Oil Leak …after a service.

Fishdoodle

I had my car serviced at an Indy garage.
I notice fresh oil has been on the road which has come from the car.
So I guess either it’s dripping through the nut or perhaps it’s been overfilled.

Not impressed ☹️

Should I bring it back to the garage or have it inspected somewhere else first? What would you do?

NIMAN

Take it back and ask them to look at it

Atlantic Dawn

I'd check how much oil is in it now via the dipstick first, could be losing all the oil and a drive could do serious damage.

The Continental Op

There are a couple of possibilities. One is that there was no clean up after the job and its just oil dripping off the engine another other than a badly fitted sump plug (cross threaded, loose, no/damaged washer etc) is a loose oil filter. So as well as checking oil level take a look and see if you can see where its coming from.

MarkR

Put a piece of cardboard under the sump and leave it for an hour, see what's there then.

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122737404#Comment_122737404

Thanks for all the replies! I got a chance to look at it just now as I was out all day (not in the car). There’s oil spilt all over the engine tray & pavement below.

I checked the dipstick & sure enough what little oil thats left (on the minimum patterned mark) will be gone overnight.

Looks like I wont be driving it to the garage. Though, I could top it up a bit on monday.

Any ideas? Would it be unreasonable to text the mechanic tomorrow I wonder and give a heads-up?

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738263#Comment_122738263

Definitely not unreasonable to get straight on to the mechanic. Driving the car in the state he has left it could wreck the engine.

mickdw

Unusual be losing that much. It couldn't really be the sump bung.

My blind guess is that the car has a paper oil filter and the seal on the cap is not located properly.

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738388#Comment_122738388

Thanks, could be the filter alright. It’s quite low in the engine bay & quite difficult to check.

Fishdoodle

The service was a few days ago ….perhaps enough time for oil to leak via the sump valve. At least the engine isn’t wrecked I hope!

I wonder what next? -Probably a tow to the garage I imagine.

Other than the repair costs, if there are any other areas of (consumer) remediation that I should be aware of, would appreciate it!

Markus Antonius

Just one other thing to consider in case it is none of the above - I bet they put a lower viscosity oil than what your car was used to. I realised one year that my opel Corsa was supposed to get 5W30 instead of the 10W40 that I was putting in it for years. When I put the 5W30 in, the oil started seeping out the block all over the place. Putting 10W40 back in sorted it.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738633#Comment_122738633

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to call or text him tomorrow morning and tell him to come out to your location to investigate since there is no oil in the engine. Or have it towed at the mechanics expense

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738647#Comment_122738647

It’s been getting 0W30. I actually supplied the oil myself to ensure it was exactly the same as previous services (from main dealer). 😉 I’d expect when something is correctly sealed, it’s sealed regardless of oil.

Aside: Some manufacturers changed viscosity allowances, enabling lower values (less fuel consumption/friction…and help the environment). Had a good chat with mechanic ‘while back about oil. He recommended not to change down if your car has been running a specific value oil a while. Eg If using 5w30 , to stick with it and not 0w30

Markus Antonius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738661#Comment_122738661

Good stuff! I'd sooner put in the "wrong oil" that a car ran on for years than to switch to the "right oil".

You could definitely peg it on something the garage did then.

John.G

Probably not your problem but worth keeping in mind, I had VW Bora for over 20 years and whenever changing the oil/filter, when unscrewing the old filter, the stud in the engine block used to unscrew a fair bit so had to be screwed back in by hand before screwing on the new filter otherwise it wouldn't wouldn't seal properly.

Atlantic Dawn

Any update?

Fishdoodle

Thanks for the suggestions & appreciated the objective advice when my mind was in a fluster 👍 Will update tomorrow… long day !

2ndcoming

I reckon not properly tightened oil filter is odds on here.

Fishdoodle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122747261#Comment_122747261

Well, turns out you’re right 👍

E-mailed the mechanic Sunday.

In fairness, he dealt with the situation promptly -Came out Monday, and took car straight to the garage. He kept me updated via text.

- Returned the car early this evening & had the oil patch on the ground cleaned before he even rang the door bell. New oil change, new filter, engine tray cleaned, car washed & offered to return to clear any remaining (ground) residue. 

He was very decent & genuine about it, took responsibility and said it shouldn’t have happened. Apparently it was the oil filter….technical reasons given. -In short, seemed fully sealed - but wasn’t.

Overall, he handled the situation well, took responsibility, and sorted it out. For my part, I’m glad I didn’t let myself get annoyed. Accidents can bring out the best & worst in us! 

In this instance, I think the mechanic dealt with the situation as best he could. Funnily enough, despite that it “shouldn’t have happened” I’d be more inclined to remain a customer, because he was honest. That’s rare in many trades- money can’t buy that.

Overall, happy that the problem is sorted 😁

MarkR

Best result you could have hoped for. Thanks for the update.