I recently bought a 2008 Rav4 with 140K miles in a colder state with long winters. The 2AZFE engine was burning enough oil that the dealership finally agreed to tear apart the engine and replace the piston rings for free. Since this is (please God) a one time repair, I wanted to know if there's anything else the dealership could replace while the engine is dropped. What could I ask them to do and maybe give them parts for that is worth it?
I know the head gaskets and some sealing rings will need to be replaced regardless. Should I expect the dealership to put a new head gasket on or not? In other words, how much should i watch them like a hawk and what should i look out for that they might shortcut while working on my car? I know they'll try to rush it and I would be taking it somewhere else if they weren't doing it for free.
Thank you for everything you do here. Any other good research terms to look for more posts like mine is also appreciated.
I do also want to say that i was always formal and never rude when talking to any of these people. They’re all human and no one person is responsible for the nightmare this has been for me to navigate. But i read the fine print, researched and read the state laws and trade regulations that dealerships have to abide by or risk legal exposure. I believe quietly pointing out how they skirted those regulations got someone to decide it was cheaper to do it and have me go away. But it’s taken a lot of my own time and a lot of stress. I wouldnt recommend it to anyone else and i did it because i didnt really have a choice. My only other option would have been to sell the car and i financed it— so i stuck it out and found a solution.
@zonza73
Very good lesson for everyone, thanks for sharing.
Yes, dealer will need to install new head gaskets (all gaskets for sure). Inspect everything thus determining replacement or not during teardown.
How the heck did you get them to replace rings for free?!
@hillbilly
I called Toyota; they told me they only honor the TSB on these 2AZFE engines for loyal and long term Toyota customers which i was not. I had bought a warranty with this used car so i tried the warranty company; of course, they said no. Then i tried the dealership; they said no. So i did an oil consumption test and asked to be present when they pulled out the dipstick. When they pulled it out after new oil 1,200 miles, it was dry.
I think calling Toyota helped alert the dealership that i wasnt screwing around. I know from th rep i spoke with at Toyota that she called the dealership and i told the rep that i didnt see a way out of suing the dealership if nothing got done. I believe the warranty is what convinced them to work something out with the warranty company and their own costs.
When researching this, i found that yes the fine print on the warranty contract does have a million “exclusions” that void most of the warranty if they decide to try and not cover a repair. BUT there are 3 implied warranties that exist when you buy a used car with an aftermarket warranty— even wirh over 100K miles on it. I know the dealership may have consulted a lawyer about my car. The lawyer would likely know about those implied warranties and tell them it’s cheaper to just do the repair rather than have liability held ovwr their head.
Yeah, hope and pray they know what they’re doing
