Engine Won't Turn Over and Major Oil Leak After Having the oil changed Last Night!!!

[mepammy]

Hi,

Went to have oil changed (94 Olds Cut Supreme) last night (at Wallyworld, while I shopped). When I went back to get my car they said they didn't change the oil becasue they couldn't get the car started.

I had previously posted about my starting problems (excellent advice btw) but haven't had a chance to look into it further (cause my PC wasn't working so I just now had a chance to look at the posts).

But my car had been fine the last 2 weeks - the starting problems I've had (car won't turnover at all - just clicking) come and go like that and I didn't think to tell these guys that the car might not start.

Well I got the car started and they changed the oil. Then the car again wouldn't start so I started it for them (I usually just have to wait 5-10 minuted but it will start) and then the guy told me that I had been down 2 quarts of oil and that I had a massive leak all up in the engine.

I had just checked the oil the day before and the level was fine! The oil was on the dark side but not black. BTW I had it changed there 2 months ago and they erred on my mileage for the next change and put 188,000 when I now have 146,000 on my car.

But anyway - my car would'nt turn over this morning. It cranked and that's all I could get. And then when I went out for the mail earlier...there's a trail of oil (new - and there wasn't any old stains) all along the driveway here and underneath where my car was parked (my landlord's not going to be too happy).

Had the car towed to the garage and am still waiting to hear - but would like to get some opinions in the meantime. Thanks! -Pam

[RickwithaTbird]

when you checked the oil level did you wipe the dip stick with a rag, then put it back in and then pull it back out and check? If not, then its possible it would appear to be fine, when it was actually low. Maybe they are a decent car place, but I personally wouldnt take my car to a place named Wallys World. I dont know what to tell you but I hope that this problem will be inexpensive for you, because I understand the feeling... Ive got a few things with my car that I am keeping my eye on right now.

[ridestreet84]

Originally Posted by RickwithaTbird

Wallys World.

wallys world = wal mart i believe

[mepammy]

Originally Posted by RickwithaTbird

when you checked the oil level did you wipe the dip stick with a rag, then put it back in and then pull it back out and check? If not, then its possible it would appear to be fine, when it was actually low. Maybe they are a decent car place, but I personally wouldnt take my car to a place named Wallys World. I dont know what to tell you but I hope that this problem will be inexpensive for you, because I understand the feeling... Ive got a few things with my car that I am keeping my eye on right now.

Oh yeh - I checked the oil as I should. I also do 2 checks...one with the engine cold and also after it's been warmed (and shut off again). This guy had told me that I was down 2 quarts and that it was a leak - there's definetly a leak as I noted in my post.

It could be just a coincidence that my car would turnover all the way this morning...but I doubt it. And, with a massive leak and all the oil in the engine - should be fuming and or smoking by now (well, i did drive home last night so I would have noticed) if I was driving it today. So this clues me in that this is a real recent occurrence and that these guys did something but I'm miffed as to what possibly..I mean I've had a dude not replace the cover and had oil all over the darned place - that's pretty obvious.

Only thing I could think of is that when they were trying to start my car something happened. Or when they were driving my car into the bay or something during the actualy oil change. The car was fine up until then.

BTW 'Wallyworld' is Walmart hehe But these guys were VERY busy yesterday - real hard workers.

Pam

[public]

If you lost your oil due to a leak you would not be able to build up the required oil pressure. Most newer cars will not run without a minimum amount of oil pressure.

[Kurtdg19]

Ok so it wasn't leaking all that bad before and now suddenly its leaking bad right? I wonder if they tightened down the oil filter, or the oil pan bolt? I couldn't see any gasket become that bad that quick. You should of done a visual check to see where it was leaking before you had it towed.

[public]

Originally Posted by Kurtdg19

Ok so it wasn't leaking all that bad before and now suddenly its leaking bad right? I wonder if they tightened down the oil filter, or the oil pan bolt? I couldn't see any gasket become that bad that quick. You should of done a visual check to see where it was leaking before you had it towed.

Ditto!

[mepammy]

Originally Posted by Kurtdg19

Ok so it wasn't leaking all that bad before and now suddenly its leaking bad right? I wonder if they tightened down the oil filter, or the oil pan bolt? I couldn't see any gasket become that bad that quick. You should of done a visual check to see where it was leaking before you had it towed.

Actually I did and all I could see was alot of oil in the region where the oil filter is but that doesn't necessarily mean the filter isn't on tight.

The oil wasn't leaking at all before I brought it in. I mean - I checked the oil at 2pm yesterday and brought it there at 3:30. When I checked the oil - level was fine. Oil wasn't clean only slightly dark - enough to warrant an oil change. Drove 15 miles to get there.

the guy told me that (they check the level before they change the oil) that I was down two quarts before the oil was changed. He told me that when he had finished changing the oil, that it had been down 2 when he 1st checked it. How the heck could it have leaked 2 quarts in 15 miles (I doubt it).

Before the car was brought into the bay, I had started it up and it sat out there idling for @20 minutes before they brought it in. Would something have happened then? I didn't see the car from the time I started it until the tech brought it in.

But this sudden leak yesterday and it not turning over completely this morning must be related so I agree that there might be a prob with the pressure. Too much or too little pressure?

But with a gasket - would it still start to rev up like that? I didn't notice even notice any oil smell - fumes, smoke -nothing nor unusal noises.

thanks for all the responses here btw my car won't even be looked at until probably Wednesday!

Pam

[psychorallyfreak]

I would have to say, don't take your car to Wal-Mart to get your oil changed. They're MORONS.

[public]

I personally don't like anyone under my hood. Certainly not some kid(no offense intended) with little experience, and low wage value to their employer.

[Kurtdg19]

Originally Posted by mepammy

Actually I did and all I could see was alot of oil in the region where the oil filter is but that doesn't necessarily mean the filter isn't on tight.

The oil wasn't leaking at all before I brought it in. I mean - I checked the oil at 2pm yesterday and brought it there at 3:30. When I checked the oil - level was fine. Oil wasn't clean only slightly dark - enough to warrant an oil change. Drove 15 miles to get there.

the guy told me that (they check the level before they change the oil) that I was down two quarts before the oil was changed. He told me that when he had finished changing the oil, that it had been down 2 when he 1st checked it. How the heck could it have leaked 2 quarts in 15 miles (I doubt it).

Before the car was brought into the bay, I had started it up and it sat out there idling for @20 minutes before they brought it in. Would something have happened then? I didn't see the car from the time I started it until the tech brought it in.

But this sudden leak yesterday and it not turning over completely this morning must be related so I agree that there might be a prob with the pressure. Too much or too little pressure?

But with a gasket - would it still start to rev up like that? I didn't notice even notice any oil smell - fumes, smoke -nothing nor unusal noises.

thanks for all the responses here btw my car won't even be looked at until probably Wednesday!

Pam

Somthing doesn't seem to be fully adding up here, but I'm lost of words for any other explanation?? (does anybody else have any input?).

Yea, I'm also a bit picky about who is under my hood. Thats why I usually do all my own work, unless I lack the tools and know-how to do some things that are just better to be left to the real professionals (not wally world employees ). But hey, a $15 dollar oil change is pretty low price. Hopfully you get everything figured out when Wed. rolls around . Lets hope its nothing major and just a simple little fix.

[mepammy]

nope - no more wallyworld oil changes for my car! I'll post back here when I find out more about what's going on with the car.

BTW I don't know if I mentioned that they didn't have me pay for the oil change...a couple of people I mentioned this to thought that was suspect ...anyway, I'll check back here by Wednesday once the mechanic has a chance to look at the car.

Pam

[NyChris2004]

Yea i dont know about the startup but theres a good possibility that the filters probably jus not on tight. most of the time an oil change involves changin the filter too, and they might have not tightened it all the way..or they tightened it too much and cracked the seal, but an oil filter is like $2 and its like 5 minutes of work at the most..jus give it a check

[foureyedbuzzard]

Hmmm...
Where'd all the oil go. No smoke + no drip = head gasket. But you said you NOW have a leak?
Any chance of a "rolled" oil filter gasket -- or better yet, two gaskets, the old and new???

__________________________________________________ _________
something old(gasket), something new(gasket), something borrowed(a loaner car), something blue(smoke from back of car) ;-)

[mepammy]

Originally Posted by foureyedbuzzard

Hmmm...
Where'd all the oil go. No smoke + no drip = head gasket. But you said you NOW have a leak?
Any chance of a "rolled" oil filter gasket -- or better yet, two gaskets, the old and new???

__________________________________________________ _________
something old(gasket), something new(gasket), something borrowed(a loaner car), something blue(smoke from back of car) ;-)

Wish I could get a loaner car (free!)...will be renting one tomorrow for the week, it looks like.

So the leak could be incidental, from the oil change and the head gasket...what conditions cause a head gasket to go? And according to the guy who changed the oil, I was down 2 quarts when the car 1st came in, and that there was oil up in the engine.

Guess I would be wondering if, when they tried to get my car started something happened...or when it had to sit idling for 20 minutes 'till they got around to bringing it in....

Hopefully I'll hear back from the mechanic before the end of the week. Thanks for the opinion.

Pam