- Report: #309828
Complaint Review: Jiffy Lube - Wilmington Delaware
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Jiffy Lube
3807 Concord Pike Wilmington, 19803 Delaware, U.S.A.
Phone:
302-478-6988
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Jiffy Lube, Division Of Shell Oil Co. Did not replace Oil filter properly. Oil ran out, Engine Seized and is ruined. Wilmington And National Delaware, and Nationalk
R.E. Jiffy Lube
3807 Concord Pike
Wilmington DE 19803
I had an oil change and lube and after a few hundred miles the oil filter came off, all the oil drained and the engine seized. I took the car to the dealer and they noted that Jiffy Lube did not properly tighten the oil filter, the same dealer told me they had three such instances in a month.
We Sued and Lost!
Here is why. The Judge would not accept the invoice that stated Jiffy Lube did not install the filter properly, the judge said we had to subpoena the mechanic and bring him in.
Here is the Kicker -
As part of the discovery in the lawsuit Jiffy Lube sent us records showing DOZENS of such suits and complaints against them. You would think this shows a pattern of negligence, wouldn't you?
NO!
Jiffy Lube argued that the suit had to focus on this one incident and that evidence of prior bad acts was inadmissible. All of the discovery evidence was thrown out.
The lawyer for Jiffy Lube argued that we should only get one months car rental and only the blue book value of the car, the Judge dismissed our witness and all evidence and found in favor of Jiffy Lube. (Owned by Shell Oil) Also this case was in Delaware where the individual has no protection against Corporations.
Be careful, the deck is stacked against you.
When dealing with a suit against Jiffy Lube in small claims court you absolutely need a lawyer!
In some cases just as the trial is beginning they will offer you $1,500.00, they will also drown you in paperwork and legal stuff to make you just "go away." When you ask for data in discovery in most cases they will not provide it stating it is "burdensome."
Another tactic is to send you a letter to inspect the vehicle. Make sure YOU pick the person doing the inspection and they agree to pay for the tear down and putting the car back together.
In my case Jiffy Lube spent more than the cost of a rebuilt engine in Lawyers Fees. Instead of taking care of their customers they are shafting them. This is a totally disreputable company.
J.p.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
3807 Concord Pike
Wilmington DE 19803
I had an oil change and lube and after a few hundred miles the oil filter came off, all the oil drained and the engine seized. I took the car to the dealer and they noted that Jiffy Lube did not properly tighten the oil filter, the same dealer told me they had three such instances in a month.
We Sued and Lost!
Here is why. The Judge would not accept the invoice that stated Jiffy Lube did not install the filter properly, the judge said we had to subpoena the mechanic and bring him in.
Here is the Kicker -
As part of the discovery in the lawsuit Jiffy Lube sent us records showing DOZENS of such suits and complaints against them. You would think this shows a pattern of negligence, wouldn't you?
NO!
Jiffy Lube argued that the suit had to focus on this one incident and that evidence of prior bad acts was inadmissible. All of the discovery evidence was thrown out.
The lawyer for Jiffy Lube argued that we should only get one months car rental and only the blue book value of the car, the Judge dismissed our witness and all evidence and found in favor of Jiffy Lube. (Owned by Shell Oil) Also this case was in Delaware where the individual has no protection against Corporations.
Be careful, the deck is stacked against you.
When dealing with a suit against Jiffy Lube in small claims court you absolutely need a lawyer!
In some cases just as the trial is beginning they will offer you $1,500.00, they will also drown you in paperwork and legal stuff to make you just "go away." When you ask for data in discovery in most cases they will not provide it stating it is "burdensome."
Another tactic is to send you a letter to inspect the vehicle. Make sure YOU pick the person doing the inspection and they agree to pay for the tear down and putting the car back together.
In my case Jiffy Lube spent more than the cost of a rebuilt engine in Lawyers Fees. Instead of taking care of their customers they are shafting them. This is a totally disreputable company.
J.p.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
John
Califon,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Then the dealership has no clue.
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, February 19, 2008
What the dealership told you was incorrect. There would indeed be oil to drip wherever the vehicle was parked. I know as I have had plenty of clunkers that ended up leaking. They also neglected to tell you that the clicking lifters would also have been a warning to at least check your oil level.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Question for JP
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, February 19, 2008
I have a question for the OP, JP. You stated this occured after a few hundred miles. Please state exctly how many miles, and also how many days/weeks/months passed before the occurence. If you did the few hundred miles the same day, and this happened, I would be on your side. But if it was more than a few days or even a week, I would side with Jiffy lube, as this is owner negligence for not paying attention to your oil level, and observing leaks under the car. I look under my car every day! And, I check the oil every week. If my car developes a leak, I WILL catch it.
J.p.
Wilmington,Delaware,
U.S.A.
Jiffy Lube - why wasn't there an oil drip?
#4Author of original report
Tue, February 19, 2008
I brought this up with the car dealership. They told me that when driving, the oil is swept away in the undercarriage. The oil comes out only when the engine is on as it is under pressure to move throught the oil filter. Therefore there would not be an oil leakage stain in the driveway.
John
Califon,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
While I agree with what you said
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, February 19, 2008
Larry, it still doesn't address the inevitable leak that would be apparent at least where they park the vehicle overnight.
Larry
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
It could have happened
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, February 19, 2008
When an old oil filter is removed, the O-ring gasket sometimes sticks to the mating surface on the engine block. An experienced mechanic will check to see if this has happened and remove the old gasket from the engine. If a new filter is installed with the old gasket still in place, the seal between the two gaskets may leak immediately or it may hold for awhile. I personally witnessed one of these double-gasket failures some 500 miles after the filter had been changed. In that particular instance, I was standing in front of the vehicle when it was started, saw oil pouring out, and told the driver to shut it off. He did so immediately and there was no harm to the engine. The driver crawled underneath to find the source of the leak at the oil filter and soon crawled out with his oil filter in one hand and an extra gasket in the other hand. After the gasket blew out, he was able to remove the oil filter without tools as it was no longer tight. It is quite possible that this is what happened in this case. I tried some of those fast oil change places 20 years ago and every time they managed to screw up something seriously. My recommendation is to stay away from Jiffy Lube and all the others like them.
John
Califon,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
I wouldn't buy it either.
#7Consumer Comment
Mon, February 18, 2008
"I had an oil change and lube and after a few hundred miles " Now, it stands to reason that you would see at least a leak or stain from the oil leaking prior to the filter "falling off" thus it could be reasonable to assume that it could have been replaced or retightened to prevent damage. It doen't just "fall off". It also wouldn't take a "couple hundred miles" to show up after an oil change. If it was indeed the oil change place's fault-regardless of who-it would show immediately.
