Oil Change and Thrown Rod

Hey Guys, I was going on a road trip from Utah to California this past week and had my car serviced the day I left (including an oil change). About 500 miles into the trip my car unexpectedly threw a rod. I was going 70 mph and wasn't over-revving the engine or anything like that. There was no rod knocking before and when I had it serviced they said everything checked out. The car has 184,000 miles on it and I treat it well. Considering a thrown rod at this mileage is unheard of and the fact that I had it serviced a couple days before the trip, is it possible that the shop I had it serviced at overfilled or underfilled the oil? Or maybe even put some shit oil in or something? With the cost of having the truck towed all the way back to Utah, plus the new engine and the labor to replace it, this is looking at costing upwards of 7 or 8 thousand dollars, so if this is their fault I definitely want them to pay for replacing it. I had it serviced at a chain garage (sticking with the No Names here) and I'm sure they're gonna give me hell when I talk to them about it. If you guys think its possible that it is their fault, should I consider a lawsuit or just go in and talk to them more or what?

 

What's the dipstick reading?

 

Well when the rod got thrown out most of the oil sprayed out of the hole in the engine and the rest dripped out on the way to the shop. I didn't think to check the dipstick right after the rod threw, but even then so much of the oil was already out I don't know if I would've been able to get an accurate reading.

 

I always check the oil level after the oil change. Especially if someone else was doing it. If it's not their vehicle they don't give a shit! As soon as I get my truck back I pull around the corner and pop the hood and check everything out. I even crawl underneath to make sure the oil plug isn't leaking and it's not leaking around the filter either. Maybe you did that. I'm not sure. You didn't mention if you do the same or not. Never take another person's word for it!

 

Correlation doesn't necessarily equal causation but if you've never had any issues with road trips and there weren't any signs before this happened, it's at least worth looking into the possibility that the shop done goofed.

 

The FIRST thing I would check is to see if there are 2 oil filter seals on the filter. The oil change guys miss an oring on the block and when the new filter goes on now there are 2... pressure comes up, oil pushes past the orings, think Space Shuttle Challerger here, and you have a problem.

 

For starters, I'm really sorry about the incident. I know it's a frustrating ordeal, but I would try talking to the store owner/manager. They're the ones who are going to have the most control over the situation. Now, they're going to try and fight with you to prevent them from paying for any work. Chances are, you're going to have to get a lawyer involved once you investigate what exactly went wrong. Even if you do win the case, they're going to want to install a rebuilt engine. Gather all of your service records and paperwork. This will be useful in proving your case. Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

Thanks, I had it looked at in a shop in California to determine the thrown rod and had them write up an official report of what happened and what day it took place so that I have proof of the incident that I can take back to my Utah garage. I think it's pretty likely that they overfilled the oil to the point that the crankshaft was aerating it and causing the engine to not get proper lubrication, thus causing it to throw a rod. Wanted to make sure I wasn't being delusional in thinking this was a likely cause before I went and talked to the owner and that's why I'm posting on this forum. Does that sound like a reasonable explanation?

 

yes, but proving it is something else.

 

Sad about your mishap

Mechanical things break fact of life .

You did inspect things before you left said shop ??

You have a invoice stating what was done and what parts were used . Filter brand oil brand and weight how much oil?? ETC

Any Warranty if any .

There is no way to prove this for either side the only real winners will be the lawyers who all get paid no matter how things play out.

Mean While your Truck sits in Limbo for what might be years

Sit down and talk maybe they might cut you a break you don`t know unless you ask

I have heard of Rod failures on low mile engines like yours it does happen

 

Did you check the drain plug; for being tight? And also the oil filter being tight.

I have seen oil filters that somehow came loose and the oil was thrown all over the engine; but saying that there should have been smoke and burnt oil smell. You did say the oil sprayed out.

Rod bearings fail usually because of lack of good oil. But a bearing can fail like anything else. I personally had a Corvette, L82, 350 cu in; throw a rod at 5k miles, driving down the road at 55mph. Rod went through the block,and was full of good oil.

 

It's very easy to overfill the 3RZ, most quick lubes don't go off of the quantity showing on the dipstick. They look up in the computer, oh it says a dry engine should have 6.X quarts and they pump it in and go. I've always followed the dipstick oil level indicator when doing my oil changes, not that 6.X quarts quantity most like to follow, and it's always right around 5 quarts. Now I don't know if this is due to not all of the oil draining out of the internals or what. But the only time my dipstick showed way high was when I acquired the truck.
So it could be easy to overfill the engine oil in my opinion.