This is a great message board and I have learned quite a bit from lurking. As fate would have it, I actually have a problem that is both car-related and perhaps legal too!
I have a 1990 Acura Integra, 181,000 miles, loving cared for (mechanically at least) though it has acquired many dings and dents here in Boston. I usually go to Jiffy Lube up the road and they sent their “come get your oil changed” coupon in the mail, so I headed down there.
As soon as I sat down, the crew asked me to come to the car (never a good sign!). They started to explain that as soon as they started to loosen the filler plug, they knew it was stripped - and the oil pan as well. They next said, “Your last oil change, they didn’t set the plug properly and stripped it. We can’t open the oil pan because it won’t seal, and if we did open it and seal it, it would eventually break and your engine would seize. You need to go to the place where they last changed your oil and they should replace the pan and the plug.” They also put a “tamp seal” to hold it in place. Sounds fair. I used to change my oil myself (probably about 8 years ago) and I know you have to set the plug properly, etc.
So I waltz (actually, drive) over to the Speedy/Monro place where I had my oil changed on January 28, 2005. (My car wouldn’t start after being buried in a blizzard for a few days, and it needed a tune up. I had them change the oil since they had it there.) There was a different guy at the desk than usual, and what follows is our exchange:
He: Can I help you?
Me: Yeah, I had you guys change the oil in my car on January 28. I just took it to Jiffy Lube for an oil change, and immediately, they told me that the pan and filler plug were stripped. They wouldn’t open it and told me I should come back to the place where I last had my oil changed - which was here.
He: Well, sometimes plugs get stripped…
Me: I’ve never heard of that. Plugs get stripped by not being seated properly, and overtorqued, but I don’t see how it could just happen.
(We go back and forth for a while. He sees that I’m not buying his “sometimes this happens” line.)
He: Well, what do you think should be done?
Me: I think you should take a look at it and see if it’s stripped yourself. If it is, I think you should replace the pan and the plug.
He: (shakes his head) Well, we can look at it. But you should come in when the regular manager is here, just because he handled it last time. Come by Friday.
Me: Thanks, I will…
So I have several questions:
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Is the explanation from Jiffy Lube logical? Seeing as the filler plug is inaccessible and untouched by anyone since the last change, I would point the finger at Speedy. The car hasn’t leaked oil, ever. The Jiffy Lube folks had my car on the floor exactly long enough for me to exit my car, go into the waiting room, and read a paragraph of a paper I was grading - about 5 minutes. I can’t imagine how they could possibly strip a filler plug while removing it. In fact, they didn’t continue to loosen it as soon as they noticed it resisted. I think all fingers point to Speedy, but those of you who know cars can steer me correct if I’m wrong here.
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No one at Speedy mentioned anything about my plug being stripped at the last change. It seems that they would notice that and let me know, am I correct?
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The invoice states that there is a 90 day warranty on parts & labor. It’s been 96 days between the change and today. Are they off the hook at Speedy for stripping my filler plug?
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Let’s suppose the manager gives me grief and says that there isn’t anything he can do about it. What should be my next step? Do letters to corporate types work in this kind of instance? I am being very reasonable: if in the process of changing my oil, they stripped my oil pan and plug, I want it replaced. Nothing more, nothing less.
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Is my car in any immediate danger? If I don’t change the oil, do I have to worry about the oil gushing out and my engine seizing up?
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Any other advice from you smart people?
Thanks a million for any advice you can lend… I will wait patiently for your wise responses!