- Thread starter
- #201
I would just go to a local place to have oil changed or maybe do it myself.
V35A-FTS bearing issue? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter M1911
- Start date
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TheLCProject
SILVER Star
Are you 100% positive that the Toyota maintenance plan won't let you do more oil changes than schedule for no additional cost?
A Toyota filter is around $4.50 and 5 quarts of Mobil 1 is around $28. The oil change takes around 20 minutes for each of our vehicles as a DIY, from pulling it in my shop to pulling it out. I can't imagine a VA35F being significant more difficult or expensive.
That depends on where the oil filter is......and I'm pretty sure there's some sort of a skid plate or plastic piece masquerading as one on the bottom if the filter is down low.
But you're right.....it shouldnt be an hour long / three beer job
So the conclusion I’ve come to is that any vehicle that has the V35A engine in it is a potential ticking time bomb. Maybe the engine will seize up at the worst possible time or maybe it never will. How can anyone feel good about that? How could anyone relax and enjoy the supple leather and fine stereo while driving on a long road trip, knowing that at any moment the engine could grenade?
Geezus. This is bad
Geezus. This is bad
I think an early oil change is advisable with any vehicle. I've done a 1,000 mile change on every new car I've purchased. Not only does it remove whatever may be in the pan, but also purges any residual manufacturing oils.
However... the oil change will only remove debris in the pan. And if the problem is with debris in the pan then the filter would be catching and preventing the circulation thereof. It sounds like the debris problem is in the block or crank journals where the debris is either wedged and inhibiting flow or getting into the bearings before it can be filtered out. So I'm not sure of the efficacy of 1,000 mile OCI's to remedy this problem.
However... the oil change will only remove debris in the pan. And if the problem is with debris in the pan then the filter would be catching and preventing the circulation thereof. It sounds like the debris problem is in the block or crank journals where the debris is either wedged and inhibiting flow or getting into the bearings before it can be filtered out. So I'm not sure of the efficacy of 1,000 mile OCI's to remedy this problem.
TheLCProject
SILVER Star
Yes - that's what I saw in the reported failure date.
An early oil change didn't eliminate the issue or prevent the failure from occurring. It is for sure advisable and something that anyone with a brand new car should do.
So still spending (wasting) time and money, just a bit less of each
Look, if the 5 oil changes within 5k miles regimen was proven to prevent the V35A failure, sure, there's an argument to spend the time and money doing this.
But it's not. It's a complete hypothetical. No different than an amateur "throwing $500 in parts" at an issue hoping to fix it, only to find out it didn't help, and now they are $500 in the hole, with the same problem.
Correct. My local dealer would let you use the free oil changes whenever you wish but any additional are at your expense.
TheLCProject
SILVER Star
So still spending (wasting) time and money, just a bit less of each
Look, if the 5 oil changes within 5k miles regimen was proven to prevent the V35A failure, sure, there's an argument to spend the time and money doing this.
But it's not. It's a complete hypothetical. No different than an amateur "throwing $500 in parts" at an issue hoping to fix it, only to find out it didn't help, and now they are $500 in the hole, with the same problem.
What I proposed above wasn't to eliminate the possibility of failure, but rather to (1) document the contamination of the oil for warranty purposes and (2) extend the life of the engine to whatever extent possible.
Not sure either really matters in the real world now that the recall has been announced.
Whether you change your oil out of pocket 5 times within the first 5k miles, or 1 time at 10k miles using Toyota's free service - in either case when / if the engine blows from this issue it's getting fixed for free either way.
Of course no one wants a possible issue like this in a new vehicle.
But sh*t happens. Toyota's remedy will supposedly be communicated next month. In the meantime, if it grenades, you throw on the hazards, pull it over, call in the tow, get it fixed (for free), and life goes on.
I could blow a tire on the freeway at any moment too. Have you never had a sudden disabling event occur? Some things cannot be controlled.
And if your engine blows and you lose control of your truck on the freeway you, your family and your dog can check with St. Peter to see if the recall is applicable beyond the pearly gates. Don’t worry. It's all cool Toyota is a powerful corporation and they have pull everywhere. So don’t think, just buy. Buy!
Does someone have to die in an auto accident before questioning the powerful is justified?
If your that worried (anxious) about this particular issue I'd definitely recommend that you don't drive yours until the remedy is communicated and performed on your vehicle. And maybe, reconsider driving in the first place.
- Thread starter
- #215
Come on, there is no need to sensationalize this by exaggeration. There have likely been hundreds of such failures so far without even a reported injury let alone a death.
The chance of losing control after an engine failure is very remote.
This issue has percolated to the top on a forum (tundra) and a few YouTubers looking for likes.
Once it hits main stream media — lookout. Toyota/Lexus has a BIG PR problem on their hands.
TNGA is going to bite their ass. Way too many different vehicles using the same engine.
Once it hits main stream media — lookout. Toyota/Lexus has a BIG PR problem on their hands.
TNGA is going to bite their ass. Way too many different vehicles using the same engine.
Yeah I don't think anyone is suggesting that frequent oil changes can reverse or correct process failures leaving chips in the engine... the question was "Anyone have any speculation / wild-ass-guess on what the 'fix' may be?"
Is there any other way that Toyota could decide which engine needs to be fixed and which is good? There's no way they're going to replace 102K short blocks. So that's why my guess is they'll set up a program to check and analyze oil. Seems like that's the most cost-effective.
Is there any other way that Toyota could decide which engine needs to be fixed and which is good? There's no way they're going to replace 102K short blocks. So that's why my guess is they'll set up a program to check and analyze oil. Seems like that's the most cost-effective.
Oh so it does turn out to be a "safety" recall and Toyota does warn of the possibility of crashes at high speeds.
"PLANO, Texas (May 30, 2024)—Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain model year 2022–2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX (conventional gas model only) vehicles in North America. Approximately, 102,000 Toyota and Lexus branded vehicles are involved in this recall in the U.S.
There is a possibility that certain machining debris may not have been cleared from the engine when it was produced. In the involved vehicles, this can lead to potential engine knocking, engine rough running, engine no start and/or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash."
I somehow feel better about listening to Toyota themselves on this subject, though I sometimes think I am listening to Toyota when I read some of the posts here these days.
"PLANO, Texas (May 30, 2024)—Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain model year 2022–2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX (conventional gas model only) vehicles in North America. Approximately, 102,000 Toyota and Lexus branded vehicles are involved in this recall in the U.S.
There is a possibility that certain machining debris may not have been cleared from the engine when it was produced. In the involved vehicles, this can lead to potential engine knocking, engine rough running, engine no start and/or a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash."
I somehow feel better about listening to Toyota themselves on this subject, though I sometimes think I am listening to Toyota when I read some of the posts here these days.
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