Has the oil been changed? Or have i been shafted?

SUTTS · 18-01-2005, 23:56

My Octy went for it's 20,000 mile service at Dutton Forshaw in Maidstone today. It was all done quite quickly but after driving the 1.5 miles home I decided to check the dipstick and oil filter. The filter was definitely new but the oil was a dirtyish mid - brown colour; not what I expected as the Shell 'Helix Plus' that supposedly went in is almost completely clear.

There was evidence around the filler cap that spillage had been wiped up, but I found it difficult to believe that it had actually been changed so went straight back to the garage. The service manager was "in a meeting" and "couldn't be disturbed" and when one of the more senior service desk ladies spoke to me she was adamant that the oil had been changed and that the technicians (also not available) say that the residue of the old oil immediately contaminates the colour of the new.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this? Incidentally the cost of this service was £250 (£55 per hour + vat for labour), didn't include a wash/vac out (I am I being old fashioned to expect this at that price?) but did include 59p for screen wash which I had topped up the day before!!

I have bought 2 new cars from D.F. in the past 3 and a bit years, and previously had no complaints. Now I'm not so sure.

FLYINGBANANA · 19-01-2005, 00:39

if it was drained properly then the new oil should take a while to become dirty. wonder how long the silkolene i'm getting for the punto will take to get dirty - it starts of red

doer1 · 19-01-2005, 00:51

was allways a light colout when it was done on my mondeo

Chavyboy · 19-01-2005, 09:35

Indeed it could be just residue oil left in the engine. In the old days people used to flush the engines out first then put the new oil in but alas not many people bother to do this now.

gamichea · 19-01-2005, 10:04

Is it petrol or diesel engined? My 12 year experience of 1.9 TDIs is that the new oil is as black as soot as soon as its been driven. This has been true of of modern high tech. oils as well as 10W/40 back in 1992. My petrol Alfasud with much lower annual mileage keeps its oil very clean. If you're on variable servicing keep your eye on the mileage to next service countdown readout. If it goes down much quicker this time without change of driving style/journey pattern then your suspicions are probably justified.

JRHartley · 19-01-2005, 11:16

I think the oil has been changed...it won't take much 'old oil' residue still left coating the walls of the sump or sitting inside the oil pump 'vanes' to turn new oil dark...especially if they haven't left much time for the old oil to drain out before refilling.
(I usually leave a good 2 hours before refilling if changing oil at home - I don't think a garage would spare this length of time - unless they take a liquid lunch on a Friday afternoon!)

skodaw · 19-01-2005, 21:42

I think you'll be fine - it would be impossible to drain every last trace out of the engine - some components hold oil - just think if all the oil dropped back into the sump when the engine was switched off there would be no oil to lubricate the various bearings and seals when started - imagine how long the engine would last then !

Most longlife oils are a light golden brown colour when new - similar to golden syrup.

We once had a customer acuse us of not changing his oil - and he insisted he wanted a sample so he could have it analysed - no problem we said - and carried out ANOTHER oil and filter change in front of him - and gave him the old(clean) oil - we did not know that he worked for Shell!! -- but fare does to the guy a couple of days later he came back in and apologised - his colleagues in the lab had confirmed that it was indeed fresh oil.They also showed him how little old oil was needed to discolour the fresh oil - the colour of the oil is not important - its wether its the right type and is fresh.

The point about the screenwash is also a common one -- you have topped it up - but the tech's do need to check that the washers/wipers are working correctly - and it is part of the service to top it up. I am sure if you had told them that you did not want anymore fluid - they would not have charged you. That said - if we get that situation and the customer brings it up - we simply take it off the bill - its not worth the hassle.

SUTTS · 22-01-2005, 00:48

Thank you all, that has largely put my mind at rest.

**VRStu** · 22-01-2005, 00:51

Lots of garages don't drain the oil out now - they suck it through the dipstick. If not done correctly that will leave slightly more old oil than is desirable.

Lummox · 22-01-2005, 00:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chavyboy

Indeed it could be just residue oil left in the engine. In the old days people used to flush the engines out first then put the new oil in but alas not many people bother to do this now.

Its not advisable to flush PD engines out just as a note.

But normally i'd be very suprised for the engine oil to be completely clear after an oil and filter change, there is still quite a bit of oil that stays in an engine when you drain it out. Do a sump gasket and you will see what I mean, plus all the oil galleries dont empty out, neither do hydraulic lifters etc.

Please dont think that all garages are on the rob, some of us are trust worthy.

DavidY · 22-01-2005, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

Lots of garages don't drain the oil out now - they suck it through the dipstick.

My car had to have a new sump (under warranty) because the thread on the drain hole wore out after a few oil changes. I believe they suck oil out through the dipstick now...

sdmegawuk · 22-01-2005, 11:01

Just had my Octy RS back from service. Have driven about sixty miles and the oil is light brown. I watched them change to oil, so it sounds normal.

Chavyboy · 24-01-2005, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross Clarke

Its not advisable to flush PD engines out just as a note.

Cheers for the heads up, not that I was going to do it as I am a lazy fooker

Lummox · 24-01-2005, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidY

My car had to have a new sump (under warranty) because the thread on the drain hole wore out after a few oil changes.

Usually down to overtightening of the bung and not replacing it every service.

18-01-2005, 23:56	#1
SUTTS Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Maidstone. Posts: 99 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Has the oil been changed? Or have i been shafted? My Octy went for it's 20,000 mile service at Dutton Forshaw in Maidstone today. It was all done quite quickly but after driving the 1.5 miles home I decided to check the dipstick and oil filter. The filter was definitely new but the oil was a dirtyish mid - brown colour; not what I expected as the Shell 'Helix Plus' that supposedly went in is almost completely clear. There was evidence around the filler cap that spillage had been wiped up, but I found it difficult to believe that it had actually been changed so went straight back to the garage. The service manager was "in a meeting" and "couldn't be disturbed" and when one of the more senior service desk ladies spoke to me she was adamant that the oil had been changed and that the technicians (also not available) say that the residue of the old oil immediately contaminates the colour of the new. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this? Incidentally the cost of this service was £250 (£55 per hour + vat for labour), didn't include a wash/vac out (I am I being old fashioned to expect this at that price?) but did include 59p for screen wash which I had topped up the day before!! I have bought 2 new cars from D.F. in the past 3 and a bit years, and previously had no complaints. Now I'm not so sure. __________________ Ian. '03 Octavia v/RS. Jabba remap etc '03 Octavia L&K PD130 Estate. Last edited by SUTTS; 19-01-2005 at 00:17.

19-01-2005, 00:51	#3
doer1 Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Chester Posts: 686 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	was allways a light colout when it was done on my mondeo __________________ Black Fab-tastic VRS

19-01-2005, 09:35	#4
Chavyboy Proud Dad Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Darkest Deepest Peterborough Posts: 3,785 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Indeed it could be just residue oil left in the engine. In the old days people used to flush the engines out first then put the new oil in but alas not many people bother to do this now. __________________ 2004 '54' Citroen Picasso 1.6 16v Desire HDI in Wicked Red 2004 '54' Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTI Energy Ex Skoda owner Last edited by Chavyboy; 19-01-2005 at 09:36.

19-01-2005, 21:42	#7
skodaw Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: This area is under construction - please call back later :) Posts: 3,186 Thanks: 2 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	I think you'll be fine - it would be impossible to drain every last trace out of the engine - some components hold oil - just think if all the oil dropped back into the sump when the engine was switched off there would be no oil to lubricate the various bearings and seals when started - imagine how long the engine would last then ! Most longlife oils are a light golden brown colour when new - similar to golden syrup. We once had a customer acuse us of not changing his oil - and he insisted he wanted a sample so he could have it analysed - no problem we said - and carried out ANOTHER oil and filter change in front of him - and gave him the old(clean) oil - we did not know that he worked for Shell!! -- but fare does to the guy a couple of days later he came back in and apologised - his colleagues in the lab had confirmed that it was indeed fresh oil.They also showed him how little old oil was needed to discolour the fresh oil - the colour of the oil is not important - its wether its the right type and is fresh. The point about the screenwash is also a common one -- you have topped it up - but the tech's do need to check that the washers/wipers are working correctly - and it is part of the service to top it up. I am sure if you had told them that you did not want anymore fluid - they would not have charged you. That said - if we get that situation and the customer brings it up - we simply take it off the bill - its not worth the hassle. __________________ Dave '05 Silver Fabia vRS

22-01-2005, 00:48	#8
SUTTS Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Maidstone. Posts: 99 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you all, that has largely put my mind at rest. __________________ Ian. '03 Octavia v/RS. Jabba remap etc '03 Octavia L&K PD130 Estate.

19-01-2005, 00:39	#2
FLYINGBANANA Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: WALTERS ASH Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	if it was drained properly then the new oil should take a while to become dirty. wonder how long the silkolene i'm getting for the punto will take to get dirty - it starts of red

19-01-2005, 10:04	#5
gamichea Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Midlands Posts: 185 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is it petrol or diesel engined? My 12 year experience of 1.9 TDIs is that the new oil is as black as soot as soon as its been driven. This has been true of of modern high tech. oils as well as 10W/40 back in 1992. My petrol Alfasud with much lower annual mileage keeps its oil very clean. If you're on variable servicing keep your eye on the mileage to next service countdown readout. If it goes down much quicker this time without change of driving style/journey pattern then your suspicions are probably justified.

19-01-2005, 11:16	#6
JRHartley Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts	I think the oil has been changed...it won't take much 'old oil' residue still left coating the walls of the sump or sitting inside the oil pump 'vanes' to turn new oil dark...especially if they haven't left much time for the old oil to drain out before refilling. (I usually leave a good 2 hours before refilling if changing oil at home - I don't think a garage would spare this length of time - unless they take a liquid lunch on a Friday afternoon!)

22-01-2005, 00:51	#9
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,765 Thanks: 142 Thanked 987 Times in 884 Posts	Lots of garages don't drain the oil out now - they suck it through the dipstick. If not done correctly that will leave slightly more old oil than is desirable. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

22-01-2005, 11:01	#12
sdmegawuk Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Northern Ireland/Cumbria Posts: 217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just had my Octy RS back from service. Have driven about sixty miles and the oil is light brown. I watched them change to oil, so it sounds normal.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Engine oil	ekaradimos	Maintenance & Performance	7	20-10-2007 10:12
Modded your Skoda? Some Oil Advice!	oilman	Maintenance & Performance	82	11-10-2004 12:09
Oil Consumption	hugothebear	Maintenance & Performance	20	14-02-2004 19:49
Oil Warning Light	johanny.medina	Maintenance & Performance	5	09-10-2003 11:17
Oil about this then.......	stopan1j	Maintenance & Performance	38	14-08-2003 15:01

Has the oil been changed? Or have i been shafted?

Has the oil been changed? Or have i been shafted?

Similar Threads