Drive up oil change-foolish?

SLO-BOB · 07-12-2005, 06:06 AM

I'm thinking of running the 911 by the local "quick-change" oil place. Why? Well, they'll do the job for about $80 using Mobil 1 not including filter-I'll provide the OEM one. So for twenty bucks more than it would cost for me to do it, they'll drain the oil, get rid of it, and I don't have to throw kitty litter all over my garage floor not to mention the time spent under the car instead of in the car. Naturally I have concerns as to their level of competence. But, that is what they do after all.

sammyg2 · 07-12-2005, 06:18 AM

They change oil on toyotas and hondas and chevys.
The "technicians" most likely have never seen the inside of a 911 engine compartment and if they have I really doubt they understand the oiling system or the proper procedure for draining and filling the oil.
IIf you find one that really knows 911s then that would be different but I doubt that will happen.

Hladun · 07-12-2005, 06:20 AM

It's the level of incompetence that you need to worry about. Go there and ask them if they can do it. If they go hillbilly on you try another place. Short of stripping the filler plugs, there's little damage they can do. I've used a quick change place successfully.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I doubt they would do it... I took my alfa romeo to one that had a sign out front that they specialize in high performance cars - they looked at my car (and 9 qts of oil) and said no way they wouldn't touch it...

walt · walt's Garage

I question if 1 out of 100 even knows the oil is drained from two places. Personally, would not chance it.

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

Based on a couple past experiences, I don't even take my GMC pickup to a "quick-change" place.

Good luck,

Jerry M
'78 SC

RickM · RickM's Garage

If the guys seem up to the task then ask if you can "assist" or at least direct the activity. You may get lucky and find a tech who's enthusiastic.

IROC · IROC's Garage

I had to help the NTB guy align the front end of my 911 (at their request) which only serves to indicate that it is dangerous to assume "experts" know what they are doing.

I would only use these guys if you are fully confident they can do it and even then, I would get out and watch and make sure they do it right. It's not worth $20 for them to screw up.

Mike

PorschePilot · 07-12-2005, 06:34 AM

What will you do when they go to the front of the car and ask you to pop the hood so they can take a look? Run away.

Noel · 07-12-2005, 06:38 AM

Would they even know that they need to check the oil with the engine on and at operating temp? For that matter will they warm up the oil to check it after refilling the tank?

If you don't want to do it yourself, take it to a shop that knows Porsches. If you don't use synthetic, it will be even cheaper.

wholberg · wholberg's Garage

On the one hand, I have known two people who blew motors because the J**** Lube tech forgot to tighten the drain plug. In both cases, the shops replaced the motor in the car at their expense.

On the other hand, if the place you go is established, and open-minded enough to let you into the pit, you could walk the tech through the entire process and teach him/her how to do it properly. Then I would give the tech my card and tell him to call me if he changes jobs, so I could always take it to the same, trained individual.

vash · vash's Garage

awhile back, i had to help some guys find my oil filter on my truck. it has a remote mounted filter behind my skid guard, behind this door marked "oil filter". afterwards they offered me a job.

i honestly dont think my 911 would clear that metal "curb" they have around the pit.

donstevens · donstevens's Garage

If they will let you supervise the work and you can tell them what to do it will be OK. I use to take my SC to a local guy who even let me down in the pit with him. He was an oil guy who knew I was into cars and seemed to like to talk about performance applications. He since retired, sold the business and the service has gone down the tubes. I don't go there anymore. The point is, if the manager is cool and you can supervise, it is OK.

Don

wheatdog · 07-12-2005, 07:23 AM

Reread the second post. If some kid with a large wrench overtightens your engine case drain plug (provided he even knows what it's for) you'll be having thread inserts installed. That also depends on him admitting he's stripped the threads. Most would not say anything and let it fall out down the road with catastrophic results. Of course, this is all hypothetical, but why risk it??

Mike
I don't let anybody work on my car except me or qualified Porsche techs with good rep.

Noel · 07-12-2005, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wholberg

On the other hand, if the place you go is established, and open-minded enough to let you into the pit, you could walk the tech through the entire process and teach him/her how to do it properly. Then I would give the tech my card and tell him to call me if he changes jobs, so I could always take it to the same, trained individual.

Why not just do it yourself at that point. It would certainly be faster and you know it is done right.

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

I have taken other cars to Jiffy Lube and paid $45 for their signature service in which they change oil, clean the windows and vacuum the car etc. They didn't lift up the mats when vaccuming and didn't roll up the windows to wash the window. The only thing worthwhile out of the oil change was the free basketball so I sincerly doubt I will take another car their again let alone my Porsche.

RickM · RickM's Garage

.... Use Fumoto valves and DIY oil change is even easier.

BTW, The BMW 7 series oil filter (element) is the easiest/cleanest filter change I've ever seen

chgrec · chgrec's Garage

I used to take my boxster & alfa spider to the Express lube place near me....they did great. I went by first and talked to them to make sure they and I felt comfortable; especially the alfa as most dont have a large enough socket.

I used to bring my own filters since they dont stock the rarer ones....I haven't done my 911 as it isn't ready for it's next oil change yet. I'm sure I will talk to them first as well.....I hate disposing of old oil....

I also hung around the bay while they did it so I could watch and offer "advice". If you do it tactfully, they dont mind and really seem to enjoy the process..has to get really boring looking at hondas & toyotas all day....

So like anything, I think it all depends on the place, the staff and willingness of everyone involved.

Chris

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I get more than $20 worth of satisfaction by doing this myself and knowing it was done right. Why chance it? I'd rather go to a cool garage and pay them $20 to use their lift and drain pan for a few min. and DIY my oil change.

SLO-BOB · 07-12-2005, 10:37 AM

Just a littlee more info-This is a place I use for the family cars. They know me and seem fairly competent and even enthusiastic about giving it a try. One problem is the curb as Vash mentioned. The oil tank drain plug is outside the pit so it may not work for them anyway. I took it by there to see if it would work but it was pretty busy so I bailed. As for know how-I would walk them through it and check the levels myself. I would probably also install the filter myself too as I wouldn't want them to let oil drip all over. Hmmmm, I think I'm starting to answer my own question.

Okay-new question-

What do you use to catch the oil??

Last time I used my kids old plastic sled. It filled up to the gunwalls and it was damn near impossible to get that thing to pour into a funnel. I spilled oil everywhere. I need a better system!