GM Dealership Goodwrench (?) Oil Change gone horribly wrong

[zoomie]

Well it would have been x10 worse had I not popped the hood prior to taking it off the lot... The tech left the filler cap off and in a filthy space on the firewall near the cabin air intake. He also took it for a small test drive with predictive results of bathing the engine bay. I was set to hit the freeway after my visit, would most likely ruined the engine and would be S.O.L. This occurred in Kamloops BC at Smith GM"...I don't even know what that means"- David Letterman"...not that there's anything wrong with that"-Jerry Seinfeld

[ColonelPanic]

What is it with dealers leaving off the oil cap? It isn't the first time this has happened here...It actually happened to a friend of mine when he had his Vibe many years ago. He drove around for a good bit before discovering it. No damage, just a mess for the dealer to clean up.

[TONY TAT2]

MY DEALER STARTED MY CAR ON FIRE & SMASHED THE RT FRONT FENDER ANOTHER TIME,THEN I GOT THE HOOD SCRATCHED ANOTHER TIME,3 DIFFERENT CARS.

[vibenvy]

Just one more example of why I change my own oil .

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »Just one more example of why I change my own oil .X2!!!!

[zoomie]

Its helpful I think to see what level the technicians operate at whether trainee or journeyman for when I need repairs performed (i.e. if they're unable to perform a simple oil change competently...)I'm positive that when repairs are required once my warranty has expired it will go to a Toyota dealership.

[zoomie]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »Just one more example of why I change my own oil .I have free OCI's for 5 years or 100K Kms at any GM dealer I choose.Quick calc for dropping the oil every three months (I rarely get to 8k kms in that time) @ $25 oil + $10 filter x 5 years = $700 and I'm 2 1/2 years into that 5 so its been $350 dollar savings so far.As long as I keep on top of them I should still have an engine in 2014

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by zoomie »I have free OCI's for 5 years or 100K Kms at any GM dealer I choose.Quick calc for dropping the oil every three months (I rarely get to 8k kms in that time) @ $25 oil + $10 filter x 5 years = $700 and I'm 2 1/2 years into that 5 so its been $350 dollar savings so far.As long as I keep on top of them I should still have an engine in 2014 I received numerous cards from GM for free oil changes and 27 point inspections and they were immediately thrown away. I just don't trust dealers, especially the one that's local to me.I spend approximately $15.00 for a 5 quart jug of Penzoil 5W-20 at Walmart. After 4 oil changes, you get a "free" one with the combination of that leftover quart from each jug. I got a case of 10 Toyota OEM oil filters from TRD Sparks for $35.50 ($3.50 a piece; they're $4.xx at Toyota dealers). So, I spend just under $20.00 for an oil change. I change my oil every 2500 miles.It's totally worth it to me to do it myself because I know it's done right and it gives me an excellent chance to look everything else over as well i.e. fluids, tires, etc.

[zoomie]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »...It's totally worth it to me to do it myself because I know it's done right and it gives me an excellent chance to look everything else over as well i.e. fluids, tires, etc.One of the incentives in my mind when I accepted the service contract promotion at the time of buying was that in the OCI the vehicle would be on a lift so the techs could easily inspect around throughout the underbody, check brake pads and maybe other 'helpful' things. I realize now most techs hate their job (6 dealerships in BC and AB) and probably hate the Toyota engineering to boot. Dealerships are parasites that feed on warranty work, recalls, unecessary preemptive work and other dealerships 'mistakes'.Service managers are simply techs who are bullies who pretend they know more than other techs and most likely backstabbers who fulfil an essentially useless role who go to 'meetings' that accomplish SFA. I just checked around the air filter because I was told they changed it and it doesnt look like its one week old, (removed), and the supposedly clean 'up' side has a filthy hand marks on it, but in his favour he did close the cover on it properly... 'sigh'I'll continue to get the oil changes at other dealerships and will forfeit any inspection and simply demand the oil change only ( I've seen how they replenish washer fluid without a spout, a 'splash' fill.)Rant complete.FOCH U GM

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by zoomie »One of the incentives in my mind when I accepted the service contract promotion at the time of buying was that in the OCI the vehicle would be on a lift so the techs could easily inspect around throughout the underbody, check brake pads and maybe other 'helpful' things. I realize now most techs hate their job (6 dealerships in BC and AB) and probably hate the Toyota engineering to boot. Dealerships are parasites that feed on warranty work, recalls, unecessary preemptive work and other dealerships 'mistakes'.Service managers are simply techs who are bullies who pretend they know more than other techs and most likely backstabbers who fulfil an essentially useless role who go to 'meetings' that accomplish SFA. I just checked around the air filter because I was told they changed it and it doesnt look like its one week old, (removed), and the supposedly clean 'up' side has a filthy hand marks on it, but in his favour he did close the cover on it properly... 'sigh' I'll continue to get the oil changes at other dealerships and will forfeit any inspection and simply demand the oil change only ( I've seen how they replenish washer fluid without a spout, a 'splash' fill.)Rant complete.FOCH U GMLOL! My thoughts exactly!I fill my windshield washer fluid without using a spout and never spill a drop !

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by zoomie »One of the incentives in my mind when I accepted the service contract promotion at the time of buying was that in the OCI the vehicle would be on a lift so the techs could easily inspect around throughout the underbody, check brake pads and maybe other 'helpful' things. I realize now most techs hate their job (6 dealerships in BC and AB) and probably hate the Toyota engineering to boot. Dealerships are parasites that feed on warranty work, recalls, unecessary preemptive work and other dealerships 'mistakes'.Service managers are simply techs who are bullies who pretend they know more than other techs and most likely backstabbers who fulfil an essentially useless role who go to 'meetings' that accomplish SFA. I just checked around the air filter because I was told they changed it and it doesnt look like its one week old, (removed), and the supposedly clean 'up' side has a filthy hand marks on it, but in his favour he did close the cover on it properly... 'sigh'I'll continue to get the oil changes at other dealerships and will forfeit any inspection and simply demand the oil change only ( I've seen how they replenish washer fluid without a spout, a 'splash' fill.)Rant complete.FOCH U GMExtremely harsh comment! Based on what, one or two dealership experiences? They are NOT all as you describe. What you just stated will apply to almost any shop with an auto repair sigh hanging in front of it.You need to find a competent person you can trust to fix your car if you are unable. It isn't the shop, it is the INDIVIDUAL that works on your car.....period.I was a mechanic, a service writer and a service manager. I know the games, I know the pitfalls. Many are indeed honest, many are not. I personally dislike anyone to do anything to my car......ever!!! I even hate to have tires mounted and balanced by another person. I most often take them off and bring them loose to the tire shop and pick them up later. I've seen way too many "mistakes" and things ruined by being incompetent.Dave

[beemerphile1]

Quote, originally posted by zoomie »Dealerships are parasites that feed on warranty work, recalls, unecessary preemptive work and other dealerships 'mistakes'.I disagree with that, dealerships are legitimate businesses that provide a valued service. Where else would you get a car?Quote, originally posted by zoomie »Service managers are simply techs who are bullies who pretend they know more than other techs and most likely backstabbers who fulfil an essentially useless role who go to 'meetings' that accomplish SFA. Again have to disagree, service writers are salesmen. Their job is to sell services while masquerading as a customer liaison. Anyone that doesn't realize that is naive.

[zoomie]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »Extremely harsh comment! ...My pain is not based on this one instance and is based on 9 dealerships and 2.5 years of car ownership. Theres 4 more stories I cringe about but see no point in dragging them out to establish credibility here.GM should go the way of Bear Stearns

[09vGT]

I too trust my dealer. They've always provided great service and have done their best to make me satisfied. Mistakes happen. Its happened to cars in my family by NON-dealer shops, except, a new motor was needed in one. I am MUCH more confident leaving my car in the hand of a dealer than in Jim Bob's Quik Shop. Yes, Qui"k".

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by zoomie »My pain is not based on this one instance and is based on 9 dealerships and 2.5 years of car ownership. Theres 4 more stories I cringe about but see no point in dragging them out to establish credibility here.GM should go the way of Bear Stearns I hate to even suggest this but in my experience in Auto Repair and customer relations that sometimes it isn't the car, it isn't the repair technician, it isn't the repair facility, it isn't the service writer or manager....... it is unfortunately the customer.If you've had 9 bad experiences in 9 dealerships, I'd suggest that you do some serious inward attitude self evaluation.Dave

[zoomie]

I never said 9 for 9

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by zoomie »I have free OCI's for 5 years or 100K Kms at any GM dealer I choose. I remember getting offered that when I bought mine. I chose the purchase price discount instead. I know my opinion on dealerships and dealer techs so it was an easy choice. I believe it was a $500 discount. With 97000kms, it's about even.