Locked engine?

Question

I have a 2000 Toyota Corolla and I have never had any problems with the car. It has never stopped on me. I got an oil change on a friday before I went out of town. I took the car home got ready for my trip. ABout 20 minutes after I began my trip out of town, My oil light came on , battery light and then my check engine light. This caused my car to stop and the engine to lock up. When we checked the oil there was no oil in the car and the plug at the bottom was missing. I am being told by Walmart that they put oil in it, but we dont know where the oil went because we never saw any evidence of it leaking. What do you think my options are right now....

Answer 1

Walmart is liable for your engine repairs because they forgot to tighten the oil plug. Dont let them claim that it is your fault. Get a lawyer if necessary.

Answer 2

I would say that the drain plug was never tightened when it was put back. Vibration from the engine shook it out, and your oil is all over the road somewhere. You do have a decent case for litigation, however, as the drain plug should never come out through normal driving. Your other problem is that, if you kept driving after the oil light came on, you have seized your engine - without lubrication, internal friction generates enough heat to melt the bearings and basically welds the inside of the engine into one big lump. They probably won't be held liable for that, since you're supposed to shut the engine off immediately if it goes on. Since you didn't follow the manufacturers instructions (they're in the Owner's Manual, all cars are the same), the cost of replacing the engine will probably fall on your head. In other words, if you sue them, you should get the cost of the tow, but they'll probably try to avoid having to pay more than that, since you made the problem worse by not shutting the engine down right away.

This is a great example of why getting work done at the cheapest place around is rarely a good idea. It's so easy to do yourself, or at least find a reputable mechanic - he'll be more careful, since he wants to make sure you come back next time something goes wrong. Walmart doesn't care if you come back or not - there's always another sucker out there who thinks the cheapest price if the best deal.

Answer 3

I would strongly complain to Waalmart about it---talk to the shop manager and go all the way up to the store manager if you have to. It's not unheard of for a lube tech to forget to tighten the drain plug fully (we had a guy do this once...he was in the middle of an oil change and went to lunch...when he came back, he lowered the car and filled it with oil, forgetting to tighten the plug) and when you pick up your car and drive it, it loosens up from the engine vibration and comes out down the road so there's no evidence of an oil leak unless you go back and retrace yout route and find a big oil streak and possibly the drain plug. If the plug was stripped and the tech could not tighten it fully, he should have told you about this problem before letting you go. Write a letter to Walmart corporate HQ if nothing else, put your complaint and the situation in writing. Good luck, Paul

Answer 4

Oil changes at Walmart and most quick oil change facilities are done by people with minimal knowledge.
I have heard many of the horror stories, being that I work at a car parts store. The oil plug not being put back in place and/or the oil filter not being applied correctly, or at all is very common.
In short Walmart is responsible for the damage to your car. This includes a new engine, labor and any other fees that you may have because of their work.

Answer 5

more than likely the drain plug was only partially installed and worked its way out while you were driving. if oil had not been put in it the light would have been on from the beginning. this would not be the first time Walmart has been guilty of this. Go after them and make them pay for your engine.

Answer 6

It depends on the state you live in.
If Wal-Mart isn't inclined to cover their error, then you must locate the state's watchdog agency (in California it is the Bureau of Automotive Repair) and lodge a complaint and ask that they investigate.
You should know it takes a while, after all you are dealing with a bureaucracy, and they are glacial.
Begin by documenting all of activities, and locate and copy your receipt for the oil change. Gather all other receipts (tow bill, car rental etc) and keep a running account.
Also, call your insurance company and inquire if your policy covers this sort of thing for a car rental and other incidentals.

Answer 7

Go get you a lawer and sue the one that suppose
to have change the oil in it. if they don't pay for it.
They did not put any oil back in it it is clear that they didn't
Because the plug was missing and no trace of oil any where
I Work on Cars for a liveing i have seen this happen befour
And they are responable for it. Make them pay for you another motor and labor for changeing it. Tell them you are goning to sue them if they don't fix it. Good Luck.