Oil change disaster...

dmginc · 08-09-2011, 10:42 AM

So my wife takes her HHR in for an oil change about a week and half ago. they charge her like 70 bucks which seemed a bit high to me. i looked it over when she got home and all looked ok, though at the time i had no idea the oil filter is in a canister in the engine compartment. so fast forward to this past Sunday, wife comes home from a trip to Long Island, 260 miles each way, we decided to go get something to eat and go and start her car up. Oil pump starts clicking like crazy, no lights, no warnings on DIC. Shut it off cause I am 99% sure there is not enough oil in the car. check oil dipstick is dry. yes car was warm but still should read something on the stick.

went to store and got filter and oil to do an oil change myself and figure out where these morons screwed up. bought an extra 2 quarts so it had enough to get it on the ramps, didnt want to put more since i was only going to dump it out. maybe 3 quarts came out when i did dump it...go to loosen the oil canister and..wtf it is only hand tight and not even close to all the way on...!@#$...

so when the car was running it was spitting oil all over the engine...replaced the o-ring and tightened properly...and luckily for them, no damage was done, engine runs fine. Now my wife understands why I do my own oil changes on my cars and now is letting me do hers after this disaster...

sorry for the run on rant but...any of you that take your car for an oil change be real thorough in looking it over.

Berean · 08-09-2011, 03:09 PM

Sheesh. I would have had it towed. If there was damage, they would have blamed it on you for trying to "fix" it.

A similar story, I had the oil changed in my son's Cavalier. They forgot to put the drain plug back in.

I got in and drove it out of the bay, about a block later, the oil light comes on, so I turned it around and went back.

Oil was pouring out of it when I parked it. No damage thankfully.

I decided I'd had enough of Qwik Lube and started taking my cars to the dealership.

First time, I got home and popped the hood and my oil cap was sitting on top of my battery.

I called and chewed the service manager out. "If I want some kid screwing up my oil change, I'll go back to Qwik Lube."

Never had a problem since then at the dealer.

8cd03gro · 08-09-2011, 03:25 PM

This is why I change my own oil. Not only do I hear about stuff like this too often, but I have a feeling they often just grab the closest jug full of whatever oil and stick it in there without worrying about the viscosity.

08-09-2011, 10:42 AM	#1
dmginc Drives: In Circles Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,433 View My Garage	Oil change disaster... So my wife takes her HHR in for an oil change about a week and half ago. they charge her like 70 bucks which seemed a bit high to me. i looked it over when she got home and all looked ok, though at the time i had no idea the oil filter is in a canister in the engine compartment. so fast forward to this past Sunday, wife comes home from a trip to Long Island, 260 miles each way, we decided to go get something to eat and go and start her car up. Oil pump starts clicking like crazy, no lights, no warnings on DIC. Shut it off cause I am 99% sure there is not enough oil in the car. check oil dipstick is dry. yes car was warm but still should read something on the stick. went to store and got filter and oil to do an oil change myself and figure out where these morons screwed up. bought an extra 2 quarts so it had enough to get it on the ramps, didnt want to put more since i was only going to dump it out. maybe 3 quarts came out when i did dump it...go to loosen the oil canister and..wtf it is only hand tight and not even close to all the way on...!@#$... so when the car was running it was spitting oil all over the engine...replaced the o-ring and tightened properly...and luckily for them, no damage was done, engine runs fine. Now my wife understands why I do my own oil changes on my cars and now is letting me do hers after this disaster... sorry for the run on rant but...any of you that take your car for an oil change be real thorough in looking it over. __________________ CAI Cold Air Intake, BMR Strut Tower Brace, BMR 1.2" Lowering Springs Gen5DIY Fog Lights, Big Worm Third Brake Light/Side Marker Tint (Charcoal) GTS Tail Light Covers, Purple Under Hood Lighting Magnaflow Resonated X-Pipe w/ Muffler Delete Black Plasti Dipped Wheels, Z/28 Spoiler

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08-09-2011, 03:09 PM	#2
Berean Drives: Truck Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Home Posts: 2,439	Sheesh. I would have had it towed. If there was damage, they would have blamed it on you for trying to "fix" it. A similar story, I had the oil changed in my son's Cavalier. They forgot to put the drain plug back in. I got in and drove it out of the bay, about a block later, the oil light comes on, so I turned it around and went back. Oil was pouring out of it when I parked it. No damage thankfully. I decided I'd had enough of Qwik Lube and started taking my cars to the dealership. First time, I got home and popped the hood and my oil cap was sitting on top of my battery. I called and chewed the service manager out. "If I want some kid screwing up my oil change, I'll go back to Qwik Lube." Never had a problem since then at the dealer.

08-09-2011, 03:25 PM	#3
8cd03gro Drives: 2005 STi corn fed Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,997	This is why I change my own oil. Not only do I hear about stuff like this too often, but I have a feeling they often just grab the closest jug full of whatever oil and stick it in there without worrying about the viscosity.