*Sigh*

Got an oil change "somewhere" on Sunday and now I have an oil leak. How is that possible? I called them up and told them and I'll be dropping by there this evening so they could "check into it". I obviously didn't have a leak before and left their office thinking everything was fine since they didn't tell me otherwise. I'm thinking it's obvious they did something wrong or skipped something... right??? I don't trust them anymore but I want them to fix it (for free ). What causes these leaks?

 

Could be lots of things. Maybe left the old gasket on when they changed filter, maybe the filter wasn't tightened enuf. Could be they didn't replace the sealing washer on the drain plug. Good mechanics will replace the washer every time.

 

Have them look into it but don't rush to judgement car could have been leaking before you may not have noticed it , because we usually look at things right after a service of some kind, what year and make on car and how many miles ?

 

So it's not normal procedure on an oil change to do or check into the things listed as Gunguy stated?

2003 Nissan Altima
111,000+ miles

I remember one time when I went to this same place they've mentioned they needed to replace the drain plug (or something or other) and said it was free. I don't mean to judge them, but the LAST time I had my oil change there, they mentioned I needed to replace my air filter and they showed me how bad it was. I told them I'd change it myself. When I went to change it, they (I'm "assuming" THEY) broke a part of the attachment that covered the air filter. This time when I went in, I told them not to check the air and cabin filter b/c I just replaced it myself and even mentioned that "someone" MAY have broken a part of it so I don't want anyone touching it. Not to mention...when I went back to pick up my car, they ran through the items they checked, they mentioned they checked the air and cabin filters and said they were fine. Well duh! I asked him again and told him that I thought I told them not to touch it!!!! He just had this scared look on his face and tried to deny what they did. So...either they didn't really check it and it's just procedure to pretend they checked things or they really checked it. I didn't care anymore. What's done was done.

 

I probably was a little too brief before. I just listed the things I have experienced that cause a leak after an oil change. Mostly due to my own mistake or inattention to detail.

Could be purely coincidental as well.

 

Wouldn't be the first time a quick-lube place didn't properly tighten a filter or drain plug.

 

considering your less than favorable experience in the past, i have to wonder why you took it back to them. some places are inept, i'll give you that...but in my 28 years under the hood, i've made a few mistakes (just like Lou said, it happens).

 

I think air filters are common up-sell item at those places. Every time my sister has her oil changed she calls me and reads off the laundry list of things they "say" need attention. Favorite ploy is to show customer the "dirty" filter which is nice and white on one side and off-white or gray on the other. Only takes about twice around the block to turn a brand new one off-white, of course.

 

i agree totally, the upsell is their profit...they ain't makin much off the cheap oil changes that get you in the door. i can't fault them at all...but as the customer stated, it appeared that they installed a drain plug for free (you don't give away stuff unless you have to, right?), personally, i would have asked why...and possibly to see it. it may be that the "free" drain plug was one of those quickie plugs (self threading emergency type) that is now the cause of the leak. if that had been the case (that they wrecked the drain plug on a previous visit) i think that's a red flag. then add that they possibly broke the air filter housing and well...fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me. JMHO...no offense to anyone...

and it may be that they just accidently forgot to tighten the drain plug...i've done that...so i called the customer, told them what I did and went to the customers house and tightened the plug in the driveway. you gotta do what you gotta do...

 

It was the gasket. The guy said it was cracked or broken. Said it happens all the time-it's common.

Like I said before, and I'm definitely no pro, and IMO an oil change should be something basic. If these places are doing this ALL the time...come on now.

Anyway, I admit it's my fault for complaining when I didn't learn the 1st time they did something wrong and I still take my car there. However, I easily forgive. At least I threw in "don't touch my air filter". Maybe next time would be - "don't touch the gasket". ??? j/k

I'll have to admit it wasn't as dreadful as I thought to reappear there. Inconvenient for me? Yes. But... I got really great service last night. I pulled up an hour before they were closing (the best I could do on a weekday) and the guy said there was over an hour wait. I just had a disappointed, sad and shocked look on my face. A second later the guy remembered me and realized I was the one that called that morning. He assured me he'd take care of it and I really wouldn't have to wait that long. It seemed really busy in there! Another worker glanced at me and stared at the guy that was talking to me with a"why are you taking more customers????" look. The guy told the other guy "that's the one that called this morning" and the other guy was like..." oh...".

 

How about, "PLEASE put a NEW gasket on".