Got my oil changed a couple weeks ago, as I often do, considering I drive 100+ miles a day.

They seemed to be having a difficult time down there - the tech said they had some issues with the filter, and explained that it's a cartridge filter (which I already knew) and blah blah blah - didn't really understand what the issue was, but they assured me it was fine and I was on my way.

Well today my dad happened to be under my car doing a repair, and noticed there was a RAG inside the filter housing. W, T, F. I know they had some difficulty with it, but no one mentioned there was going to be a RAG LEFT IN THERE.

Can someone explain to me what would possess them to do this? I plan on calling them tomorrow, obviously… but I'd just like to know if there is a reasonable explanation for this before I rip them a new a-hole.

See attached pics.

 

That's a oil filter removal tool stuck on your actual filter. They didn't have the right size, so they tried to fill the gap between the wrong sized adapter and your filter housing with a rag so it would grip. Its a common trick when you have a worn bolt/nut. Problem is, they didn't take their adapter and rag off when they were done. That's sloppy work from a careless mechanic. You can buy the right size oil filter housing adapter off amazon for 15-20$ and just do it yourself for the cost of the oil and filter. its an odd sized housing, which is why theirs didn't fit it. Hope it wasn't a toyota stealership, cause that would be sad..

Sent from my rooted Droid

 

Atleast you got a free oil filter tool and a rag!

 

Okay so… that part on top is a tool? Not part of the housing?

What exactly do I need to have done here? I am so confused.

 

Do I just go back to the lube place and tell them to get their effing tool/rag off my car?

 

Take the tool and the rag off and make sure they didn't murder the actual cap.

 

Yes.

 

And if the cap was indeed murdered? Is that something that can be replaced?

 

Yep, check the condition of the cap and the threads of the actual housing.

 

I never seen anything like this. They actually let you drive away the car like that. Were they even able to get the filter off to change it? When I put my filter back on, I tighten by hand and have never had a problem. This is wild.

 

This is why I think something else is wrong besides a stuck filter socket.

 

Just called the jabroni who is responsible for this; he told me they had difficulty getting the cap off (REALLY????) so they had to use the rag with the wrench; then when he went to get the wrench off it was stuck. He said it won't hurt the vehicle in any way (yeah, until it falls off on the freeway and goes through somebody's windshield). He also said he'd hoped it would loosen by the next time I came in so it would be easier to remove.

He claims the wrench is the right size. Whatever. I told him I'm buying a new cap and wrench today and I'd be by tonight to have them re-do it. I'm going to ask him to pay for the cap, which they've obviously ruined over time by removing it in this fashion.

Then I'll never go there again.

 

My thought is that he didn't change your oil filter like some one mentioned above your suppose to hand tighten the oil filter back on just saying

 

Do your own oil or have your dad do it while your under there. Much cheaper and you dont have to put up with this BS. I usually hammer a large screwdriver threw it near the bottom and twist it with the screw driver. Not the "official" or correct way but it works for me every time and have never had a problem.

 

Must be a tc owner. Ours has a composite housing with a paper element. You have to have the right adapter to get ours off.

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I picked up a new cap today; I'm debating whether it's reasonable for me to ask them to pay for it. In my opinion if they've been removing it this way month after month, they are responsible for ruining it. Then again, maybe these things just become worn and it's no one's fault? The cap cost me $45.

 

I don't know if I would trust them with my car ever again...Jack up your car, take off their old wrench and your old cap...Put on your new cap and keep their wrench while your at it...

 

^ agree 100%

 

How long have you been going to that mechanic? If you've been going to that same spot for a while now, that would be absolutely outrageous if that has been there since your first visit.