After becoming unhappy with the service at the dealer where I bought my 2003 350Z (South Valley Nissan in Gilroy, CA) I decided to try a different dealer for my 30,000 mile service and some warranty work (trunk lid, fuel door, seat cushion).

I went to Falore Nissan in Sunnyvale, CA. They seemed to know about the issues and said no problem to fix them and do the service, so I decided to try them out.

They quoted $488 for the oil change, change manual trans fluid, differential oil, cooling system flush, and other inspections. This seemed a bit steep but I guess it's in line with other dealers and they gave me 10% off. (I wonder what others are paying for this service?)

When it was completed and I drove the car back to my work (about 8 minutes away) smoke was POURING out from under the hood, with the unmistakable stench of burning oil. Opening the hood, I discovered that the mechanic didn't put the dipstick in right -- he missed the hold and it was just sitting there next to the little metal ramp thing. Oil had been splashing out the dipstick hole, making a mess of the engine and engine compartment. Oil was dripping, leaking, and smoking everywhere!

Needless to say I was pissed. I called the head of the service department (Bob) and told him what happened. He apologized profusely, and promised to detail my engine and make it right. After checking that the oil level was still OK, I drove it home and took it in the next day (it dripped oil on my garage floor overnight, even after the 40 mile drive home, so there was a lot there). When I got to the shop, Bob was not there but another service guy said he would take it to the detailing place right away and it would take about half an hour. I decided to wait there. A few minutes later he says it will be better for the mechanics to do it at the shop so they can remove parts, etc. to get at the oil. I say OK and wait almost an hour and a half.

When it's done, we inspect the engine. It does not look clean at all. It doesn't look any different and still reeks of burning oil. I imagine they wiped up the excess with a rag or something, but I was expecting my engine compartment to look like new and I can imagine burned-on oil all over. The service guy tells me they never "detail" engines any more because it's bad for it, water causes damage, etc. He offers to take it to the detail shop if I insist but at that point I decide I need to talk to Bob again. On the way home I am still catching whiffs of burning oil.

I just talked to Bob today and he gives me the same story about engine detailing, says he shouldn't have used the word "detailed", and says they cleaned up all the oil. But if I want, he will pay for me to take my car to a shop that does this kind of thing, in order to make me happy. He really is trying to satisfy me, so I can't say they totally suck.

Now the question: is there any truth that I should stay away from engine cleaning or detailing? Should I go to this shop and get them to clean it, or just leave it like it is? Any knowledgeable advice would be appreciated.

-CZ

 

I have heard horror stories of places not properly protecting the engine when hosing down engines, so I would definitely be careful. The 350Z has alot of electronics under the hood that could get water in them versus most older cars which normally you only have to protect a few things like the battery and distributor. Personally I would do it myself. Get some 50/50 Simple Green/Water and spray it on the area covered with oil and then carefully hose it down.

 

Thanks, maybe I'll avoid the engine cleaning/detailing shop altogether.

(Bob never called me back anyway. Makes me want to make him do what he promised just on principle, but I am thinking why make extra aggravation for myself?)

If anyone else also has experience in this area, more replies are most welcome. Nice to have somewhere to turn to for questions like this -- and to vent my frustrations, of course!

 

I don't think he was BS'ing you about engines not getting detailed anymore. Today's engines have so many electrical components involved under the hood that you're asking for major trouble if you go in there with a hose and just start spraying water all over with no rhyme or reason.

 

This is why I do my own maintanance, ...............!

Happened to a co-worker, only they forgot to put the cap on. Idiots!

 

that's why i bought my first of Royal Purple today along with an oil catch pan.

 

as the other guys have said, full on engine detailing or "steam cleaning" has gone the way of leaded gas.

but if they're willing to get you to a real DETAILER to clean what they made a mess of, you're pretty much safe... no one steam cleans engines anymore. if you're lookin for a drive, try and find a place that "steam cleans" engine bays in your town... what used to be there are no longer.

also is the problem of throwing cold water on a hot engine... aluminum is a bit more durable in that matter, but the days of iron blocks and aluminum heads caused many a headgasket to blow as a "30 minute steam clean" would pop headgaskets as the motor wouldnt go through a proper cool down, and the differing metal expansion rates would cause seals to blow.

 

I don't know about having them detail the engine but I would at least make them clean their **** up. Your engine should look like it did before they screwed up. Whatever that takes...

 

ROFLMAO hahaha, not being able to place a dipstick right.

that is really sad. Glad I'm been doing all my own oil changes. After 3 years my engine still looks brand new.

Another reason why the more you stear clear of nissan service, the better. (there are exceptions)

 

this might be helpful but its totally up to you. dad and i were doing our own oil change.. i thougth and he thought that one of us shut the oil cap completely and we started up the car.. guess what? exactly... anyway, it was a mess, the garage floor/engine/inner hood had motor oil all over. we spent around 3 hours wiping, cleaning every little corners we could reach in the engine bay and from under. its been 3 months and so far everything is still running smoothly.

 

You should have taken digital pics of the damage immediately, had the car towed into the shop. This provides a legal trail. Then I would demand that Falore do WHATEVER it takes or costs, to make the situation right. With evidence, you could threaten them with legal action quite easily.

At this point, I would contact the head of the service dept, or failing that, contact the OWNER or GM of the dealership. Be polite but very firm. They made the mistake and it's THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to make it right. If you try and clean it up yourself and damage occurs, then the onus is on you. Be smart - make them take the responsibility.

 

z350z....sorry to hear about that, just a comment on "engine detailing" from some of my detailing forums....

Fewer detailers are doing this because of the electrical parts, time for engine to cool, and prep time ......however some experienced detailers still do it(cover intake, electrical connections....cover fenders, chrome, grille, etc, stay away from hot engines, and manifolds).......

I would try to find an experienced detailer who will detail your engine...review his process, just to make sure he covers all the bases....then hold the dealership to paying for it!!!!



Good luck!!

 

Sorry to hear about that!

If you would have taken the car to us

Performance NISSAN
1434 Buena VISTA ST
Duarte CA 91010

and that happend.. the engine bay would have been returned to you cleaner then the day you purchased it.

 

That's very nice Jason, I believe you. But he's way up in Gilroy. I think he'd like to know if there's non-destructive he can do to clean up the mess the dealer made. Any ideas?

Lou

 

z350z.....check your PM

 

there is away to clean the engine bay...

i do not know exactly what they do... but we have a team of detailers that turn a most dirty looking car into a brand new looking pre-owned car...

they made my engine bay look new once... not sure what they used or how they did it though :-/