Missing oil filter = engine locking

[Ball3rina]

I purchased my '09 Yaris sedan from Carmax in March and have had no issues until this past weekend. I was 400 miles overdue for an oil change I was going to wait until Monday to do. I let my boyfriend drive and he accelerated heavily at a traffic light changing and the oil light came on and a puff of smoke came out. We turned around the block to get back and shut it off and it lost engine power and idled.

I got it towed and the mechanic said I was missing the oil filter which probably wasn't tightened enough when Carmax serviced my car. Either way, it looks like I have to buy a new engine and Carmax isn't helping, even though I am covered under their extended warranty.

Thoughts/suggestions? Prior, I had received no alert lights or noticed any heavy oil spillage. The car still won't start and makes a clicking noise from the engine.

[vten]

if you didn't do anything to the car prior the accident, I would go back to car max and give them hell ...

oil filter is not a thing that we always check in the morning ...it'll be a different story if you're missing the oil dip stick .

talk to their manager and gradually to the top of the chain ...just my .02c

[Ball3rina]

if you didn't do anything to the car prior the accident, I would go back to car max and give them hell ...

oil filter is not a thing that we always check in the morning ...it'll be a different story if you're missing the oil dip stick .

talk to their manager and gradually to the top of the chain ...just my .02c

Thanks! Do you think a hard acceleration could have knocked it off if it was loose? It's definitely Carmax's fault but I'm going to have to sue because they are not budging.

[CTScott]

Wow! An oil filter can be hand tightened and will never come off, particularly since the gasket expands as the oil heats up. They must have barely spun it on. There is no way that this is your / your boyfriend's fault.

[barryware]

I would find it hard to believe the oil filter un-screwed itself off. It would leak substantially after about 2 ~ 3 turns and the engine would run out of oil long before it finished unscrewing.

I would have someone look at it. It may be that the base of the oil filter is still on the car and the metal can of the filter blew off the base. That would indicate a defective oil filter out of the box. I would be interested to know what brand it was so I don't buy one.

In regard to your fight with carmax.. 1st find out what exactly happened. Is the filter base still screwed on? I would think that if they used a defective part in their service, they should be responsible, or at least the manufacturer of the part.

Good luck..

[tooter]

I would find it hard to believe the oil filter un-screwed itself off. It would leak substantially after about 2 ~ 3 turns and the engine would run out of oil long before it finished unscrewing.

I agree. There is something missing in this story.