Dealer oil change from hell

[Mt.F150..]

I just wish the 5.0 oil filter only had one drain point instead of two.

Sponsored

 

[Steelerz1]

I just wish the 5.0 oil filter only had one drain point instead of two.

dumb design that makes zero sense to me but i guess that's why i am not a Ford engineer lol

 

[rr11]

I place my 5.0 on ramps and all the oil drains out the back. Squirt the skid plate with brake clean and good to go.

 

[Mjmccue]

Follow up on changing oil on a 2022 Ford-F 150. I have to apologize for saying my skid plate doesn’t say “don’t remove bolts for oil change” in fact it does. It took me a while of searching but there it is in tiny letters by each of the bolts holding the skid plate on. So I talked to a couple of shops and quick lubs to see if they remove it. (My previous 4 changes they pulled the plate) All said yes as it is quicker to pull the skid plate than clean up the mess as it is nearly impossible to drain the oil and remove the filter without spilling significant oil in the plate. Great engineering. The problem is apparently Ford used cheap clips and if you remove and install the bolts numerous times the clips will fail. Great engineering. So I think I will buy some spare clips and take it to a shop that removes the skid plate and avoids the mess.

 

[Xman]

Are we talking 5.0, 2.7, or 3.5? Or it doesn't matter, they all are hard to change with the skid plate installed and leave an oily mess?

 

[Steelerz1]

Had a 5.0 that was a mess and the 3.5 I have now is also. I do remove the skid plates/splash guards though.

 

[Jmitchelltfo]

Follow up on changing oil on a 2022 Ford-F 150. I have to apologize for saying my skid plate doesn’t say “don’t remove bolts for oil change” in fact it does. It took me a while of searching but there it is in tiny letters by each of the bolts holding the skid plate on. So I talked to a couple of shops and quick lubs to see if they remove it. (My previous 4 changes they pulled the plate) All said yes as it is quicker to pull the skid plate than clean up the mess as it is nearly impossible to drain the oil and remove the filter without spilling significant oil in the plate. Great engineering. The problem is apparently Ford used cheap clips and if you remove and install the bolts numerous times the clips will fail. Great engineering. So I think I will buy some spare clips and take it to a shop that removes the skid plate and avoids the mess.

Over torquing the bolts and forcing the skid plate up, despite small misalignments is what reduces the life of those clips. I've seen techs use impacts to run those bolts in (way too much torque).

I put on a little anti-seize and run the bolts in slowly with my electric ratchet. Then I snug them by hand. I have a Valvomax drain plug (approx. 8" drain hose to clear the skid), so I only need to drop my front skid plate to reach the oil filter. The trans skid won't move until I drop my trans pan.

I guess what I'm saying is.......good luck finding someone who cares as much about your pickup as you do.

I know a lot of people want to blame this younger generation.......and they aren't wrong. But I point the blame at the leadership, since they are fostering the type of environment where substandard performance is allowed to continue.

 

[MyRed2022]

Took a chance when I went to the dealership to have them look at the truck and order the Max Tow axle recall parts- very much regret it. I didn’t pop the hood when I picked the truck up (loaded the Triumph in the back, tied it down, put the ramps in, and drove off…). Within 10 miles there’s smoke coming off the back of the truck. Stopped, popped the hood, found my dipstick sitting on top of the engine. Put it back in, oil level was fine (and clean- they actually did change it). Decided to retorque the wheels immediately since they’d been off (all was okay there). Drove back to the dealership, no more smoke coming off the truck but a highly embarrassed service manager dealing with a slightly pissed off truck owner.

Kinda concerned about them doing the work on the axle when the parts show now.

 

[Rineland]

Could be worse…

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/major-service-mishap.14373/

I break out in a cold sweat anytime I have to have my truck serviced. And yes, I bring my own torque wrench and check the lugs before I leave now.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

No, it's poor management and greed.

well, the three or four Ford dealers I’ve been to in the last five years or so, all the lube rack guys are 18 to 20 years old.

You can call it greed whatever you like, but it’s essentially an unskilled labor position. If these kids were paying attention, there would be zero issues. Most all these lube rack deals are created from inexperience.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

It’s unfortunate that such a simple maintenance item goes so wrong so often but it does. I do my own and I taught my daughter how to do her own. I can let it drain, pre-fill my filter (to a decent degree at least given front mount on 3.5), and have a good look around under the truck while doing so then make sure the proper amount of oil is put back in. My daughter is 18 and tells me she has a sense of pride when she talks to young guys her age that don’t know how to change a tire let alone their oil. And yes she can change her tires too.

well done, sir you have taught her basic skills that so many just simply don’t possess anymore

 

[Jmitchelltfo]

well, the three or four Ford dealers I’ve been to in the last five years or so, all the lube rack guys are 18 to 20 years old.

You can call it greed whatever you like, but it’s essentially an unskilled labor position. If these kids were paying attention, there would be zero issues. Most all these lube rack deals are created from inexperience.

Very true!


30 minutes of my time and $40 (ish) for Pennzoil Ultra Plat with a Microgard Select is a great deal compared to $100 plus for an oil change performed by an unsupervised 18 year old. Choosing the exact oil and filter that I want is another huge advantage.

I also get the opportunity to check for leaks and issues to turn in for warranty work.

 

[DcnPat]

well, the three or four Ford dealers I’ve been to in the last five years or so, all the lube rack guys are 18 to 20 years old.

You can call it greed whatever you like, but it’s essentially an unskilled labor position. If these kids were paying attention, there would be zero issues. Most all these lube rack deals are created from inexperience.

That's where the greed part comes in. The dealership is not willing to pay for the proper training or pay a trained mechanic's wage or even a decent apprentice wage to make sure oil changes are done right and they are not holding the employees accountable. If they were being paid properly and held accountable, they would do better. Instead, grab anyone with a pulse who can hold a 10mm socket and turn them loose.

Sure, for a lot of dealers the "oil change special" is a loss leader to get the vehicle in to upsell other services. The part management is not grasping is if they can't make a simple, routine maintenance task like an oil change a great experience, or even a good experience, people won't come back for the work that generates profit. Call it greed, or bottom line blindness, and/or blame the bean counters - the result ia the same.

 

[FirstFord]

it’s essentially an unskilled labor position. Most all these lube rack deals are created from inexperience.

I'm sad to have to say this, but I agree - totally agree. And in a certain respect (a very narrow one), it actually makes sense - at a dealership you have (presumably) trained, certified mechanics/technicians employed in their service departments. This is expensive labor, and the dealership wants to utilize that labor where it makes the most sense - solving issues that are more complicated and involved than simply changing oil. Changing oil is (comparably) a simple, straightforward operation. Some would argue that being an oil changer doesn't need to be a high-skilled position, but they DO need to be adequately trained - and I am of the belief that not all dealers provide that training.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I do my own oil changes. However, in the realm of customer service, the first thing I'd do is show them the three notifications. If they didn't look at those and say wow, you're next in line, I'd walk away and never return to that dealer.

Sponsored