Oil Filter - Crap Servicing
Oil Filter - Crap Servicing
Author
Discussion

andy jb

Original Poster:

1,321 posts

249 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
On the Chim, is it possible to change an oil filter without draining the oil first?

The query arises out of some particularly stunning ineptitude from an TVR independant who didn't change my filter during an oil change !!!!!!! Perhaps they though t i wouldn't notice!!!

that daddy

19,455 posts

251 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
dont use em again, just remove the old filter fill up the new one with oil spin on & tighten,run engine for a couple of minutes and check for leaks and Bobs your uncle.

944gav

157 posts

250 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
If they have not bothered to change the filter, not sure I would trust that they have put a decent oil in it either. Personally, I would change the oil too for peace of mind.

that daddy

19,455 posts

251 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
fair comment gavin,i would be inclined to get the car checked over too,what else have they skipped thats just taking the p*ss.

antonyj

5,254 posts

311 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
Andy, I can reccomend Sportmotive in Stoke on trent, Ian will look after you.

www.sportmotive.com

M@H

11,298 posts

302 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
..what has the independent garage had to say for themselves..?

andy jb

Original Poster:

1,321 posts

249 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
Thanks - i'll change the filter myself

Well the full impact of this nonsense is that i supplied my own oil to change to my choice of viscocity grade, ie 10/50 from 5/40. This now means i have a litre of 5/40 mixed in with fresh 10/50.

The level was also significantly overfilled with 6 litres (way over on dispstick to confirm this).

The garage even asked when i arrived if i wanted teh filter changed too, which i confirmed (why wouldn't you)

Worst of all this isn't a back street garage but a prominent TVR specialist in the Midlands.

I have used them once before which was also a dishonest service but gave them the benefit of the doubt. I should be naming & shaming really and copied to the Lotus forum

theaxe

3,571 posts

252 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
That's really bad, I'd make them start again at their own cost.

andy jb

Original Poster:

1,321 posts

249 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
Unfortunately not that straightforward

Firstly my tax expires on Saturday for winter lay-up end of Sept and secondly i'm not local to them.

I should have done it myself as I always have. I mean how difficult can it actually be to change the oil & filter properly, and just to keep the service book stamped up. Beggars belief

that daddy

19,455 posts

251 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
andy with workmanship like this it might be time to start learning,and your right its not that hard just take your time and pay attention to why and what your doing.good luck,i do this stuff for a living and we never stop learning,its just common sense nuts & bolts.

chim666

2,337 posts

295 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
My local main dealer did this - their excuse was that the mechanic removed the old one...got distracted and put it back on again by mistake! yikes

They refunded the cost of the filter. I received no letter of apology, no offer of discount on future work....and I went elsewhere.

Aaron C. Reskew

615 posts

282 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
That sounds like a really poor excuse to me.
For a start the old filter would have been dirty on the outside and warm if the oil was changed when it should have been.
I know your average mechanic or more correctly, parts changer, is usually a bit on the thick side but that excuse beggars belief.

The distracted bit is all too common too in the rush to get your car in and out in record time (more profit).
I know of a Griffith needing a new gearbox following a major service. The mechanic had forgotten to put fresh oil in after draining the old.
They told the owner it was a major failure and could have happened at any time . Funny that, i've not heard of any T5 gearbox failing unless it is extreme mileage or abused. This box had only done 25K from new and the car never thrashed.

The diff is another classic. As most owners do not get under there car to inspect it following a service, the diff oil change often gets left out.

chim666

2,337 posts

295 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
Aaron C. Reskew said:
.... the old filter would have been dirty on the outside and warm....

Exactly.
They were trying it on IMO, not expecting me to notice.

derbygreg

365 posts

252 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
name and shame!!! I live nearby and dont want to get done over like that! Its fair i recon...

micky g

1,577 posts

265 months

Wednesday 27th September 2006
quotequote all
No prizes for guessing......

M@H

11,298 posts

302 months

Thursday 28th September 2006
quotequote all
micky g said:
No prizes for guessing......


(removed)

Edited by TonyHetherington on Thursday 28th September 15:17

andy jb

Original Poster:

1,321 posts

249 months

Thursday 28th September 2006
quotequote all
Yes - you guessed correctly
Short-termism to its extreme exemplified by a close friend who is busy in the Lotus Club and forums which this garage also services. Word gets about too - he's already cancelled his booking and prepared a write up for others to read based on another experience....

tobeee

1,436 posts

298 months

Thursday 28th September 2006
quotequote all
Beautiful colour Chim Andy! Not seen that on a tiv before.

M@H

11,298 posts

302 months

Thursday 28th September 2006
quotequote all
I've heard some poor things said over some time, I was going to take my Tiv there a year or two back as the Servicing prices seemed very competetive however was warned off by other PHers by email.

Edited by M@H on Thursday 28th September 15:25

pupp

12,978 posts

302 months

Thursday 28th September 2006
quotequote all
M@H said:
micky g said:
No prizes for guessing......


(removed)


Isn't this a bit ambiguous (and potentially damaging to other concerns)?

Edited by TonyHetherington on Thursday 28th September 15:18