough to confirm, or see if it fixed itself. I had my suspicions, but all I could do was a short loop in the parking lot to confirm the sound remained - which it did.

Pulled back in, turned truck off, got the service advisor who had me start it up. Sounded okay at initial idle on startup, but the tick was there when the engine revved up at all. Yelled for me to shut it off, pulled the dipstick to confirm it was dry. Checking with the shop, said "the oil pump malfunctioned and dispensed .5 quarts instead of 5.5". Offered that they would do an analysis at the next oil change to check for damage, which I got in writing. Said if that doesn't look good we will "talk to Toyota".

So that's where we are. Truck didn't run much with low oil since it was aggressively going into hybrid mode, probably no more than a minute or two after I got it - who knows how long in the shop. Probably never revved above 2500 rpm or so. Really surprised tech hadn't noticed something was wrong when backing it out of the service bay, but clearly said tech also didn't verify the oil level on the dipstick. I knew enough to know something was wrong, this could have been a major disaster (for them) for so many others, who would have driven until the engine seized. I'm not out for blood or to get something for nothing, but I want to keep this car a long time, and I don't want to worry that dumb mistake (that I paid someone else to make) has doomed the longevity of my engine. My questions:

• How worried should I be about engine damage?
• Am I likely in the clear if the analysis turn out okay?
• Even if the analysis is good at 5000 miles, did this do something that will show at, say, 150,000 miles?
• Should I wait until 10,000 mile for my next oil change to give whatever damage may have occurred the opportunity to show itself?
• Interestingly, no warning lights or notifications. I would have expected something to scream the oil level is low.
• What seems fair and reasonable to ask for here? I love the truck, I want to keep it - but if it does need a new engine, I'm a little uneasy about that level or work required on a truck I just bought. And then I have no truck while the work is being done. But I also don't want to have to worry about it dying early, or I'll end up trading it in way too soon.
• At minimum, regardless of the analysis, would it be fair to ask for a Toyota extended warranty? Ideally the highest mileage they offer, to ensure I'm covered if there are engine issues that come up well down the road?
• Any other advice?

The advisor is going to let the service manager know. I'm hoping someone reaches out tomorrow and makes a reasonable offer to make things right and set me at ease - whatever that is. I'm both hesitant to ever take the car back there since the tech didn't check the dipstick after (is that procedure, or a huge oversight?), but I'm stuck for at least the next oil change.

Thanks!
Mr Charlie, your story saddened me. I will seek an attorney, and my least demand is that, shop pay for the extended warranty. Post their sloppiness to all the media you have access to. Destroying my property due to negligence, should have a heavy price.
 
You should insist on them continuing to pay for an oil analysis with each oil change for the foreseeable future. I would also have another oil change immediately - you could have debris already in the oil and that would circulate in the engine creating potential issues with rod bearings, main bearings, cam bearings, the oil pump, and more. The oil filter should be removed and checked for debris, as well. This could be really bad, or not too bad. But, most likely, some damage was done to the engine and the life of the engine will be diminished at least a little.
 
Sorry that happened to you. So it went 2 miles on essentially no oil? I would take it back man, especially if they have a return period

Fortunately not than long, just from the service bay to check-in and a short loop in the parking lot. Probably about two minutes or less run time.
 
it's quite unfortunate that this happened to you, however your title is misleading - this is not a risk of an early oil change. This is the risk of letting a dealership change your fluids.
I hope you can find peace of mind and also just retributions for their error. And for christs sake - change your own fluids. It's easy and you can even do it on your own time.
 
it's quite unfortunate that this happened to you, however your title is misleading - this is not a risk of an early oil change. This is the risk of letting a dealership change your fluids.
I hope you can find peace of mind and also just retributions for their error. And for christs sake - change your own fluids. It's easy and you can even do it on your own time.
Yeah I know on the title, trying to make light of something that I'm definitely rather bothered by.

I've certainly changed oil before, but gave in to convenience this time. At least I check the dipstick after.

It seemed safe to go to the dealer instead of Jiffy Lube and such...
 
The vehicle may of had more than .5 quart in it. If it only had half a quart I’d be surprised the engine would run for 2 minutes without failure. These engines are noisy and can sound like a diesel.
 
These engines are supposed to have a low oil level sensor. I wonder why a low oil level message didn’t pop up. A low oil pressure message should have popped up to.
There probably a timer, for example "low oil pressure for more than 5 minutes" for the warning to come on.
 
Betcha it was on, but not noticed. So many indicators nowadays.

Certainly possible - though I'd hope that one would be prominent, or at least the tech might have noticed too.

The vehicle may of had more than .5 quart in it. If it only had half a quart I’d be surprised the engine would run for 2 minutes without failure. These engines are noisy and can sound like a diesel.

That kind of threw me too, but this was a lot different than the usual diesel sounds. I thought a tag or wiring was rubbing against the fan.
 
Yelled for me to shut it off, pulled the dipstick to confirm it was dry. Checking with the shop, said "the oil pump malfunctioned and dispensed .5 quarts instead of 5.5".
Pump malfunction, as in tech entered to dispense 0.5 quarts instead of 5.5 quarts. My microwave also sometimes malfunctions when I set to heat for 30 seconds instead of 3 minutes.
 
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