Probable malpractice - how to handle?

[Maverick2002]

A couple days ago I went in to my local CarX to get my oil changed. I was considering getting my alignment done then and there and although I was pressed for time (going on a road trip immediately after) I agreed to it. He called me about an hour later and let me know that I need my oil pan replaced, trying to upsell me and even agreed to "lower" the price a little, offering a rental car as well so I could make my road trip. So what started as a $30 changed (and later $160 including the alignment and rotation) would have ended up being close to $800 for everything. I declined and told him I'd look into it when I got back. He said they "put it back the best they could" but that it "wouldn't last long". And what do you know ... after 6 hours on the road and about 400 miles later my oil is MASSIVELY leaking.

Mind you I had absolutely no problems with any kind of oil leak until I went in to get my oil change.

This isn't the first time something like his has happened either. Approximately 6 months prior to that I had another oil change and they notified me something else was wrong (don't remember off the top of my head, will need to pull up documents). I remember that leaving there immediately afterwards my steering felt off. My alignment was way off ever since until I changed 2 sway bar links with a friend and finally went in to get it done since we don't have the necessary equipment.

This isn't coincidence twice in a row, it's just too convenient. What is the best course of action? I haven't contacted anyone yet, and not sure which authority figure to get involved first.

2001 civic

 

[GregGreen]

Save your money on lawyers and just get your car fixed. You won't win.

I don't know what a CarX is, but it sounds like one of those quick lube places. Why do you hate your car so much you take it to a place like that?

EDIT: Sorry, I probably sound like a jerk in my prior response. Although quick lube places are known for doing poor work (the tech probably messed something up, it happens), there is almost no way you can make a case. Take the car to a place that is worthy of your hard earned dollars, build a relationship with them, and get your stuff fixed!

 

[Howard]

Why you went back to them after the first incident I'll never know. Lots of honest mechanics out there trying to put food on the table; go find them.

 

[leper84]

I can tell you that CarX's are full service repair shops.

I can also tell you that some of their locations like to fuck technicians out of their pay

Hard to tell whats up with your car. It could be their mess up, or who ever changed the oil last, or it could be an honest to god coincidence and they weren't trying to screw you. Does the receipt describe what exactly was wrong with the oil pan?

 

[PottedMeat]

did they screw up the oil pan trying to drain it or something and got you to pay for it?

 

[Raizinman]

CarX started out as a muffler chain in competition with Midas Muffler, but then expanded to brakes, shocks and more. They are a middle of the road repair shop. Normally they only hire people who have one or two ASE certifications. They don't do heavy engine repairs or transmission repairs. Basically, just quick things or in the trade as we call it, the gravy. Without knowing the exact damage they are claiming the oil pan had, its difficult to say who caused it. Was it a stripped drain plug? Did the pan hit something and have a hole in it?

 

[Zivic]

sounds like they pulled the pan and when you "declined" the service, they tried to reinstall it "put it back the best they could". If they indeed did pull it, I am fairly confident you gave them some sort of go-ahead. If not, then I would have a talk with someone about the situation.

why did they say your pan needed to be replaced?

 

[leper84]

Normally they only hire people who have one or two ASE certifications. They don't do heavy engine repairs or transmission repairs. Basically, just quick things or in the trade as we call it, the gravy.

With all due respect, you're completely wrong.

 

[Maverick2002]

I didn't give them any go-aheads. Here's what the printout says:

"When remove oil drain plug find threads coming out with drain plug needs need oil pan and gasket then new oil 7/25/12 customer now about it and decline oil pan and gasket thanks"

2001 civic

I put a pan under it to check how much leaks out overnight. My main concern right now is being able to drive back safely in a couple days.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Plug stripped. Most likely cause is that the last shop installed the drain plug way too tight. Good luck getting the last shop to admit to it though.

Drain plugs don't just suddenly strip though; it's always because somewhere along the line some mechanic over-torqued it.

ZV

 

[SparkyJJO]

Whenever someone claims something massively wrong with your car, always tell them to explain exactly what the issue and and to have them show you.

 

[HarryLui]

I put a pan under it to check how much leaks out overnight. My main concern right now is being able to drive back safely in a couple days.

Carry oil with you and fill when needed? It isn't that hard to do...

 

[Howard]

Plug stripped. Most likely cause is that the last shop installed the drain plug way too tight. Good luck getting the last shop to admit to it though.

Drain plugs don't just suddenly strip though; it's always because somewhere along the line some mechanic over-torqued it.

ZV

You sure it's not the pan threads that are stripped?

 

[Raizinman]

With all due respect, you're completely wrong.

You can keep your respect, but I use to be the mechanical advisor for CarX for many years.

They make an aftermarket drain plug that has sort of a rubber stopper for situations when the original drain plug threads are bad. When you tighten it the rubber expands to prevent leaks. It's not a permanant fix, but I've seen cars and motorcycles use these type of plugs for many many years. It will prevent oil leakage and will put off the replacement of the oil pan for a while. There is a Youtube video explaining how it works at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdAvBAJaBwQ

 

[Eli]

Plug stripped. Most likely cause is that the last shop installed the drain plug way too tight. Good luck getting the last shop to admit to it though.

Drain plugs don't just suddenly strip though; it's always because somewhere along the line some mechanic over-torqued it.

ZV

This.

They also make oversized, self threading drain bolts. Most auto-parts stores carry at least one style; either the rubber or oversize self threading types.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

You sure it's not the pan threads that are stripped?

pretty sure thats what he meant but mistyped.

The last time you changed your oil they over tightened the drainbolt and stripped the pans threads. No fault of the last CarX visit. Makes sense that the oil leak wouldnt start till now.
You will need a new oil pan, Gasket, and oil as per their recommomendation.

This.

They also make oversized, self threading drain bolts. Most auto-parts stores carry at least one style; either the rubber or oversize self threading types.

or you can try this too.

 

[mvbighead]

That work costs $800? Yeesh!

 

[Pulsar]

Dropping an oil pan and replacing is doesn't cost $800 unless it's one of the pans that's trapped by the frame / steering / suspension components.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Other advise looks good to me, get a self threading plug, or a rubber expanding plug.

Also, no need to get an alignment unless you have some front end work done. Or for some reason your tires are wearing really bad.

That said, I just had ball joints replaced and Big O charged $59.99 for alignment. So, using that figure and $30 for oil, that leaves you with a $70 tire rotation. or $80 alignment and $50 rotation. Who knows. And another $600 to put a new oil pan and gasket on!!! Wouldn't even take an hour of labor for that, and the pan and gasket can not be that expensive.

I would definitely follow the other advice as well and find a privately owned non chain mechanic shop to do the work from here out. They live or die by their reputation, where as big chain stores pump out tons of advertising to keep new people coming in.