TechFounder
New Member
- Jurisdiction
- Ohio
I took the family minivan to the dealership to have its second oil change done since new. The next day while driving at roughly 60 miles per hour i notice the van suddenly wasn't accelerating as it normally would, there was an unfamiliar smell, and I heard an unfamiliar noise. The check engine light came on. I began immediately working my way to the shoulder to assess the vehicle. As I made this maneuver the low oil pressure light became illuminated. Upon reaching the shoulder, I shut the vehicle off and called a tow truck to return the vehicle to the dealership.
I spoke with the service manager at the dealership. He informed me that they had taken the vehicle and serviced it. During their investigation, they discovered a 1/4 inch gap between the oil filter and the housing which allowed all the oil to come out of the motor. He explained that their assessment had revealed no further issues with the vehicle.
I explained to him, my background as a mechanical engineer and as the founder of a now defunct boutique auto manufacturer. I explained that engine damage occurs immediately to any motor run with out motor oil and explained that the document I shared with him will be the only remedy for this issue. We brought them a brand new vehicle and expect that we will be restored to new vehicle condition. Here is the document I shared with them: SWEENEY OIL CHANGE ISSUE
My reasoning is that damage that occurs in this fashion typically does not show up until later in the vehicle life cycle. Further, due to the components soaked in engine oil, the vehicle is prone to a multitude of reliability issues due to part failure and worse is now a fire hazard due to components like the catalytic converter having been soaked in oil. I feel any other remedy is putting my wife and four kids at risk that we have no responsibility for as we trusted the dealership to fulfill the contract with competence.
Please provide perspective.
I spoke with the service manager at the dealership. He informed me that they had taken the vehicle and serviced it. During their investigation, they discovered a 1/4 inch gap between the oil filter and the housing which allowed all the oil to come out of the motor. He explained that their assessment had revealed no further issues with the vehicle.
I explained to him, my background as a mechanical engineer and as the founder of a now defunct boutique auto manufacturer. I explained that engine damage occurs immediately to any motor run with out motor oil and explained that the document I shared with him will be the only remedy for this issue. We brought them a brand new vehicle and expect that we will be restored to new vehicle condition. Here is the document I shared with them: SWEENEY OIL CHANGE ISSUE
My reasoning is that damage that occurs in this fashion typically does not show up until later in the vehicle life cycle. Further, due to the components soaked in engine oil, the vehicle is prone to a multitude of reliability issues due to part failure and worse is now a fire hazard due to components like the catalytic converter having been soaked in oil. I feel any other remedy is putting my wife and four kids at risk that we have no responsibility for as we trusted the dealership to fulfill the contract with competence.
Please provide perspective.