Ingenieur

Don't think the engineers had anything to do with this 'design flaw '
The tech just forgot to put the filter cap on, that's all
No biggee

Again EVERY ONE makes mistakes

jcfay

Everyone does make mistakes. But processes can be setup to avoid them. Depending on what industry you work in I'm sure we all have exposure to them. I work in pharma where we make complex biologic molecules and stuff still goes awry, and you'd be astounded at the incredible detail to process, SOPs, etc. Bottom line the dealership should be able to make you happy with a cleanup and a free service. They don't like this to happen either as it can knock their business I would think. I bet each dealership tracks this sort of stuff and keeps records of error rates. Too bad we don't have access to that... ;-)

Ingenieur

I worked in pharma/biotech power/control for many years
Validation is a pita with the FDA

I Would not track errors, at least formally and required to do so
During a lawsuit discovery fishing expedition might come back to bite you in the ***

One of my heros
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming

Had alot to do with winning WWII and afterwards helping the Japanese become masters at QA/QC

I am Jeff

The data for tracking errors is only as good as the person who inputs the data. Controls are only in place to serve as guidelines for the user. A business can only apply so many levels of control before it severely hampers operations. I hold firm to the concept that the best way to circumvent the controls is to befriend the person putting the controls in place.

Ingenieur

Controls must be integrated and enhance overall efficiency
The quality roi must be greater than the loss of production output
The method imo is to have each step checked by the perfromer
And the next person in the process before he starts
Repeat
Cant check a complex layered system too thoroughly once completed

Its a balancing act

jcfay

Interesting. I guess my take is that I'd hope for whatever the dealer charges for an oil change (sure it ain't too cheap) they could manage to at least make double sure they check the friggin' oil cap. I know I'd never do that on my ride, never. And, moreover, if that can mess that up, then what sort of colossal disasters could occur with other repair process oversights. I'm sure there are countless horror stories, but I guess I'd also hope that there'd be fewer with Merc dealers versus, say, Kia. But I may be totally wrong there too. I'm thinking more about doing my own oil changes now...

whoover

The biggest reason this happens is the pressure the dealership puts on the techs to turn over the job fast. Any dealership mechanic will tell you that they're graded on how many jobs they get through faster than the book time. That is not an environment conducive to getting it right every time.

It's all about the dealer's profit. From our perspective we're paying $150/hour. From the dealer's perspective, they need to see the service business add ever more to the bottom line.

Autosport7

Agree with these statements. Most service shops are cut rate, meaning they are paid based on the amount of time it takes to complete each job.

Either way they should rectify the situation as stated earlier, I just don't think they owe the guy a new car. lol Which no one has stated, but I felt as though this thread was heading that way.

Ingenieur

Don't techs also get incentivized by paying them book rate even if they complete it faster?
That way the dealer can get say 10 book hours billed in an 8 hour work day

Autosport7

I do believe this to be the case, and if they go over that 10hrs they don't get paid for the additional time over 10.

jvanbrecht

You did read the part of my original statement about the difference between a good dealer and a bad one is how they handle the situation right... I basically said what you have been saying all along, although I do not think you realize it.

Handling could include compensation, fixing, or doing absolutely nothing.

coladin

When you think about it, not only did they leave the oil cap off, but I am going to guess that they didn't start it to check the filter did not leak or if there was a problem with the seal, or else they would have spotted the cap being off.

Pretty shoddy indeed.

I am Jeff

lol...Yeah I missed your previous post. No hurt feelings here, just a friendly debate about expectations when you take a car in for service.

Ingenieur

*** dealership!!!!
Burn them!!!!

coladin

Right behind you! Who is with us!

Leonard roccamo

tomorrow ima go pick it up. ill give some more details on how that went, when i spoke to the guy over the phone, he said they were gonna steam clean it, and that they bought a new oil cap because supposedly the old one had a crack. gets me mad how they always try to rectify their Fuc up. when the flatbed picked me up the day of the incident they driver of the flatbed looked at the spill then grabbed the oil cap and twisted it on. no problems with it whatsoever.

Ingenieur

Throw them in water
If they float they are loke wood and must be a witch sp burn!!!!
If they sink, oh well
Either way problem solved

biggking

ROFLMFAO!!!! Uhh I put 9 qts, I think... The fact that dealers can just tell you to **** off really pisses me off. It's like I gotta be buddy buddy with a service adviser to get anything done under warranty.

JonMBZ

Techs are paid a flag rate and came make as many hours as they can flag. I have seen a tech flag 25 hours to remove and engine and pull it out in less than 2 hours. Apprentices however are paid hourly untill they are trained enough to work on their own.



I am sure you are talking about 5w40 ESP M which is compatible with both gas and diesel engines. I have been using it for many years in my car.


This should never happen im sure the advisor and manager are going to be embarrassed and comp it and something else. We are professionals and the customer is paying top dollar to service their car. I am glad to see so many are so understanding. In the real world this type of situation usually amount to a lot of drama.

YellowJacket

You should get your next few service visits free of charge for that mess. All those service B's.

The note about a cracked oil cap doesn't help their cause. They should have saw that and replaced it, if that was really true. Not let you drive down the road nearly ruining your motor.