Another oil change horror story!

[witxp]

I have an 05 Camry 4cyl.

Back in February of 07 I went to sears and got an oil change. Today I decided to finally do it myself after pulling enough nerve to change out the old van's oil.

Ended up getting more than what I asked for. I drained out about 5 1/2 quarts of oil, WTF?Also, when I got under the car, I saw some oil on the bottom of the filter. Now I'm really concerned if any damage has been done to the engine?

I believe I've only driven for about a 1000 miles since the last oil change. I only drive on the weekends. The oil that came out was only a little darker then the new oil.

I will never trust anyone to change my oil again. They charged me $35 for a half-a$$ job. I only paid $20 for Pennzoil 5w-30 (5 quarts + free Fram filter to keep as spare) and Toyota oil filter.

Which brings me to my next question. The Toyota filter is the same as the Denso? But it more expensive. Is there a difference?

I guess everyone has a preference on their oil, but is there a specific oil that is better for our Camry's?

[RICO8458]

Here in NYC, on staten island, i take mine to the Toyota service center and they charge me $24.00 for the oil change and the filter. pretty decent price. stay away from those franchise shops if you see the work they do is not good. however, Sears does have cert. techs, so surprised to see the job went bad. next time ask to see the man who will do the job before it gets done, pull him aside and show him his tip. tell him when he is done he will get the money. lol.

[w203]

Originally Posted by witxp

I have an 05 Camry 4cyl.

Back in February of 07 I went to sears and got an oil change. Today I decided to finally do it myself after pulling enough nerve to change out the old van's oil.

Ended up getting more than what I asked for. I drained out about 5 1/2 quarts of oil, WTF?Also, when I got under the car, I saw some oil on the bottom of the filter. Now I'm really concerned if any damage has been done to the engine?

I believe I've only driven for about a 1000 miles since the last oil change. I only drive on the weekends. The oil that came out was only a little darker then the new oil.

I will never trust anyone to change my oil again. They charged me $35 for a half-a$$ job. I only paid $20 for Pennzoil 5w-30 (5 quarts + free Fram filter to keep as spare) and Toyota oil filter.

Which brings me to my next question. The Toyota filter is the same as the Denso? But it more expensive. Is there a difference?

I guess everyone has a preference on their oil, but is there a specific oil that is better for our Camry's?

If you engine needs 5.5 quarts and you got 5.5 quarts out then "WTF" seems to be the problem?

You can't tell how well the engine oil performed just by looking at the colors. If so you should be working for those oil companies.

What do you expect from Sears? A diamond incrusted oil filter? Its Sears c'mon (no offense to anyone as I'm sure they are a good company), its not like they specialize in Toyota, they do work on all make and models.

[touringcamry]

What did you change the oil out of? You said you have a 05 Camry I4 but that you are changing the oil in the "old van."

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by Tangerine

If you engine needs 5.5 quarts and you got 5.5 quarts out then "WTF" seems to be the problem?

Originally Posted by Tangerine

I tell it like it is, no sugarcoating from me...

^
And I do to.....

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

What did you change the oil out of? You said you have a 05 Camry I4 but that you are changing the oil in the "old van."

I think he has a van also, and worked up the nerve to do it on the van, so then he decided to do the Camry too.

[witxp]

This is the second oil change I've done. I mentioned the van because I had always been paranoid about changing the oil and have always brought them to shops to do. I finally went and changed the oil in the van (a whole new story in itself) last week and decided to do the Camry today.

The I4's max is 4 quarts, but I drained out 5.5 quarts, a big no no. I've read somewhere that if the oil is overfilled, pressure could develop in the engine and break the seals. Hopefully this won't happen.

In reponse to Tangerine: we've always went to Sears for oil changes. Maybe this is a one time thing, but still how could any certified tech just throw in 5.5 quarts without checking the suggested amount of oil needed and not even looking at the dipstick to read the oil level.

I'm assuming, the quick lube places that gets the job done in 10 minutes, but charges like 40 bucks a pop are even worst since they most likely don't even check to see if there are any leaks afterwards.

Now that I've done it, I feel like an idiot for not doing it a long time ago because it's so easy. Am going to change the oil on the 626 tomorrow.

Would anyone be able to tell me which oil is actually better or preferred?

Thanks

[touringcamry]

Most name brand oils will work as long as you use the correct weight. Even Chevron Supreme and Wal-Mart Super-tech will be fine for 3000 miles.

The biggest difference usually are the additive packages. Although if you have tho choose between 5W-30 and 10W-30, go with 5W-30 because that weight oil sometimes uses a better or cleaner base stock than the 10W-30 oils.

Currently my 07 Camry I4, same engine as the 02-06 Camry I4, is running on Castrol Syntec Blend 5W-20. Why? Because it was $2.29/qt and cost as much as regular oil that wasn't on sale.

[ASG14]

Sears does suck a$$ though. They improperly installed Struts in my ols 1992 Camry, THEN told me 2 of the mounts just broke......Um, yeah, ok. Retards.

I am running Mobile 1 Syn 5W-30 in my '05 LE I4. Well, it;s actually my mom's car, but I do the maintmence.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by witxp

I have an 05 Camry 4cyl.

Back in February of 07 I went to sears and got an oil change. Today I decided to finally do it myself after pulling enough nerve to change out the old van's oil.

Ended up getting more than what I asked for. I drained out about 5 1/2 quarts of oil, WTF?Also, when I got under the car, I saw some oil on the bottom of the filter. Now I'm really concerned if any damage has been done to the engine?

I believe I've only driven for about a 1000 miles since the last oil change. I only drive on the weekends. The oil that came out was only a little darker then the new oil.

I will never trust anyone to change my oil again. They charged me $35 for a half-a$$ job. I only paid $20 for Pennzoil 5w-30 (5 quarts + free Fram filter to keep as spare) and Toyota oil filter.

Which brings me to my next question. The Toyota filter is the same as the Denso? But it more expensive. Is there a difference?

I guess everyone has a preference on their oil, but is there a specific oil that is better for our Camry's?

I am glad you find out before it's too late on your engine.
I have 1 suggestion, always use the dip stick to check the level of fluid on your oil engine.
I check this once a week as a regular maintenance. If you have done that, you would have found out a lot sooner. I also check my transmission and radiator at the same time I check my oil engine. Again, just a suggestion.

[netman]

Originally Posted by lammydi

I am glad you find out before it's too late on your engine.
I have 1 suggestion, always use the dip stick to check the level of fluid on your oil engine.
I check this once a week as a regular maintenance. If you have done that, you would have found out a lot sooner. I also check my transmission and radiator at the same time I check my oil engine. Again, just a suggestion.

Another horror story to add to bad oil places.

My co-worker got his oil done at Walmart and when he got his car back, it was jumping like a horse.

Now it doesn't even start. He is really steaming now.

[touringcamry]

WTF? What did they do? Drain the transmission and double fill the oil?

[gdanaher]

Most of these 'horror stories' could be resolved before they begin if you double check the work before you drive off from Wal Mart, Jiffy Lube, Toyota dealer, etc.
-pull the dip stick
-check the cap is there and tight
-look underneath for a drips on the ground

You've been waiting for the car to be serviced. What's another minute of your time?

[witxp]

Originally Posted by gdanaher

Most of these 'horror stories' could be resolved before they begin if you double check the work before you drive off from Wal Mart, Jiffy Lube, Toyota dealer, etc.
-pull the dip stick
-check the cap is there and tight
-look underneath for a drips on the ground

You've been waiting for the car to be serviced. What's another minute of your time?

The problem is most people like me did not have any experience with oil changes and always assumed these places would have done a good job. I would have to say my entire family do no check their dip-sticks after an oil change.

[gdanaher]

Well, I'd hope you would start checking your dipstick NOW? This is just good practice. Yes, I know, young people like to let things like this slide, but it MUST be done. No, I do not trust anyone to do an oil change correctly except myself, and then I double check my own work as well. Nice when the dealer pulls your car around to the front and leaves it idling for you. I turn off the key, pop the hood and at least check that the cap is on tight and that there is SOMETHING on the dip stick. Later after it has sat for awhile, I verify that the level is somewhere close to correct.

I doubt that any harm was done with an extra 3 pints of oil in the pan but yes, there is a point when it could do damage. Complaining to the Sears guy will likly result in a blank look in return, but in any event, check the dip stick. Do not assume anything.