This horror story was posted on consumerist.com this morning. I will never have some one else change me oil.
Consumerist Walmart Horror Story
Consumerist Walmart Horror Story
Another quickie oil change horror story.
- Thread starter Gwhaley262
- Start date
- Status
Funny a similar story happened on Saturday at a Meineke near here. The cashier said she watched "the techs refill" the customers car's crank case. The customer found out that he had no oil after he drove home.
doesn't jiffy lube eliminate the chance of that happening by having the manager sign off after seeing oil on the dipstick?
not saying that is foolproof, but I like seeing someone ELSE come out to check on the work.
IDK why a company would want to take the risk of being in the oil change business. there are as few maintenance jobs that are as easy but as fraught with potential catastrophe as an oil change.
not saying that is foolproof, but I like seeing someone ELSE come out to check on the work.
IDK why a company would want to take the risk of being in the oil change business. there are as few maintenance jobs that are as easy but as fraught with potential catastrophe as an oil change.
Sucks.
On the other hand, it's a bit strange that so much engine damage has occurred by running it without oil for only 30 seconds. I'm fairly sure it was longer than that... I mean, it'd probably take more than 30 seconds just for the Walmart employee to pull the vehicle out of the service bay and park it outside.
On the other hand, it's a bit strange that so much engine damage has occurred by running it without oil for only 30 seconds. I'm fairly sure it was longer than that... I mean, it'd probably take more than 30 seconds just for the Walmart employee to pull the vehicle out of the service bay and park it outside.
I've heard a similar storie from a Jeep dealership. All it takes is one worker who doesn't give a darn to give the place a bad reputation.
How does someone mistake the transmission fill hole for the oil? That's my thought. It should be obvious.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Sucks.
On the other hand, it's a bit strange that so much engine damage has occurred by running it without oil for only 30 seconds. I'm fairly sure it was longer than that... I mean, it'd probably take more than 30 seconds just for the Walmart employee to pull the vehicle out of the service bay and park it outside.
Before I got ramps I used to position my car on a little hill to be able to crawl under it. I'd drain the oil, replace the plug, and then back it off the hill before adding the new oil. Less than 5 seconds of operation. Yes it was dumb, but I got well over 200K out of the car before selling it to someone who got another 100K. Would I do that now....never.
Sucks.
On the other hand, it's a bit strange that so much engine damage has occurred by running it without oil for only 30 seconds. I'm fairly sure it was longer than that... I mean, it'd probably take more than 30 seconds just for the Walmart employee to pull the vehicle out of the service bay and park it outside.
Before I got ramps I used to position my car on a little hill to be able to crawl under it. I'd drain the oil, replace the plug, and then back it off the hill before adding the new oil. Less than 5 seconds of operation. Yes it was dumb, but I got well over 200K out of the car before selling it to someone who got another 100K. Would I do that now....never.
But I have first hand knowledge of motors running for hours without oil and not destroying themselves. Glitter in the oil is not a good sign but it does not mean the engine is toast 100% of the time. The first time I saw that was with SL rated M-1 on a GM 5.7. 50K miles later the engine is still running.
But that being said Walmart messed up the oil change and because of that Walmart should foot the repair bill and rental car.
But that being said Walmart messed up the oil change and because of that Walmart should foot the repair bill and rental car.
Many small engines have a "low oil shutoff" system. Perhaps cars should have one as well, but there may be safety issues. Do you want the thing to quit crossing at a railroad grade crossing? Have to think about that one. I doubt you'd want that in a single engine aircraft either.
Either way it took years/miles off the engine I`m sure.
The oil pressure light should have come on immediately, or actually never gone off. If she had gauges, a "check gauges" light should have come on.
Walmart I am sure has a policy to prevent this, but obviously no one followed it.
They could probably get their bulk oil dispenser into the transmission dipstick to fill it.
My brother once drained the manual transmission and added 5 QTs to the engine. Transmission = 0, engine = 10. I think my Dad fixed it and it was fine.
Walmart I am sure has a policy to prevent this, but obviously no one followed it.
They could probably get their bulk oil dispenser into the transmission dipstick to fill it.
My brother once drained the manual transmission and added 5 QTs to the engine. Transmission = 0, engine = 10. I think my Dad fixed it and it was fine.
Wasn't it Castrol that made a commercial showing how after draining the oil, the engine would still run for a long time without issues? Can't find the link now...
That commercial is on YouTube and it was made for syntec. Some guys remade that commercial using their Mazda. Some people just have more money than sense but you get the picture.
Originally Posted By: Donald
My brother once drained the manual transmission and added 5 QTs to the engine. Transmission = 0, engine = 10. I think my Dad fixed it and it was fine.
My Son did the same thing on his Ford Probe GT. He drove it about a mile and stopped as it was running "funny". He drained the engine, filled the transmission and it ran fine until his Ex Wife put a whole jug of Windshield washer fluid in the crankcase...that killed it!
My brother once drained the manual transmission and added 5 QTs to the engine. Transmission = 0, engine = 10. I think my Dad fixed it and it was fine.
My Son did the same thing on his Ford Probe GT. He drove it about a mile and stopped as it was running "funny". He drained the engine, filled the transmission and it ran fine until his Ex Wife put a whole jug of Windshield washer fluid in the crankcase...that killed it!
She should have just kept running it until the engine seized, then documented everything...
very good friend of mine also got an oil change at walmart with his 07 fusion, they OVERFILLED it by 2-3 quarts. the car was choochin smoke like you wouldnt believe. they towed it to the ford dealer and got it properly diagnosed. he traded it in on another car after another 6 months and made it someone elses problem.
- Status