I was at work when I got a call from my brother. Apparently he had just got home pulling into the drive way when his car's (95' Toyota Camry) steering wheel froze up, and the car stalled. He tried starting it again, and I even heard him do so as I was on the phone with him. I could hear the car trying to start up but won't. I told him to put it into neutral and just push it into the parking spot first. Supposedly, he just had a oil change about 2 weeks ago. One of our neighbors helped him push the car into the spot and checked the oil for him. He told me that the oil was pure black, and he thinks the the place we got a oil change at (Monroe's) only put in fresh oil without draining out the old oil. He also thinks now that the "starter" isn't working. I'm just wondering if there could be any other problems? Or if it's really the "starter"? If not, I'm going to give it a oil change my self and see if that fixes it. If not, I'm going to have it towed to a mechanic and run around trying to slap the bill on someone. Any opinions or thoughts on what the problem would be is appreciated. Thanks.

 

bump

 

You don't say what engine he has, but it sounds like a cam belt might have broken. The steering got stiff because the engine died?

I think he needs to get it towed to a dealer or a shop that can check it out for him......an oil change won't keep a car from starting unless they didn't put any back in, and you said the dipstick had oil but that it was black, right?

 

Well the steering would get stiff if the power steering weren't active. If they saw the people putting in oil, there wouldn't be room to add the proper amount of oil without first draining it.

 

Shouldn't have anything to do with the oil, especially if it was serviced two weeks ago.
If it's the timing belt, you'd just hear a whirring as the bottom end spun.
Otherwise, you need fuel, and ignition. If it's not starting, it's generally one of those. If you could hear *something* spinning, then it's not the starter.
Sounds like it's time to find a mechanic...

 

Did you check the fan belt? I'm not sure if they run one large serpentine belt for everything or a fan belt and a separate belt for the accessories like the power steering pump and alternator. I had a friend of mine break a belt and the car was hard to steer and then wouldn't start because the same belt drove the alternator.

 

I think that all Toyota motors are interference motors. If I'm right then when the Timing Belt went the pistons came up and kissed the valves. Can any one say bent valves, dented piston crowns, bent rods, bent crank. I hope this didn't happen.

 

I wasn't there when this happened but I did check the engine oil level. It is way over the top, and it looks to be mixed with old and fresh oil. Since it was only 2 weeks ago since the oil change. Supposedly my neighbor thinks that the oil wasn't drained so they added more oil to the old oil. This caused a over flow of oil into the spark plugs preventing them from working. The second problem he thinks is the starter? Any thoughts? I'm not really good with cars, I know how to change my tires, and change my oil but beyond that, I'm fuzzy.

 

huh
There is no oil nowhere near spark plugs.
Time to find a mechanic because you're not going to diagnose and fix it over the internet. It's really not possible for the oil place to just add oil without draining it unless they are complete idiots that just started the job the same day. First thing those "jiffy lube" places do is go under the car and drain it replacing filter at the same time. I'd believe in oil places not putting any oil in but not draining it seems unlikelly.
Also, how can you tell that old oil was mixed with new one? There is really no way to tell. If it was changed, it will be somewhat light in color but if you mix old one with new one you will hardly be able to tell the difference.

 

Thanks for the tip. Schedule a mechanic to stop by and take a look sometime this weekend.

 

Yup, 4 cyl Toyota is an interference enginge. Broken belt: frozen engine.
Oil would be black on a car that old after a few weeks, heck even a few days if it's badly worn. Expensive times ahead.