Bill Ball

OK, I guess - it's not worded clearly. REGARDLESS, he needs a receipt that shows they added 5 quarts on the SECOND visit or it is just his word against theirs. The 10W 30, although technically not correct, would not account for engine seizure under daily driving conditions.

928ntslow

Oh wait, this thread can only get better...

Bill Ball

Hee, hee.

danglerb

Thats why I think he needs a good lawyer in the loop asap, the lawyer should know what to do to secure information. Things like security tapes, subpoena witnesses, before they can cover anything up. Once everybody gets into CYA mode, starts not remembering things, starts remembering new things, you end up with a maybe situation where they pay nothing.

Read this thread learn stuff, print it out, but then delete it, you don't want to have any publically searchable fuzzy information floating around.

Mark

I agree with all that has been said with regards to getting legal advice...ASAP!!

A couple more things...
1 - Post where you are located. There are hopefully some knowledgeable R'listers nearby that can help you out.
and
2 - Get an oil analysis done. Many have had very good luck with Blackstone. -> http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

AO

Good call on the oil analysis, Mark.

hacker-pschorr

Even if your father-in-law works at the tire store....NEVER take any car you really care about there:

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30674

Flott Leben

I've got news for you, that comment is offensive (and coming from an insurance agent????) but I do agree with the advice – try the insurance company first. But if you get nowhere you will want to get an attorney with experience in these types of claims.

Document everything and anything as much as possible, especially the admissions of fault and liability by the shop, and do it contemporaneously. Take pictures of any oil samples and engine damage as you or a qualified technician break down and examine the engine to determine what is wrong. Do the oil analysis and keep track of all associated costs (mechanics costs, analysis cost, rental costs, etc.). Then you will have built yourself a good case and when you present all that evidence to a lawyer he or she may only have to write a letter or two to get you compensated.

danglerb

Whats a reasonable expectation assuming BigO is found or agrees it was at fault?

A) They pay for a complete overhaul.
B) They pay some prorated portion based on the normal rebuild time.
C) They pay for a replacement used motor.
D) They pay NADA book and buy the car to salvage.

The problem isn't having an oil change at Big O, the Big O near me used to be at least, the best tire shop in town, and the only place with a guy still around that could spin a tire on the car. Some of the best service I have ever had was with a Firestone store where the manager took personal responsibility for everything that happened in his store. Deal with people, not store names.

You also need to be open to the possibility that whatever happened was unrelated to the oil change.

Good luck, and don't wait.

Jim bailey - 928 International

The shop is only liable for the replacement value of the car. But they are clearly liable. They Failed to refill the oil. They failed to CHECK it. They told him to drive it back AFTER he told them the oil was low. About the ONLY thing worse would have been leaving the drain plug out !

pks

Thanks again for all your great input. Just to clarify some items. The actual amount of oil they put in the car was 3 quarts since they had to add another 5 quarts when I came back.

Someone suggested that I should take a look at the receipt. On the receipt it says “Add up to 5 quarts”. Now that doesn’t actually mean that they put 5 quarts in the car (we know they didn’t). However, in my opinion that means that they never checked how much oil goes into a 928. According to the receipt they would never have put more than 5 quarts of oil in the car although in this case they only put 3. Next to the “Add up to 5 quarts” on the receipt it says “Unit 1” so I guess I was charged for 5 quarts which is not enough to fill up a 928.

I can’t recall if the car run rough as soon as it was started, however, after a few minutes it was running rough. This was especially noticeable when I had to stop for a red light. That’s when I really noticed how the car was shaking and decided to turn off the car and check the oil.

I’m located in Carlsbad, CA (North of San Diego) and the Big-O-Tires shop is also located in Carlsbad.

I just received message from the Big-O-Tires shop that the manager has talked to the corporate office. I will go there this afternoon to find out what they have to say. I will write an update after I have talked to them.

Peter

928saregreat

What a nightmare. It's sad but you can't trust places like that at all. You have to double-check the work done. That said its their legal resposibility to make sure the the correct oil amount/viscosity is put in and the oil level checked. When you have the engine repaired, explain to the mechanic what happened and make sure all damage is photographed and documented. You'll need this when you take them to court. They may take resposibility for the mistakes but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Make sure you cover yourself. Keep your original invoice and try to get the mechanic doing the repair's opinion on the invoice as well. Good luck and I think that if you document everything and cover your tracks it will work out in your favour eventually.

Mark

SharkSkin

That "Unit 1" line item you're looking at is a standard item -- a package deal, as it were. For example, filter, labor, and "up to 5 quarts of oil" for $19.99, then an additional line item should be whatever you were charged for additional oil beyond 5 quarts. 911s take something like 12 quarts, lots of diesel engines take 10+ quarts -- all this means is that their package deal covers the first 5 quarts.

Mark

Okay, Olson...what's the deal??? You've posted nice things about me TWICE today? You must want something!

J/K, my good friend....have a great Thanksgiving!

JHowell37

I was wondering about this as well. Almost all oil change places include the first 5 quarts of oil in the flat rate price. If they added 3 quarts to the total, then that should add up to 8 quarts according to my math. That only strengthens your argument because you paid for 8 quarts and only got 3 initially. I bet the tech didn't understand that on the work order but saw 3 quarts of oil, so that's what he put in it. If that's what happened then it was an honest mistake due to a failure to communicate between the service writer and the tech. Nonetheless, the shop is still responsible for their errors.