Our 2000 Tacoma has 350,000 miles and has been very well-maintained. Never skipped an oil change or transmission service, even replaced the timing chain twice as preventive maintenance.
On a recent service visit, the shop alerted us to the need for seals replacements, and we had been adding about a half-quart of oil between oil changes.
We authorized the repair, along with new tires, alignment, tie rod, everything they said necessary to get the vehicle tip-top.
We picked up the truck on a Friday and the following Sunday, I noticed a considerable amount of blue-white smoke puff from the tailpipe upon cranking the vehicle. This never happened prior to the repair.
The following Monday, we attempted unsuccessfully to text the shop via the same number we used to communicate with the shop pre-payment. We tried again that Wednesday. Thursday, we called and left a vm, no reply. Same for that Friday.
I reasoned that the seals replacements may have allowed oil to find its way into exhaust and that it would burn off soon. We had hoped the shop might say this was a possibility.
Over that weekend, we checked oil for the second time. The first time, having just picked up the vehicle, oil was full. The second time, after approximately 300 miles of driving since the seals replacements, the oil was more than a quart low.
Is the exhaust smoke and drop in oil level normal after this type of repair?
We finally reached the shop 6 business days after retrieving the vehicle with an almost 4 grand bill that we paid in full. Now, they tell us they’ll take a look, but the engine may need a rebuild.
Again, prior to the seals replacements, we filled less than a quart between oil changes and never observed smoke from the tailpipe.
We’re a little taken by surprise and hoping for some perspective.