Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: BRIO on September 17, 2015, 07:09:28 PM

Title: Did something dumb today
Post by: BRIO on September 17, 2015, 07:09:28 PM
I've always changed my own oil. Yester day though, I decided since I wasn't feeling good, that I would take the car to walmart since I also had to return a battery core and do some shopping. Two hours later I got my car back and the oil looked exactly the same color as it did when I brought it in. I told the manager and he said that their oil ( Castrol magnatec synblend) was a little darker than usual. Still my gut feeling told me otherwise.

I took the car home and drained the oil. You tell me if this could be oil with less than 10 miles on it from a brand new car that has had synthetic from the factory. It's not a diesel.

(http://<a href="http://s989.photobucket.com/user/joachimroselio/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/joachimroselio/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image_1.jpg"/></a>)
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: lucian on September 17, 2015, 08:08:42 PM
Welcome to Wallmart
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: canuguzzi on September 17, 2015, 08:12:21 PM
Ask the guy to open a fresh jug of the oil and look at it.

BTW Castrol magnatec is mineral oil not synthetic.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Arizona Wayne on September 17, 2015, 11:58:37 PM
I don't know what your fresh oil should look like but back in the `80s there was an oil with graphite in it and it was black from the git go.  :undecided:  Do you really think WalMart was sneaky enough to charge you for something it didn't do?
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Nic in Western NYS on September 18, 2015, 04:30:23 AM
I don't know what your fresh oil should look like but back in the `80s there was an oil with graphite in it and it was black from the git go. 
Yes, ARCO Graphite Flat Tappet Formula...
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: BRIO on September 18, 2015, 05:19:19 AM
Was having issues with photobucket. Here is said brand new oil.

(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/joachimroselio/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/joachimroselio/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: BRIO on September 18, 2015, 05:27:25 AM
Ask the guy to open a fresh jug of the oil and look at it.

BTW Castrol magnatec is mineral oil not synthetic.

The bottle said synthetic blend when I cross checked in the store. The color was normal
amber.

With Synthetic being a marketing ploy nowadays anyway, I'm not sure what the significance is with most base stock being group IV. What is synthetic blend? Mineral oil with a splash of slightly better mineral oil?
Whichever judge decided this to be the case must have been corrupt.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on September 18, 2015, 06:21:01 AM
Was having issues with photobucket. Here is said brand new oil.

(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/joachimroselio/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/joachimroselio/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpg.html)

Certainly looks like old oil. What's it smell like?
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Gliderjohn on September 18, 2015, 06:34:39 AM
Once, and only once I had Wally World service my Honda Accord. When I got home I noticed red fluid dripping from under the car. Turns out they had filled my P/S fluid to the very top, had only put two quarts of engine oil in the engine and my tire pressures were all different ranging from 15 to 50 pounds.
GlideJohn
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Mayor_of_BBQ on September 18, 2015, 07:21:26 AM
I barely trust walmart for batteries and laundry detergent... no way in hell I would let them touch any of my vehicles...
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Xlratr on September 18, 2015, 08:12:24 AM
Maybe they did change the oil! Did you ask them to change it to fresh oil???  :evil:

John

PS: That stuff in the bottle certainly doesn't look new.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Anders Pedersen on September 18, 2015, 08:28:54 AM
Over here, I've never heard of a supermarket that will change the oil for you, must be a 'Murican thing.

But I'm guessing that Walmart didn't spend hours waiting for all of the oil to drain, and if the oil filter wasn't changed there would be enough old oil left in the engine to discolor the new oil.

Did you ask to have the oil filter replaced, and do you know the difference in oil capacity with or without filter change?
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: acogoff on September 18, 2015, 08:32:13 AM
    Make sure you check the level of oil in your tranny- they may have put the oil in there! I've seen that happen twice in my lifetime to others.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: BRIO on September 18, 2015, 08:33:20 AM
I'm gonna send it off to blackstone labs. If the oil is indeed old or contaminated that may be grounds for a lawsuit.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: BRIO on September 18, 2015, 08:34:58 AM
Over here, I've never heard of a supermarket that will change the oil for you, must be a 'Murican thing.

But I'm guessing that Walmart didn't spend hours waiting for all of the oil to drain, and if the oil filter wasn't changed there would be enough old oil left in the engine to discolor the new oil.

Did you ask to have the oil filter replaced, and do you know the difference in oil capacity with or without filter change?

Oil filter was changed which leads me to believe they filled it up with some old crud.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: HDGoose on September 18, 2015, 08:41:30 AM
Even recycled/reman oil is better than that!
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: John Ulrich on September 18, 2015, 08:42:31 AM
I'm gonna send it off to blackstone labs. If the oil is indeed old or contaminated that may be grounds for a lawsuit.

There you go!

I had a question on an overfilled condition on a factory provided oil change at a dealer.  The service manager went to the tape (everything is recorded) of the service taking place and verified how many quarts got poured in.  I've got 3 more "free" oil changes coming but will not use any.....back under the car for me so I know myself it's done my way!
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Wayne Orwig on September 18, 2015, 09:11:18 AM
But I'm guessing that Walmart didn't spend hours waiting for all of the oil to drain, and if the oil filter wasn't changed there would be enough old oil left in the engine to discolor the new oil.

Drain?

A lot of those places don't drain the oil. They use a hose and a pump to suck some of the oil out the dipstick tube. So yes, they leave old oil behind. A LOT, if not done right. But then their logic is somewhat sound in that they can't have a person under a car draining boiling hot oil over their head all day long.

I taught my daughter to change her own oil long ago. One time she thought she would be lazy, and went to a shop to have it changed. When back home we notice oil dripping, and found the drain plug half way out. She (and I) are back to doing her oil changes
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Anders Pedersen on September 18, 2015, 09:43:00 AM
If that's the way they operate, I'd go there only once. Still, it's taking the piss on the majority of customers who most likely don't know any better.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: pat80flh on September 18, 2015, 09:43:29 AM
The Walmarts around here put blue sealing wax on the drain plug when they're done.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: MGPilot on September 18, 2015, 09:54:40 AM
Personally, I'd drop it as a lesson learned.

I think you have a "chain of evidence" issue as there's no way to prove that what you sent for analysis came from your car--or even what's in your car came from Walmart.

Even if you got everything in place and took them to small claims court, they could still say that at most, it was just an oversight by a tech who got interrupted, offer you a free oil change, and it would simply be let go.

The most you might do is complain to a state consumer protection agency.  They tally those things and then will take action when they can.  Doesn't cost you any thing.  Could also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: LowRyter on September 18, 2015, 09:55:06 AM
Reminds me of the time I had the oil changed and had them put wiper blades on it.  I noticed that the wipers were just canted slightly up and out of position from normal.  I hit the wiper switch to bring them to bottom position and there was a crack in my windshield. 

So I go back to Walmart and try to get a resolution.  They tell me they have everything on video and will get back to me.  Their answer was that they never changed the wiper blades in the first place despite charging me.  I had to complain to District management to get payment for the windshield. 

After that time I've heard many stories of folks that paid for oil changes but all the Walmart did was park the car in back lot and put a charge on it.  Stupid me, I never check the oil after I have it changed.  No telling how many times it's happened. 
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: nc43bsa on September 18, 2015, 10:12:09 AM
WalMart's current business philosophy seems to be that there are so many customers out there they can get 2 new ones for every 1 they piss off.

BTW, I do shop at WM occasionally, but only late at night.  Those "People of WalMart" scare me.    :grin:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: biking sailor on September 18, 2015, 12:02:23 PM
My son brought home a 5W20 Castrol oil in a 5 quart container that was gold in color.  I remember noticing the new oil was quite a bit darker than I was used to seeing.   Just saying...

I would think just looking at the oil plug and filter area of the motor will tell you whether things were changed or not.  There will be signs.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: pikipiki on September 18, 2015, 12:36:16 PM
I heard that in Seoul South Korea they have this place where you book your Kia in and at allotted time you just drive in there over an inspection pit and a helpful chap wheels up a trolley with instruction sheet, appropriate tools and consumables. You drain your own oil out, change your own air filter and if a bolts too tight there's another helpful chap on hand to help with that too.
At end of the day you do you own service with non of the hassle of tidying garage, looking for tools, ordering parts, disposing of used engine oil, you even get a stamp in in service book and no doubt honoured about your mechanical skills and what a pleasure it is to drive the Kia. I used to consider them crap cars, I'm walming to them now.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: HDGoose on September 18, 2015, 12:57:35 PM
Uh , we are pretty good , but even experts like us can't do any psychic stuff  :huh:

  Dusty

Psychotic, yes.  :evil:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: rodekyll on September 18, 2015, 02:17:55 PM
Drain?

A lot of those places don't drain the oil. They use a hose and a pump to suck some of the oil out the dipstick tube. [snip]


How is that even possible? 
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Arizona Wayne on September 18, 2015, 03:01:09 PM
I'll bet WM does more oil changes than any other company nationwide.  If they were as bad as you guys suggest they would be out of business by now.  :copcar:  Once in awhile they change my oil,filter if I'm on a trip.  Never had an issue with them.  :tongue:  Otherwise I do my own oil changes with their products.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: jabberwocky on September 18, 2015, 06:06:43 PM
Walmart is a horrible place. I can't figure out why people go there in the first place.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on September 18, 2015, 06:29:44 PM
Walmart is a horrible place. I can't figure out why people go there in the first place.

Cheep. (Guzzi content)  :wink:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: John Ulrich on September 18, 2015, 09:44:33 PM
Walmart is a horrible place. I can't figure out why people go there in the first place.

One down the street from me.  I'm in there a lot.  What I cannot figure out is the lack of turnover with employees there.  They must be holding family members hostage because they just don't quit and their smiles have to be phony.   
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Arizona Wayne on September 18, 2015, 10:00:13 PM
Walmart is a horrible place. I can't figure out why people go there in the first place.



I'd say you are a union member and/or a Democrat voter.   :evil:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: jabberwocky on September 19, 2015, 06:14:45 AM
I'm self employed, but yes I tend to vote Dem. I'm not  loyal democrat, and I'd vote GOP if they'd come up with someone who wasn't straight from the circus. For a little while, I thought Ben Carson might hold some promise.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: O on September 19, 2015, 08:33:47 AM
Personally, I'd drop it as a lesson learned.

I think you have a "chain of evidence" issue as there's no way to prove that what you sent for analysis came from your car--or even what's in your car came from Walmart.

Even if you got everything in place and took them to small claims court, they could still say that at most, it was just an oversight by a tech who got interrupted, offer you a free oil change, and it would simply be let go.

The most you might do is complain to a state consumer protection agency.  They tally those things and then will take action when they can.  Doesn't cost you any thing.  Could also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

 :1: This, and just don't go back there.  For anything.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: LowRyter on September 19, 2015, 08:56:17 AM
I imagine that minimally supervised minimum wage workers hide mistakes from management.

my guess is that in peak hours, the staff sometimes moves cars around rather than do the job.  I doubt that management encourages it unless they don't have the staff to deal with the demand and probably gives a blind eye.

It's happened to too many people for too many times.  We have several instances of it here and when you talk to people you hear about more.  If you talk privately to folks that work there, they won't deny this happens.

After the broken windshield, I've never gone back.  I'll spend another $5 and go where I trust the work is done and can get out fast.




My biggest knock on WalMart is the cheap clothes.  I am tried belt loops ripping out of my jeans, socks that lose their elastic after a couple of weeks, and belts that come apart in a couple of months.  And you can't find better stuff when you go elsewhere.  My high dollar Levi's pulled out the same belt loop.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Wayne Orwig on September 19, 2015, 09:42:27 AM
How is that even possible?

Watch the video here.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623859_200623859

It actually has a few good points, like the fact that the drain plug is not going to be loose or damaged when done.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on September 19, 2015, 10:08:59 AM
This is interesting - from the manual

ATTENTION!
Some cars have a built-in oil suction probe. In this case, connect the coupler of the oil changer B directly to
the probe. For other makes of car (Volkswagen-BMW) equipped with a built-in probe having a different
opening, connector (C-Volkswagen, D-BMW) must be used


So sucking the oil out must be a recognized method.
I think you would need a pretty decent air compressor to drive the eductor.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: bacongrease on September 19, 2015, 11:19:33 AM

BTW, I do shop at WM occasionally, but only late at night.  Those "People of WalMart" scare me.    :grin:


ooooohhhh..sooooooo o...you are one?    :undecided:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: bacongrease on September 19, 2015, 11:23:40 AM
BTW...if you are around along enuff.....you have heard stories from other auto centers, not just Wally World.

   I worked with a black guy who scratched/marked his oil filter to check if it had been replaced.
 Seems like not replacing the oil filter on a brothers auto was SOP in some places.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: bacongrease on September 19, 2015, 11:24:58 AM
This is interesting - from the manual

ATTENTION!
Some cars have a built-in oil suction probe. In this case, connect the coupler of the oil changer B directly to
the probe. For other makes of car (Volkswagen-BMW) equipped with a built-in probe having a different
opening, connector (C-Volkswagen, D-BMW) must be used


So sucking the oil out must be a recognized method.
I think you would need a pretty decent air compressor to drive the eductor.


 Doesn't Harley change oil with suction?    :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: steamdriven NZ on September 19, 2015, 06:06:49 PM
I have one of these....well one similar. A wee electric suck pump for changing oil in the jet boat because you can't get anything under the sump with it being so close to the hull. Sure it doesn't get it all out but I normally do a short run after changing then change it again. That flush gets a lot of muck out, something I've routinely done with bikes and cars over the years.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/other/auction-951198953.htm

But normally I drop the plug because it is the best way. I have a set of ramps and access to a hoist for the Chev, ramps make life easy

Kev.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Lannis on September 19, 2015, 06:16:39 PM
Walmart is a horrible place. I can't figure out why people go there in the first place.

You can look at the cigarette butts decorating the front of the store, the funky-looking employees lounging outside on a break, the people going in and out, the business model, and the cheap and nasty feel of the business model (run everyone else out of town, then you've got 'em!) to know that you shouldn't even go in the store for a bottle of laundry detergent.

To take one's CAR into a place like that to let some pimply git bash it with wrenches .... well, the word "dumb" doesn't quite cover it.

Given the social and economic philosophies of many on the board, I can't imagine why they don't just stay out of the store on PRINCIPLE.    A giant capitalist near-monopoly, owned by the richest people in the world, selling cheap Chinese junk that Americans used to produce, who grows like a virus by pulling into town and shutting everyone else down, then you watch the stores turn dirty, cheap, and ill-run ....

But I suppose it's all justified because every one is saving MONEY.   That's not only the most important thing, it's the ONLY thing; regardless of all the talk and posturing ....

Never catch me in one; and they've got CAMERAS!

Lannis
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Arizona Wayne on September 19, 2015, 06:30:05 PM
You can look at the cigarette butts decorating the front of the store, the funky-looking employees lounging outside on a break, the people going in and out, the business model, and the cheap and nasty feel of the business model (run everyone else out of town, then you've got 'em!) to know that you shouldn't even go in the store for a bottle of laundry detergent.

To take one's CAR into a place like that to let some pimply git bash it with wrenches .... well, the word "dumb" doesn't quite cover it.

Given the social and economic philosophies of many on the board, I can't imagine why they don't just stay out of the store on PRINCIPLE.    A giant capitalist near-monopoly, owned by the richest people in the world, selling cheap Chinese junk that Americans used to produce, who grows like a virus by pulling into town and shutting everyone else down, then you watch the stores turn dirty, cheap, and ill-run ....

But I suppose it's all justified because every one is saving MONEY.   That's not only the most important thing, it's the ONLY thing; regardless of all the talk and posturing ....

Never catch me in one; and they've got CAMERAS!

Lannis




Since WM caters to all customers no matter their position in life, I have seen some stores in seemly places, but my local WM isn't like that.   For you to lump all WM employees & customers in 1 box is ignorant and unnecessary.  No one forces anyone to go in any store if they don't want to.  Unlike you, if I need something and I know WM has it I will look beyond the atmosphere around me and get what I need.  :kiss:
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Lannis on September 19, 2015, 07:51:22 PM



Since WM caters to all customers no matter their position in life, I have seen some stores in seemly places, but my local WM isn't like that.   For you to lump all WM employees & customers in 1 box is ignorant and unnecessary.  No one forces anyone to go in any store if they don't want to.  Unlike you, if I need something and I know WM has it I will look beyond the atmosphere around me and get what I need.  :kiss:


It's one company, one concept, it's standardized, it's sh!tty, no one forces anyone to go in, and if you can stand it, fine, go ahead.   But many people who pretend to despise this sort of thing go into the stores anyway, because it's cheap.

I'm just saying I don't, I don't care how inexpensive it is or how bad I think I "need" it.   Your sensitivity to greedy big-box stores obviously is less developed than mine.  Go for it.

Lannis
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Gliderjohn on September 20, 2015, 07:02:06 AM
I feel very lucky to have a father/son run and owned auto shop near me. Besides feeling assured that service work is done well they have let me use their solvent tank to clean Guzzi parts and have let me keep my Guzzi there when planning to leave when rain was in the forecast so I knew I didn't have to worry about getting through my unpaved road.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: jabberwocky on September 20, 2015, 07:52:19 AM
I've got your back Lannis! Couldn't agree more. Somehow I've managed to get by without going to Mallwart for the last 15 years. Well, I must confess early this summer I DID go in there and gave them $.89 of my money for a pack of fish hooks so I could take my kids fishing spur of the moment. The scene there confirmed all of my opinions of the wretched place, and it will likely be another decade or two before it's time to go there again. 
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Arizona Wayne on September 20, 2015, 12:26:58 PM

It's one company, one concept, it's standardized, it's sh!tty, no one forces anyone to go in, and if you can stand it, fine, go ahead.   But many people who pretend to despise this sort of thing go into the stores anyway, because it's cheap.

I'm just saying I don't, I don't care how inexpensive it is or how bad I think I "need" it.   Your sensitivity to greedy big-box stores obviously is less developed than mine.  Go for it.





Lannis



You're right, Lannis, I don't have an ounce of snobbery in me.  In fact I detest snobs.
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: oldbike54 on September 20, 2015, 12:29:09 PM


You're right, Lannis, I don't have an ounce of snobbery in me.  In fact I detest snobs.

  :1:

  Dusty
Title: Re: Did something dumb today
Post by: Lannis on September 20, 2015, 02:39:52 PM


You're right, Lannis, I don't have an ounce of snobbery in me.  In fact I detest snobs.

Snob?

You keep using that word.   I do not think it means what you think it means .....  :grin:

Lannis