The joys of car dealerships and repairs.

[curses]

So my car died on us Saturday afternoon. It was taken to the Toyota dealership to await diagnosis this morning. I got the call about 9.15.

The problem has to do with the last place I had an oil change done. I went to an el cheapo place (it was under a month ago, I still have the receipt) and they put the wrong oil filter on the car. They forced it on, and it leaked oil into the gasoline engine. My throttle body was completely full of oil, and it's in several other places in the engine. Luckily it didn't damage the hybrid drive (which is the only part covered by warranty, natch.)

So my question is do I have a leg to stand on in asking the oil change place to reimburse me for the repairs?

[beyelzu]

wow, you probably do have a case. but i would imagine it will actually be hard to prove.

ever since i had a similar incident, i change my oil myself.

but damn thats fucked up.

[curses]

I used to do my own when I had an American car and lived in a neighborhood where the HOA didn't prohibit working on your vehicle in your driveway. Stupid HOA. I can't even change my air filter without getting stern letters.

But yeah, my dad warned me when I got the Prius that not too many people would have the necessary parts or know how to deal with them, and I didn't listen. Lesson learned.

[Dingfod]

I am somewhat of an amateur mechanic (shadetree) and have worked with reciprocating engines of all types in the oilfield for years and I do not see how an oil filter no matter how incorrectly installed would force oil into the engine air intake (throttle body). Sounds more like it was overfilled if anything. You may have a case, but like Bey says it may be hard to prove. You need to get a statement about the cause from the mechanic doing the repair and maybe another one from another mechanic.

[Dingfod]

The gasoline engine in the Prius is the same engine that is in the Toyota Echo, Yaris, and Scion xA and xB models. The same 1.5L engine has been in Toyota's stable since at least the early 1980s (Tercel). Almost any mechanic with any training at all can work on them, they're just not that complicated mechanically.

[curses]

I just had a look on the site for the company that did the change, and it said: "In the event of a problem after a service of any kind, Express Oil Change must be notified and allowed to check the vehicle before any repairs are made. Any other action shall void any warranties whether written or implied."

So, now it doesn't matter anyways. Dammit.

[curses]

The gasoline engine in the Prius is the same engine that is in the Toyota Echo, Yaris, and Scion xA and xB models. The same 1.5L engine has been in Toyota's stable since at least the early 1980s (Tercel). Almost any mechanic with any training at all can work on them, they're just not that complicated mechanically.That's what I thought, too. I thought Dad was just trying to scare me into using the dealership since it's easier to hold them accountable for problems that arise.

[Dingfod]

My sister ended up with an unuseable nearly new Kia because a cheapie oil change place didn't put the filter on tight enough and the car ran out of oil before they got it home and ruined the engine. It wasn't covered under the Kia warranty, the quickie oil change place's insurance wouldn't pay because they couldn't prove that they did it. The only alternative was to get a lawyer and sue and hope there was sufficient evidence to prove the case in civil court. I don't know the outcome at this point, it's been two years and there's still a non-running Kia out there somewhere.

[beyelzu]

i had an oil place break my oil gauge, i think its the oil sending unit or whatever, anyway. my gauge quit working and oil spewed out of my car, luckily i only drove a couple of miles to work. the car was still fucked. it ran after that, but only for a few months. the lack of oil was a bad thing. couldnt prove it.

and minus, i dont think that the company can actually limit civil liability. if you have the money and or time, i would sue the fuck out of them on principle.

[curses]

I wish I had both money and time. I'd love to. The dealership called, they saved the filter and documented the problem and fix, and I think I'll go in and raise hell. I may not get anything out of them, but I'll feel better.

And Dingfod, you were right, they did overfill it. I misunderstood him this morning; I was on the bus and it was hard to hear him.

[beyelzu]

if the dealership will go on record saying that the earlier oil change caused the problem you really might have a case.

mechanics generally dont do that, on the record so to speak.

[Smilin]

I wish I had both money and time. I'd love to. The dealership called, they saved the filter and documented the problem and fix, and I think I'll go in and raise hell. I may not get anything out of them, but I'll feel better.

And Dingfod, you were right, they did overfill it. I misunderstood him this morning; I was on the bus and it was hard to hear him.

I'd protest and stand across the street from their establishment with a sign...
Something to the effect of THIS BUISNESS FUCKED UP MY CAR and are a BUNCH OF MORONS....(or something similar to that effect) just to get the point across.

You never know! They could agree to just about anything with the right amount of negative publicity applied! :chin:

[curses]

I'd protest and stand across the street from their establishment with a sign...
Something to the effect of THIS BUISNESS FUCKED UP MY CAR and are a BUNCH OF MORONS....(or something similar to that effect) just to get the point across.

You never know! They could agree to just about anything with the right amount of negative publicity applied! :chin:Nah, we're just going to call Clark Howard (http://clarkhoward.com/). ;) Seems that everyone around here see him as some sort of consumer messiah.

[beyelzu]

clark howard does lay the consumer beatdown on mutherfuckers.

good call, if you are serious

[curses]

It's being discussed, but it all depends on how the conversation goes when I go into the oil change place to speak with them about it. They treat me like shit, or don't take it seriously, then the receipt and the report from my mechanic get faxed to Clark Howard.

[Ymir's blood]

Good luck with this.

[RareBear]

I just had a look on the site for the company that did the change, and it said: "In the event of a problem after a service of any kind, Express Oil Change must be notified and allowed to check the vehicle before any repairs are made. Any other action shall void any warranties whether written or implied."

So, now it doesn't matter anyways. Dammit.

You may still write letters to the corporate head office and perhaps infer that you will be initiating a local television station investigation (like Arnold Diaz or Asa Aarons in NY that go out an fuck with local businesses that give people the shaft.) Perhaps the threat will result in an offer to pay your bills at least.

[Dingfod]

Yeah, many local television station's news teams have someone on staff that investigates this sort of thing, you might try that.

[pescifish]

The dealership called, they saved the filter and documented the problem and fix, and I think I'll go in and raise hell. I may not get anything out of them, but I'll feel better.This works for me most of the time. I put in enough effort to feel like I've stood up for myself but not overly hassle or frustrate myself. If some other good results, then fine, otherwise at least I know I communicated where they screwed up and what the bad consequences were. If nothing else, maybe they'll take better care and not to it to someone else.

Give 'em the ol' WhatFor! :rant:

I'm glad your car is gonna be ok, too!