So I normally change my own oil at decent intervals, but today since I just moved and don't have access to all of my tools or a garage at the moment thought, I'll run her into the dealership for a quick change...
Get my oil changed by genuine honda mechanics, drive off happy... little while down the road I start smelling fuel/oil.... thought it'll pass.. moments later I think nono... that smells like me.... so i stop get out and walk around.... don't smell or see anything wrong....
drive off again like a moron.... and agian the smell.... so I open the hood and low and behold.... my oil cap is laying upside down right beside the hole.... after checkiing I'm only about a half to 3/4 quart low or so....

Just wondering how I should approach my dealership in the morning. I'm kind of particular about my S... just... so furious.....
Any thoughts suggestions or comments???
Any damage potential?
How long will I be smelling this sweet oil/fuel odor?

-Jason

 

You are not the first nor will you be the last for forgotten oil caps. Incompetence at any dealership service dept is not unusual. That's why it's always imperative to check their work before you drive out of there. Oh well, a lesson learned for next time.

As for your current mess, it'll smell till it's all burnt off or until you get it cleaned off. Best to clean it off. Burnt off oil will leave a residue that is nearly impossible to remove later. Check to see what the level of oil is. If you ran too low, then the dealer is responsible. They should also be responsible for the replacement cap, the cleanup and any future engine problems as a result of diminished oil level. I'm not sure what they'll be willing to offer you in terms of compensation. Probably not much beyond what I've just mentioned but maybe you'll get a free oil change for the next time. (Yeah, right. Like I'm going to trust them to do that again. )

 

Haha... was driving a buddy around at the time... we both mentioned that.. it's like I need SOMETHING to make me feel better about it.. or at LEAST them kissing my butt a bunch.....
Don't think it ran too low, VERY hard to tell in the low light conditions I have to work with these days at midnight.... and it's new oil so it's very clear...
stupid dealers...

 

after my first dealer oil change, a lot attendant took my S for a joyride when he was supposed to be going to "wash it"


after that incident i just bought some oem filters and a couple boxes of castrol syntec and i just do it myself!

 

Little follow up to my bad experience.
So I go back to the dealer this morning, after a short wait for the service manager, I explain to him that I'm P155ed.... and explain what happened. He freaks out and gets 3 guys to go get my car and start cleaning etc.
He assures me with AN ACTUAL PRINTED DOCUMENT that this problem will be noted in case of future trouble resulting from it. They also offerred to detail/wash/wax my car, along with replacing the hood liner, giving me a new oil cap, free oil change, and a detail of the engine bay....

Just thought I'd share a relatively good experience with a Honda Dealer,
This is
Duncan Hokie Honda
Christiainsburg Va. 24073

Just so you guys know

 

Unless you actually see them do the maintenance....you should check their work before driving off....

Look under the car for leaks, look under the hood for the oil cap, check the fluid levels too...

 

That oil filler cap problem is common to virtually all makes/models. A few years back, my son had the oil changed on a VW Jetta. The filler cap was left sitting on top of the block, where it got cracked by the hood closing on it. Problem detected by virtue of smoke and odor. At least the dealer replaced the cap, and topped up the oil.

 

I think you did well and the dealer "owned up" to their mistake. You can't ask for anything more.

 

I took my car in to the Honda dealership to have my oil changed when it had 3000 miles on it.

The next day I was looking at the car and I thought WTF?!

There was a crease in the nose of the plastic bumper....exactly the size of a 1/2 ratchet wrench. The crease was about 1/2" wide and 8" long. Obviously some bonehead had placed a fender pad on top of the bumper/nose and left a ratchet wrench underneath it while he leaned on it to change the oil.

I was pretty upset, but very calm when I went back to the dealership. Afterwards I negotiated for them to swap the bumper off of another brand new S on the lot for my dented one. Apparently the Rio Yellow is tough to match and their body shop did not feel they good do a good enough job. So now I have a brand new bumper, but with mismatched VIN # on it.

Sigh....at least they fixed it.

 

just be thankful it was the oil cap and not the drain plug they forgot