Need opinions after Wally World messed up my oil drain plug

[2011FordFocusOwner]

First, let me apologize for such a long first post but I wanted to be clear about this situation. Now, on to my story:

Yesterday I had my oil changed at Wally-World on my 2011 Focus. They called me back to the Lube Center and said the dipstick didn't show any oil when I brought it in and that the pan needed to be rethreaded because the plug wouldn't torque. The part about it not showing any oil is crap because (1) if it were that low on oil, the idiot lights would've been going crazy, and (2) if it had leaked that much oil out there would be evidence of it on the car itself and in the spot where it's parked, and (3) the car would've been knocking like crazy if it was that low on oil. As far as the pan needing to be rethreaded, that may be true but only after the Wally-World "technician" got his hands on it. At the previous oil change on March 7th, not a word was made regarding problems with the oil plug or oil pan.

I think what happened is that the "technician" got carried away and stripped the oil pan. He claims he put in a heli-coil (does Wally-World even have that capibility?) but it was only a temporary fix. He put the stuff about there not being any oil on the dipstick when I brought it in to cover his rear-side. At this point, he said he was going on break and as far as I know, he never came back as they paged him several times while I was there for better than an hour.

The Lube Center manager and another manager had me fill out papers for their insurance carrier and they took several pictures of the under carriage of the car and the oil pan. There was no evidence at all of an oil leak. They told me the insurance company would be in touch regarding an investigation and the Lube Center manager told me he would be conducting his own investigation in the mean time.

Now, for your opinions. If they offer to have the oil pan rethreaded, should I let them, or should I insist on a new oil pan? I think they should pay to replace the oil pan with geniune Ford parts and at a Ford garage. How good/safe is a rethreaded oil pan? How would my warranty be affected if the oil pan is rethreaded or non-OEM parts are used?

Thanks for taking the time to read this long post and for your opinions.

[Sponsor]

[jetrinka]

If new threads are put in correctly it should be fine, even stronger. The correct way is to use a Time-sert kit which drills the drain hole out larger, new threads are tapped in and a steel insert is put in. The insert will never come out (unlike a helicoil) and is steel instead of aluminum like the pan so it ends up being much stronger than stock. Its the only reliable option for repairing a pan like that.

And FYI, you can have no oil on the dipstick and not have dummy lights come on or knocking or oil issues. The range on the dipstick is only about 1-1.5 quarts and while yes this is low, it isn't low enough to cause immediate issues.

My opinion is if they are going to be taking care of it, demand to have the car brought to a reliable shop you know of to have it repair and they pay for it.

[xxWeinerDogxx]

If it was me, when the insurance representative contacts you, I would tell them that I expect them to pay the full price for replacement of an OEM pan, with the work being done at a Ford dealership. I think that's a reasonable, proper resolution. Be polite, but firm. Be prepared to forward/fax them the previous change information, where there was no mention of thread issues. If that was at WalMart, all the better. If they pushback, remain polite and ask for escalation to a more senior manager.

[Elizabeth]

Add in cost of rental car for entire time out of use.
Oil change places have idiots working there.
I change my own oil...
Sorry for your problems.
With the way things went, I am certain the idiot ruined your oilpan.
Hope you get it fixed OK.
And yeah do not let the oil change place do the work. Only at a Ford dealer. period.
If the oil change place does it, expect all sorts of 'bad' results including plenty of hidden spite damage.

[mix1983]

Whole new oil pan, and I agree with Elizabeth, they should compensate you for losses as a result of damage to the car.

I also agree with Eliz that it should go to Ford. Walmart's Supertech garbage oil vs good oil from Ford. Also, they're not under-trained monkeys.

My Honda goes to Honda, when I had my Fords they went to Ford.

They may not be as fast as Walmart or other lube places, but there is a reason for that.

[123mal]

taking your car to walmart was mistake number 1

[dardack]

Originally Posted by 123mal

taking your car to walmart was mistake number 1

+1 to this. I've heard nothing but horror stories. Lug nuts not tightened and wheel falling off, oil filter not tightened, oil leaking, just bad things.

I don't even trust them to balance tires I buy.

Now I will buy my oil/filters there as they are 10-30% cheaper then the car part stores around here. I mean I can get motorcraft Syn 5w20 for my Dura 03 engine for $16. 1. I like using the actual recommended brand, 2. that's cheaper then any other syn from the car part stores.

For my PT cruiser I just use their brand of oil. Did in my 00 Ztec. 200k later and sold it. PT is up to 200k also.

But i wouldn't let them touch my car with a 10 foot pole.



But question at hand, I would demand a new oil pan installed. You may not get them to agree to do it at a ford dealer. But yeah get the whole deal.

[GreenEnvy]

There are 2 places to never have your oil changed by monkeys unless you absolutely don't care for your car and you discovered the first, the second is valvoline. Either one will take any ass scratcher off the street and throw them under a car no experience needed and no training given.
Tell them to kya and they will be paying for a new pan and for the dealership to install it.
And by the way, you check your oil and it was checked the day before going in for a change... no questions about it period. You say you haven't checked it in awhile they have you by the gonads.

[kylesvt720]

I don't understand not going to ford, their oil changes are super cheap