Jiffy Lube Heartland Automotive Services INC. Negligence Blown Engine Boston Nationwide

They told me that it was fine. It didn't leak before at all. I asked them if I needed a new oil pan, they said no. They loosened it without tighting it back up. They could have used a self threading oil plug. They told me to take it back to the last place that changed the oil. They called me by the former owners name. So it was another Jiffy Lube that last serviced the car according to their own records. They left it loose the guy said it only spun. I don't even think the manager looked at it. It IS their fault just as two mechanics told me. Both are ASE certified.

So first things first, I do not (nor have I ever) work(ed) for Jiffy Lube. However, I'm a former Senior Manager at a rival Quick Lube chain and I've personally serviced more than 10,000 vehicles in my 10 years in the automotive industry.

That being said, the drain plug pictured is a temporary replacement for people whose internal oil pan threads have been stripped. If you check the suppliers' catalogue (Complete Lube Supply page 68) you'll see the vehicle type restrictions regarding that particular plug. It also states in bold capital lettering that it is "FOR ONE TIME USE ONLY".

This is for a number of reasons one being that those plugs use a rubber non-reuseable gasket that imprints on the mating surface of the oil pan (BTW it's a hand-tight only plug). Once it's imprinted the seal cannot be guaranteed and thus no warranty can be offered with that oil change (or in this case lack thereof).

When the technician mentioned that you didn't need a new oil pan, what he meant was you needed a helicoil (unless of course you drive a VW or another manufacturer that uses aluminium oil pans in which case yes, you would need to replace the pan).

I hope that clears things up. Personally, I'm not a fan of Jiffy Lube but in this case they haven't really done anything wrong.