Oil, oil indicator, excessive exhaust smoke.

It’s been a while since I last posted and now have a concerning problem.

I have a 1992 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 3.0L

i took my truck into the Toyota Dealership 3 days ago to replace both valve cover seals due to a slow leak on the driver side valve cover seals.

The mechanic had to replace a few items and I trust he knows what he is doing.
I also had them do a oil change as I am there.

I picked up my truck and was driving home when I noticed there was no oil showing on my interior indicator. I opened the hood and no oil showing on the dipstick either.
I called Toyota and told them what is/has happened.
I returned to the dealership/service and they put my truck on the hoist.
As there was much activity in and under the motor they suggested a engine & chassis shampoo.
As I was close to Canadian Tire I picked up 5L of oil.
I put the oil in and checked it after quite a while and the dipstick showed the amount I put in.
I got the cleaning done (shampoo) and the had not noticed any leak
I returned to the dealership/service and booked a appointment for next Wednesday.

My pondering question(s)
1) is the a oil indicator somewhere in the valve cover area
2) did he hook something up wrong when he was reinstalling everything back
3) there in still no oil leaking as I have put clean cardboard underneath
What else could be wrong ?
I have added photos to show my concerning questions.

Thanks
Russ

 

im confused, the dealership did the oil change but you oil indicator isnt reading any oil. Why did you add oil if an oil change was done. My initial thought was they drained the oil and didnt refill it.

 

Sorry don’t mean to confuse anyone.
I only added 1/2 quart when I noticed this so I am not driving without any oil. I don’t want to have my engine seize.
I honestly thought the mechanic forgot to put the oil in too but he was positive he added the oil.

As for the oil indicator in the dash. That was working great before I took it in.

 

it sounds to me like the oil pressure sending unit was disconnected. Did you pull the dipstick and if so what did it read? The smoke is probably because you may have over filled it. I guess the confusing part is why isnt the dealership looking into this? Why are you left to figure this out?

 

This is definitely why I refuse to drive it as they told me to drive it around for a few days then book another appointment so they can check where the leak is.
I am not impressed with the dealership….

The dipstick still read low. I added more oil just to see it reading on the dipstick.
It hasn’t leaked and the dipstick still reads to the level where I had added to.

I would have replaced the leaking seal but I did not want to damage anything thus taking it to the dealership was suppose to be the right thing to do…

Where would I look for this oil sending unit?

 

No! Take it back now. Like now. If you paid for an oil change and it’s reading low take it back right now. I bet they didn’t add oil. Don’t try to solve this yourself. You paid for a service. Take it back and tell them your oil gauge worked prior and your oil is low. I’d call them and tell them the oil is not reading on the dipstick and you want them to tow it and look at it. You can damage the engine with low/no oil.

 

Why do you bother touching stuff if the last to touch it was the dealer.

Take it back and make them fix it.

 

Oh yes they are definitely fixing their errors.
I am sending a letter/email to the Shop Manager and General Manager.
This is utter b/s from Toyota

 

Oh yes they are definitely fixing their errors. They don’t like it, talk to my lawyer.
The last time I had something as serious as this I had asked my dad to take my truck to his mechanic. I was on a retreat with my clients on Salt Spring Island. I called the mechanic and instructed him to replace my oil sending unit as I was taking my wife to Penticton and had a hotel booked. He did not change it he said he looked at it and it was fine. I told you to change it!! Guess what! On the Coquihalla Hwy. I spun a bearing. I called the owner (same guy I spoke to and told him to start running as my truck is being towed back to your shop. Thus owner tried saying that it wasn’t his doing, I must have done something to it.
After all said & done it cost him, I could have done so many things instead I got a lawyer & sued his ass.
I have a 1995 Toyota V6 3.0L which had only 8,000miles on it.
That guy ended up having to close his shop down.
It can all be frustrating and I am whom I am.
It just needs to be fixed properly
Thank you for all your wisdom Toyota Forum

 

Welcome.