OP here. Yes, the smell was quite noticeable. And, yes, it was a national (or perhaps just regional) franchise provider. They offered to clean it up at another franchise that was closer to where the car was when the problem was noticed. They also said to contact them when we returned to the first town and said they would change the oil again for free. Later on when my son returned the car, the manager became defensive, denied they had been at fault and said they had pulled the camera footage that showed the tech had replaced the cap properly. This was a lie, of course, as the cap was later found wedged in the engine in a different location than where it should have been. The manager backed down, apologized and changed the oil for free and we went on our way. Anyway, no damage was noticed to the car after almost a year since the incident occurred.How was the damage discovered? Smell? It would not be normal to open the hood after a 200mi trip.A local oil change place left the oil cap off. This went unnoticed, and the car was driven for a 200 mile highway trip. No check oil lights went on. After arriving, the issue was noticed, and the oil level was so low it was not detectable on the dipstick. It was a mess inside the engine. Because of the distance, the car can not be returned to original oil change place. What's a reasonable remedy I can suggest? A clean and inspection by another (local) mechanic? Do I tow the car? Do I fill it with oil before driving to the local mechanic (but then how can I prove how low it was to the original servicer in the event there's motor damage since I can't return to them to observe first hand)?
Everyone seems to be assuming there is a low-oil warning, but some cars only have a low-oil-pressure warning. Pressure matters more of course.
I'll be curious to hear what the oil change provider says when you give them this information. Was it a national franchise provider?
I would not invest any money in any of the damage evaluation tests mentioned; I think Bogleheads are confusing what they would do themselves with what they would pay someone else to do at the usual inflated retail rates.
Statistics: Posted by Kennedy — Sat Oct 26, 2024 1:20 am — Replies 22 — Views 4267
