Less then 9 hours after getting my oil changed at Regal Lube the drain plug fell out. They are telling their insurance carrier they aren't responsible because there is no way for it to come off with the type of tamper seal that they use. Somehow they are using the fact that alot of oil is on the ground in a parking lot 13 miles previous to the car stopping. Is the oil lube co. owner stupid? How can she think that there is no way the plug could have come out on its own with the tamper seal on it? Could it come out with the seal on it but the bolt not to have been tightened?
quick change oil co. denies responsibility
- Thread starter bmc
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bmc, you gotta keep a close eye on the people that work there. they don't make very much and as such, places like that don't attract good talent. i had an incident quite a few years ago where the local jiffy lube ruined my radiator and wouldn't make good on it. wound up suing them in small claims court, i won. if you're going to pay someone to change the oil in your vehicle, your best bet is the new car dealership.
I tell my customer that if they cant get an oil change from me (closed weekends, too busy etc) I recommend going to other shops with licensed mechanics.
I've replaced oil pans due to stripped drain plug bosses because of quick lube shops. 5 times out of 10 I can take a drain plug off with my fingers when customers comes in from quick lube shops. Those plastic gaskets are junk and should never ever be used. Most quick lubes spray paint the plug so that they have a chance that the paint will secure the plug so it doesn't fall off.
I've replaced oil pans due to stripped drain plug bosses because of quick lube shops. 5 times out of 10 I can take a drain plug off with my fingers when customers comes in from quick lube shops. Those plastic gaskets are junk and should never ever be used. Most quick lubes spray paint the plug so that they have a chance that the paint will secure the plug so it doesn't fall off.
what quick lube place uses a tamper seal? I'd love to see that....
sears uses tamper seal. all it is is a little paint marker that breaks when you loosen the drain plug. i swear i spent most of my time on an oil change cleaning all that ____ off because of other techs that covered the drain plug in it. o and i never used a plastic gasket, always used copper or rubber. and i torqued them to spec.
When I bought my new car a long time ago, I notice the trans fluid was a little high so I had them drain some of it out. This was when I knew nothing about car. They did something and I drove my car home. A few days latter, I noticed the fluid was leaking. It wasn't much leak but enough to be alarm. I drove back to the dealer and they said the mechanic broke a valve and rod when trying to adjust the fluid level for me using a special machine that they just got. They said they will take care of it and this is a rare thing that something is not done right and the fault is on the machine that is too new for people to be familiar with. So they did something again and gave me the bill. I was like: The fluid adjustment was done under warranty and you guys screw up, so why charge me. The a-hole named Johnny gave all kind of excuse and the conclusion was that they had to do a fluid flush as the vehicle had 30k mile so they can charge me since it is a maintenance item in their book. It was late so I paid it.
The next day I call the manager and got shop credit.
So the point is that dealership can't get thing right too. Like 6 months later I started helping the family business and help change the transmission fluid on our delivery vehicle. That was when I found out the process and system is just like changing oil, with no special valve or rod to break. Basically, the mechanic just didn't tight the drain nut correctly so the fluid leaked. Simple. How can a mechanic not tighten the nut correctly is beyond me. They should have come clean and win my trust at that time. From that point on, I haven't taken anything to any shop for maintenance. I just buy book, use sites like this one, and ask friends to learn how to do it myself.
The next day I call the manager and got shop credit.
So the point is that dealership can't get thing right too. Like 6 months later I started helping the family business and help change the transmission fluid on our delivery vehicle. That was when I found out the process and system is just like changing oil, with no special valve or rod to break. Basically, the mechanic just didn't tight the drain nut correctly so the fluid leaked. Simple. How can a mechanic not tighten the nut correctly is beyond me. They should have come clean and win my trust at that time. From that point on, I haven't taken anything to any shop for maintenance. I just buy book, use sites like this one, and ask friends to learn how to do it myself.
Thats because its not his car, I'm sure he would remember if it was his $20K Accord
It is a mistake to assume a mechanic/tech is the one doing the oil changes. The dealership is not going to flag Mr. Goodwrench .4hr at $25/hr to do an oil change, the tech has better things to do. Like any Jiffylube, a dealership has some kid on salary + upsell commission changing oil. We had some real winners in our lube pit.
If the drain plugs are loose it will help speed up the next oil change, nobody ever figures out the simple stuff
DING DING DING! Here's your winner folks. 2007 Envoy, courtesy oil change at dealer with M1 and a PF-61. (Not my first choices, but free, so OK). 5k goes by... I run the Envoy up on the ramps, remove the plastic panel, and find oil on the top of it. Look around a little, and find the plug dripping. It was barely finger tight, I removed it without a wrench. Moral of story... no more dealer changes. Now it's Schaeffer's in the pan, Baldwin on the block, and no worries for 6k.
bmc, was the car engine off when the plug finally fell off? any engine damage? if so, you'll have to sue and you should. the plastic gasket does not prove they torqued the drain plug back on to spec.
Ask your car insurance company's advice.
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