Bad Dealer Experience

[turnbowm]

I've always serviced my own cars because of poor quality work by most dealerships. Two years ago, I got tired of crawling under cars and decided to let the dealer do the servicing. The 5K and 10K mile service went well, but not so for the 15K. I found out the dealer used 5W-20 instead of 5w30 that was used on the two previous services. I have a couple of tappets that are quite noisy when the engine is cold and the heavier oil helps with the noise level. Also, I wasn't too happy about a puddle of oil on the garage floor after the servicing.

I had been thinking about switching to synthetic oil and extending the OCIs to 7.5K miles, so I bought a 5-quart jug of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30 and did the oil change. It was then that I found that the dealer had over-torqued the drain plug so much that the washer (aluminum) was deformed and had to be chiseled off the drain plug. The dealer must have used an air wrench to tighten the drain plug!

The oil change turned out to be more work than intended but I'm happy to report that the engine is noticeably quieter with the PUP 5w30 synthetic oil. Looks like I'm back in the oil change business. (LOL)

 

[JC1]

Welcome back to the oil change business. Put a fumoto drain valve on it and never worry about an over tightened drain plug bolt.

What make and model is the vehicle?

 

[KL31]

I don't like the idea of those drain valve bolts. Oil changes are not something that happen more than twice per year. So I'd rather not risk a failure and lose all oil.

I understand the dealer hate. After being quoted $550 from the subaru dealer to change coolant and brake fluid I said f it and did everything myself plus power steering fluid flush for around $100.

 

[turnbowm]

Originally Posted By: JC1
Welcome back to the oil change business. Put a fumoto drain valve on it and never worry about an over tightened drain plug bolt.

What make and model is the vehicle?


2015 Kia Optima 2.4L GDI.

 

[userfriendly]

Every few years I buy a little baggie of copper washers. Usually if I'm buying a few hundred $ worth of parts, I get the washers for free.
When one goes missing, its usually stuck to the oil pan.
Dealers and fast change places like to make sure drain plugs and filters are perhaps a little over-tightened.
I think they put the spin-on oil filters on dry, with an impact wrench.
In the big scheme of things, its not a big deal.

 

[Chris142]

Ain't nobody using air tools to tighten a plug or a filter LOL

 

[Revving2Redline]

Glad you got the PUP 5w30 in there.

You've offically made oil pimp of the day. I have to wait a bit longer to change my oil.

 

[turnbowm]

Originally Posted By: userfriendly
...Dealers and fast change places like to make sure drain plugs and filters are perhaps a little over-tightened.

In the big scheme of things, its not a big deal.


Unless they tighten things to the point that it strips the drain plug or, even worse, the threads in the pan.

 

[turnbowm]

Originally Posted By: Marco620
Glad you got the PUP 5w30 in there.

You've offically made oil pimp of the day. I have to wait a bit longer to change my oil.


"Oil pimp of the day"? I feel so honored. (LOL)

The 5W-20 conventional oil that the dealer put in at the 15K mile service had less than 600 miles when I recently drained it. Didn't want to listen to a noisy engine for another 4400 miles. The engine noise level with the PUP 5w30 is even better than with the dealer 5w30 oil. Glad that I made the switch.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: turnbowm
I've always serviced my own cars because of poor quality work by most dealerships. Two years ago, I got tired of crawling under cars and decided to let the dealer do the servicing. The 5K and 10K mile service went well, but not so for the 15K. I found out the dealer used 5W-20 instead of 5w30 that was used on the two previous services. I have a couple of tappets that are quite noisy when the engine is cold and the heavier oil helps with the noise level. Also, I wasn't too happy about a puddle of oil on the garage floor after the servicing.

I had been thinking about switching to synthetic oil and extending the OCIs to 7.5K miles, so I bought a 5-quart jug of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30 and did the oil change. It was then that I found that the dealer had over-torqued the drain plug so much that the washer (aluminum) was deformed and had to be chiseled off the drain plug. The dealer must have used an air wrench to tighten the drain plug!

The oil change turned out to be more work than intended but I'm happy to report that the engine is noticeably quieter with the PUP 5w30 synthetic oil. Looks like I'm back in the oil change business. (LOL)


I would have expected the dealer to use a new crush washer each time and not over torque. JiffyLube is another story.

 

[turnbowm]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I would have expected the dealer to use a new crush washer each time and not over torque. JiffyLube is another story.


The drain plug was on so tight that I had to take a hammer to the end of a large 17mm wrench just to break the drain plug free.

 

[Gilstein]

Originally Posted By: turnbowm
Originally Posted By: Donald
I would have expected the dealer to use a new crush washer each time and not over torque. JiffyLube is another story.


The drain plug was on so tight that I had to take a hammer to the end of a large 17mm wrench just to break the drain plug free.


same here. I used the dealer for my truck and wife's car for an oil change, months apart from each other, due to time constraints and weather. Had to use the hammer on both for next change. If I can't do it myself now I'll use the mechanic in town and have had no issues with his work.

 

[Lolvoguy]

why not use an oil extractor (through the dip stick).
You'll never have to drop a drain plug again (and all the mess associated with it).

 

[Amirkhat]

Originally Posted By: Gilstein
Originally Posted By: turnbowm

I would have expected the dealer to use a new crush washer each time and not over torque. JiffyLube is another story.


The drain plug was on so tight that I had to take a hammer to the end of a large 17mm wrench just to break the drain plug free.




I feel like any good mechanic would use a torque wrench to tighten the drain pan bolt.

 

[mcgophers]

I wish I only had to change my oil twice a year. I drive a lot for work and am doing an oil change every month and a half right now!

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: turnbowm
I've always serviced my own cars because of poor quality work by most dealerships. Two years ago, I got tired of crawling under cars and decided to let the dealer do the servicing. The 5K and 10K mile service went well, but not so for the 15K. I found out the dealer used 5W-20 instead of 5w30 that was used on the two previous services. I have a couple of tappets that are quite noisy when the engine is cold and the heavier oil helps with the noise level. Also, I wasn't too happy about a puddle of oil on the garage floor after the servicing.

I had been thinking about switching to synthetic oil and extending the OCIs to 7.5K miles, so I bought a 5-quart jug of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30 and did the oil change. It was then that I found that the dealer had over-torqued the drain plug so much that the washer (aluminum) was deformed and had to be chiseled off the drain plug. The dealer must have used an air wrench to tighten the drain plug!

The oil change turned out to be more work than intended but I'm happy to report that the engine is noticeably quieter with the PUP 5w30 synthetic oil. Looks like I'm back in the oil change business. (LOL)


I would have expected the dealer to use a new crush washer each time and not over torque. JiffyLube is another story.


You expect a lot from the dealership, and spot on with Jiffy Lube.

OP DIY it's less aggravating, less costly, and it will be done right.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: turnbowm
Originally Posted By: Donald
I would have expected the dealer to use a new crush washer each time and not over torque. JiffyLube is another story.


The drain plug was on so tight that I had to take a hammer to the end of a large 17mm wrench just to break the drain plug free.


This is a common complaint with cars serviced commercially.
I think that the reason involves neither malice nor carelessness but rather simple physical mechanics.
It's just a lot easier to put gorilla torque on a drain plug or spin-on oil filter when standing underneath a car in a pit or on a lift. You can easily get a lot more torque that way than you can laying on your back under a car on ramps, on jack stands, on the ground or on a jack for the truly brave and foolish.
The answer is DIY it. That way you know it's done to your satisfaction with the oil and filter you decide to use.