I had a coworker call me out of the blue: he had a car problem and somebody suggested he contact me. New car- famous Japanese make, still under base warranty. He is in northern USA. After talking to him, I called the dealer service dept and spoke to the service manager: car was brought in with a bad tick and squealing, rough running and numerous engine codes. They initially thought it was a bad belt or frozen pulley, but after much investigation found that it appears to have engine damage: probably a rod or main bearing damage. After much discussion with the service dept it turns out the guy was late to work, jumped in the car and as soon as it was started he floored it as he was late for work. Temps were around -10 to -15 as best as I can gather that morning. P0301 and P0304 engine misfire cyl 1 and 4, and quite a few other codes. Service guys were actually really nice overall, and this is what they got from the owner, who confirmed the story to me.
It appears he was in South Florida until recently, had the oil change at the original dealer a few times, records show it was 5w30. Mechanic feels it was a thicker oil than that. They are blaming the owner for mistreatment of the car and are indicating they will not cover it, and they are talking to the dealer in Florida trying to get some more info. I am due to talk to them again tomorrow, and I told them to be prepared to have me speak to the zone rep. Car only has about 4k miles on the last change, and maintenance records seem fine.
I instructed them to leave the car on the lift, and find a clean container to take an oil sample but wait for the owner to get there so he can witness it. Plan is to have the owner write his signature on the oil filter with a Sharpie (perm marker), sign the oil pan as well, witness the oil coming out of the crankcase, send it off to a oil analysis place that does rush service and review the results. Have his wife video it with her phone. If he gets any flak at all to the process, then raise [censored] and call me. Service guys were fine with the plan, but after much negotiation it was agreed for 1 hour labor to cover this, which I got the owner to agree.
No way I can get up there, but I like the guy as a coworker so I am trying to help. Two questions: 1) am I missing anything ? 2) Anybody know of a reputable oil analysis that does rush service ? 3) Extra credit- should I have them do 2 samples and have 2 different labs run a UOA ?
It appears he was in South Florida until recently, had the oil change at the original dealer a few times, records show it was 5w30. Mechanic feels it was a thicker oil than that. They are blaming the owner for mistreatment of the car and are indicating they will not cover it, and they are talking to the dealer in Florida trying to get some more info. I am due to talk to them again tomorrow, and I told them to be prepared to have me speak to the zone rep. Car only has about 4k miles on the last change, and maintenance records seem fine.
I instructed them to leave the car on the lift, and find a clean container to take an oil sample but wait for the owner to get there so he can witness it. Plan is to have the owner write his signature on the oil filter with a Sharpie (perm marker), sign the oil pan as well, witness the oil coming out of the crankcase, send it off to a oil analysis place that does rush service and review the results. Have his wife video it with her phone. If he gets any flak at all to the process, then raise [censored] and call me. Service guys were fine with the plan, but after much negotiation it was agreed for 1 hour labor to cover this, which I got the owner to agree.
No way I can get up there, but I like the guy as a coworker so I am trying to help. Two questions: 1) am I missing anything ? 2) Anybody know of a reputable oil analysis that does rush service ? 3) Extra credit- should I have them do 2 samples and have 2 different labs run a UOA ?
