Originally Posted by hunter9296
OK! I am the original poster on this and didn't realize it would cause so much controversy. To "Red91", I am NOT A GD TROLL. "TheLawnRanger" summed it up perfectly. This is the first time this has happened to me and I was looking for some expert advise. For the last 30 years I have changed my own oil about 90% of the time. The only reason I didn't this time is because I have been having health problems and just didn't feel like it. I called my local tire/oil shop and they said it would only be $15 for the labor so I said what the heck. By looking at the filter and drain plug I can't come to any conclusions. The filter is the same brand (AC Delco) and part number and it fits up high and tight behind the engine so the outside really doesn't get dirty. I also can't see any evidence one way or the other on the drain plug. Some said to look at the dipstick. I went back and looked but comparing it to the other pics people posted is kind of like comparing apples to oranges. My dipstick is black. You can't tell anything about the color of oil on the dipstick. All your can see is where the oil is at on it. Some people said send a sample in but that costs as much changing it again (or for the first time who knows). I haven't decided whether to take it back to the shop or not. If I take it Monday, I mean, what is the mechanic going to say...oh no I didn't change your oil just pull it back in? So I guess I'm still at square one. Seems like taking a vote shows somewhere around half say it was changed and half say no. The one thing that I do know is this: If I have it changed by someone again here is what I'm going to do. Before going to the shop I'm going to wipe the dipstick on a paper towel and put it in the glove box. On the new filter I'm going to use a sharpie and make a distinctive mark. When I get to the shop I'm going to loosen the oil fill cap about half a turn. Then when they are done I going to wipe the dipstick on the same paper towel before I leave and compare. Then I will check the oil fill cap. And probably ask for the freaking empty oil jug back. What do you think???
This has become one of those posts where I am sure everyone can share their life's event(s) in this subject matter. All the precautions you mentioned was exactly what I did with my brand new '01 Harley-Davidson Fatboy when back then...you walked out of the showroom paying MSRP and doesn't even guarantee you got the exact color choice. At 1K, dealer said bring back and oil change is free. For some reason I don't know why but I marked the oil filter in a place where only I would notice it. I cleaned the bike prior to delivering and told them not to do complimentary wash. I didn't do a pre blot test which is a great idea or used torque seal (common on planes to visually inspect for fasteners loosening or have been removed) on the drain plug.
Nevertheless, I trailer'd it back at night with my buddy and holy $#%**^, they didn't change anything but 25 more miles on my odometer and a hand washed water spotted condition! I called owner and got back "we don't take short cuts blah blah blah". I went up the corporate ladder to the district regional sales manager in Milwaukee and even threatened to go to his boss until this was settled. They couldn't believe or understand I told them the mark left on the filter is still there and the mechanic did [censored] but took my bike for a joy ride.
I ask what would the hundreds of BITOG members do that read this post if you caught a shop failing to do an oil change whether it was intentional or by mistake and you had PROOF! I kept my head cool after several voice mails to corporate and got what I wanted which was a case of oil and filter shipped to my house. I didn't destroy their reputation but being an engineer and resources to totally make their life miserable...I got my oil and never did business with them again and because of that broke any relationship with this dealer and the typical $$$ that customers spend on top of that with them. I still have the original filter today as a memory.
I really understand OP concern because it happened to me and the only time I ever let a shop do an oil change for anything I owned in 35 years...I got burnt. And this also happened when my wife took her Corolla for oil change and they drained the tranny instead!!! So in my experience I am not going to go 3 for 3 and waiting for my 9 yr old to mature so I can groom him. No kidding.
