skipbo Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Hey Guys, I haven't been around for a long while, and wasn't that active here when I was. But, I could definitely use some help. I just moved from Oregon to Colorado, and before I left I had a Ford dealership in Oregon change my oil. Fast forward a few weeks, my car broke down on a family trip in Colorado (thankfully not during my move) making a loud clicking noise from the block and was towed to the closest dealership in Colorado, who discovered tool marks on a cracked oil filter housing where all of the oil leaked out, destroying my engine. The check engine light had not come on at all, and the oil pressure light flicked on for less than a second while cornering one or two times, but was not on for at least 5 days prior to the break down. Currently, the dealer that changed my oil is stating that it isn't completely their fault because I had one oil change at a different place (not Jiffy Lube) and there is no way that they (the dealer) claim they, "could not have caused" the tool marks, which obviously isn't true as they could have caused the damage. More importantly, however, is that I would expect them to inspect the oil filter housing when they change the oil, or if there is obvious damage to the filter housing as the Colorado dealer stated, it should have been easy for them to see and report to me. There is no documentation of the damaged housing on the invoice returned to me, or any verbal report when I picked up my car as it was in "great shape." The dealer has been awful, and numerous others have had other poor experiences with this dealership regarding service. 1. Thoughts? What would you guys do to get the dealer to pay for the damage that they caused? 2. I have been looking for the 2009 Fusion Service manual to look at torquing specs of the oil filter plug, it if states the housing should be inspected, etc. Does anybody have an official service manual and can they send me scans/pictures of the pages regarding oil changes? 3. I don't think I'm out of line here regarding their responsibility for the damage, however I might be. I'll take feedback on that too. Thanks! Skipbo 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwil56 Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Sounds like you need to hire a lawyer. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipbo Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share Posted July 31, 2016 Yes, I am already in contact with one. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 It would be difficult to prove your case, IMHO. You could win based "probability" of how far the car could have been driven given the extent of the damage incurred, and the dealer's ill-repute. So you might get a settlement out of it, just depends on how good your lawyer is. I do however wish you the best of luck in getting an equitable resolution. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverbulletone Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I change my own oil and have a proper filter wrench for the canister lid. I took it in one time to have the dealer change it. For some reason there was large plier marks on it as well and the canister drain plug was also striped. So I had to order a new one. Another thing that peeves me off is when the dealerships use an impact wrench to turn the wheel nuts on the studs without first turning them on by hand a few threads to get them started. Doing it their way is a guaranteed cross thread. These are just simple basics to mechanics. Makes me wonder what happens with complex issues. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 The only chance you have is that the last dealer didn't mention any damage which they surely would have noticed - and there would have been signs of oil leakage. I would present that to the dealership principal (owner) and if they refuse take them to small claims court with that evidence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
komondor Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 To me it seems like a place for a lawyer but you could try the BBB first, but the dealer probably won't move on that, small claims is no lawyers, so any lawyer you hire will want to go to regular court to get his fees covered. If you can find a lawyer that will do it on a contingency go for it. If not work with one in small claims, but you are only entitled to an engine in the same condition as your old one, not a new or refurbished as that would be betterment. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manuelram16 Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 (edited) Main reason I don't take my cars to a shop for an oil change: They overtighten the oil pan plug/filter to strip them and charge you for a repair. Edited August 10, 2016 by manuelram16 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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