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Technician had to break oil filter cap then charged me for a new one

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Neets, Sep 19, 2021.

  1. Neets

    Neets Junior Member

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    Hi. My husband and I own a 2011 Prius. We have been taking it to the same service center for oil changes and inspections for several years now and have not taken it anywhere else during that time. Last time I was in for an oil change the technician said the oil filter cap was too tight and that it might break if they put enough pressure on it to get off. He was letting me know so that I would be prepared to pay $60 for a new one. It did break, they replaced it and I was charged. Upon check out I asked them how this could happen - did the technician before put it on too tight, etc.. they said possibly but were very vague. This hasn't settled well with me so I'm asking here, could there be any other explanation for the cap suddenly being too tight other than the previous tech tightening it down too hard? And wouldn't that make them responsible to cover the $60.00?
     
  2. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    Yes, and Yes,

    next question, you know of a back up place to go?
    Because once that sh!t starts happening, probably not gonna end.

    Is this a Toyota dealer, or another garage?

    Me personally, if that would happen and they didnt take blame and put a new cap on for free on the spot...
    I would have refused the $60 cap cost and pull my sock off to put in the filler hole and said bye bye.
    OEM cost on a cap is like $10
     
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  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Take the car back and show them the receipt for both the previous and current oil changes and demand that they credit back the cost of the new oil filter housing and the oil change, since they screwed you over when they were responsible for the problem in the first place.

    Tell them if they don't, you'll take your business elsewhere in the future.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  4. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    #5 ChapmanF, Sep 20, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2021
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    speak to the general manager, total rip off
     
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  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I'd be telling them that if they insist on charging me $60 for their $10 mistake, it would be the last time they ever saw me and it'll also show up on Yelp.

    The hallmark of quality isn't being 100% mistake free. It's dealing with the mistake with integrity.

    BTW, I feel a bit like @ChapmanF on this stuff. No one changes my oil but me. Not even if they offer to do it for free.
     
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  8. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would cut them some slack; they did let you know up front at least, and $60: not trivial, but…

    Sidestep the whole mess; have them install (or DIY?) the spin-on conversion? The parts, through Amayama, were around $100 CDN for me, all-in, including shipping. This bill has about $25 of extras (wiper blades); the last three items are what’s needed:

    AD542A11-B514-43A1-8AED-6FB2098A90A2.jpeg
    More info on the conversion in my signature:
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Sep 20, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2021
  10. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    Ohh the infamous cartridge filter cap.

    Either way, they are still in the wrong if they are the ones that tightened it last.
    Ask em if they know what the torque specs are :ROFLMAO:

    btw: new member so posts are being moderated, might not see a post for a bit....if they post again :D
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyota could do the world a favour: emboss the spec on the cap.
     
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  12. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    As if, monkey see, monkey do!

    I think they just dont set torque levels.
     
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  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I use 18 ft lb, like the manual says.
     
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The “manual” being the Repair Manual, the one behind the Tech Info pay wall?

    An oil change instruction would be nice in owners manual.
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Sep 20, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2021
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  15. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    I'm with you, have been doing my own maintenance on our cars for years. My daughter took her Sienna to the dealer for an oil change and when I did her next oil change the stupid dealer had over tightened the plastic canister so it went all the way to the engine before feeling tight so I ordered a metallic one to replace it and told her to only come to me for oil changes.

    My new 2021 Prius AWD has 2 years of free service but I'm only going to let them rotate the tires...not letting them touch my filters or drain plugs....not worth the risk. (I change the oil every 6 months or 5,000 miles, anyway, and their free service is 10,000....which is ridiculous.)
     
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  16. Neets

    Neets Junior Member

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    Thank you to everyone who responded. You've given me the validation for how I felt about what happened. Going in with my receipts this week to speak to the manager. Will give you an update.
     
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  17. Neets

    Neets Junior Member

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    Yes, I do have another place to go instead so am going in to confront. If they don't take responsibility and refund, I'm taking my business elsewhere.

    Good idea to add the yelp review. Thanks!
     
    #17 Neets, Sep 21, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 21, 2021
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  18. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    google review does more damage :whistle:
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think you guys are a little too hard on the place. They did say it might get broken, in advance. And yeah I know, they're more'n likely the last outfit to torque it. But over $60? Fugedaboutit?
     
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  20. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    1562040030. This is the Toyota part number for the Aluminum cap that they put on the Scion iQ. It’s been on my car for the last 3k miles. No worry or issue.
     
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