No oil fill cap!

[ARTTII]

I just popped my hood today for the 1st time in a month which was 3,000 miles. I opened it to check my fluids and wipe the engine down.

I found the oil fill cap upside down on the fuse block cover.

I last had the oil changed at the dealer when I dropped the car off to have the air bag recall done. Now I have oild splatter on the hood insulator and RH cam cover. I'm pissed! Oil level was OK. The yellow letters/picture on the cap rubbed/smeared onto the fuse block cover and looks like crap. The hood insulator got a hole rubbed/pooked through it. Did I mention I was pissed? I hope the engine was not sucking crap into the filler for the past 3k miles...


What should I do? Change the oild now to be safe, demand a free oil change?? I'll be calling the dealer 1st thing monday morning.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I'd say don't get your balls in a bunch, **** happens. Your oil level was fine, so don't sweat it. Take it to your dealer, explain to them what happend and ask for a no charge under hood shampoo and to have your hood liner replaced. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to accomidate. Start becoming a problem customer and they'll remember you for it.

 

[kooldawg6]

I'd be a little hot under the collar as well, but would try to maintain my composure while contacting the dealer. Just remember that most of the time, the oil changes are done by newbies in the department I don't see why the dealer wouldn't compensate you for the troubles you've encountered. gearbanger's right about the troublesome customer as my ex father-in-law has found out at numerous places

 

[highvolts]

I hope the engine was not sucking crap into the filler for the past 3k miles...

You didn't open your hood for 3000 miles?

Just busting you up a lil.. Like GearBanger said, the dealer will take care of it.

-Jason

 

[dc06gt]

That's why I try to change my own oil.

 

[Art161]

I agree with the other posts. You can always express your anger if they don't take care of you, but if you go in at the outset under a full head of steam, it's tough to maintain a good relationship with the dealer.

The service manager might be just as upset with the work as you are.

One time I went to pick my car up after having the alternator replaced. The car wouldn't start. The service manager said that someone forgot to charge the battery. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and said, "What can I tell you?" He was not a happy camper that someone in his department had not charged the battery.

Another time I went to pick up my car and the tachometer stayed at 0. The service adviser got in the car and tore up the ramp to chew on the person who had done the work. One of the other advisers said, "He is not real happy right now. I'd hate to be the tech who did the work."

So give them a chance to do the right thing. If they don't, then you can start beating on them.

As for the future, I suggest that you look under the hood after the car has been serviced. Over the years, I have found a dipstick lying on the engine, an electrical insulating cap lying on the battery, a vacuum gauge left in the engine compartment, a flashlight left in the engine compartment, various rags left in the engine compartment, and probably a bunch of other things that don't come to mind right now.

Also, I suggest checking your wheel lug nuts, even if the servicing had nothing to do with the wheels. One time I left a service department and within about six blocks noticed rattling coming from the left front of the car. All five lug nuts were loose on the left front wheel. They claimed they did not do anything to the wheels and that the lug nuts must have been loose when I left the car with them. I don't believe that, and never went back to that shop, except to voice my displeasure with their work.

I hope they take care of you the way they should.

 

[ARTTII]

Sorry, I had to rant somewhere so it was better here than to a dealer. That is why I decided to wait till Monday to call so I could cool off


I got the engine bay mostly cleaned up last night, what a royal PITA to get the oil film out of all the tight spots... Maybe it is time I start changing my own oil? I've been thinking about it as I was thinking about switching to synthetic oil at 20,000 miles - that would make oil changes at shops expensive

 

[stanmckinney]

I had a dealer change the oil in my 1966 convertible. They put an O ring under the plug, not the plastic washer it is supposed to have. By the time I got home, oil was dripping out. It wasn't long until all the oil leaked out.
Unfortunately things happen. I agree about being calm at first and reserving your anger in case the dealer doesn't take care of the problem.

 

[Troy-Stangsaver]

That's why I try to change my own oil.

me too.

 

[Mark25]

I agree with dc06gt, I change my own oil/filter...never trust anyone else with the "blood" of your engine. And this is one of the easiest Stangs ever to change the oil and filter. Lesson learned.

 

[tr7driver]

Check the work, its your car

Don't trust anyone working on your car. Mistakes will be made; its human nature and you need to protect yourself and your car. Anytime you have work done on the car, check it yourself when you get home. Tighten caps, check torque specs and fluid levels. I look for wrench marks on the nuts and bolts just to make sure they did something. Over the years, I have found overfilled transmission fluid, Leaking oil filters due to failure to remove the old gasket, finger tight lug nuts, unconnected vacuum lines, a lost dip stick. And that's just the ez stuff to catch. I have also found some nice tools under the hood. None of this is done on purpose, it happens due to carelessness or time stress. As long as humans are doing the work, a human should double check it.

Think of the warranty as a grace period as time to learn about your car. Learn your way around your car and do as much work on it as you feel you can. No one will ever treat your car as well as you do. My warranty is expired and I doubt I’ll let anyone (ok, maybe EMAY) put a wrench on it unless I can’t figure it out.

 

[metroplex]

You didn't open your hood for 3000 miles?

Just busting you up a lil.. Like GearBanger said, the dealer will take care of it.

-Jason

FYI, the oil system is sealed to prevent un-metered air from entering the engine. Recall that the crankcase breather and PCV system function using metered air. Opening the oil fill cap WILL allow un-metered air to enter the crankcase. There may be contaminants in the system (dirt, grit, sand, etc...) so I would definitely take it up with the dealer.

 

[xxrequiemxx]

I agree - I don't let anyone change my oil except for me !

 

[blacksheep06]

Don't trust anyone working on your car. Mistakes will be made; its human nature and you need to protect yourself and your car. Anytime you have work done on the car, check it yourself when you get home. Tighten caps, check torque specs and fluid levels. I look for wrench marks on the nuts and bolts just to make sure they did something. Over the years, I have found overfilled transmission fluid, Leaking oil filters due to failure to remove the old gasket, finger tight lug nuts, unconnected vacuum lines, a lost dip stick. And that's just the ez stuff to catch. I have also found some nice tools under the hood. None of this is done on purpose, it happens due to carelessness or time stress. As long as humans are doing the work, a human should double check it.

+1.

At least they remembered to put oil back in your car. And at least they didn't forget to put the plug back in.

I know of 2 motors ruined in my little town because of these 2 scenerios done by 2 different shops so always check.