I had mine serviced recently and asked them how they went with the bash plates on and whether the sump plug lined up properly with the opening in the plate.
No problem I was told and besides he said they use a piece of cardboard to direct the oil though the hole.
When I got home I noticed that the plastic engine cover was nearly off. One bolt missing and the only half done up.
Took it back and they replaced the missing bolt but didn’t think the mechanic would have been responsible because there was no need to take it off. For the life of me I can’t understand how he could have possibly filled the crankcase without noticing the loose engine cover?
Anyway later I checked the oil which was black, but that is typical after the service ,which I think is due to the location of the sump plug and the fact a little bit of oil is always left in the bottom of the sump.
Checked the bash plate and it was clearly visible that the cover on the bash plate to access the sump plug had not been removed. Checked the oil filter and saw that is has evidence of dry, dirty water droplets, which could have happened if they gave the engine bay a bit of a wash?
Feeling pretty sick in the guts, thinking I have to call them in the morning and ask them wtf did they actually do? Also wifie would have to take the car back because I couldn’t take another day off work.
Anyway the sump plug looked fairly clean and I think I can see a nice new, 5 fcuking dollar, copper sump plug washer. It also looks like they may have taken the whole bash plate off do the oil change?
They are generally good guys and charge a bit less than the fixed price service cost. I am reasonably confident that the oil & filter have been changed but will go back to my paranoid ways and mark the oil filter next time to be sure.
If they hadn’t spun BS about the access hole and the engine cover wasn’t nearly off, I wouldn’t have been suspicious.
Anyway hence my comment about the "free service".
