Engine died while driving - oil light came on

Scared! I have a 2008 V6 PreRunner with 199k miles. I do all my routine maintenance including oil changes like clockwork. Never had the slightest of problems with this truck, it’s been a dream. Yesterday I was just driving down the road (residential area was only going 35 Mph) and the truck shut off and oil light came on. It honestly felt like I ran out of gas. Happened really quickly with nothing alerting me that something was about to happen. Out of the blue. It was Just a quick shake and sputter, oil light came on and engine cut off and that was it. Attempted to restart several times and nothing.

The only thing I can add is that I recently had check engine light come on. I use a small local Toyota-only mechanic but he’s always booked out for a month or more. So I stopped by one of the National auto part stores and let them pull the code for me which was P0345 (camshaft position sensor A circuit-bank 2). I am handy with general/routine maintenance but all of this is above my skill set. I don’t even know where to begin diagnosing what’s happened here.

if there is anyone here that has any experience with a situation like this, I would be greatful for any information that could be shared with me. Prepping myself for bad news. I’m scared.

 

1, don’t panic.

I’m not one who has the codes memorized and can’t say exactly your issue. But I’ve had cam & crank position sensor codes cause your exact symptom. Sometimes stall and won’t start. Sometimes later it starts then stall later again.

 

Crank it and spray some carb cleaner in the intake.
Just a puff. "JUST A PUFF". See if it wants to fire.
If so, it's a fuel issue. If not, verify spark.
Does it sound normal cranking?

We have to start somewhere.

Be nice if you had a scan tool.
See if we have a crank signal.

 

Thank you! Wish I had access to scan tool but unfortunately I don’t. The starter sounds normal, just not firing up.

 

Yeah, It's the cadence of the engine that will give you a clue sometimes.
Anyways, keep us updated.

If you can spare the cash, a scan tool would help.

 

Ok so last night, I went ahead and chained the oil. I wasn’t due for it just yet but mostly to see what it looked like as I’ve been reading posts about sludge. Was defiantly an unusual color. Much more of a muddy brown color than what I’m used to seeing come out. Unless my eyes were playing tricks on me. Not sure what that indicates. Again, I change the oil myself and always on schedule. But something seemed different with the oil color.
Anyways, I also disconnected the battery, let it sit and reconnected. Not really sure why, was thinking if there was a sensor or something, maybe it would clear an error or reset.
Attempted to start the truck and low and behold it suddenly decided to start up. I let it idle a bit. Didn’t notice any unusual sounds or noises from the motor. I then drove it up the street about a block, got to a stop sign and the truck stalled out, just cut off. But it restarted right up and I was able to circle the block and back to the house.
This morning I called my Toyota mechanic and he agreed to work me in. He’s only about two miles from my house. Truck started and I was able to get it up to him without it stalling out. Now just waiting. I will update thread once I hear from him.

 

The last time you changed the oil (before last night) did you happen to drain the trans?

 

No, didn’t drain the trans previously.

 

valid question for sure. it's wild how often that happens.

 

Muddy brown oil - how's your coolant level? Head gasket?

 

Coolant level was normal. But Actually, when I climbed under to drain the oil, I did indeed notice that I’ve got a head gasket leak. Doesn’t appear to be too bad as I’ve not had any spots in my driveway. But definitely a small leak happening there.

 

Oil light came on after the engine died on you, which is normal.

 

Keep in mind I'm one of the least qualified people on this site to offer mechanical advice. That said, after a full ECU reset sometimes the engine has issues with starting and idle. So it is possible the stall at the stop sign was just a result of the ECU reset.

The obvious observation here is that if the head gasket is leaking coolant to the outside of the engine it is quite possible it is leaking it into the oil as well.

 

I wonder if contaminated oil could cause CPS miss-reading or failure.
How are your oil changes? How's your oil consumption?
Early 2nd gens V6 are known for head gasket problems. Not sure by what year it was corrected.

 

HEAD GASKET leak? or VALVE COVER leak?

 

When the CEL recently came on for the cam sensor code, did you do anything about that?

 

The unusual motor oil color could be moisture / condensation not getting burned off due to short trips, not bringing the engine fully up to temperature. Did the oil cap under side look funky? Mine was having that problem. Now I make an effort to fully warm up the engine. I constantly short trip mine and usually get it on the highway maybe 4x a year. If too much time passes and I haven’t been on the highway, I’ll drive a big highway loop.

So you know, this moisture in the oil is a common cause for crank & cam sensors to fail, from what I’ve seen.

 

My bad, I meant valve cover gasket leak, not head gasket. Major difference there, my mistake for saying that. Coolant level was right in the middle of high and low. It’s been a bit since I topped it off so I would say it’s normal level.

 

Unfortunately, I did not do anything as my mechanic was booked out and I needed to continue driving to and from work. Not my preference but didn’t have a choice really. Well, I chose not to go to the stealership and wait for my mechanic.

 

Thanks. I did indeed notice the underside cap was a little funky. And even in the top of the fill spout(?) was a little funky as well. This makes sense. I’m wondering if there is a moisture issue which as let to that cam sensor issue.