And it would have left a trail of oil out of the service bay. No way that wouldn't have been caught.
Honda dealership failure...looking for advice
- Thread starter DriveHard
- Start date
Very cool.
Like said, the engine is probably fine and if it isn't, it's on them some day.
JHZR2
Staff member
There’s no real objective evidence that any damage was done. I think the outcome that has resulted is the best one could ask for.
Call Honda Corporate and open a case file to formally document this at corporate. If engine damage was to occur, then it would be easier for Honda corporate to swoop in and correct things, versus battling the dealership
When a plaintiff brings an action for damage to personal property, damages are measured by the cost of repair (plus reasonable compensation for plaintiff's loss of use while the property is being repaired) unless the repair costs exceed the value of the damaged property, in which case the plaintiff's damages are measured by the fair market value of the damaged property immediately before the loss.
Good outcome. I wouldn't want a dealership that possibly messed up a simple oil and filter change installing a new engine in my car anyway...
Before reading the responses to the OP, I figured the solution was an engine warranty. I would just be certain of the wording in the warranty, and make sure it isn't required that all service be completed by that dealership or something crazy like that.
While it certainly isn't ideal, I don't believe any significant damage was likely done. A friend is a manager at a quick lube, and they have multiple cars a day that come in with very little to no oil in them, and some of these cars keep coming back, running exactly the same. The low oil is documented to the customer, and they continue on.
While it certainly isn't ideal, I don't believe any significant damage was likely done. A friend is a manager at a quick lube, and they have multiple cars a day that come in with very little to no oil in them, and some of these cars keep coming back, running exactly the same. The low oil is documented to the customer, and they continue on.
Without knowing any more details than what’s been provided, I am inclined to believe Mr Joseph’s vehicle suffered no real harm from the event, and likewise Ole Joey didn’t get anything of substantial value in compensation either.
That lifetime warranty’s paperwork should be gone over with a fine toothed comb, looking for any and all caveats that might paint reality in a different light from what is assumed.
Who owns/sold the warranty, the manufacturer or a 3rd party?
Is the warranty transferable?
Does the warranty provide coverage and services identical to the factory version it supersedes?
Is the driver required to complete certain tasks to maintain the warranty?
Those are just some of the gotchas I can think of off the top of my head that could be part of that deal which aren’t immediately evident on cursory examinations, and that’s not going to be an accident if true.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to place a call to Customer Relations to make a record of this incident, but as for any immediate remedy, they've fixed the problem. Now, it will be a matter of waiting to see what the engine will do. Monitor the oil usage and be mindful of any new noises. If you really want to get ahead of it, run a scope into the valve cover and see if you can spot any cam scoring. If you are able, do the next oil change yourself, making sure to keep the receipts for oil & filter, and send a sample to Blackstone. That report may be very informational.
From my two experiences with major work done at the dealer, one a whole transmission and the other a cylinder head gasket recall replacement, move on and be happy. In my cases everything was made worse. The engine he has is factory made and installed. Don’t know if Honda replacement engines are reman or new but there is a whole lot of taking off and putting back on of parts with a short block. I wouldn’t trust them to do a factory like job in the least.
I agree 100%. Can you imagine the same guys doing "double O-ring" putting everything back together? Warranty is the way to go.
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That was my question too. I would only have accepted a Honda warranty. They may have given "Joe" a 3rd-party warranty, the same types they sell with used cars, which I wouldn't want in this situation.
I though only specialize techs are only allow to service hybrids. You put your trust in these dealerships and this happens not good
I agree that they should not have told him to drive it back with the oil light on. I would be satisfied with a lifetime powertrain warranty though. If these transmissions are anything like the other transmissions Honda made, it is probably a lot more likely to fail than the engine and is covered under a powertrain warranty. In my opinion the likelihood of any significant damage is quite low as long as it doesn't sound any different than it did before this incident. I would personally cut the old filter open next oil change and look for glitter in it and I would have a sample of the used oil analyzed. If the filter has no glitter and the oil analysis results are normal there wasn't damage done no matter what anyone says.
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Dealership did him right by providing an extended warranty. Not much more you can ask for.
As always, demanding a new engine and getting one are two different things.
Took my car to the dealer for an oil change, told me it was done, paid, got keys, unlocked car, popped hood, checked oil, then drove off.
May I recommend this in the future?
