Oil is leaking under van - advice?

[WheelEstate USA]

Casey...I have concerns with the cheapo oil filters and marginal oils the quicky change places use.
Couldn't your Chevron guys make you a deal on oil changes if you brought a quality filter and oil with you??
I think I'd ask them.

As Patrick mentioned, taking all your biz to them might give you an "in" pricewise.

 

[caseyc]

You mean if I went to the store myself to buy the products and have a shop fill up the vehicle for me? Hmmm. Dunno. Even so, I don't feel like doing that. Jiffy Lube, although it's a cheap shop, the one I went to is better than average. They positively identified the transmission fluid leak as the problem, which I then went to Chevron to have fixed. Plus the Jiffy Lube people topped off the transmission fluid again at no charge a week later cuz I hadn't fixed the van yet. One of the guys at Jiffy Lube working on my vehicle even took the time to show me the dip stick for the transmission fluid and showed me how to read it and fill it. Plus I get those coupons in the mail from Jiffy Lube for a discount oil change, so it costs me something like $25 or $30, I forget which. However, I did let them talk me into their more expensive oil change for vehicles with high mileage. It ended up costing me something like $55 or $60 for the oil change cuz I accepted it. Is there REALLY a difference between a regular oil change versus their premium oil change for vehicles with high mileage??? They told me the oil is somehow better for older vehicles. Who knows??

 

[Zil]

Your jiffy-leak did no great diagnosis, all they did was check the oil. Something you must learn to do if you want to drive. Let your trusted mechanic or the chevron place do your oil changes and other minor servicing and be their regular customer. Do not bring your own oil or filters to a professional.
I have heard a long list of problems with the minimum wage slaves at jiffy & type places. I'm sure some are ok but I would not chance my vehicle to what i have seen.

 

[caseyc]

In the future, I will continue to go to this one particular Jiffy Lube for regular oil changes. Why? Cuz they are quick and get me out within 20 minutes. Chevron would take longer for an oil change, plus charge more for an oil change. However, I will take my vehicle to Chevron for repairs, which I've already done a number of times in the past couple years. I would not trust every single Jiffy Lube shop though, cuz I've also heard horror stories from others.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Zil...Never bring oil and filters to a pro???
That's the kind of thinking that the industry feeds us. It keeps the mark up high on parts.

Sorry if that insults your professional senses, but I can't afford double and triple mark ups on parts. There are plenty of good mechanics that will install what you hand to them and be happy for the work.

 

[Zil]

You will only pay more labor. Shade tree mechanics may except your parts, but a shop wants to insure the quality of and stand behind what they install. If your filter fails you pay all over again to fix, if my filter fails I stand behind the whole repair.

 

[offroad]

Such an interesting repair analysis thread. But did not see a couple things mentioned

1) go look at CARTALK MECHANICS X files. This is a review site that lists recent reviews for mechanics in any area.

2). Look at GOOGLE reviews of mechanics and yelp reviews. If they exist.

3). Always check fluids. All of them. Learn how to for all of them. Learn what UP SELL means. Don't get angry at any shop that tries to sell you something very expensive. They are out to make lots of money from you. Not to fix your vehicle.

---

If the vehicle was drivable coming into the shop. You can drive it out. Mention you want to comparison shop. But you likely want to come back. The diagnostic shop (dealership) will respect you and take care of you anyway.

 

[GotSmart]

I have my oil changed exclusively at the local GM dealership.

For $26.00 they Lube, Oil, Filter, check everything, including tire pressures, and give me an itemized list of things to look out for. I bought 2 cars there, (Both incredible bargains!) and they do this to keep customers coming in the door. Same family has owned it for 80 years, and the level of "small town service" is something I will miss. The owner (70 years old) walks through and shakes your hand, brings you soda or coffee himself~~~ He personally knows all the mechanics and customers by first name. He has the pink slip to every car on his lot. He pays the factory cash and passes the savings on to the customer. I will not pay the $65 an hour, for standard labor, (or book rates) but the service is first class.

The local Quick Lube is $33.00, and will high pressure you instead of handing you a computerised list with tire pressures and tread level, all fluid levels topped up (No additional charge for ATF or anti freeze)

I will not pay the $65 an hour, for standard labor, (or book rates) but the service is first class.

 

[GotSmart]

That is the rate in backwoods Ozarks.

 

[offroad]

At 10mpg and $4 a gallon that's $1000. Ruff calculation. Know you are joking. But it's true that some people need to shop more for service costs. 10 hours of service is $650. Or it's $1000.

So work on your vehicle for three days and you made back your long commuting cost.