Last Friday, I was driving my '07 TSX toward home, and I start seeing white smoke from behind me, which I knew wasn't good. Before I knew it, the multi info display tells me conflicting messages which were "Oil Level 90%" and "Check Engine Oil Level". I knew right then and there that I had to go to an Acura dealer immediately, since I could start smelling smoke. Fortunately, the nearest dealer was about 7 miles away, but by the time I was 3 miles away (based on my nav system), the engine stopped, and I pulled over to the shoulder.

I then got Acura roadside to tow the car to the Acura dealer, and the service rep told me the problem was due to a missing oil drain plug, which allowed the engine oil to spill out. The engine is also most likely seized. Given that I bought the car a mere 3 months ago, there will be no refurbished engine, and the cost to repair it will be about 8-9K. The service rep also notified me that the oil plug was missing due to a bad oil change.

I had my last oil change (first one on the TSX) by a Honda dealer done about 2 weeks ago, and Acura said that oil changes with Honda dealers are good ones, since the engines are the same, etc. After speaking with the Acura service advisor, and even the salesman I bought the car from, they said that it would be "shocking" if the Honda dealership didn't eat up the costs. Based on the time between the oil change and this snafu, the Acura service guys determined that the oil plug was placed improperly (that I'm worried about as a way for Honda to put the blame on me). I am expecting a call from their service director tomorrow since it was the long weekend. I'm still in denial that this happened, but based on what I said, what is the chance that the Honda dealership won't pay for it? That is what's scaring me.

 

If the Honda dealer put the plug in wrong the oil plugs threads should be cross threaded. If you have the receipt, to prove they did the last change, then I say you have proof and there would be no denying who is at fault.

 

Follow the trail of oil you left behind and you should find the plug there somewhere. Makes good evidence.

 

Honda should most definetly pay up. you have all the proof to show it was their fault.

 

white smoke and the smell of smoke, and you decided to force the car a few more miles? Should have pulled over and used TLC

Anyway, good luck with your issue. 2 weeks is a somewhat long time (unless if you've hardly put any miles since then). If the honda dealer fesses up, they'll cover the expenses. I'm not sure how much time needs to pass before they'll figure it's not their fault.

Does the invoice say that you paid for a new washer for the plug bolt? They're not supposed to be re-used.

 

SoCaliTrojan, is TLC the roadside assistance thing? In that case, I used it, albeit after the engine went kaplooey.

Dwest1023: I have the receipt from the Honda dealership's oil change. They did "replace" an oil drain plug according to their detailed work thing. That may help me.

 

What SoCaliTrojan is asking is if the crush washer was replaced, not the bolt. The crush washer keeps the bolt from loosening and should be replaced each time the bolt is removed. If they used the old one or didn't replace it, then the bolt may come loose. In this case it obviously did.

 

Oh ok, I get it. The Honda dealer got back to me and said that they probably did not tighten the washer properly when they did the oil change. They however are going to pay for the problem, so at least there's some good news for me.

 

^^ I love it when people/companies step up and admit that they goofed up. It almost restores my faith in humanity.

 

glad to hear they are going to pay, I bet someone at that dealership is losing a job!

 

While its not your fault, you should have pulled over immediately as soon as you saw that Check Engine Oil Level light, called Acura TLC and had it towed.

 

Well that sucks. Glad it's going to work out for you. And now you know not to drive the car anymore when you get a message like that.

 

Phew, glad I read this ... when I get an oil change at a AAA service station, I know to specify that they use a new crush washer. How much did the Honda dealership charge you for the oil change? (Just musing on how much they made versus how much the payout will be.)

 

their fault, hands down!

 

Let's just say it'll be in the $6000+ range to replace an engine. Easily that much. + labour.

 

$38.00 for an oil change at the honda dealership

 

That's more than my Acura dealer charges.

 

mine too

 

last oil change at acura dealer in wilmington nc was $31.57 (including sales tax)

 

I hope you're getting a new engine =]

 

the thing about a check engine oil level light is that by the time you see that your motor is as good as toast and you might as well beat it into submission to help ensure they replace the entire motor instead of some internals if he was to pull over and have it towed

i understand how bad that sounds, but if the mistake was made by someone else, there going to have to pay and I wouldn't settle for anything less than a complete replacement motor and if the damage is minimal in the even you do pull over they might try to go the cheaper route of fixing the existing motor that's just how some dealers work

 

Should've shut 'er down as soon as you saw the smoke. That's what tow trucks are for.

 

Yeah but then there's a better chance they'd try to shove a partially toasted engine up his butt calling it "fixed", instead of doing the right thing and putting a whole new one in there. Now at least they don't have a choice in the matter.

I'd say he did the right thing lettin' her burn up.