Conversation Regarding Various Maintenance And Warranty Issues

[vwservice]

>>>>>>> On May 21, 2007, at 11:26 AM, Christopher wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Next, they'll put combination locks on the oil drainplug and not
>>>>>>> tell you the combination unless you take it to the dealer to get
>>>>>>> it changed.

>>>>>> On May 21, 2007, at 11:55 AM, Bill wrote:>>>>>> The utility of changing your own oil is somewhat dubious

Comments

[mattcaron]

I've had the oil pan stripped by a VW dealer. No big deal. They did a helicoil insert thing and made it right. Hasn't leaked at all and it's been 10,000 miles. It happens, no big deal.

[hauptmann]

A friend of mine took his mk1 diesel rabbit into a Sears Auto for an oil change, later that day he had his car on hook, and started the paperwork for Sears to replace his motor.

[vwservice]

Two quick thoughts:

1. My aunt and uncle had a 1976 Rabbit Diesel, originally purchased in Montreal, Canada and later lived in Connecticut. (I ultimately poached the kilometers-per-hour speedometer for my 1980 Rabbit Convertible, but I digress.) My aunt went to a Jiffy Lube-type place once for an oil change where they forgot to tighten the oil filter. The engine eventually seized and she pulled over to the side of the road.

Later, when the engine cooled off, my uncle went to the car, tightened the oil filter, filled it with oil, and drove it home. They actually drive that car for about three more years after that.

2. We have a 2006 Jetta TDI in the shop right now getting a new engine, courtesy of Jiffy Lube, because they didn't tighten the drain plug.

Apparently, the new engines are not as hearty as the old ones. At least, not in that situation.