This Could Be An Interesting Thread to Follow***

[JeremyD]

one of my old reps in Atlanta - that was a cute little blond thing - had a older BMW 7 series - V12.

She took it to one of the national brands for an oil change (it was due, the sticker said so) Normally took it to the dealer. Asked them on the phone if they could do it - yeah no problem. Asked them again when she got there - yes mam - we work on these foreign jobs all the time... ended up screwing it up big time (not sure how) but they ended up buying her a new engine.

Did I mention that she was a cute little blond? YMMV

[FinallyGotOne]

Tuesday is the day. My P shop is meeting with them (other shops mgr) the non P shop has been very professional and even confirmed that their mechanic did not do the work properly. All seems very honest and forthright thus far. Will post a bit more after tomorrows word.

[Canada Kev]

Even doing it yourself can sometimes be problematic. The first time I did an oil change on my old diesel Rabbit, I had an issue with the filter. The one listed in the parts store look up book was incorrect. It threaded on nicely but didn't seal at all. Upon starting and waiting for about three seconds for the pressure to build with no result, I turned off the car to jump out and take a look. I almost stepped in a huge puddle of oil pooling under the car.

[Gunter]

I wonder if this is relevant.

My neighbor's sister's son has a friend who's father, or brother? forgot to put the plug back in before filling with new oil.

Got the story first hand from a reliable source but couldn't confirm what type vehicle.

[Kemo]

Ok...here is my Jiffy Lube story

I found a place close to home and asked them how much they would charge to let me drain out my oil? I told them I was paying cash and I have my own oil

The kid working says "10 bucks"

I instructed him where the drain plugs were and I watched while the pit guy drained the oil. After it was all buttoned up, I poured in my 12 Quarts of oil and back home I went. probably a 10min stop. At home I added just a bit more oil, to get the level right, and a quick filter change. I have been changing my own oil for years so I have a good idea of the capacities.

Im just throwing this out there... I was moving from one home to another during the time and alot of my garage stuff was still packed up.

[byfdinky]

Wow! I cannot believe any pcar owners would go to some commercial oil change shop. I've seen too many problems from loose leaking fiters to loose drain plugs.
Take a look at the employees at most of these places. That should be enough to chase you away. I have changed my own oil because I care. Not the most fun job but at least I know its right!

[sc_rufctr]

I change my own because I've never met a mechanic I felt I could trust. (No offense intended to the many good and honest mechanics who post here)

There is one part of the job that especially concerns me... That's the drain bolt at the bottom of the oil tank.
On my car there is a spring thread insert on the oil tank. I'm not sure if it's OEM but that little spring thread likes to back out just a little every time I undo the drain bolt.
It's easy enough to get back in but I've always wondered if a mechanic would bother taking the extra time to make sure it's in its proper position.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by FinallyGotOne

... shop removed the oil relief plug thinking it was a drain plug and the piston and spring came out. It went in the oil drain barrel and they just popped it back in without noticing.

I have some notes and receipts in my car's stack of records detailing how this exact scenario happened to my car many years ago.
In this case, there was no damage to the engine and the lube shop paid the small repair bill.
Good luck.

[sabeo.m]

hope everything works out... if you don't have one all ready, get your self Wayne's 101 project book and learn to preform the basic stuff yourself. the book covers oil, brakes, electrical etc... tools can be had from PP or your local Sears. Buy a nice oil catch basin and save your old plastic containers-milk, water and so on. use those to recycle the old oil. most neighborhood auto stores will take the old oil off your hands. stock up on the popular oils, Brad Penn, Valvoline VR1 Racing or Kendall GT. These oil's can be purchased locally except for Brad Penn. I enjoy working on my car as much as i possibly can, when i know i'm not mechanically capable of doing something i bring her to a reputable Porsche shop here in Chicago. I have a friend who lives in a condo and doesn't have a garage but rather a parking space, he waits until 3am to work on his car - that way other people in his building would not complain and do the work himself. He was up almost all night once to do his brakes and oil change. Good luck!

[T77911S]

i have only taken one car of mine for an oil change (i do them myself). it was my 914-6 that i built. i stayed in the shop when they did it. poor guy, he opened the oil line and dumped oil all over him and the floor.

i have always wanted to take the 911 to one of these places that advertises like $20 for any car, and they dont have a limit of oil posted.

[FinallyGotOne]

I really need to re-iterate this was absolutely NOT a fastoil change place. This was a large reputable dealer and repair facility with trained technicians. Older gentelmen, not kids. I would NEVER take any of my cars to a oil change shop.
I hope that is clear.
These are some great stories, though!
Lesson learned.

BUT no one has really clarified why I may have a sump plate that is bowed out and has no drain plug on it. Any one out there have specifics on this?

Would it have been done when I changed the exhaust back to the 74? I was told had to rerun new oil lines...? or would it have been done when Carrera chain tensioners were added?

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by FinallyGotOne

BUT no one has really clarified why I may have a sump plate that is bowed out and has no drain plug on it. Any one out there have specifics on this?

That's how they were delivered back in '79. My first "mod" (right after my first oil change) was to add a sump plate with a drain plug on my '79.

[Gunter]

And if you don't position the sump plate correctly, you'll get a nasty surprise re: oil pump.

Get updated version of the plate and get the Bentley!

[rnln]

It's good that you learned. And no, you were not the only one who did that. I did it more than once before I decided to DIY, unless it's somethings meant to be for the prof.

Originally Posted by FinallyGotOne

... Now a lot of you think me moronic because you would never do what i did. thats cool I have learned my lesson

[goat]

Sounds like things will work out for you in the end.
We have all made mistakes. I should know!

[175K911]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

That's how they were delivered back in '79. My first "mod" (right after my first oil change) was to add a sump plate with a drain plug on my '79.

Exactly. They were sump plates until I think lat '83. Imagine my surprise when I traded my '78 for a new '83 SC and when I got under it to do my first oil change I found a drain plug. Apparently some of the very late 83's got the new Carrera case. But that was the beginning of the drain plugs.

As to why it might be bowed out? maybe someone tried to put it on in the wrong position at one point?

[Winter]

Originally Posted by 175K911

I'm still telling the manager to use the Fram oil filter rather than their cheaper off-brand part.

I thought the Fram was the cheaper off-brand part!!!!!!

FinallyGotOne, please don't use a Fram filter in your 911 when learning how to change the oil, which is, as many have pointed out, a very easy DIY job. . .

Pelican sells high quality filters, and will be happy to send one to your front door.

Good luck!

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by 175K911

As to why it might be bowed out? maybe someone tried to put it on in the wrong position at one point?

I believe early sump covers were "dished" so as to catch any sludge/debris that might settle...

[ljowdy]

175k911,
Let me reiterate what Winter posted. DO NOT USE FRAM FILTERS on any engine you own. They are the worst filters on the market and provide as much filtration as a window screen.
Since this is your Ex's Explorer I assume you no longer have dealings with her or her car but in the future, especially for American and many foreign cars, use a WIX or NAPA filter (WIX makes NAPA filters)

[threewebers]

Don't forget to get shop #2 a gift certificate to ??Cheesecake factory ?Victoria Secrets? Someplace to take their Significant other.....