problem with oil change

[PEDALS]

well on thursday i took my precious vibe into the dealer to get the oil changed and tires rotated at 24000 km's. I had been been having problems with my old dealer and switched to a new dealership for my last oil change. well all was well after the oil change they said they tested my battery for me on my request and it was fine and they filled up my washer fluid. then today as i finished driving 200 km i pulled into my driveway to see smoke start coming from under my hood. i open the hood to find my oil cap off and oil splatered everywhere, also find my windshield washer cap taken off. with all the dealerships closed and GM roadship program only offering to tow my car i have to get a ride to canadian tire and get 3 litres of oil to fill it back up to full. well here's where i ask what i should do i'm definetly going to go and complain at the dealership and get them to vacum my engine is there anything else i shoould do like get thm to run test on the engine or something because it was pretty much out of oil or what???please comment on what you think i should do

[Raven]

You should have them do an engine shampoo for sure. You may want to have a compression test done on all four cylinders if you think there was damage. Get something in writing stating that they left the cap off causing you to lose 3/4 of your oil (engine holds 4 litres) in case a problem arises in the near future. I would also hassle them for a few free oil changes or something for your grief and trouble. It could have been worse if they left the drain plug loose. Then your engine would be toast for sure. Good luck

[Mavrik]

accidents do happen, caps spin off when not on tight, that sort of thing and since the dealership was the last one to touch it they should be responsable for the damage. I would insist they shampoo the engine down and reimbers you for your costs on oil. Is the washer fluid bottle just missing or not clipped on? if its gone completely, they need to put another cap on also. be straight up with them... maybe have them double check that filter and drain plug to...

[ToolGuy]

You should be OK sine it is the top of the engine and not the oil pan or plug being left off. At the most, besides the oil you lost the oil pressure was not where it should have been but probably not by much. I left off one on my 2000 Blazer, it had an oil fill tube. I noticed the engine ticking when I pulled up to a drive through. Opened the hood and figured it out, I left it off and it rolled off somewhere. Luckily I had another cap at home. My brother left his 1983 Regal cap off and it was one that attached to the valve cover. He did not know how long it was gone. I replaced it and all was fine in fact I only noticed it when I opened the hood.Definately talk to the dealer for an engine detail.

[joatmon]

there are a lot of members here from Toronto. When you take it back to the dealer, be sure to let them know that if they don't make good on their mistake that you will post the dealerships name and how terrible they were.

[AKLGT]

yes, i'd definitely take it back to the dealer to clean up their little "oops".

[JustinVGT]

The last time I took my vibe to a shop for an oil change, that is what happened to me. Usually I always watch the mechanics work on my car. That day they told me the wait would be long, so I walked to the bank and when I came back they already finished. I paid and right before I left, I my intuition told me to just take a look under the hood. Sure enough, they left the oil cap off and oil sprayed all over from just parking the car. Good thing I checked, because I was driving for a 300 mile trip immediately after the oil change. I told them the mistake they made and I had to ask for them to clean up the mess. I've been changing my oil myself with Mobile 1 since then.

[ColonelPanic]

Same thing happened to my buddy's Vibe when he brought it in for an oil change... They just left the cap sitting on top of the engine. He lost quite a bit, and oil was splattered all over everything under the hood. He complained to the dealer, they cleaned up the mess, and have been kissing his (removed) ever since. You have to watch it out there, sometimes they'll forget something kinda important. If you haven't lost oil pressure or noticed any serious sounds coming from the engine, you'll probably be ok... But it does sound like you lost quite a bit of oil, so you may want to see if the dealer will check it out just to be on the safe side.

[ragingfish]

I made this mistake changing my own oil.I put the hood down, got int he car, backed out of the garage, and let it sit in the driveway. As soon as I got out, I walked around front, lifted the hood, and saw oil everywhere...Amazingly, only lost abotu 1/3 a quart, if even that much, because I caught it fast. Still, I felt so dumb!

[AKLGT]

wow! so many people have had that happen, i better make sure i open the hood before i leave next time i take mine in for an oil change!

[Mavrik]

best way of not forgetting the oil cap? put it on the latch for the hood, that way you can't close the hood without taking the cap in your hand and hopefully you'll remember where it goes.

[ColonelPanic]

I can not even begin to explain this one, but... My washer fluid reservior cap has a tendency to open on its own. Many times I have opened the hood and found the cap off, even though I know it was securely latched at one point in time. The first couple of times, I just dismissed it as either myself or the dealer didn't put it back on. But I threw that idea out the window after it continued to happen... That is just whacko, my car has some real spirital issues... I'm wondering if I need to call the dealer or an exorcist next time it needs work...

[PEDALS]

well thanks for them help people!i took it back to the dealer and they cleaned the engine compartment, filled my oil and windshield washer fluid, refunded my money from my original oil change and promised me a free oil change next time. they assured me there should not be a problem with the engine as there was no noise coming from it. i will go back to the dealer again, but only to get the free oil change and then it looks like it's off to find another new dealership.