OMG HELP! Oil Change Botched! - Page 5 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

gajagfan · 10-08-2014, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TPAJETSKI

OP, that was my worst nightmare back in the day. I would always cut the foil off and make sure I pulled it completely off. Look to see if you can shine a light down the filler tube and see it. You may be able to gently fish it out.

I remember the days of doing my own maintenance and repairs. Oil changes, alternators, heater cores, valve cover gaskets, brakes, radiators, etc. I didn't do it myself because I enjoyed it, I did it because I couldn't afford to pay a professional to do it and I needed my car for work. Now, I take it in for everything.

Having said that, I'd love to find a decent third gen firebird to tinker with as a hobby. Taking my time, doing it right, and not trying to get it bolted back together in a rush because I have to be to work in the morning.

I often think the same thing, but wonder if the deadline to get to work or to the track was the only reason I ever got anything done!

mpiersd · 10-08-2014, 01:23 PM

Did you get it fished out?

SnowyCamaro · 10-08-2014, 02:23 PM

Ome thing you could try. Kindof unorthodox but use a shop vac with a small nozzle the suction may pull the foil out back through the fill tube check oil level after of course.

somewhatdamaged · 10-08-2014, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1FASTZ

The difference is that the OP recognized the screw up and is trying to fix it. Take it somewhere else and they could have made the same mistake and not told anyone about it or tried fixing it. Changing oil these days isn't about saving money. It's bonding with you car and knowing that it was done right.

Agreed...
That attitude about the 40k car and having the "peasants" do your work for you belongs in the Corvette forums - It's sucks that our cars cost 40K to begin with, it's pricing the average joe out of the muscle car market. The idea of the American muscle car goes hand in hand with bonding and doing your own basic maintenance and even basic mods.

Ragnar · 10-08-2014, 03:32 PM

I worked at a Cadillac dealership in the early 80's as a helper. We were working on a diesel with the top part off air intake off, and a heavy duty paper rag got sucked out of my hand and down into the intake. We just revved it up, up, and up. Couple of minutes later, pieces of the rag was blowing out the exhaust! Did we tell the customer, NO!
We had a customer traveling through and stopped at the dealership for service. The lead mechanic did a rear end service and forgot to put the oil back in. The customer then drove the car down the Interstate, well they didn't make it very far!
I have too many stories to list. Point is OP, a mistake was made and you know about it. Let us know what the outcome was and thanks for having the balls to say that a mistake was made and you looked for advice! Good luck to you...

1FASTZ · 10-08-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el ess A

While I agree with others about getting foreign objects OUT of the engine if at all possible, keep in mind the idea may be for the OP to get ASSISTANCE in searching for it if the valve cover has to come off.

If the mechanical experience level is low enough to not anticipate the foil incident, then what may be a simple task of valve cover removal to some may be a huge undertaking for those with lesser mechanical skills. Know your limits and know when to ask for help is key in vehicle maintenance.

+1 Well said...

Gee · 10-08-2014, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myold88

X2- Buy a $40,000 car and and change your own oil. Makes no sense to me...

The real question is, who buys a 40k muscle car and doesn't work on their own car. Makes no sense to me.... If you aren't helping the guy, no need to be like that.

satxrider · 10-09-2014, 05:41 PM

Did the OP ever come back to say what was the final result?

Demon War Horse · 10-09-2014, 06:35 PM

No word yet on if he got it out or not... hopefully he found it.

KKM · 10-09-2014, 08:38 PM

The more something costs the more I am less likely to let anybody touch it. That is to a point. If the owner cannot do it it would be nice if someone close by offered to come over and pull the valve cover for him.
Kevin

Les7311 · 10-09-2014, 08:49 PM

Isnt that foil light enough to float on top of the oil? If so, pop the lid (valve cover).....

songsj · 10-09-2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

X2- Buy a $40,000 car and and change your own oil. Makes no sense to me...

Yes I took mine to the professionals at my dealer to change the oil and they overfilled it by 1.5 quarts. I ended up having to drain it out and fill it myself to get it right.

xc_SS/RS · 10-09-2014, 09:04 PM

So did you get it out? Kinda would like to see where you ended up finding it.

1FASTZ · 10-10-2014, 04:35 PM

Yeah, any updates? Hopefully, it has a happy ending.

10-08-2014, 01:23 PM	#58
mpiersd Drives: ABM #2041 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 1,554 View My Garage	Did you get it fished out? __________________ Retired United States Army Bernadette: 2LT/RS, ABM #2041 of 3903 ZL-1 Springs \| CAI \| Muffler delete \| Magnaflow resonator \| LED DRL \| DRL harness \| RX Catch Can \| Mini me Cortana: 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special V&H Power Duals Headers & Oversized 450 Raider mufflers \| Screamin' Eagle Stage 1 Chisel Extreme intake \| Screamin' Eagle Stage 1 programmer \| Klock Werks 12" Pro-Touring windscreen Own an Aqua Blue Metallic Camaro? Click here to join us on Facebook and help us in establishing the Aqua Blue Registry to locate all 3903 of these beautiful Camaros!

10-08-2014, 02:23 PM	#59
SnowyCamaro Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1, 2006 Chevy Equinox Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 833	Ome thing you could try. Kindof unorthodox but use a shop vac with a small nozzle the suction may pull the foil out back through the fill tube check oil level after of course. __________________

10-09-2014, 05:41 PM	#64
satxrider Bad 45th Drives: 2012 45th Anniversay Edition SS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio Posts: 548	Did the OP ever come back to say what was the final result? __________________ - Carl 2012 45th Anniversary SS - LS3 Magnuson TVS 2300 Supercharger / Alky Meth Injection / Lingenfelter GT12 Cam / Kooks LT Headers, 3 inch exhaust & QTP electric cut outs / Monster LT1-S Twin Disc Clutch / MGW flat blade short throw shifter / Haltech CAI / VMax Throttle Body / DSS Stage 3 axles/ BMR Trailing Arms, Toe Rods, Suspension Bushing and 1" lowering springs / Taylor 8MM Plug Wires / Tuned by Henderson Performance Technologies / EBC dimpled and sloted rotors / G2 Painted Calipers / GM Tower Strut Brace / ZL1 Factory Rep Wheels

10-09-2014, 06:35 PM	#65
Demon War Horse War Horse Pilot Drives: 2017 NFG 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: N.Texas Posts: 2,458 View My Garage	No word yet on if he got it out or not... hopefully he found it. __________________ COTW 09/07/2015 - 2014 AGM 2SS/RS - RIP 6/01/17 2017 Nightfall Gray Metallic 1SS 1LE Born 5/17/17 - *Click Sig Pic below for for Demon War Horse 02 Build Thread* SigPic by Hazman

10-09-2014, 08:38 PM	#66
KKM Drives: xx Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Carson City NV Posts: 36	The more something costs the more I am less likely to let anybody touch it. That is to a point. If the owner cannot do it it would be nice if someone close by offered to come over and pull the valve cover for him. Kevin __________________ 2014 ZL1 , White , 6sp , Recaro Seats , Carbon Hood , Mico Fiber , Nav ect. 2009 Aprilia RSVR 1000 2012 KTM 990R ADV 2013 KTM 500XCW

10-08-2014, 03:32 PM	#61
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,673	I worked at a Cadillac dealership in the early 80's as a helper. We were working on a diesel with the top part off air intake off, and a heavy duty paper rag got sucked out of my hand and down into the intake. We just revved it up, up, and up. Couple of minutes later, pieces of the rag was blowing out the exhaust! Did we tell the customer, NO! We had a customer traveling through and stopped at the dealership for service. The lead mechanic did a rear end service and forgot to put the oil back in. The customer then drove the car down the Interstate, well they didn't make it very far! I have too many stories to list. Point is OP, a mistake was made and you know about it. Let us know what the outcome was and thanks for having the balls to say that a mistake was made and you looked for advice! Good luck to you...

10-09-2014, 08:49 PM	#67
Les7311 Drives: 2017 Zl1 (M6) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 611	Isnt that foil light enough to float on top of the oil? If so, pop the lid (valve cover).....

10-09-2014, 09:04 PM	#69
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	So did you get it out? Kinda would like to see where you ended up finding it.

10-10-2014, 04:35 PM	#70
1FASTZ Drives: 1969 Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 131	Yeah, any updates? Hopefully, it has a happy ending.