What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Louisiana
I'll start out by saying I have an attorney, but he has asked me to assist him. Here's the story ...
On September 25, 2004, I had my oil changed at a quick-change outlet in another city. On November 17, (nearly two months later) I was driving on the Interstate when the oil light came on.
Note here: There was no way for me to stop. It was a raised part of the interstate with the bare minimum of a shoulder. The public good as well as my own would have been in jeopardy.
I was nearing my exit, so I turned off. As I was exiting, the engine died. I was afraid I could not reach the side of the road, so I placed the car in "Neutral" and started the car again. It started, though it sounded bad.
Note here: That exit lane leads to the far left lane of that road. There was no way for me to get to the shoulder.
The engine was not hot, so I thought I could drive a little further, to a gas station. However, the engine died again just a minute or so later. I called AAA to schedule a tow, called a friend for a ride, and then I called my mechanic to let them know that I would be having my car towed there. They asked me to check the oil. I told them that it had been changed recently. They suggested that I check it anyway. I did, and discovered that the oil stick indicated no oil. At that time I noticed that there was oil on the lower part of the engine, as well. I was wearing a suit, so I did not attempt to investigate further. I had it towed to MY mechanic. (The quick-change place was in another city, 60+ miles away.)
His observation was that the filter had not been installed properly, and that it had "completely backed off of seat." He performed maintenance in which the oil and the filter were replaced, and he cleaned the engine. He returned the car to me.
Subsequent to MY mechanic's work, I would discover that the oil light would still come on occasionally. I called him, and he said it may just be a temporary condition. He did warn me at that time that the engine could be severely damaged.
The light was still coming on, so I dropped off the car again for a more extensive inspection. According to their report, they found "metal debris," and they "suspect extensive engine damage." Their opinion was that the damage originated with the initial problem created when the oil filter had not been properly installed. They suggested that, at this point, I not drive the car unless necessary, because it might get worse. I drove it home from the shop (about a half-mile) and had it towed to the Honda dealership. They also found metal debris. They also concurred that it can take a long time for an improperly installed filter to come off.
Their initial quote was $7-$8,000, but they found a used engine and replaced it for $3,600.
I wrote to the quickie change outlet before I initiated repairs. Their rep says that they are not responsible because it was almost 2 months later. I made a decision to hire an attorney and have the work performed on my own. I hope to recover all of my expenses.
HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART: I have checked with mechanics on-line and in person. Without exception, they said that it is, indeed, possible (and in my case, probable) that a filter may take weeks to come undone. My mechanic also said that Honda engines requires very little oil to continue performing, so that is another reason why the oil light did not come on until the very end.
I have hired an attorney, but I'm trying to help him. (He seems very busy, so I'm trying to assist.) I’m seeking legal precedents (or a source for) in which a mechanic-type/oil-type outlet is responsible for negligence even if it is beyond the normal period in which these matters manifest themselves.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kyle
I'll start out by saying I have an attorney, but he has asked me to assist him. Here's the story ...
On September 25, 2004, I had my oil changed at a quick-change outlet in another city. On November 17, (nearly two months later) I was driving on the Interstate when the oil light came on.
Note here: There was no way for me to stop. It was a raised part of the interstate with the bare minimum of a shoulder. The public good as well as my own would have been in jeopardy.
I was nearing my exit, so I turned off. As I was exiting, the engine died. I was afraid I could not reach the side of the road, so I placed the car in "Neutral" and started the car again. It started, though it sounded bad.
Note here: That exit lane leads to the far left lane of that road. There was no way for me to get to the shoulder.
The engine was not hot, so I thought I could drive a little further, to a gas station. However, the engine died again just a minute or so later. I called AAA to schedule a tow, called a friend for a ride, and then I called my mechanic to let them know that I would be having my car towed there. They asked me to check the oil. I told them that it had been changed recently. They suggested that I check it anyway. I did, and discovered that the oil stick indicated no oil. At that time I noticed that there was oil on the lower part of the engine, as well. I was wearing a suit, so I did not attempt to investigate further. I had it towed to MY mechanic. (The quick-change place was in another city, 60+ miles away.)
His observation was that the filter had not been installed properly, and that it had "completely backed off of seat." He performed maintenance in which the oil and the filter were replaced, and he cleaned the engine. He returned the car to me.
Subsequent to MY mechanic's work, I would discover that the oil light would still come on occasionally. I called him, and he said it may just be a temporary condition. He did warn me at that time that the engine could be severely damaged.
The light was still coming on, so I dropped off the car again for a more extensive inspection. According to their report, they found "metal debris," and they "suspect extensive engine damage." Their opinion was that the damage originated with the initial problem created when the oil filter had not been properly installed. They suggested that, at this point, I not drive the car unless necessary, because it might get worse. I drove it home from the shop (about a half-mile) and had it towed to the Honda dealership. They also found metal debris. They also concurred that it can take a long time for an improperly installed filter to come off.
Their initial quote was $7-$8,000, but they found a used engine and replaced it for $3,600.
I wrote to the quickie change outlet before I initiated repairs. Their rep says that they are not responsible because it was almost 2 months later. I made a decision to hire an attorney and have the work performed on my own. I hope to recover all of my expenses.
HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART: I have checked with mechanics on-line and in person. Without exception, they said that it is, indeed, possible (and in my case, probable) that a filter may take weeks to come undone. My mechanic also said that Honda engines requires very little oil to continue performing, so that is another reason why the oil light did not come on until the very end.
I have hired an attorney, but I'm trying to help him. (He seems very busy, so I'm trying to assist.) I’m seeking legal precedents (or a source for) in which a mechanic-type/oil-type outlet is responsible for negligence even if it is beyond the normal period in which these matters manifest themselves.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kyle