Dealer mistake on oil change, would like an opinion

bigjl

arcon5 wrote: »

That's a brilliant oil level sensor then, you know it's low on oil because bottom end is knocking before the sensor knows the level is low.

Your wife sounds more competent than you

That's not how I read the situation

I thought the car was driven fine for several thousand miles then the vehicle started to make a strange noise (this is likely when the oil filler cap fell off) with the resultant loss of oil and mess.

I agree that the OP should have popped the bonnet sooner. But they are far from unusual in that respect.

bigjl

Exemplar wrote: »

I have never checked the oil in the chav wagon.

The computer has a readout showing level and time to change.

2.5 years old and I don't even know where the oil filler cap is!

I'm just not that bothered.

And that is your decision.

But would you consider the dealer at fault if you were in the OP's situation?

thescouselander

JP08 wrote: »

What makes / models were they? Genuinely curious as I want to put them in "ones to avoid" category, as it sounds a really crap idea.

Even the Toyota has a dipstick - and it's the model with the new 1.2 engine, designed in a country that loves it gadgetry ! It's actually surprisingly clear of silly plastic covers etc : http://toyotabountifulreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2015/04/auris.jpg

Specifically the cars were Audis but I think it's fairly common on many VAG cars not to have a dip stick. The setup seems to work ok though as you could see the oil level gradually reduce over time. It never caused me any problems anyway.

bigjl

warehouse wrote: »

So how did the oil cap work itself loose?

It didn't come loose for 4000 miles and many months.

And since the cap was lost there is no way to inspect it in case there had been some kind of failure of the cap.

But also no proof that the cap was in perfect working order and there must be another reason.

The OP will find it difficult if not impossible to prove the dealer is at fault, his case is that the Mechanic never put the cap back on properly.

Mercdriver

My E class has a dipstick (aside from the driver) my father in law's old C class (55 plate) didn't have one.

neilmcl

JP08 wrote: »

What makes / models were they? Genuinely curious as I want to put them in "ones to avoid" category, as it sounds a really crap idea.

Even the Toyota has a dipstick - and it's the model with the new 1.2 engine, designed in a country that loves it gadgetry ! It's actually surprisingly clear of silly plastic covers etc : http://toyotabountifulreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2015/04/auris.jpg

A lot of BMWs don't have dipsticks, all done electronically.

JP08

Thanks to all who replied to my "ones to avoid" query.


Looks like my motoring options are going to be shorter in future - though as the Toyota was new I'm hoping to get a good decade or two out of it ...

Exemplar

bigjl wrote: »

And that is your decision.

But would you consider the dealer at fault if you were in the OP's situation?

No........

bigjl

Exemplar wrote: »

No........

Exactly

I am of the same opinion

It's unfortunate but I don't think the dealer is responsible, if it happened the next day or within a few days that would be different.

Also the strange noise heard initially was almost certainly when the cap came off, popping the bonnet at that time would have prevented any consequential loss or damage

forgotmyname

warehouse wrote: »

So how did the oil cap work itself loose?

The answer to that would have been revealed the week after you had it serviced. Although after a service checking the fluids is something i do more often than usual.

Ive had to go back in and get someone out to check the oil level before, seems they must have filled it twice. Way way over the max mark. Good job they didnt road test it and that i checked it before driving away.

I dont think a motorway journey would have ended well with that much oil in the sump.