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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / General Car Topics / December 2005Valvoline forgot to put oil in?
2002 Chevy Malibu I got an oil change last night. Right after I left, the oil pressure light came on. I parked in a parking lot of a store and went inside, thinking that it was a tripped sensor that needed to reset after getting an oil change. Cam back out and the light was still on. I pulled out and the engine started making noise. I headed straight back to Valvoline, but the engine "died" about 2 blocks away. I called up Valvoline and they were expecting my call. They said there was a leak they noticed after I left due to the cap underneath not being tight. One of them drove to me and checked the cap under my car and put new oil in. He put in at least 4 quarts, so I was running on empty. My guess is that whatever coating was left from the oil that was in there must have worn off, causing the the engine to lock up. The engine did not overheat. I went back to Valvoline where they topped me off, gave me two free oil change certificates, and sent me on my way. I even asked if there could be any damage to my engine from what happened. I was told a simple "No.". I called a mechanic as soon as I got home a got a much different answer. Today, I had it towed to a Chevy certified dealership for an inspection and diagnosis. There is now a knocking/pinging that was NOT there before. I have spoken with my insurance company to have them do some of the "work" on my behalf. The consensus from everyone I've spoken to is that Valvoline will be getting me a new engine. I'm waiting for the results to give to them since my car has a clean history and I've never had a problem. I've talked to two individuals at Valvoline so far. One was very understanding and just needed approval from his manager to take care of the charges involved (I'm expecting to get a rental car in the meantime on their budget). The other tried to convince you that any damage in my engine may not be attributed to what happened last night. This was the same one that had told me no damage could occur from running an engine on no oil and having it die. What do you think? >2002 Chevy Malibu > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >could occur from running an engine on no oil and having it die. What do >you think? From your description I'd say in all likelihood the engine spun a bearing from running without oil. Seems to me they owe you an engine. Expect major weaseling on their part, however. > 2002 Chevy Malibu > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > could occur from running an engine on no oil and having it die. What do > you think? You better get anything Valvoline offers in writing. If your insurance company does not help you then you should also get an attorney and start proceedings. Include the cost of the attorney in the settlement figure. Be careful and good luck! Andrew  SignatureMr. Transmission Sucks! http://mrtransmissionsucks.com To email me remove the NOSPAM in my email address >2002 Chevy Malibu > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >could occur from running an engine on no oil and having it die. What do >you think? If the engine locked up, it's toast....... You probably got a spun bearing and/or siezed piston rings. Other things could include cam bearings, lifters, worn oil pump, and more. Even the fuel pump could wear. I mean, no oil means things wore, and a lockup means something seriously wore or broke, which would most likely be a crank bearing or ring. I am surprised it even started again, but I have seen it happen. I know someone that drained their lawnmower engine in fall and started to mow in spring. The piston rings siezed to the cylinder wall. I ended up with that mower. There was a groove worn in the cylinder wall. I managed to file away one blob of metal that was keeping the piston from moving, lubed it good, and it runs again, but burns oil now. (But it chops weeds, and I needed an old beater for that) On a mower something like this is not that big a deal. On a car, its serious. I say you need a lawyer... PS. Hearing things like this makes me glad I change my own oil !!! >2002 Chevy Malibu > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >was a leak they noticed after I left due to the cap underneath not >being tight. No question the :kid" who tightened the drain plug in the pan did not check it.. and the oil leaked out... BUT you really share some of the blame ... When the oil light came on you should have turned the engine off ...its a low oil pressure indicator...not a no oil indicator... I would imagine that the oil change place will end up paying to have your engine rebuilt. BUT .no way will they "pop" to have a new GM Crate engine installed... you shared as much fault in this as they did... Bob G. At this point, Valvoline has agreed to foot the bill for a rental car, and if the Chevy dealership finds that any damage can be attributed to what happened, they will take care of the bill. All in all, I'm pleased with how they've handled it. Of course, I'd prefer if this hadn't happened in the first place. >>2002 Chevy Malibu >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > >Bob G. Any driver should know when the oil indicator light comes on you are supposed to push the gas pedal to the floor and rev the engine as high as it will go. Then just keep your foot to the floor until something makes a loud bang. I know this for fact, because I saw a guy do it at a demo derby. The derby was ended, the guy lost, and was waiting for the wrecker to come for his car. I watched him do this, and heard him yell the oil light was on. Watched him pop a Budweiser and get into the car to start revving. Of course we all know that demo derby drivers are professional drivers, so they ought to know...... Note: I think the bang is when the oil automatically refills itself in the engine. Isn't it? Redneck69 > 2002 Chevy Malibu > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > pulled out and the engine started making noise. I headed straight back > to Valvoline, but the engine "died" about 2 blocks away. [snip - horror ] your not alone in the quickie oil change blight. i now loath those crap quickie oil change places two different places over-tightened the oil drain plug on two different cars of mine, used crap fram oil filters, i had to buy oversized drain plug for one car and re-tap other to fit with an oversized plug since that drain-plug had practically been stripped (stripped = upon tightening to normal torque the plug would slip to no torque before half torque reached) then i had to file the seat/face of the drain hole flat due to lip created from the warpage causing more oil-dripping now i wonder if they ever put in the requested oil ? now I change my own oil ( i have had better luck with dealer (slower) but price competitive) but YMMV You'd figure a place that just did oil changes and lubes would be perfect at doing them. Well, I'm definately going to forego quickie places from now on, even though one bad experiece shouldn't set me for life. Better safe than sorry, which I am now. I'm quite sure that my thinking that the light would reset if it sit for a while didn't help the situation, but that still doesn't take away the initial error on their part. Oh, and they've already taken care of the rental car. 2003 Honda Civic. As long as they don't flake out when the other bill shows up, I'm okay. Although, I've talked to my insurance company. They said if they do flake, I just need to pay my $250 deductible and they will take care of it. Then, they'll go after the oil change company themselves to get my $250 and their ???$ back. > You'd figure a place that just did oil changes and lubes would be > perfect at doing them. Well, I'm definately going to forego quickie [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > the situation, but that still doesn't take away the initial error on > their part. I would figure that , i did figure that I like to believe/contribute to the support the local economy concept and even though i could change oil, i didn't really want to so, I used the dealer but they took longer than quickie oil places, then i started using the quickie places and was ignorant and happy for a few visits, figuring as you suggest , this is all they do so they ought to be pretty proficient/efficient, but then the puddle of oil and the stripped oil drains plugs and the dented and way to damm tight oil filters uhggg ! so i had to fire them and support the local auto-parts stores instead > Oh, and they've already taken care of the rental car. 2003 Honda Civic. > As long as they don't flake out when the other bill shows up, I'm okay. > Although, I've talked to my insurance company. They said if they do > flake, I just need to pay my $250 deductible and they will take care of > it. Then, they'll go after the oil change company themselves to get my > $250 and their ???$ back. well thankfully you have some one fighting/willing to fight for you , i can't imagine trying to go head up with the deaf ear of the corporate ripoff agents, customer no-service personel and the corporate sharks (attorneys) that point out in your contract (i.e. receipt) you signed, that you waived your rights to legal action bla bla good luck, sounds like you might come out clean on this one. Well, after you mentioned about signing a contract/receipt, I decided to see excactly what my receipt says. Well, all it says above my signature is the thing about "Cardholder agrees to pay specified amount". Nothing about waiving rights. So, if it came to it, and I sincerely hope it doesn't, I'd have a strong case. Not air-tight, but strong. My guess concerning how this could happen at a place that only does these things is that they figure that with such a simple procedure (that I choose not to do myself because I'm lazy) they can lower their standards on who they hire. Another thing, I got in touch with the service center that looked at my car today. My engine requires replacement. That was the answer I was looking for. If they attempted to fix it, the parts and labor would easily outprice dropping a brand new engine in. They are going to quote a price for a new and a used engine. I'm going to use the reasoning that if valvoline gets me a used engine, how do I know my best interest is being considered and that the engine is in at least as good of condition as what I had three days ago? Now, if they won't drop a new engine in, I'll go to my insurance company. They have assured me that if they can't find a used engine that meets certain criteria, they will put a new engine in. I don't think Valvoline wants to deal with an insurance company when they can keep this process between us. I do not like lawyars but in your case I suggest you get one to sue the dolts if they do not fix promptly. Seamus J. Wilson > 2002 Chevy Malibu > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > could occur from running an engine on no oil and having it die. What do > you think? |
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