2007 Prius Destroyed by Toyota Dealer

[jpartdq]

Thanks everyone for the input. I am a little shocked myself that a Toyota dealership did it. They also claim to be the #1 Toyota dealer in South Carolina and even have awards from Toyota to prove it. I think their reputation is very important.

I wanted to push for a new Prius but I figured that'd be asking a lot. But at least they did admit fault so I think they know I could get a lawsuit going in a heartbeat. I'll update this thread later today when I talk to them so you can see what the final diagnosis is.

Ben

[redhandeddenial]

i would push for a new prius...after all they were the numbskulls that used the "new tool" and messed up an oil change, how much damage can they do with a whole new engine swap?

[Patrick Wong]

Hi Ben,

Hopefully the new engine will be installed by the dealer's senior Prius tech, and all will be well with your car again.

If you have any interest in this, I would encourage you to arrange with the service writer for you to visit your car after the old engine and transaxle has been removed, so that you can see what this looks like. This will also give you a chance to speak with the tech working on your car, look at the new engine sitting in the crate, and have any questions answered.

[echase]

The "new tool" would have to be the new hire/hopefully former Toyota employee. Judging by this action the guy is clearly a "tool" and to make such a foolish and costly mistake he must have been new.

I too would lose faith in the dealership. They want to do everything possible to ensure this is not reported to corporate... I would opt for a new vehicle if possible, or insist that repair work be done at another dealership. While it is refreshing to see that they have taken responsibility the explanation doesn't seem accurate, or at least not complete.

[kimgh]

Originally Posted by redhandeddenial

i would push for a new prius...after all they were the numbskulls that used the "new tool" and messed up an oil change, how much damage can they do with a whole new engine swap?

You're absolutely NOT going to get a new Prius out of this. Replacing an engine is no big deal (as others have said already). I am not that mechanically inclined, and I replaced my own VW's engine and clutch a few years ago in my own garage and with minimal tools for the job. The dealership will have no problem getting and installing a new engine. I bet it won't take more than a day to do the swap once the engine arrives.

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by echase

The "new tool" would have to be the new hire/hopefully former Toyota employee.

Yes, the "new tool" was the kid they just hired last week and it was his/her first oil change. On the job training.

[Wildkow]

Are you sure you're getting a whole new engine or are they swapping out the parts that were ruined because of lack of oil?

Wildkow

[jayman]

The Prius has an all-aluminum motor, like most new vehicles now. Run low on coolant and severely overheat the motor, or run it without oil and also overheat it, it's probably beyond repair. Parts warp, etc

An engine swap is a fairly straightforward process these days: unplug the various wiring harnesses, follow the steps in the manual to remove various bolts, use a motor lift to remove the motor/cvt as one unit. Separate the motor from the cvt, bolt up the new motor, reverse the procedure to reinstall

With older motors, one of the most common errors was forgetting to hook up the return spring on the carb. You'd know as soon as you fired it up the first time, it would scream. Sometimes it would run ok at idle, then first time on the street you'd press on the gas, it would keep going. Come up to a red light, take your foot off the gas, uh-oh.

Another common error on old cars was to forget to hook up the automatic transmission kickdown linkage/TV cable, or forget the spring for it. Depending on whether it was a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge, you'd get very odd shift feel as the kickdown/TV proportioned line pressure to the clutches in the valve body. Or, the 1-2 shift was harsh/delayed, or kickdown wasn't proper. You could easily fry an automatic transmission by not properly setting the kickdown/TV.

The nice thing about modern cars like the Prius is that there is no worry of any of that. The throttle is by-wire, it either works or it doesn't

I'm not sure what a Prius factory crate motor includes. They may have to swap over minor things like exhaust manifold and air cleaner box, or it may be complete. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Probably the biggest thing that could go wrong is improper bleeding of the coolant system for the engine and the inverter.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by jpartdq

...The dealer was using a "new tool" (so they say) to put in the drain plug...

Hi Ben,

Maybe you misheard the service writer: S/he probably said they were using a "new fool" to do the oil change!

[galaxee]

oh boy. well at least the admitted it, and engine swaps aren't too much of a big deal. if they wanted to tear it down and rebuild... well that takes far more talent than remove and replace.