Just went to one of those “Five-minute Oil Change” joints. Had to get my bride’s Texas registration renewed on her IS250. Well, heres what they did; instead of draining the crankcase at the oil pan, they used a contraption to suck the dirty oil out through the dipstick channel.
The kid running the shop had no idea what caused this change to come about. He mumbled something about “corporate” so I let him go about his business. (They DID change the filter.) As I didn’t see a HUGE problem, I let him proceed.
Seems weird, as gravity is free, but the franchise has to buy and maintain the sucking machine. Not to mention, but any goop in the pan is now introduced into the dip-stick tube. Just another thing that could break down. What do you think?
The reason for the change is no doubt that the oil changes can be done more quickly and cheaply that way.
I think it's likely they had too many expensive problems with stripped or forgotten drain plugs destroying customers' engines. (on top of what you said of course)
Yes…having thought about it, I’d be willing to bet a slew of crankcase leaks due to misaligned plugs is the reason for this. That, plus the frustration of simply hiring bodies to show up for these jobs is the impetus for this.
The franchise owner is overthinking the solution, though.
Just went to one of those “Five-minute Oil Change” joints.
Big mistake. Lots of horror stories coming out of those. I even had a friend myself have their engine and transmission destroyed in one of those places and they had to sue to get the place to cover the damage.
The kid running the shop had no idea what caused this change to come about.
You can be sure the kid knows nothing about cars. Those places don't exactly hire experienced mechanics. The reason for the change is no doubt that the oil changes can be done more quickly and cheaply that way.
As I didn’t see a HUGE problem, I let him proceed.
The problem is that contaminants will tend to settle in the bottom of the oil pan and pulling oil out the dipstick tube won't remove those. Probably not a problem having it done once that way, but stay away from places like that in the future.
Seems weird, as gravity is free, but the franchise has to buy and maintain the sucking machine.
The amount of time saved plus not having to get under the vehicles more than makes up for that.
Find a good independent mechanic to do your regular maintenance if you're not going to do it yourself.
“…not having to get under the vehicle…”
Nope, they had to get into the pit to exchange the filter!
Regular oil change > Dipstick oil change > No oil change. It better to get it done the normal way. In a pinch, and a one time thing, you are likely okay.
What do you think?
I think you shouldn't take cars that you value to these hack-job quick lube oil joints, for the reasons that are obvious to everyone.
Going forward, have it done properly.