Lower oil pan

I just had my oil changed this weekend and the mechanic came to me with a quote to change the lower oil pan because it was "stripped at the bolt". The quote was for $443.. $200 labor and $243 for the pan. First, I know I can get the pan literally anywhere else for WAY cheaper, it's like $95 on Amazon.. but my issue is, if they're the ones that stripped it, shouldn't they be responsible for replacing it? I've taken it to the same place for oil changes since 2017, since I got the truck, so they've been the only ones to touch that pan.

 

Are you saying the drain plug is stripped?

 

Not the plug itself, but the pan where the plug goes. At least that's what the tech told me. I haven't looked at it myself yet.. I probably should.

 

Is it driveable? Is plug holding for now?

If the threads are stripped at the drain there are a few things to try:

- Re-Tapped or chase threads in pan
- There used to be kits available that included a new plug that would rethread the pan threads to next size and maybe different thread.

 

Yes it's driveable and it's plugged for now, he just said the next time I bring it in it will have to be changed. I'll look into what you suggested, thank you.

 

Nikki,
You’re absolutely right that they should take full responsibility for that. Please try gentle escalation up the food chain. You don’t say if the service was done at a dealership, private shop or chain. You also could let them know you will begin negative reviews on various media like yelp, etc.

If you do have to handle the repair, replacement, oversized, self-threading oil pan plugs ( mentioned above) are not expensive and easy to install. I’m pretty sure I have 2 on shelves in my shop.

 

I had a drain plug that was supposedly stripped on my Volvo and I continued to drive it and get the oil changed without issues and it never leaked. Biggest thing is if it doesn't leak then don't change it. But if they jacked it up I'd make them fix it

 

Yea, I would start having a conversation not about price, but how the bolt was stripped.

 

Just from personal experience you will have to go up the chain and prove that you have taken the truck there for every oil change. Once you get up high enough then they will pay for it to be replaced.

 

Oh I can do that, I keep ALL of my maintenance receipts.

 

FYI
search
“oil pan plug repair kit”
on Amazon

 

I’ve done my own oil for 12 yrs/151k mi on my 07. No leaks or stripped bolts. Stripping those is being careless or incompetent. Its a brain dead job to complete.

It’s on them IMO. I’d go for a new pan set up, not a “fix” from them since they don’t seem worth their salt at easy jobs to begin with.

 

They probably over tightened on previous change like dealer did to my oil filter cap.

 

It seems you have the records showing they were the only ones to change the oil so I would want it restored to original condition. There is no excuse for stripping an oil pan out. That pan is neither that expensive nor that hard to install, they should stand good for it. In nearly 50 years of changing oil on cars, trucks, tractors and a few aircraft I have never stripped a pan. I have replaced a drain plug or two because the threads showed signs of being "pulled" by someone before me. If they try to insist on an oversize plug or other cheap remedy just remind them how expensive the engine is that their $5.00 oversize plug fix is holding the oil in.

 

Are we even sure that there is anything actually wrong? I keep wondering if they are looking for a way to up sell you for maintenance that does not need to be done.

You need to make them show you what is wrong and take pictures of the damage. Like said above, if they were the ones to do the oil changes, then they are on the hook for the repairs.

Oil changes are not hard, but it could be easy to cross thread the drain plug if one is in a hurry. Its still on the shop that did the work.

 

Yeah that's my concern as well, that they're just trying to take money from me. They gave me some other quotes for changing power steering fluid, front and rear diff fluid, and one other thing I can't remember off the top of my head that I've read doesn't NEED to be changed. I'm still researching those, but I'm definitely going to tell them to eat shit on the oil pan and never go there again.

 

Was this a chain? or a Dealership?

if they stripped the pan during an oil change they sure as hell can't be trusted with replacing an oil pan. You have proof they are the only ones working on it. go in with that, tell them that you will go to a 3rd party to verify and they will pay for diagnosis and repair if needed. Also mention small claims court, you'll be amazed how easy it is and how many times the judge will side with the consumer.

I hate to say it, but it happens to women more than men, my wife has had it happen a few times. There are still shops that will prey on women customers, then when they get called out by a guy, the conversation changes. Boils my freaking blood.

 

A chain. The thing is, they've never done this before in the 2 years I've been going there. They've always only recommended repairs to things that needed it, and showed me proof it needed it. That's why I had to get everyone's opinion on here, I trusted them up until this point. There's a dealership a little further down the road, I'll be going there from now on.. Kicking myself in the butt for not going there to begin with.

 

People are trustworthy until they're not. It's fine, things change people change. The question is, do you want to give them a shot to remedy this situation.

I know a lot of people in the food service industry. Many are head chefs and sous chefs. All of them agree that a customer leaving unhappy without saying anything is the worst thing that can happen to an establishment. Good people would like the opportunity to renew or build good faith.
Mistakes happen and the grunt on the ground really has no room to make those kinds of decisions. I would advise that you talk to someone and give them the opportunity to fix it. If they give you "that's just wear and tear" or something similar fine, walk away. They aren't good, logical people and you shouldn't interact with them.

 

This just happened to me yesterday at Don McGill Toyota in Katy Texas. I am currently dealing with them over this incompetence.

 

Updates?