[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by _flipxcyd

You know...I have a similar story which involved my sister's 2000 Toyota 4-Runner. While stepping on the brakes, they vibrate violently. Thinking something was wrong with her brakes, she took it into Les Schwab who did her brakes last and explained to her that motor oil got into the brake lines. She thought long and hard trying to figure out how it got in there. The cost to replace the entire brake system? Estimated at about $3K! Les Schwab suggested that whoever did her last oil change, that she take it to the people who did it, and guess what? She did it at Bob Bridge Toyota... I think in Renton, WA. She explained the problem to them, and they said they weren't sure if the warranty she had purchased would cover it. Bob BRidge could have easily said my sister was negligent. But seriously, she's not mechanically-inclined. My sister feared they were going to pretty much say it was her word against theirs. Fortunately for her and without Bob Bridge admitting fault, they replaced her entire brake system (the lines, pads, etc) to a tune of about $3800 less her $50 deductible. She paid the deductible because didn't want them turning around and saying it was her fault.

I explained this to a friend of mine who also happens to be a Toyota mechanic, and this is what he says most likely happened. He said that the new Tundras (or was it the Tacomas) have a narrow space when it comes time to draining the oil (the oil drains from the top of the engine), so they use the narrow Toyota brake fluid bottles to catch the oil. What could have happened is that the Toyota technician grabbed what he thought was the brake fluid bottle (but actually contained used motor oil) to top off the brake fluid reservoir. Yikes

Whoa, motor oil in the the brake system? That may just have taken the proverbial cake. I am surprised the car even stopped. I suppose they put it in to prevent sludge in the brake lines. Yikes.