Oil change experience. Hmmm...

[Drumster]

Well a couple of weeks ago I went to a local JDM import dealer/servicer for a drive train lube & change of vital fluids. Just yesterday I happened to look under my van and noticed spots of oil in my parking stall so I crawled under with a light. On closer inspection I noticed there was a lateral stripe of guck/grease above front U joint and oil dripping from what I think is the transmission. These were definitely not there before. The guck was actually grease which had been flung in all directions off the spinning front U joint, just below the mess. However, that's not where the oil on ground came from. Oil was dripping from a plug on what I guess is the transmission (don't know for sure; shop manual is on its way.) This plug was so loose it turned easily with just my fingers! I tightened that up, (with a wrench!) wiped off grease and cleaned whole area with solvent. All this is definitely new as there were no leaks or drips of any sort before the servicing.

Fortunately I spotted this before anything really bad occurred; like plug falling out on highway for instance. I have no idea how this oversight could happen as it seems to me there's certain simple, basic steps which should be a part of any service like this. ie: Excess grease should be wiped up as a matter of routine and drain plugs routinely tightened; not just maybe but most definitely re-tightened and a customer shouldn't need to double check either himself. The people at the shop were very nice and service was prompt etc. but I'm going to have to give them a call and mention this... and maybe go elsewhere next time.

If I can figure out how to post photos I'll do so later.

[Adrock]

Wow, pretty serious oversight, sounds like yours was done at 4:00 on friday afternoon.

Being someone in the trades and working in peoples houses on a daily basis I have to sympathize a tiny tiny bit. To every customer their job is the most important, and as much as your attitude as the person working should be that whatever job you are doing is the most important, people are human.

Unfortunately this is the kind of thing that should be triple checked. Do I open up every plug after I put it in to see if the screws are still tight? no. Because there are possibly 100's of plugs, and the consequences are very low if there is a problem. Do I triple check how tight the conductors are in the meter base before I put the meter on? Yes. Because its 3 allen key bolts, and dropping a leg or shorting out your service before your main breaker can cause large problems.

There are certain things that there is no excuse for, and letting a fluid plug leave the shop loose is really something that should never happen. Does it really take that much work/thought to tighten up 3 bolts a second time, to prevent a transmission yard sale and possibly a massive multi vehicle fatal collision?

You have to say something to this shop. Let them know just how serious something like this is. If they try to make it right, maybe you will come away with a good experience. If they don't agree with how serious this is, post up the name and let us all know who not to go to since they don't care about our safety.

As far as the excess grease goes, my opinion is its the bottom of a car. More grease is better than less, and if that is the worst thing on the bottom of your ride why do you own a 4x4?

[Drumster]

Oh yeah, as I said, I'll be calling to tell about this. And really, I don't mind a bit of dirt or whatever of my own choosing but this is a bit much. The van was very clean before this. This thick, gooey crud is just a magnet for anything & everything that comes its way... yuck!

http://img19.imageshack.us/i/yodagrease.jpg/

http://img195.imageshack.us/i/yodagrease2.jpg/

[Firesong]

Oil plug.. ouch. That's a bad one.
The grease? Some times when you pump the grease into the
nipples excess comes out.. after it starts moving. That's a hard one.

But the loose oil/tranny drain plug is a bad bad one.

J

[marsgal42]

The grease in the first picture is off the universal joint. You always pump grease in until you see fresh grease oozing out. Not an issue.

If the oil in the second picture is out of the transmission or transfer case, you might want to check the oil level.

...laura

[Drumster]

The grease in the first picture is off the universal joint. You always pump grease in until you see fresh grease oozing out.

Yes, as I said in my post, I realize where it's from. I just thought the gobs of excess should've been cleaned up a bit.

If the oil in the second picture is out of the transmission or transfer case, you might want to check the oil level.
...laura

Yep, did that. Everything's fine. The real concern is that the plug was not even finger tight. If I'd gone on a long trip that plug most certainly would have made its way out. That's really the whole point.

[Spearo]

Mistakes happen- It's probably a good shop, or as good as any other shop. This is part of the reason I do my own maintenance; at least as much as I am capable of. Nobody will do the job with the attention to detail that I take (or you to yours).

If you have to pay others to do oil changes/etc, then take it to a lube shop- these guys can not afford to put motors and trannies in vehicles every week. They are specialists in a focused area of expertise, and they tend to double-check everything.

Cheers,
Erik

[Drumster]

Mistakes happen- It's probably a good shop, or as good as any other shop. This is part of the reason I do my own maintenance; at least as much as I am capable of. Nobody will do the job with the attention to detail that I take (or you to yours).

If you have to pay others to do oil changes/etc, then take it to a lube shop- these guys can not afford to put motors and trannies in vehicles every week. They are specialists in a focused area of expertise, and they tend to double-check everything.

Cheers,
Erik

I would do my own except I'm in a condo high-rise where we're not allowed to do mechanical work on premises; especially when it involves oil. I must say though, tightening a vital drain plug is hardly "attention to detail" which only happens if you get an attentive employee. It's not optional, its a "must do".
I do agree about the fast lube type places. They have a check list system in place which ensures no screw ups of this sort... as long as its a vehicle they're familiar with or have a book for. That's most likely my best route bet next time.

[Spearo]

I must say though, tightening a vital drain plug is hardly "attention to detail" which only happens if you get an attentive employee. It's not optional, its a "must do".
.

Oh I agree! Just more likely to happen in a "do it all" shop IMO. I knew a guy who ran a Mr. Lube in Edmonton for 12 years and he was proud to say he never had to buy an engine, tranny or diff for any customer.
Too bad about your condo situation- the Deli is really easy to do this stuff- I don't even have to jack it up lol.
Cheers,
Erik

[Green1]

If you have to pay others to do oil changes/etc, then take it to a lube shop- these guys can not afford to put motors and trannies in vehicles every week. They are specialists in a focused area of expertise, and they tend to double-check everything.

I tried that, they won't touch anything with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle, or any car that isn't "in their computer" (tried pretty much every lube place in Calgary, they all seem to have the same policy)

[Adrock]

If you have to pay others to do oil changes/etc, then take it to a lube shop- these guys can not afford to put motors and trannies in vehicles every week. They are specialists in a focused area of expertise, and they tend to double-check everything.

Cheers,
Erik

That is definitely not always the case.

My girlfriend used to take her car (2007 mazda 3) to firestone in the states. Standard lube, oil, filter place, they do a bit more but its still the whole checklist system and if your vehicle isn't in the computer they don't touch it blah blah blah. Anyways, I took her car in for an oil change. Get it back, no big deal, until a week later or so when under acceleration it starts to feel like abs is kicking in. You know that hollow feeling where the car is doing something you're not telling it to? and the check engine light comes on which is always nice a week after service. After taking it to the mazda dealership, it was discovered that the transmission was drained, almost completely, with absolutely no leaks, nice clean drain plug and everything. So what happened? Some little chithead at the shop obviously pulled the wrong plug, and not wanting to admit he's a total ****ing idiot just let the fluid drain and then put the plug back in without telling anyone. if it had been driven any more than it was the transmission would be shot, at the expense of the shop. The transmission was not to be touched. Unless they were pulling that sneaky mr. lube crap and checking it to see if they can upsell you on a $1.7m fluid flush, but even then, total idiots.

So, the moral of the story is. If you want it done right, you're the only person who cares as much as you do, and if its work you can't do yourself, ask the right questions. Mechanics will get away with what they can, but I'd like to think most of them don't just outright lie.

The best way to support my opinion is drywall mudding and taping. You can do it well, or you can do it fast. I have seen countless jobs done by reputable companies that look like crap, and plenty of customers who opted to do their own work and it was perfect. Its not hard to tape and mud and sand, it just takes time, and as we all know time is money.

[Meanman]

So, the moral of the story is. If you want it done right, you're the only person who cares as much as you do, and if its work you can't do yourself, ask the right questions. Mechanics will get away with what they can, but I'd like to think most of them don't just outright lie.
.

Not ALL mechanics try to get away with what they can.....I am a mechanic and I have never nor will I ever try to short change someone on the work they are paying for. Some of us take pride in what we do. At the end of the day It's my name that goes on the work order and all I have is my name and my word....both are golden!

[Adrock]

Not ALL mechanics try to get away with what they can.....I am a mechanic and I have never nor will I ever try to short change someone on the work they are paying for. Some of us take pride in what we do. At the end of the day It's my name that goes on the work order and all I have is my name and my word....both are golden!

My apologies, I didn't mean to word it like that, I know there are good people out there who do good work in all trades, and you usually only hear the horror stories. I'm an electrician and I feel the same way. It is far more satisfying to go home at the end of the day knowing you did it right, plus I am very critical of others work (and sometimes have trouble keeping quiet about it) so I have to be perfect... or close to it.

[Drumster]

Speaking of quick lube places, I met a guy that works at the Pennzoil place on Canada Way in Burnaby.
He told me they have a several regular Deli customers. He seemed like a good guy; commuted all the way from Maple Ridge to work in Bby. I actually might go there next time as I plan to use Pennzoil synthetic anyway but I'll take a manual and make sure they can find out whatever they need to know.

[Spearo]

That is definitely not always the case.
<snip>
So, the moral of the story is. If you want it done right, you're the only person who cares as much as you do, and if its work you can't do yourself, ask the right questions.

Can't argue with that.
Cheers,
Erik