Failed oil change

2,232 Views | 13 Replies | Last: 7 mo ago by JamesPShelley
JBAG064
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10:29a, 6/10/25
AG
I'll go ahead and get it out of the way, i know be a man and change your own oil... life gets hectic and I took the easy way out and now are facing the repercussions and need advice as to what the experts here would do.

Last Monday 6/2 I took it to a major chain oil change place, got oil changed and proceed like normal. Thursday i notice what appears to be a oil leak, probably the diameter of a coffee mug, but doesn't look major. I figured i would take it back Friday have them top it off/fix it. Friday morning rolls around and i go to start car and after about a 30-45 seconds down the road the low oil pressure light comes on. I pucker up and immediately go back home. There is oil everywhere, from where it had been sitting and then strung down the road where i drove and a noticeable clanking sound.

Friday at lunch i go to back and tell them the situation and tell them it need to be towed back and fixed. Of course i get the run around and given some corporate number to call in which i never get a hold of anyone, so i send email. Yesterday I got an email back, saying that the claims dept would be in touch in no less then 5 business days.

So as I await that response should i do nothing and see what they say? Just go ahead and change myself and learn my lesson? Have it towed to my trusted mechanic so that I have some fight once they tell me to pound sand?

I just worry if there was major damage caused by this.

Thanks in advance. Its an 18 Expedition with 153000 miles on it for what thats worth

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P.H. Dexippus
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In reply to JBAG064 • 10:57a, 6/10/25
AG
Do not make any changes to the vehicle until they agree in writing to make you whole. I'd ask for their shop insurance policy and initiate a claim. I'm not one quick to recommend legal intervention, but I'd probably also talk to a lawyer.
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The Wonderer
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3:15p, 6/10/25
AG
What county? I have some consumer law friends around the state.
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Canyon99
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4:02p, 6/10/25
AG
Will be interesting to see the cause of this issue. Rubber gasket on old oil filter stuck to housing?
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JBAG064
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4:20p, 6/10/25
AG
Harris County

As to what caused it, i'm not sure exactly but i suspect the filter possibly wasn't tightened properly and it worked its self loose possibly.
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akaggie05
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5:50p, 6/10/25
AG
Major clanking sound? You likely have catastrophic engine damage. Don't start it again and document everything. Get their corporate office involved and stop talking to the local shop.
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ttha_aggie_09
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8:51p, 6/10/25
AG
Be prepared for them to deny they did anything wrong and make you "prove it".

When this happened to me, we were lucky enough that they failed to put oil back in it after draining it, and it died waiting on the car wash. While at mechanic for engineer replacement, my guy told me they get at least one of these a month and most folks never get reimbursed because that can't "prove" the place didn't put their plug on incorrectly or failed to tighten oil filter.

Hopefully yours is a good situation but I would mentally prepare for a fight and be prepared to be disappointed.

Good luck!
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fixer
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In reply to JBAG064 • 8:09a, 6/11/25
JBAG064 said:

Thursday i notice what appears to be an oil leak, probably the diameter of a coffee mug, but doesn't look major.



Come again?

I'd classify that as major for any vehicle made after about 1990.

Good natured kidding aside, you have a problem on your hands because at that age and mileage the corporate managers will eagerly claim the leak was already there and to pound sand.

This is the danger of these places . Lots of loopholes to squirm out of the culpability.

I would get under the suv and take pictures. Possibly locate source of the leak.

I would try to get a remedy through the oil change shop management first. If it is predictable that it will drag on for weeks and weeks then I'd look at other options.

If you have alternate means of transportation you can wait this out much longer.

The next best option is to handle this yourself in terms of seeing if the engine has any lingering damage. Take it to a known good independent shop with good record on ecoboost engines. I would check to see if the camshafts are advancing and ******ing normally. They can also pico scope the bottom end to see if there is any incipient bearing noise. This is after they do a good oil change and inspect for major metal debris in oil filter.

It is likely the noise you heard is the cam phasers clanking. This is the first spot you see issues with low oil pressure on these types of engines.
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JBAG064
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10:34a, 6/11/25
AG
Appreciate the responses. Mentality prepared for a fight and to be disappointed and await there response before doing anything.
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Dr. Doctor
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 10:57a, 6/11/25
AG
THAT'S why my cars never seem to drive fast. I have the wrong 'engineer' in my car!

~egon
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to Dr. Doctor • 11:25a, 6/11/25
AG
I'm leaving that typo
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Martin Q. Blank
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 11:26a, 6/11/25
Quote:
While at mechanic for engineer replacement, my guy told me they get at least one of these a month and most folks never get reimbursed because that can't "prove" the place didn't put their plug on incorrectly or failed to tighten oil filter.
Aren't civil suits "preponderance of evidence"? You don't have to "prove" they didn't do it correctly. Just show they more likely than not didn't do it correctly.
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The Wonderer
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12:04p, 6/11/25
AG
Quote:
Quote:
While at mechanic for engineer replacement, my guy told me they get at least one of these a month and most folks never get reimbursed because that can't "prove" the place didn't put their plug on incorrectly or failed to tighten oil filter.
Aren't civil suits "preponderance of evidence"? You don't have to "prove" they didn't do it correctly. Just show they more likely than not didn't do it correctly.

Generally speaking, yes.
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JamesPShelley
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In reply to Canyon99 • 6:47a, 6/12/25
Canyon99 said:
Will be interesting to see the cause of this issue. Rubber gasket on old oil filter stuck to housing?
That happened to me. Once.

Self changed my oil... started driving... trail of oil... lost 9 quarts... upon inspection failed to remove the old seal.

It will be interesting to see if your mechanic finds that extra seal.
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