Take the 2015 Honda Accord V6 to get an oil change at the dealership today. I wait and work on the computer, its usually less than an hour. They come in and tell me about the battery recall I already know about, said it would take an additional hour plus to deal with that. I say I'll do it another day. They come back again awhile later and inform me they forgot to put the drainplug in, the oil leaked out everywhere and made a huge mess. It will take a bit longer, they will clean it up, free oil change and rotation.

I'm out the door 2 hours after arriving. I'm guessing the wheels spun on the oil, they had it all cleaned up though. I ask the service advisor how long the engine ran without oil, he said "30 seconds" and when they realized it, they pushed it back in the garage. I asked if the oil light came on, he said no. They said they would take care of it if there are any problems. I thanked him for his honesty, time will tell the engine's fate.

I didn't notice any difference in engine sound or mileage in my 30min drive to work right afterwards. Although, my tire pressure light came on. I hit an exit ramp and checked it, it had warmed up to 40psi in the tires with 78mph on a sunny 94 degree day. So, the technician had put too much air in the tires. Somehow they changed the memory seat setting for my seat too. I would have loved to have been a fly on the dash of my car for that service trip.

I'm assuming most likely I am OK, even though I bet the "30 seconds" was probably 5 minutes. I assume there was little to no transmission load placed on the engine other than perhaps a tire spin. Any thoughts from the SF brain trust?

If the service manager said they'd take care of the motor if any problems arise, I'd have him put it in writing. There are so many things that can go wrong when oil isn't changed properly, as it is basically the life of a motor. You may be okay because it is a Honda, but I wouldn't let him off the hook without something concrete saying he will fix any problems associated with such an incident.

did they make a note on the invoice of this, with a date ?

quote:

Originally posted by Scuba Steve Sig:
I asked if the oil light came on, he said no. They said they would take care of it if there are any problems. Any thoughts from the SF brain trust?

First thing that comes to mind is getting their verbal promise in writing. Hopefully there was a notation on the work order stating what happened, and the dealership's verbal promise to "make it right" if something goes wrong.

I would think problems related to that would show up pretty fast, but then again, maybe not.

Odds are, they double stacked the washer on the drain plug. Saw it happen many times when I worked at Honda in college.
His statement sounds pretty accurate, it starts spilling oil almost immediately, so I doubt they moved it more than a few feet before noticing.

Lucky you took it to the dealership where they have highly trained, skilled technicians to make sure things are done right.

I'd insist that they give you a written report on their screw-up in case you develop engine problems in the future.

^^^
These guys sure can type fast

People make mistakes. I'd have been upset anyway.

I would have insisted, before I left, on a letter from the dealership explaining that they left the oil drain plug out and accepting any liability, and it be signed by both the service manager and general manager/owner. No negotiation on that at all. Period.

Good luck to you.

I'd make sure you have it in writing also, but there's likely no damage done. Even without oil in the pan, the engine is still lubricated with what is stuck to all of the parts. So long as it wasn't run long enough to burn it off, it was still lubricated.

If concerned, I suspect you could send of a oil sample from this fill to a lab to be analyzed for the presence of metal.

I had that issue some years back with my brand new Camaro. The day after I took it home, I was driving and suddenly the engine oil light came on.
I had less than 100 miles on the odometer, and now I am on the side of the road with car trouble.
I checked the dipstick, no oil. I looked underneath, NO drain plug. I followed the oil trail about 100 yards, found the plug. Call the dealership, and told them where to tow the car from. The checked it out, I was good. BUT, it was an indication of other issues that cropped up later, like the rear gasket on the intake manifold was slowly leaking oil into the bell housing and the clutch.They never found that issue. I got rid of it after the 3rd clutch and only 56K on the odometer.

Yes, make sure their future commitment to you is in writing.

It was clear I was not leaving the dealership with anything in writing about the incident at that moment. I requested something in writing and he said he would mail it to me. I'm not holding my breath on that one so I am going to have to follow up on it.

Yup. Always get it in writing. My car was damaged (body) at the dealer during routine service. After proclaiming their innocence for about 15 minutes, the service manager finally typed on the invoice that it will be taken care of.

At a later date, the car went into a body shop and they actually did a good job.

Just curious as to which dealership it was...

quote:

Originally posted by JDHunz:
Just curious as to which dealership it was...

Not NE Iowa, the only one in our capitol. They sure are "smart."

Ah...yes...they are not the "smart"est...

I've yet to find a dealer that is competent. The one in our "community" has given us issues in the past - they wanted us to pay for new front bushings that were part of a recall and should have been done prior to delivery. It was a wear item, so not covered. Uh, then why the documented recall?

Oh, those bushings...

Idiots

quote:

Originally posted by Scuba Steve Sig:
I ask the service advisor how long the engine ran without oil, he said "30 seconds" and when they realized it, they pushed it back in the garage. I asked if the oil light came on, he said no.
...
Any thoughts from the SF brain trust?

With today's super synthetic lubricants I don't know as the 30-second thing is a concern. (Assuming they've been using same.) Assuming so: The thing that would concern me, besides the "WTF?!?!" question, would be: So does this mean they looked into why the low-oil-pressure warning didn't light and fix it?

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
With today's super synthetic lubricants I don't know as the 30-second thing is a concern. (Assuming they've been using same.) Assuming so: The thing that would concern me, besides the "WTF?!?!" question, would be: So does this mean they looked into why the low-oil-pressure warning didn't light and fix it?

They probably missed it because they were watching the tach hit 6,000 RPM without the car moving anywhere as the front wheels were making Spirograph art with 0W20.

Just received a follow up phone call from the service advisor checking on everything and if there was any smell. I told him I hadn't noticed anything. He did the consoling talk to prep for the service review email. Said he will send me a couple oil change vouchers in the mail along with documentation about what happened. I told him mistakes happen, you guys owned up to it (I can say other dealerships would not), you compensated me for my extra time, if you stand behind it in writing I will be satisfied.

I had a new Renault once sold by a GM dealership. I always took it to the for the service. One of my service trips was very similar to the OP's description. No issues were revealed like the drainplug, though. When the car was ready, I paid the bill then went out to the drive to wait for them to bring the car around. When the guy pulled up in it, he got out and asked me if there had been a problem with the alternator. No, I replied why? Well the alternator light is on. I reached in and turned off the engine just as I was starting to smell hot oil. Lifted the hood and low and behold the serpentine belt was pushed up in a loop above the top of the engine. They hadn't put the oil cap back own and he engine had pumped oil back up through it and had covered the engine and apparently lubricated the belt to the point it came off. Oil was everywhere and now dripping off the engine on to their drive.

Needless to say I embarrassed everyone who worked there, their children, wives, mothers and fathers for at least two generations back. I did a sufficient enough job that at least two customers left without dropping off their cars.

Yeah I got it in writing, they were responsible for the car, engine, hoses, belts, air filters and anything else in that engine compartment. To say it was a classic rant wouldn't do it justice.

Given the short running time, I think you'll be just fine.

I know someone who was changing oil on a 3/4 Chevy pickup. They drained the oil and reinstalled the plug. Changed out the filter. Then got called to go do something else... Upon returning, forgot to fill it back up with oil!

Started it up, backed it out of the shop and drove it into another building. Walked back to the original shop and THEN realized he hadn't put the oil in the engine.

Walked back and put the oil in the truck and its been fine ever since. That was a couple years ago and they've had no trouble from it.

Now, he gets asked if he put oil in when doing any oil change.