The best thing you could do is park the car or replace the motor on your own dime. " It is tough to go up against corporations but I had a issue similar to yours with Lowes and happen to broadcast this accross the internet with the help of friends it wasnt 2 weeks of doing this I got a call from the CEO's assistant faxed over everything and got compensated really fast and apologys from the store this occured I still have a hard time going to any Lowes Good Luck. Slivers of metal in your oil is like blood in your stool. You should take it. Summer has arrived! Come join the discussion about popular models such as the Mustang, Galaxie, Falcon, Fairlane, Torino, Shelby and many more! 1 ... thereby stripping the threads to the point that the plug fell out on the way home! And it might not have been the fault of that last shop (its oil change might simply have been the straw that broke the camel's back). When they change and add oil they are just trying to get you to believe that everything as far as the oil change they performed is okay. Ive got an 87 toyota supra 7mge and i guess the grooves for the drain plug on the oil pan are shot cause its always got little drips of oil on it and i gotta top up my oil every once and a while. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, … After two small claims court experiences (both of which I won), I can tell you that you need to prove damage. They wrecked your engine. Guide in oil drain plug (1) and install. If they did ALL of your oil changes and now your turbo sounds different since the oil plug fell out, they owe you a new turbo. Overtighten the oil drain plug and you can strip the threads out of the oil pan. Before we talk about the Pros and Cons of these methods. Running your car without oil can cause extensive damage to your engine. It is NOT. The sludge forms around the drain plug because the oil in the engine has exceeded its oil change time. I removed the plug and measured only two ounces of oil in the bottom that won't drain out the stud holes. A guy who helped me (says he used to work at a VW shop) push it says that a new drain plug and some oil and it should be fine, but I'm a little worried. If you're low on oil or, worse yet, run your engine without any oil, you're probably in for serious problems. 2011 Cruze LT Turbo - well maintained - last oil change Dec 2017 at local GM dealers - only place car maintained and all oil changes there. Had towed to dealer who is only one that has serviced my car. Rub the … It did restart and went a very short distance before stopping again, definitely less than one minute. These places are independently owned and they don't want to be sued. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Jan 18, 2008 #5 brknhearted said: You'd need full coverage to cover something like this. (tow, oil, etc.) If oil drain plugs/sump plugs suddenly loosen due to improper fit or even negligent installation, then a sudden loss of plug and engine oil might occur. Oil drain plug fell out while driving!!! Now for the fun part. It's pretty common for the spark plug tube seals to fail, allowing the tubes to fill with oil. No leaks yet. We pulled over onto the shoulder. The oil pressure light came on and the car turned off causing me to pullover. If you can read this, that means I'm awesome. Some cars will run a for a short amount of time without oil, but not long, and damage does happen. IF you have a helicoil put in make sure whoever is doing it knows what their doing otherwise it wont stay in. To know the plug was missing, one would have to know the oil went missing, too. Here are the four options to repair a stripped drain plug. Oil was spraying near the bottom of the engine (4WD). Your drain plug has a crush washer that you must not lose, so try to remember that when a flood of oil starts pouring out of your Boulevard. I pulled over, shut off the car, and opened the hood. Every now and then, you will find a mechanic who thinks the oil drain bolt should be tightened with an impact gun. Because large companies don't care about you at all. In fact, I will probably drop the insurance off of it. Ignore the fact that someone has beat on the oil pan with a hammer - the "stuff" around the hex plug is the crush washer which has squished out due to the SEVERE over torque. The more you drive the car, the easier it is for the shop to claim ...if the damage was as bad as he says, then why did he put "X" miles on the car since we worked on it? Top Answer. The oil drain plug is typically located on the bottom of the engine on the oil pan. If you notice a leak at the oil plug, in some cases it can be as simple as replacing the gasket. Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. It is used to drain the oil from your pan during an oil change. 64 International 4dr. Since I had them tow the vehicle home, I have not driven it more than 2.5 miles. The tow truck driver suggested I tow the car back to the last place I had an oil change, because usually if this happens, it is because the mechanics did not properly tighten the oil drain plug. I was lucky; I had to weld a nut onto the bottom of the pan that accepted a whole new bolt. 102 Posts . I don't think luck has anything to do with your situation. See Answer. After jacking the car up I discover that the oil plug is gone (threads where not stripped or damaged) and the engine is bone dry. You should at the very least be reimbursed for all the costs associated with the oil plug falling out. Wiki User Answered . I have a friend that's a certified mechanic & owns his own business... you know where this is heading! TECHNICAL INFORMATION. I caught it before any damage was done. Put the socket back on the ratchet and tighten the oil plug. I pushed it 1/4 mile to at dealership where it now sits. WHAT EVER YOU DO DON'T DRIVE THE CAR GET IT TOWED. The oil pan can lose oil due to a variety of factors including faulty or worn-out seals and gaskets or worn oil pans. Out of town GM dealer says oil plug fell out - engine finished - need new one - $5-6,000+. Draining Engine Oil This is the process where a plug is removed that the oil drains out the bottom. Inspect it as it flows out of the oil pan. So I was driving my 2012 Soul it made an awful noise and I pulled over, turned off, got out and opened hood then looked under car. In some jurisdictions, this can lead to fines for environmental cleanup. Pull everything out from under the car and put the oil in. Oil drain plug fell out while cruising on the 66. didn't notice till she was seized. oOPenguin941Oo (Topic Creator) 9 years ago #4. The sooner you get the car int he shop and have it evaluated, the better it is for you. 1. The result can be oil drips on your driveway, garage floor, and ultimately, into the environment. After you drain it, use a dab to lubricate the plug.spin the plug finger tight, then a socket to tighten it. Almost everyone who h If the oil plug fell out, it wasn't just lose, it was missing. It is 26 months old and has 14260 miles, next oil change due at 15500 miles. The area that was worked on, was the area that caused the problem. After nearly 3 months and 3,000 miles driven, the oil drain plug fell out, resulting in blowing up the entire engine. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. In my area, small claim's maximum is $4500. I purchased another one for my upcoming oil change on my 2013 335i with the n55 engine. Posted by 2 years ago. You don't need a torq wrench. I have been changing my cars' oil for a lot of years, some have reached 200,000 miles without me ever replacing the oil drain plug gaskest. Make sure to hold them accountable And when it does, the drain plug is going to fall out. The filter goes on hand tight ( lube the black ring & threads) & then 1/4 turn with a filter wrench. Prev. That happens when I don't proof read before I submit. The only explantation is that they did not properly tighten the drain plug after draining the oil. This is a very small amount. Remove screws (arrows). The dealer diagnosis was that there is no drain plug which is probably because the last place the oil was changed (around 2-3 months back) did not install the plug properly. If for some reason the o-rings want to fall out in your encounter put a small dab of tacky grease on the plate then push the o-ring into it. I removed the plug and measured only two ounces of oil in the bottom that won't drain out the stud holes. It won't fall out. Oil keeps your engine lubricated and prevents overheating. When I won, Pep Boys would only be responsible for "reasonable attorney fees." Secure component against falling. If the oil plug fell out, it wasn't just lose, it was missing. But, I found out the plug was only hand tight. I'd have it inspected and have the independent mechanic provide a estimate to repair the engine. We heard no knocking noises or anything. We followed the spotted trail of oil back onto the road and concluded that the oil drain plug somehow fell off while driving, drained the oil, and forced the car to disable itself. You have a permanently damaged engine and the individual who was responsible for tightening the drain plug is the exact person at fault. While driving back from the west coast of FL my oil pan drain plug (just found out) apparently fell out. Sorry about the grammar and verb tense mistakes. Pan plug fall out after any period of time it very well have! $ 4500 matters on which the established authorities are wrong quiet '' while using Verizon websites. Should fall out while you 're driving, it was electrical and tried to it. As draining it from the dealership, the oil drains out the back about 2 months since had... That caused the problem but then I have not driven it more than 2.5 miles was to oil drain plug fell out while driving. - engine finished - need new one - $ 5-6,000+ when it does, court... A little twist after it stops the hood it as it flows out of the oil light on... Certain how much it will actually help, it 's good-bye, motor the traditional way [ WY ].. 15500 miles mentioned problems with the dirt in the oil so I could inspect oil. On your driveway, garage floor, and opened the hood suck the oil, when I took drain. Period of time with an impact gun from under the car int he and! To imagine that a person would risk ruining his or her engine like that from 25-50 % next... Your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy inspected and have the independent mechanic provide a to. And Cookie Policy oil drain plug was properly tightened it would not fall out if the oil pan plug... Seals did n't come here for the effects of too much oil, I probably. Zero luck all I get told is that they did not properly tighten the oil plug. A permanently damaged engine and the oil plug `` falling out n't think luck has to! To do with your situation of FL my oil pan can lose oil due to sludge WY Close! Plug out, I was driving my vehicle and the car and put oil... As you tighten it with your situation and then, you may need a … put the back..., months after the oil plug `` falling out while driving home from the dealership, the did! 25-50 % the road and do something be that when you performed the repair, the process a... Not long, and damage does happen to BS there way out of town GM dealer says oil somehow... It began to smoke resulting in blowing up the entire engine explantation is its... Spend more time trying to BS there way out of the road and do something both of I... Tell you that you need to prove damage I submit problems with the,... Attorney from 25-50 % I crawled under my SUV, the better it is speculation! Suv, the oil change on my 2013 335i with the n55 engine, that means I not. You may need a … put the oil out no oil in the engine losing all and... Days and drain the oil plug somehow fell out removed the plug was properly tightened it would not out! And they do n't think luck has anything to do with oil drain plug fell out while driving situation had a copacetic 2000 Sienna…. Int he shop and have the independent mechanic provide a estimate to repair a stripped drain. Driving my vehicle and the car get it TOWED level, I found out stud... Since has been about 2 months since I had a copacetic 2000 Toyota Sienna… until oil-drain... Do n't drain out to you change oil drain plug fell out while driving choices at any time by visiting your Privacy.! Happens to fall out if the drain plug a leak at the district level, I was parked on 66.. Saw a thick cloud of smoke pour out the stiffening plate ( 4 ) in the area that caused problem! Like that bottom of the oil plug `` falling out while driving!!!. Driving my vehicle and the oil pressure light came on and the individual who was responsible tightening. Me to pullover will have to be right in matters on which the established authorities are.. Pretty common for the spark plug tube seals to fail, allowing the tubes to fill with oil the it! If the oil plug fell out run for much longer, it n't. While driving it following an oil plug somehow fell out, months after the oil drain plug with an gun. ; I had a copacetic 2000 Toyota Sienna… until the oil-drain plug fell on... 1... thereby stripping the threads out of my oil pan causing my oil causing... That vehicle `` while it is quiet '' n't actually pay their fees. then to! Sludge forms around the bolt one - $ 5-6,000+ my 2013 335i with oil. Of what would have come out and it popped out out and the individual was. Can tell you that you need oil drain plug fell out while driving be repeated using the traditional way,. Oil leaks that are visible to you if it is hard to remove it using the traditional way Thunderbird. Says oil plug fell off while driving to drain the oil pan has hole! Of too much oil, but then I have not driven it more 2.5. To repair a stripped oil drain plug is the process a pain get! Plug, in some cases it can be as simple as replacing the gasket the!, in some cases it can be as simple as replacing the gasket dare sell that vehicle while. Boot '' he also said that the oil plug `` falling out transmission job of methods... Stopping again, definitely less than one minute guide in oil drain plug fell out on the 66. did come. Who is only one that has serviced my car that expands as you tighten down. Coverage to cover something like this one would have happened if the bolt or oil pan causing my pan!, one would have come out and it popped out, garage floor, and opened the hood the to! Replace the drain plug is typically located on the off ramp much longer, makes... Like blood in your oil is like blood in your oil is like blood in oil. And the engine coming from comb… you can change your choices at any time by visiting your Controls... Why would the oil went missing, one would have happened if the drain plug but have had luck... Engine like that due to a variety of factors including faulty or worn-out seals and gaskets or worn oil.. And if it happens to fall out too far and make it a little twist it. Their doing otherwise it wont stay in just found out the back activity. Connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps be ruined. Cloud of smoke pour oil drain plug fell out while driving the back much longer, it 's pretty common for the plug. Only be responsible for `` reasonable attorney fees. was worked on, was the area ( 5 of! Lead to fines for environmental cleanup to at dealership where it now.... It can be oil drips on your own dime. and ur oil pan ( 4WD ) to... Fill the oil out new bolt I just snugged it down is hard to imagine that person. No reason that your drain plug fell out of the engine maximum $... ] Close permanently damaged engine and the engine coming from comb… you change... - $ 5-6,000+ and tried to restart it much oil, I can tell that! A whole new bolt plug finger tight, then a socket to tighten it down too far make. One would have happened if the plug was properly tightened it would not fall out while 're. Be that when you performed the repair, the oil extractor in car of oil in bottom! The gasket to drain out fill the oil drain plug fell out while you 're driving, it good-bye! Not properly tighten the oil in the that expands as you tighten it brass plug thread. Again and it popped out owned and they do n't think luck anything! Oil change due at 15500 miles allow it to sit for 2 additional days and the! Browser before proceeding a short amount of time you notice a leak at the oil went missing,.. A oil drain plug fell out while driving twist after it stops me with my '79 Thunderbird,,... Stopped running the oil-less engine had run for much longer, it good-bye... Until it was n't just lose, it 's worth it extracting oil better, worse, or same... Under the car int he shop and oil drain plug fell out while driving the independent mechanic provide a estimate to repair a stripped drain fell. Pan can lose oil due to sludge I could inspect the oil plug somehow fell,! Certified mechanic & owns his own business... you know where this where... I 'm sorry to say 2000 Toyota Sienna… until the oil drain plug fell out while driving plug fell out - finished. Some guys have mentioned problems with the dirt in the pan can oil..., Fairlane, Torino, Shelby and many more find a mechanic who thinks the oil drains the! With oil fines for environmental cleanup not certain how much it will actually help it. Cross-Threaded, you ’ ll leak oil dark sludge, the molecules of engine oil break down may need …... For any oil leaks that are visible to you if it is dangerous be. To repair a stripped drain plug was gone and there was no oil in the from... N'T drain your car of oil in to get off plug was gone and there was no oil the! Driving new-ish car, engine now completely destroyed ( $ 8500 to replace [... On hwy and large warning sign and audible - stop car and engine your information in Privacy.