I have to quit using the dealer for service

[Coolhand]

Hey guys -

I do my own oil/filter changes on my own schedule and would love to do more of the work on my own, but there simply isn't much time. To that end, how would you suggest a way to find top quality mechanics or shops, or even groups of enthusiasts who get together to do this kind of stuff? I'm in the Austin, TX area...


BTW - the wife has a '97 Corolla. As near as we can tell, the last time she got an oil change at one of those quick change places (I didn't have the right filter wrench ) they either didn't put any oil in, or put VERY little. She's usually fairly good about checking her oil level, but this time she didn't. It's never leaked, and never burned anything, so no worries right? Almost 3000 miles later (it had been running rough ) the check oil light finally came on. Nasty....

 

[Kanab]

BTW - the wife has a '97 Corolla. As near as we can tell, the last time she got an oil change at one of those quick change places (I didn't have the right filter wrench ) they either didn't put any oil in, or put VERY little. She's usually fairly good about checking her oil level, but this time she didn't. It's never leaked, and never burned anything, so no worries right? Almost 3000 miles later (it had been running rough ) the check oil light finally came on. Nasty....

I had a Lexus dealer in Atlanta forget to put oil in my wifes ES300, it was fine for around 30K more miles and then it started burning oil and smoking on start-up. I think when this happens that if it is caught early it just causes premature wear so an engine that would go 250K miles with no problem now lasts 100K miles. If I were you I would trade your wifes car before it gets too bad. This is why I don't like to buy used cars, you never know.

 

[Coolhand]

Roger that Pitbull, really a pisser. We had to have the timing belt redone, so they looked at the valves when they had it torn apart. They recommended a full valve job, which would have put our total bill at about twice what the car is worth. Since it already has 100k on it, we'll drive it until it dies.

I would be seriously pissed if I had a Lexus that this happened to...

 

[Kanab]

Roger that Pitbull, really a pisser. We had to have the timing belt redone, so they looked at the valves when they had it torn apart. They recommended a full valve job, which would have put our total bill at about twice what the car is worth. Since it already has 100k on it, we'll drive it until it dies.

I would be seriously pissed if I had a Lexus that this happened to...

After that experience I now check the oil before I drive off. But the more I think about it I don't think I will use the dealer for either of my vehicles. I can watch my neigbor do the work at his shop so I know it is done correctly. The only time the dealer will see me in the future is for warranty work.

PS - the Lexus dealer added 30K miles of warranty coverage to the engine and wrote off the 90K miles service (they were real nice). Trouble was that we moved to Missouri after about 20K miles and then the smoke started. It had 115K miles on it when I got rid of it. It was a 92 Lexus ES300. I guess when the oil light came on I should of just drove it until it locked up, then they would of had to put in a new engine. But you never know if they would of tried to say I should of saw the light and pulled over. I think it is alway better to do your own work. The 4runner is high enough that I could just do the oil change myself since I have all of the tools. I'm just lazy.