[doughboysigep]

On a short trip this past weekend (250 mi. round trip) we had several "issues". First the "AWD malfunction" notification came on (early in the trip (almost as we started). I wasn't too concerned. At some point we had the "traction control is off" notification. Again, not too worried. Then when we were about at our destination the "Low Oil Pressure" light comes on (with other previous warnings still cycling). That got my attention. After being at our destination for many hours I check oil and it appears to be fine (hard to tell as it it is brand new oil - changed week prior). All warning messages are still flashing. After ~10 miles the oil pressure light is flashing and beeping a lot (meanwhile engine temp is fine). Not knowing what to do, we put a quart of oil in. All warnings still on screen but oil warning calms down. Go another 40 miles or so and flashing gets bad again - add another quart of oil (temp still fine). Go the rest of the way home (60 miles) and warning stays "constant". We did stop to tighten gas cap as we saw that was sometimes a cause of the "AWD" message (nothing changed). Now car is at our local shop and they don't know what is going on - two different manual tests of oil pressure. Mechanic had to add 2 quarts. He thought the engine should have been seized, yet it is running like a top?? Anyone have any insights or advice? Mechanic suggested possibly trading it in...I hadn't thought of that, but might be best option (I was hoping it was a simple electrical or sensor issue).

 

[ericreyn]

Was the oil pressure good then ? Maybe the pressure sending unit is bad ? Maybe it isn't and pressure really was low which would be bad. Those other lights will come on with a check engine light.
Maybe a low oil pressure warning too , I don't know for certain. But usually fixing the first problem take care of the other lights. I would look for an oil leak for starters. Down by the oil filter is one possibility.
The second is top of engine behind the oil fill and down the left side of engine. These are 2 known possable failure points. Both of these had rubber sections than can degrade and fail over time. Usually spectacularly resulting in complete engine failure. You might have lucked out and had a slower leak start.
What year is this vehicle?

 

[circus]

I would check the pressure with an old fashion pressure gauge. It'll tell you if you have a real problem or just an idiot light crying wolf. As a rule temperature and oil means shut down immediately. Has the engine been rebuilt lately?

 

[jseyfert3]

Assuming you have the V6, engine oil change with filter is 6.4 quarts. So if 4 quarts were added, whoever did the oil change added less than 3 quarts (but more than zero) OR you have a massive oil leak. If the former, I would have expected low oil light immediately.

Does anyone know if it's possible for the engine to leak oil into the transmission? I have no idea, but if so, that could explain both a sudden lack of engine oil and the AWD/traction control messages maybe?

As a rule temperature and oil means shut down immediately.

100% agree. I'll continue driving on some lights, but an oil pressure light or climbing temp gauge? I'd be pulling over to the side of the road ASAP, mostly likely not even waiting for the next exit.

 

[sbihue]

2 quarts is quite a bit of oil to add and if the Van is burning that much oil then you have a serious issue. Drop the oil pan and check the oil pickup tube and the pan for any metal shavings or other debris and go from there.

 

[Anton]

Four quarts in 110 miles? Assuming it had been properly filled, something is really strange. Burning that, you'd have an impenetrable smoke screen behind you, providing the engine would even run. And leaking, it would be very plain to see.

What year van?

 

[NED242]

About two hours ago I had this same issue with a 2017 Toyota Sienna V6 with 65,000 miles minus the AWD turning off, since I have FWD. I had the oil changed last Tuesday and everything seemed to be running fine. Today the "Low Oil Pressure" Message came on, followed by the Traction Control Off light (this will turn off with a possible engine issue). I immediately pulled over and checked the oil. It was full. I know you are supposed to wait 15 minutes for a solid reading, so it may be low oil quantity as stated in a post above. I drove it about 5 miles to my local mechanic in what seemed a degraded power mode and then the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT came on also during the drive. The mechanic hooked a diagnostic computer on it and it said CAM SHAFT POSITION A in two different warnings. The mechanic said it could be a CAM SHAFT position sensor, but he would know more in the morning and give me a call. I wonder when they changed the oil, as jseyfert3 said, they didn't put enough oil in it. You would think the message would appear right away, but who knows! My mechanic seems trust worthy so hopefully if he made a mistake, then he will own it. I will reply tomorrow or in a few days with what the issue was.

 

[doughboysigep]

Problem Solved! Apparently the dip sh!ts my wife had change the oil have no clue on how to do it. Oil filter was all kinds of messed up - "rod" missing, "cap" on wrong end, and it was loose!! (granted, it does seem like quite a convoluted system). WTF!!!! All fixed and running fine. It is amazing the engine did not blow up!! Glad we added the quarts we did. We will be having the oil change shop paying for the repair bill - better that than them having to replace the engine i guess (and, obviously, no longer taking the vehicle there).

(BTW, who happens to have a oil pressure gauge handy, not me?? And, easy to say just pull over, but not when you have the family with you and are 120 miles from home on a Saturday night!)

 

[jseyfert3]

And, easy to say just pull over, but not when you have the family with you and are 120 miles from home on a Saturday night!)

It is, yes. But if you lost all oil, the engine would likely seize up (I.e. self destruct) in a matter of 5-10 miles. Now you are 110 miles from home, and your engine doesn’t work and will need to be replaced.

I’m very glad that did not happen to you.

 

[sbihue]

Glad it worked out without having to go through any extensive repair. The Oil filter change in the Sienna is relatively straight forward with the filter going into the housing and the housing mounting to the engine one way only. Unless the oil change was being done by a 1st grader, any incompetent mechanic would also get it right. The only tricky part in this entire process is where the large O-ring goes on the housing. There is a slot midway and if you are not paying attention, you can overlook it and slide it all the way down which would not seal the filter housing.

Another reason to do your own oil changes. I know everyone can't and won't do it but I cringe when something so relatively simple is messed up.

 

[jseyfert3]

Another reason to do your own oil changes. I know everyone can't and won't do it but I cringe when something so relatively simple is messed up.

Every time I am lying on my back under my vehicles with used oil dripping down my arm, I ask myself "why the *#&$ am I doing this instead of paying someone to do it?" Then I remember posts like these, and keep doing my own oil changes.

 

[sbihue]

Every time I am lying on my back under my vehicles with used oil dripping down my arm, I ask myself "why the *#&$ am I doing this instead of paying someone to do it?" Then I remember posts like these, and keep doing my own oil changes.

For mess free oil changes, this is a great option... Fumoto Oil Change Valve. I have it on all our vehicles and on the Van since 2015 and it has served me well. For times when you don't need to change your oil filter, its just opening/closing the faucet and then adding oil from the top. If you have a low profile oil collection pan then the Sienna has just enough clearance where you can get away with not having to use ramps to drain the oil. No more spilled hot oil and no burns either.

I believe this piece is a standard addon on Toyota vehicles in the JDM but not in the Americas.

 

[circus]

(BTW, who happens to have a oil pressure gauge handy, not me?? And, easy to say just pull over, but not when you have the family with you and are 120 miles from home on a Saturday night!)

That's like a woman in labor saying "going to the doctor is inconvenient". Might get away with it but what if you don't.
Fifteen years ago a friend spent $10,000 having a combine engine rebuilt. Ignored the oil light and it took about a minute for the fresh engine to seize. Total outlay $20,000 plus wasn't ready for harvest.

 

[doughboysigep]

Oil change myself...no thanks (even after this incident). Not set up to do it, nor do I want to. Thing is, you pay people to to a job and do it correctly. I get paid to do my job and do it the best I can. I expect that from others, no matter what the job and what they are doing. Guess that is too much to expect this day and age??

 

[datsa noydb]

For mess free oil changes, this is a great option... Fumoto Oil Change Valve. I have it on all our vehicles and on the Van since 2015 and it has served me well. For times when you don't need to change your oil filter, its just opening/closing the faucet and then adding oil from the top. If you have a low profile oil collection pan then the Sienna has just enough clearance where you can get away with not having to use ramps to drain the oil. No more spilled hot oil and no burns either.

I believe this piece is a standard addon on Toyota vehicles in the JDM but not in the Americas.

Not sure how often that happens to YOUR vehicles, but if I am changing the oil, the filter gets changed, too.

.

 

[NED242]

I just

Problem Solved! Apparently the dip sh!ts my wife had change the oil have no clue on how to do it. Oil filter was all kinds of messed up - "rod" missing, "cap" on wrong end, and it was loose!! (granted, it does seem like quite a convoluted system). WTF!!!! All fixed and running fine. It is amazing the engine did not blow up!! Glad we added the quarts we did. We will be having the oil change shop paying for the repair bill - better that than them having to replace the engine i guess (and, obviously, no longer taking the vehicle there).

(BTW, who happens to have a oil pressure gauge handy, not me?? And, easy to say just pull over, but not when you have the family with you and are 120 miles from home on a Saturday night!)

I just got the call from the mechanic, mine was a similar issue. The mechanic made a mistake with the oil filter housing and is replacing it. Humans make mistakes, glad it wasn't something bigger.

 

[sbihue]

Oil change myself...no thanks (even after this incident). Not set up to do it, nor do I want to. Thing is, you pay people to to a job and do it correctly. I get paid to do my job and do it the best I can. I expect that from others, no matter what the job and what they are doing. Guess that is too much to expect this day and age??.

Apparently it is and you came very close to a significant expense in terms of $$ & time. A vast majority of the people do their jobs fine but occasionally, a momentary distraction, a bad day or just plain incompetence or greed can ruin the day for someone else, Just saying. I personally believe in building a relationship with a an aftermarket shop or a mechanic but in this day and age, finding one is not so simple.

Not sure how often that happens to YOUR vehicles, but if I am changing the oil, the filter gets changed, too.

Never on my personal vehicles but I know a lot of folks do this. One of my former neighbor in Chicago, who was also a cabbie used to run the same filter between 2 or 3 monthly oil changes. I was merely pointing to the fact that if you do have to do that, this contraption makes it simple, quick and safe and no, I do not have any vested interest in this product or the company.

 

[ericreyn]

This "guy" would probably be confused with the Toyota oil filters too.

 

[supra129]

This is where the spin-on filter has the advantage and less prone to errors when installing it. Where as the cartridge filter you are basically building the oil filter. I usually clean out the cap and spray it with brake cleaner to get rid of small debris. I like that you can see what the filter is catching without cutting it open but it's way more messy than changing a spin-on filter.

 

[circus]

Thing is, you pay people to to a job and do it correctly..... Guess that is too much to expect this day and age??

Maintenance, you hire, is done using the cheapest supplies, or not at all, by the least experienced employee.
My 1968 Spitfire came with a cartridge filter. Someone added an adapter for spin on oil filters. Worth investigating?