Had an oil change at the local express lube on my 2002 Hyundai and have been doing so for years. Noticed that the lifters were noisy (sounded like a dodge slant 6). I figured it was my imagination and it has been doing it for a while, just didn't notice. Then it was getting louder. So about 500 miles after the oil change, I checked the dipstick. no oil. I called the oil shop and told them that the engine had no oil. The manager came down and added 3 quarts before it was measuring on the dip stick. I brought the car down later that day and they added another quart. The engine holds 4.5 quarts. The manager looked all around the underside of the car/engine looking for signs of a leak, 4 quarts worth in 500 miles. No leaks. They asked me to bring the car back in 500 miles, and I did. The dipstick still measured full. So what's in this for me? I ran my engine will little to no oil, and there has to be damage. I have all the conversations recorded to protect me from the 'I don't know what you are talking about sir, we never make a mistake.' What type of damages should I be asking the owner for? 1/2 the cost to replace the engine? I am not looking for a new car, but I certainly have damages that should be compensated for.
As mad as you are, and I would be too, you have to prove damages. If you were to take this claim to small claims court right now, you would lose as you have no evidence of damage.
I would immediately take it to a very reputable mechanic, keeping in mind that if push comes to shove in the future, you will have to have the mechanic testify in court, so choose a good one and one that can communicate well.
I would have them do a full diagnostic, probably drop the oil pan and look for any signs of damage. That's when you'll know what to ask for in a claim of the express lube, or in a small claims case.
In the meantime, I'd tell everybody I know what happened to you and warn them against going to that shop.
The express lube should have insurance for this type of mistake and I'd have them pay for the repairs needed. Your going to need a history of the oil changes to your car to back that up and then go see a Law firm for advice. At worst you can go to the court house and fill out a **** against the express lube for there failure to provide the service payed for and negligence to the service provided. Have there quotes to the cause and repair to the damages to your cars engine. Good luck and keep me posed, note: have a oil annalist taken. It coast about $6.00 to have it done and that can tell you what internal damages was done due to the amount of different bearing metal fillings are floating around.
I would go for full cost of repair but im sure they have a paper that says there not liable if this sort of thing happens ...When he put the oil in the car for you...did he go under the vehicle at all ? if he did i would beat he replaced the drain nut in the oil pan. Maybe a rookie did the oil change and forgot the drain nut.If this helped vote
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