Oil Change Problem

[matsterrocks]

I got my oil changed today. I then drove about 20miles home and when I pulled up to the house I noticed my oil light turn on. I turned the car off and looked under the hood. The engine was very hot and the dip stick was dry and the lower part of the engine and fram were covered in oil. I called they place that changed it and they will look at it tomorrow. I don't know anything about cars. What should I be expecting out of them? Will they just fill it with oil and if it runs smooth that will be it? Or should they be doing some type of diagnostic on it? Should they be giving my some type of warrenty against engine problems for a while? The car is past the manufacture's warrenty. ???????????? I HATE car problems

 

[FroggyinArk]

do not drive the car, at least not until its checked out and oil is replaced, they should put in writing that they will copver any repairs needed all the way up to replacing the seriously over headted and possible damaged motor.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, I for one would not be driving the car to the oil change place with the dipstick dry and the oil light on. Can you get under the car and see if the drain plug is in the oil pan? If you don't know what to look for, either look in your owner's manual or look up your car online and try to find a picture.

 

[escape]

It could be an error on their part.

Years ago I had a similar problem. It seems (if I'm saying this correctly) that the oil filter wasn't replaced correctly and the oil leaked completely out of my car. The place where I had my oil changed was responsible for fixing the problem.

Good luck! Maybe it will be something that can be easily fixed.

 

[matsterrocks]

It could be an error on their part.

Years ago I had a similar problem. It seems (if I'm saying this correctly) that the oil filter wasn't replaced correctly and the oil leaked completely out of my car. The place where I had my oil changed was responsible for fixing the problem.

Good luck! Maybe it will be something that can be easily fixed.

What did they have to do to fix your car? Just a new filter and oil?

I think it is the filter as there is oil sprayed around the lower part of the engine and frame. If it was the plug I would think it wouldn't be so messy?
I am having the car towed to the shop the key won't be turned until it full of oil again.

 

[golfgal]

I know of someone that this happened to, the shop didn't tighten the screw or something on the oil pan and as they drove home all the oil leaked out. Their motor seized up and the oil change place ended up having to replace the entire motor on the car.

 

[matsterrocks]

Hope it all works out well.

 

[escape]

What did they have to do to fix your car? Just a new filter and oil?

I think it is the filter as there is oil sprayed around the lower part of the engine and frame. If it was the plug I would think it wouldn't be so messy?
I am having the car towed to the shop the key won't be turned until it full of oil again.

Yes, just a new filter and oil. Luckily!

 

[matsterrocks]

Well it was a faulty filter. They put a new one on and added new oil and it seems to be running fine. Sure hope it didn't do some damage that pops up later.

 

[tribus121]

You did the righ thing by getting it towed ( hope they paid for the tow )If you didnot drive for very long with the oil light on you should be OK but the damage may not show up for several thousand miles . ( when the light comes on it means that the oil presure is low and low oil preasure can cause wear )

 

[PrincessKitty1]

A faulty filter, or they tightened it down wrong, or they forgot to put oil in. This happened to DH and he was out $2500.00 for a new engine. He did not choose to pursue it with the oil change place because he didn't want to go through a law suit. You have documentation of what happened, so if you have any engine problems, you can go right back to them and ask for reimbursement. Unfortunately DH didn't discover the problem until the engine blew.

 

[KingsFanInRI]

Sounds lik eyou were very lucky. In the 20 mile trip home you lost about 4-5 quarts of oil, but you must have had just enough left to keep everything oiled until you got home.

In addition to them fixing the problem, you may want to get written evidence that they messed up, admitted it and fixed it. If you soon find that you have a cracked block or something else that it just as severe (that usually means the end of your car), they may try to say that they fixed your first problem and this is not related. They are completely liable and they have to take care of you.

It sounds like they are trying to do right by you, but I would feel better having documented proof of everything that went on.

 

[mamajoan]

oh my... I agree with everyone who says... DO NOT DRIVE the car until you are SURE it is AOK.

Last time I went to a Jiffy Lube... I got home and checked out the funny noise under my hood...

They left their tools on my engine...... no kidding...

I gave the tools back but I never went to Jiffy Lube again....

 

[tmt martins]

Take pictures as documentation of the way it looks .

Do not start the car as if you do now and you know it has no oil it will releive them of some liability.

Ask them if they recommend a tow company and are they willing to pay for it .

BE VERY POLITE this is not the first time this has happened and as other have said most likely it a cross threaded or loose oil filter.No big deal if damage to the motor has not occured and fressh oil coats better so it's possible even though it out it may not have hurt anything.

Keep all records and pics for a while in case something comes up.

 

[Shutterbug]

the lower part of the engine and fram were covered in oil.(

fram? do you mean the fram oil filter? If thats the case sounds like the oil filter was properly tightened as in not all.

DO NOT drive it.
Document everything concerning this so far. Even the call to the place and who you talked to and what they said.

Right now its hard to tell how much damage has been done to your engine.

Document everything that takes place when you get there.

Whatever you do DO NOT be away from the car as they look at. They might try to pull something.

You might even want to have it towed to a mechanic first and have him verify what he sees before going back to the lube place just in case they try to pull something on you.

 

[matsterrocks]

The manufacture put the wrong o-ring/gasket thingy in the filter. There was about 2 cups of oil left in the engine so guess I stoped just in time. They will be chraging the towing bill and oil change to the oil filter manufacturer. I got them to write down what happened and what they did. They won't give me any type of engine warranty on paper though. Hope all is well if something happens down the road I will see what they will do for me.