First Dealer Oil CHange - Oil cap left off for 20 miles - Problem?

bwalkertitan · 05-16-2004, 07:57 PM

The title explains it - I had my first oil change done (1400 miles) at the dealer with one of my free oil change coupons. Didn't crack the hood until I got home (20 miles from dealer) to check the oil level - that is when I found that the oil cap hadn't been replaced.

Anyone know of any problems that could result?

Thx.

Half Shovel · 05-16-2004, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalkertitan

The title explains it - I had my first oil change done (1400 miles) at the dealer with one of my free oil change coupons. Didn't crack the hood until I got home (20 miles from dealer) to check the oil level - that is when I found that the oil cap hadn't been replaced.

Anyone know of any problems that could result?

Thx.

Assuming you didn't drive down a bunch of gravel roads and get lots of dust in the engine, no problems.

HS

bwalkertitan · 05-16-2004, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Half Shovel

Assuming you didn't drive down a bunch of gravel roads and get lots of dust in the engine, no problems.

HS

Nope - all highway. It didn't spew any oil out either.

**CaliforniaTitan** · 05-16-2004, 08:08 PM

She will be fine as long as nothing got in there.

Chris

bestatchess · 05-16-2004, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalkertitan

Anyone know of any problems that could result?

Loss of some service work for the dealer?

Seriously, not likely any problem with a new motor and a functioning PCV valve. If you have a well worn engine with alot of blow by (particularly coupled with a stuck PCV valve) you can cover your engine compartment with oil like that though.

Old School · 05-16-2004, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalkertitan

The title explains it - I had my first oil change done (1400 miles) at the dealer with one of my free oil change coupons. Didn't crack the hood until I got home (20 miles from dealer) to check the oil level - that is when I found that the oil cap hadn't been replaced.

Anyone know of any problems that could result?

Thx.

Yeah, if you go back to the dealer and kick that knuckle draggin' mech that changed your oil in the balls....other than that you'll be fine.

Bayou Titan · 05-16-2004, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalkertitan

The title explains it - I had my first oil change done (1400 miles) at the dealer with one of my free oil change coupons. Didn't crack the hood until I got home (20 miles from dealer) to check the oil level - that is when I found that the oil cap hadn't been replaced.

Anyone know of any problems that could result?

Thx.

Ok folks, I apologize but this is another time that I'm going to rant. I know I rant a lot (that's why my avatar is my wide opened mouth dog) but here goes. I know I've mentioned it before but I just don't like taking vehicles to the dealer for oil changes even if they are for free. If a dealer gave me free oil changes at the time of purchase I would ask for something of equivalent value.

I read on this forum before that dents were caused by the dealership during oil changes and now oil caps being left off. Is this really worth the risk? Why not ask for free oil filters and cases of oil for you to change the oil yourself. This should benefit the dealer. When you get an oil change for free or a special price, the oil that is used is often bulk oil that is inferior in quality that comes from an unmarked drum. A lot of times you simply don't know what you are getting.

Even if you see the guy open a $5.00 a quart bottle of Mobil 1, I still don't like anyone changing my oil. I'm anal about oil changes and from past posts that I have read I think most of you have a great concern about what is done to your Titan. When I change my oil I let it drain a minimum of 30 minutes. The thickest sediment usually comes out last. For best results in this regard you should not screw in drain plug until there is 1 drop per minute or less coming out. This usually takes over 30 minutes. For those of you who think that you really don't need to take that long-OK that's fine with me. But have you ever watched closely when you pay to have an oil change? The guy usually replaces the drain plug with a steady stream of oil still coming out!

This alone should make you want to change the oil yourself. You can do other things also that won't get done if you pay for an oil change. I always fill my oil filter with fresh oil before I install it. That way the engine gets a fresh gulp of oil sooner than it would if the filter was empty. Also when you change oil yourself you are forced to get under you Titan and look around. That's a good thing! You can look for possible problems before they happen. I could make the list longer but you get the idea.

It's true that it is easier paying for an oil change but the question is, "is it better?".

rrumaner · 05-16-2004, 09:16 PM

I think it all comes down to trust and respect. If you trust your dealer and they respect you and your vehicle, there should be no problem.

On the other hand, if the dealer has given you a reason not to trust them, by all means go somewhere else or do it yourself.

I have found that my dealer really is concerned about my satisfaction and goies out of their way to make sure everything is done properly. They have a huge window that lets the customer look directly into the service area from the waiting room. I think the mechanics take a little extra care when they think they are being watched by the vehicle owner.

bestatchess · 05-16-2004, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

Ok folks, I apologize but this is another time that I'm going to rant......

I agree 100%. In fact, I just bought a new high lift floor jack to make it a little easier to rotate the tires, etc.

1Titan · 05-17-2004, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalkertitan

The title explains it - I had my first oil change done (1400 miles) at the dealer with one of my free oil change coupons. Didn't crack the hood until I got home (20 miles from dealer) to check the oil level - that is when I found that the oil cap hadn't been replaced.

Anyone know of any problems that could result?

Thx.

Sorry to hear that. What idiots! I have to assume they still have the cap and now you need to go back there to put it on you might as well let them know that was an idiotic mistake. If they don't have the cap then they left it in your engine compartment and it's now lying on the road some 20 miles between point A and point B. You might want to trade in that oil coupon book for something else like free gas or detailing or something.

ski_freak · 05-17-2004, 05:42 AM

I agree with changing yourself as I have had trouble in the past with quick lube places. One even tried to get away with leaving the same filter on my F-150, but the fact is I am paranoid so I marked an "X" into the filter with a screw driver. When I got home and checked the oil levels because again I don't trust them I found the same old marked filter on the engine block. You talk about a butt chewing. The only reason I used them in the first place was I was overdue for a change and too busy to do it myself, but from now on I will do it myself.

rant on
Now to rant about the solid sheet metal skid plate that covers the filter. What moron designed something that covers a regular maintenance item? As a designer myself that is purely unacceptable in my book. Any item that requires regular maintenance should have easy access by the owner or service shop.
rant off

**goathead** · 05-17-2004, 06:10 AM

well guys, ive got something to be pissed about as well(on another level). changed the oil on my titan couple weeks ago--no problem. changed the oil on my pathfinder this weekend (normally done by the nissan dealer that i trust) and i discovered two things: im glad they have the ramp oil filter drainage on the titan b/c the pathfinder(97) does not and it sucks bad. secondly, they used a second rate oil filter (non nissan) made by champ (?). wtf.

FLfinfan · 05-17-2004, 06:20 AM

Too many problems read about and in person to let someone else do something so easy and so important to my truck that I can do myself. Skid plate don't bother me, 2 bolts out, 2 loosed, and it's off. My last 3 trucks (2 Frontiers and now the Titan) have been very easy to crawl underneath without ramps or stands and change it myself.

Now some of the Hondas I have owned were a pain to change because I lived in an apartment and they needed ramps to get under.

ski_freak · 05-17-2004, 06:45 AM

True about the Honda I cannot get under my wife's CRV and the filter is on the back side midway up the block.

The skid plate on the Titan looks easy to remove and I will do that, but I still would like to see Nissan revise that for future owners. Still a minor issue to contend with.

Are you guys buying your filters from the dealer?

tnbowhunter · 05-17-2004, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ski_freak

True about the Honda I cannot get under my wife's CRV and the filter is on the back side midway up the block.

The skid plate on the Titan looks easy to remove and I will do that, but I still would like to see Nissan revise that for future owners. Still a minor issue to contend with.

Are you guys buying your filters from the dealer?

If your truck has the off road pkg their is an access door on the skid plate that you remove for the oil filter.
If not I guess it does make it a bit more difficult. But it is still worth the trouble.
I buy my filters from the dealer, usually 5 or 6 at a time as my wife's Xterra uses the same filter.