"Quick Lube Fail"

[Deltona_Dave]

Hopefully in right thread: Mods, please move if I am in the wrong area....

For the past 5-6 years, I could not find a decent place to dispose of used motor oil, so I started using a quick lube place. I generally like to do my own for peace of mind. Well about a year ago, a new "Walmart" opened less than a mile from home and I started using them for OCI. The first 2 went fine, they used SuperTech filters and Mobil 1 at my request (I am not a fan of the OCOD filters, unless I can get an extended guard. Just before X-maslastyear, I got my usual Mobil 1 5w30 and asked for an Super Tech filter. They were out of Super Tech and asked me if they could use an orange can. I reluctantly agreed. Titan ran great and was quiet on startup for about 3 weeks. Just after the first of this year, I noticed a dime sized drip on the driveway. I saw a little seepage from the drain bolt, crawled under and gave it a wrench from the torque wrench to spec of 25lbs. I started it up afterwards and it sounded like everything was dry, lifters clattering, rod knock, whatever. Truck had been sitting for overnight. The next day, same thing, clatter for about 10 seconds, until pressure up on gauge. This happened for several days. This had not happened before, same oil, but different filters. Called my buddy, who is a diesel/big truck mechanic,,, He said what filter is on? Told him Fram Pro. He said, that is the problem, the drainback valve is weak on anything but a Fram Extended guard (the expensive one). I then decided to buy the Rhino Ramps, Pennzoil Platinum, and Super Tech or other quality filters.
After that, I removed the drain plug and found 2 Crush Washers (there is the leak problem), the front skid plate had 2 bolts stripped (You have to remove the skid plate to get to the oil filter). My buddies at the local NAPA gave me a few new washers when I bought new Napa gold filters and an air filter for wifes car.
Oh, the Oil Filter for a Nissan Altima 2.5 and a Titan 5.6 are very small, about the size of a kiddie soda pop can (6-8 ounce ones). sheesh.
From now on, I will do my own changes.

 

[shrooms]

I'm very wary with all these quick lube places. Hate them.

You're doing an awesome decision using PP.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

Forgot in original post that Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, a super tech filter and prying off the 2 crush washers, now I have no death rattle, no leak/drip, and peace of mind that it was done right.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

My mechanic (he is over an hour's drive away, but a good friend), suggested PP. He was a die hard Amsoil guy, but said for the money, PP cleans and is great for less than 10K OCI. Just use a good filter (not OCOD), but Purolators, WIX, NAPA, or SuperTechs (non-ecore), which the ST 7313 for my vehicles is. Steel core, made in a country called USA...

 

[TireDude]

Originally Posted By: shrooms
I'm very wary with all these quick lube places. Hate them.


We're not all that bad, really. Us little independent guys like myself will take 30 to 45 mins going over the whole car on the lift, taking note of everything, top off all the other fluids, check and/or replace the air filter, check the tire pressure, etc.

Some of us have a soul and just want to provide an excellent service for a realistic price for the members of our communities.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

I have no problem with the independent shops taking 45 minutes to check over my vehicles. I do however have a problem with a shop that will not remove the old crush washer/drain plug gasket, or use an air ratchet to bolt the drain plug on without hand starting the bolt threads. I use a good, reputable Independent garage for my major fixes, like transmissions, valve jobs, performance parts, etc. I just don't like the major "quick lube chains".
Dave

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: HWEaton
Originally Posted By: shrooms
I'm very wary with all these quick lube places. Hate them.


We're not all that bad, really. Us little independent guys like myself will take 30 to 45 mins going over the whole car on the lift, taking note of everything, top off all the other fluids, check and/or replace the air filter, check the tire pressure, etc.

Some of us have a soul and just want to provide an excellent service for a realistic price for the members of our communities.


I agree and defend them since I've been to the quick lube places with the work truck many times over the years. Always get a excellent service and I watch them closely.

Leave this site right now.

Sad to say quick lube places along with other topics are where facts do not shine. One person has a problem and everyone jumps on the bashing.

When you start to ask questions the STORY truly turns into one. Not a fact any where... But the threads continue even though the OP did not have the facts.

Thanks for providing a service for people who want to spend $$ and maintain their vehicle.

Heaven forbid someone tries to earn a living...

Bill

 

[tomcat27]

the problem with ANY repair shop is that you dont know the quality or ability of the workers. I have a friend who owns a quick lube shop - he has two empployees that have been with him for years - and I trust them. some shops (even dealers) hire the cheapest labor they can for oil changes and you can end up with stuck filters, stripped oil pan bolts, items missing from your car (coin holder completely emptied except for two coins in each slot - just after I filled it)(happened to me at a dealer). In one instance I accidentally left a laptop in the trunk of my car and of course it was gone.

the highest satisfaction rate is from independants. and depending on who runs the shop, quick lubes CAN qualify - but only if they really care...

 

[Deltona_Dave]

I have no problem with quick lube places Bill, just the products they may use, oversights on things like crush washers, and poor sales practices, mainly on dumb blondes like my wife. 6 Months ago, wife went to Jiffy Lube (actual name), and she called me saying that they recommend a differential lube change (2007 Altima S with CVT auto trans with 20K on odometer). Nissan's service manual says no service until 60K an only at dealer. They also recommended a radiator flush. I spoke with the tech writer/service guy and told him about the Nissan TSB for the CVT. He said "our computer says...." Whatever. Told wife to leave ASAP. I will only let independent garages or the Dealer mess with that stuff. Yes, both of my vehicles are out of warranty. I trust my local mechanic for anything major. I will do the minor stuff.... OCI, Brakes. I support the small garages. They take pride in their work for the most part.

Dave

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: HWEaton


We're not all that bad, really. Us little independent guys like myself will take 30 to 45 mins going over the whole car on the lift, taking note of everything, top off all the other fluids, check and/or replace the air filter, check the tire pressure, etc.

Some of us have a soul and just want to provide an excellent service for a realistic price for the members of our communities.

That's cool. I can appreciate that. How much do you guys charge?

The problem with quickie lube places is that the customers came to expect a full oil change for $25. There is only so much service you can provide for that much. Another words, you get what you pay for. If you don't want to pay much, don't expect quality work.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
mainly on dumb blondes like my wife.


Dave!

You have guts... (or a good divorce attorney)

 

[Deltona_Dave]

My wife admits she is a dumb blonde. That is why I am in charge of vehicles in the house now. She is awesome with computers and what not. Even thought I am too. I get dirty, she is happy

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I have no problem with quick lube places Bill, just the products they may use, oversights on things like crush washers, and poor sales practices, mainly on dumb blondes like my wife. 6 Months ago, wife went to Jiffy Lube (actual name), and she called me saying that they recommend a differential lube change (2007 Altima S with CVT auto trans with 20K on odometer). Nissan's service manual says no service until 60K an only at dealer. They also recommended a radiator flush. I spoke with the tech writer/service guy and told him about the Nissan TSB for the CVT. He said "our computer says...." Whatever. Told wife to leave ASAP. I will only let independent garages or the Dealer mess with that stuff. Yes, both of my vehicles are out of warranty. I trust my local mechanic for anything major. I will do the minor stuff.... OCI, Brakes. I support the small garages. They take pride in their work for the most part.

Dave


Dave back to the subject.

The upselling can happen anywhere (most of the time at Stealerships) so it is buyer beware.

Same with people spending more money for oil that they don't need. Spending too much for items that they could save if they spent a little time looking around for the best price.

If we shut down any place that "rips" you off all places for the most part would be closed.

I've NEVER heard a air ratchet at any quick lube I've been at (and I stand in front of my vehicle that I'm getting serviced) and its interesting that the quick lube place would use a new crush washer but not take the old one off...

I still state that I'd rather see someone take their vehicle to a quick lube then not do anything.

Myself, I've been doing my own oil changes for well over 30 years even when I get free ones at the stealership.

Take care, bill

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I get dirty, she is happy
Oh my...this thread has the potential to spiral out of control very rapidly...

 

[38sho]

who gives a rats behind if they change the crush washer

I've done THOUSANDS of oil changes, and never changed one just for the nothing, except for one time, and that was because the filter came with it.

now if I see a leak already, or something defective about it at all, I will replace it.....

I've been reusing mine for years on my personal car and have never leaked one drop out of it...... it is a drain plug for a Honda on my car, I need a shorter style to clear my custom exhaust.....

you guys go too far sometimes, I can see running better stuff like a better protecting, longer lasting oil... or a better filtering oil filter.... but on some things its best to leave well enough alone.... thats like saying you need to change your computer power supply everytime you restart it!

 

[TireDude]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: HWEaton


We're not all that bad, really. Us little independent guys like myself will take 30 to 45 mins going over the whole car on the lift, taking note of everything, top off all the other fluids, check and/or replace the air filter, check the tire pressure, etc.

Some of us have a soul and just want to provide an excellent service for a realistic price for the members of our communities.

That's cool. I can appreciate that. How much do you guys charge?

The problem with quickie lube places is that the customers came to expect a full oil change for $25. There is only so much service you can provide for that much. Another words, you get what you pay for. If you don't want to pay much, don't expect quality work.



My bulk is semi-syn 5/20 and 5/30, conventional 10/30 and 15w40 HD for diesels. I charge $30.95 for 5 qts, a filter, washer on the plug, and a lube which includes looking underneath the entire vehicle and noting anything to the customer that they need to know about. I'll drag them back there under the car and show them if so. I don't charge any extra for having to take off skid plates to get to filters like I have seen some places do.

Full synthetic oil changes are running $44.95 right now, which includes all of the above. Additionally that includes checking and topping off diffs, the radiator, washer fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, all of it. On top of that I clean the windows and vacuum the car. Additionally I include a free top off on fluids between services.

Mind you I am a recent start-up and am the ONLY employee.

Transfer case transmission services are the cost of the fluid (Autotrac II and Mercon LV can be expensive) and kits which include the filter plus $15 to $20 depending on how much of a pain it is.

Then tires. Women get flats fixed free. Otherwise it is $7. If you bought the tires from me, the rotation and balance are free. When I sell tires I include an "out the door" price which includes the tax, mount, balance and valve stem so there are no surprises.

I have never tried nor will I ever upsell anyone. That is such a despicable practice. I work hard for my money and so do my customers. I wouldn't want one of them to screw me over, and I am sure they expect the same.

 

[highmilegeguy]

Its my opinion that the oil change places can't possibly cover their costs and make a profit at 18.99.

In others words, they have to cut corners or their out of business. Rent, utilities, insurances, wages, etc. Add up those monthly costs and 18.99 is a money losing price.

Thus, all the stories I've heard about people discovering that the oil filter has not been changed, oil itself not changed or reusing the old oil in the shop sounds very plausible.

A guy I know told me that at the place he worked at, all the commercial accounts were ripped off since the oil place knew no one was watching. So commercial vehicles got reused oil put in and oil filters wiped clean and left on. When a commercial vehicle came in, the mgr announced " commercial vehicle" which was code for full ripoff.

Another neighbor whos car I helped with had squeaking steering components. I looked and saw that the grease fittings were bone dry. They appear to not have been greased in years, even though this guy faithfully went to his oil change place.

YES, the oil change shops are bad for your vehicle.

 

[TireDude]

Originally Posted By: highmilegeguy
Its my opinion that the oil change places can't possibly cover their costs and make a profit at 18.99.

In others words, they have to cut corners or their out of business. Rent, utilities, insurances, wages, etc. Add up those monthly costs and 18.99 is a money losing price.

Thus, all the stories I've heard about people discovering that the oil filter has not been changed, oil itself not changed or reusing the old oil in the shop sounds very plausible.

A guy I know told me that at the place he worked at, all the commercial accounts were ripped off since the oil place knew no one was watching. So commercial vehicles got reused oil put in and oil filters wiped clean and left on. When a commercial vehicle came in, the mgr announced " commercial vehicle" which was code for full ripoff.

Another neighbor whos car I helped with had squeaking steering components. I looked and saw that the grease fittings were bone dry. They appear to not have been greased in years, even though this guy faithfully went to his oil change place.

YES, the oil change shops are bad for your vehicle.


Yeah, it really sucks that there are some shops giving others a bad rep.

But that last sentence really needs to be retracted.

 

[highmilegeguy]

Originally Posted By: HWEaton
Originally Posted By: highmilegeguy
Its my opinion that the oil change places can't possibly cover their costs and make a profit at 18.99.

In others words, they have to cut corners or their out of business. Rent, utilities, insurances, wages, etc. Add up those monthly costs and 18.99 is a money losing price.

Thus, all the stories I've heard about people discovering that the oil filter has not been changed, oil itself not changed or reusing the old oil in the shop sounds very plausible.

A guy I know told me that at the place he worked at, all the commercial accounts were ripped off since the oil place knew no one was watching. So commercial vehicles got reused oil put in and oil filters wiped clean and left on. When a commercial vehicle came in, the mgr announced " commercial vehicle" which was code for full ripoff.

Another neighbor whos car I helped with had squeaking steering components. I looked and saw that the grease fittings were bone dry. They appear to not have been greased in years, even though this guy faithfully went to his oil change place.

YES, the oil change shops are bad for your vehicle.


Yeah, it really sucks that there are some shops giving others a bad rep.

But that last sentence really needs to be retracted.
I'll restate. Quick oil change places can be hazardous to the health and longevity of your vehicle. Sorry. Best I can do.

 

[HyperJinx]

I will only use a "quick lube" type of place in the coldest of months if I really really feel like I need a oil change. In the past 10 years I have probably gone to a generic "quick lube" place about 3 times. I have had my share of bad experiences with those places and avoid them as much as possible.