screwed by an oil change dealer

[muru]

Ok..I am not an automotive guy.
Last saturday I took my 1999 Mazda Protege DX for an oil change.
The mechanic opening up the hood tells me that the transmission dipstick is missing.

I am in my car waiting for the oil change process to get complete thinking abt the missing transmission dip stick and now I am seeing the mechanic inserting a dipstick somehwere in a location which is in front of the drivers seat. I guess this is mostly the transmission unit where it looks like a bent tube. As I see him doing this he forces the stick and the stick is now broken and in his hand he has a small portion of the remaining stick. The other portion of the tube is still in the tube inside. By seeing this I get frightened and now 3 other mechanics join together to remove the immersed stick from the tube.

But these guys were not able to do the same and assured me they would call the dealer and ask him how to do it and give me a call this monday. So I called him today and he is going to call me by this evening after talking to the dealer. I am also in no mood to take my car back again after such an experience.

Right now the car has a broken oil dipstick inserted just for sake and a missing transmission stick and a piece of stick inside the transmission tube.

I am really worried about this.
Will the tube go into my transmission and jam something. ?

I called my local mazda dealer and he can have a look at it and get the stick for free if it is a simple issue. I am not sure how complicated it is ? Is it safe to drive around. The oil change guy is completely responsible for this. I am really worried ..Guys give me some ideas how to deal this problem.

 

[changedman]

I would be led to say that it is a problem since the TOP of the dipstick usually holds it at the correct spot to read, I would also be worried about that piece that is left in there.

I would say get advice before you drive it. Call the dealer and ask them.

 

[MSPinVA]

why were you missing your tranny dipstick in the first place? at any rate, im pretty sure that it's easy to get out, but DO NOT drive the car. a piece of dipstick in your auto tranny = crunch.

 

[Natey]

Who did this? What town?

 

[muru]

in Michigan

 

[muru]

Also I talked to the dealer..he told me it is not of a big issue to drive and has given me appointment next Monday. But I am still worried.

 

[simdrew]

in Michigan

Whereabouts in Michigan?

 

[SciFiMan]

Record all the information you can remember, and get names, etc. for any legal action if it ends up breaking your tranny. Can you take some digi pics of the results?

Can you find a small enough magnet to go down the tube to fish it out? I wouldn't drive it until a real mechanic takes a look.

 

[TheJackyl]

Jiffy Lube iz the s***
hope everything is alright wit it

 

[akhilleus]

they make magnetic extensions that are pretty cheap and would get it out. Always good to have one around too.

 

[CrazyCaker]

I'd still drive it around. If the dealership is telling you it's OK, then they are taking responsiblility for it. I'm hoping that the place where you got your oil changed is offering to pay for the repairs?

 

[ddogg777]

I'd still drive it around. If the dealership is telling you it's OK, then they are taking responsiblility for it. I'm hoping that the place where you got your oil changed is offering to pay for the repairs?

Only if it is signed writing will they take responsiblity for it!!

 

[YellowMP5]

I'd still drive it around. If the dealership is telling you it's OK, then they are taking responsiblility for it. I'm hoping that the place where you got your oil changed is offering to pay for the repairs?

how is the dealer taking the responsibility for this? of course they are going to tell you its ok to drive, he'll **** his car up and the stealership will charge him an arm, a leg and his left ear to fix his car. they want the money. (almost) never listen to the people at the dealership. they are not your friends.

but i have a few question:
1) did you go for an engine oil change or tranny oil change?
2)what do you mean you guess its the "transmission unit". whip your manual out and check/learn where stuff is.
3)so did he break the tranny dipstick (which is not there like you said) or the engine oil dipstick?
4) if its the engine dipstick, why is it in the tranny tube (like MSPinVA said)?
5)what the hell where you doing sitting in the car when they were doing the change?

 

[muru]

1) did you go for an engine oil change or tranny oil change?
--Drive through Oil Change - I am going to the same person for past 2 yrs and no problem.

2)what do you mean you guess its the "transmission unit". whip your manual out and check/learn where stuff is.

-I cannot see it in the manual. But it is the transmission tube.

3)so did he break the tranny dipstick (which is not there like you said) or the engine oil dipstick?

Oil Dipstick

4) if its the engine dipstick, why is it in the tranny tube (like MSPinVA said)?

I dont have any clue why did the guy inserted the oil stick into the tranmission tube.

5)what the hell where you doing sitting in the car when they were doing the change?
--It is a drive through as I said already. I am one of those drivers who knows some auto basics and how to drive a car.

 

[YellowMP5]

well i really hope they get it out and there is no damage. i guess you won't be going back to that place again. in my opinion, you shouldn't be seating in the car when somebody is working on it, you should be outside watching what they are doing. meanwhile, i would call the main office and complain, i would try to get the tech fired, as well as get your money back for the oil change. even if there is no damage, look at all the agravation you are going through after a simple oil change.

is this a national chain or private shop.

 

[black03mazda]

I agree. You shouldn't be continuing on going to this place for unjust service. Also, you shouldnt be sitting in a car while they are doing things to your engine that you cannot visibly see. I , personally, go to the dealer for this reason because if they break it then they will replace and have full responsibility for the problem. Dealerships wouldnt be in business if they were out to screw people over. Not to sound cheesy but I have seen "Dateline" specials on those Perfect Auto Places and where they scew people over even if they dont need the service. When I went to my dealer last month i asked him if i need anything else but i was fully aware of what service i needed and they said "if i did, it wouldnt be right". You get what u pay for man... Good Luck.

 

[muru]

Guys The update is I am going to take it to the dealer and he is going to give me an estimate of how much it is going to cost. Will post tomorrow.

 

[muru]

Update.
The dealer charged me 2 hrs of labour at $80 and remvoed the broken stick.
I called the oil change shop to reimburse the money. They are interested in fixing the car for me for free but they will not pay any money.

I am really worried to drive the car and even scared to drive my car back to the oil change shop. Being a minimal 160$ + 40$ (for new parts) I ended up paying it and got the broken piece out. Will give another shot at the oil change center to see if they reimburse the money.

 

[Masshole]

Update.
The dealer charged me 2 hrs of labour at $80 and remvoed the broken stick.
I called the oil change shop to reimburse the money. They are interested in fixing the car for me for free but they will not pay any money.

I am really worried to drive the car and even scared to drive my car back to the oil change shop. Being a minimal 160$ + 40$ (for new parts) I ended up paying it and got the broken piece out. Will give another shot at the oil change center to see if they reimburse the money.

have a lawyer send them a notarized letter. that will scare the crap out of them. also, you want to contact their district/regional office; the store's manager probably has no authority, and moreover doesn't care.

 

[jscott33]

Update.
The dealer charged me 2 hrs of labour at $80 and remvoed the broken stick.
I called the oil change shop to reimburse the money. They are interested in fixing the car for me for free but they will not pay any money.

I am really worried to drive the car and even scared to drive my car back to the oil change shop. Being a minimal 160$ + 40$ (for new parts) I ended up paying it and got the broken piece out. Will give another shot at the oil change center to see if they reimburse the money.

WTF - Where is this oil change place in michigan and what is it called. That is some crazy shhitte. Call and tell the regional office it is a national or state chain.


(screwy)