Edit: I snapped this after I found it. That’s how I knew it was on so tight. It still took me a good few minutes to find it because I kept looking under the car. I wasn’t expecting the filter to be on top.

  • Pika@sh.itjust.works
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    6 hours ago

    Just as a another form of Devil’s advocate, going over the manufacturer’s recommended specs on it isn’t a good idea either and intentionally making a car have to go back to a shop in order to be repaired on something that should be as simple repair is the easiest way to make it so the customer doesn’t come back

    I had that happen with my first vehicle, normally I change my own oil and filter because it’s about the most stupid easy job that you can do, but it was finals week and I already had way too much stuff on plate so I caved and under my parents recommendation brought it to a local shop

    Everything went fine didn’t spend through the roof but the next time I went to change my oil oh my God those fuckers put that oil pan plug on there so fucking tight that there was actually signs that it was starting to strip/warp, I had to get my dad to help me with it which was super embarrassing and he laughed at me until he tried to do it himself and he fucking struggled with it.

    It was clear that shop intentionally made it as tight as fucking possible because they wanted to make it so the next time it happened they wanted it to be brought in again. After we finally got it off we both agreed on one thing, neither of us are bringing our vehicles back to that shop again. That was over 10 years ago now and I’m still holding true to my word fuck them I’ll drive the extra 20 minutes to another shop

    • seathru@lemmy.sdf.org
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      5 hours ago

      Yeah, I’m sorry that happened. But literally no one, even the shadiest shop, is doing that intentionally. Laziness and using air tools, probably. Trying to save a buck by using the original crush washer and just tightening it down harder, also likely. Intentionally over tightening so you have to come back to them; extremely unlikely.

      After we finally got it off we both agreed on one thing, neither of us are bringing our vehicles back to that shop again. That was over 10 years ago now and I’m still holding true to my word fuck them I’ll drive the extra 20 minutes to another shop

      That’s exactly what you should do if you’re not happy with the service. But be prepared to wait to get into a decent mechanic. The ones that provide shitty service are able to stay in business because there is always someone in a hurry. And this is why I say they aren’t intentionally over torquing your drain bolt. They don’t give a shit if you come back on not; there’s plenty others waiting.

      I’m glad my professional wrenching isn’t in the automotive field any more.

      • Pika@sh.itjust.works
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        4 hours ago

        Yeah, even if that wasn’t the intent that was the outcome. And honestly yea probably was done just using air tools, it’s still blows my mind of how stupidly tight that was on there.

        Thankfully though I live in a fairly low population state so there’s never a line for any shops, usually most things can be a walk in or leave that night to have it worked on next day…you just have to be willing to drive 45 minutes to get to one. I do agree, finding a decent mechanic can be helpful, even if the only real work you ever need done is the yearly inspection.