Oil Change (not the team up north). Should I be concerned? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MillerTime GFG · 08-23-2016, 11:02 AM

Let me preface this by saying I am not mechanically inclined whatsoever, which is why I'm reaching out to the community here to see if I have reason to be concerned.

I got my oil changed at Mr. Lube yesterday afternoon, and had an oil change and an engine flush + friction shield (?) performed. When I pulled into my garage (which is a 5 minute drive from Mr. Lube), I noticed there was what appeared to be smoke coming from my engine. When I popped the hood, I saw it was coming from around my battery. I took the following photos:

Size

NSFW!

To me, it looks like maybe something was left there, and caught on fire? You can see in one of the pics there's a fair bit, and even layers, of ash. I called Mr. Lube asking if they used green cloths, to which the guy actually said yes. They asked me to come in to take a look, and the technician (not the guy on the phone) said "100% it's not from something we did". I asked to see their cloths, and the ones he showed, were not green.

The technician went on to say that it was corrosion, which I admitted there was some, but the green stuff definitely does not look like your ordinary corrosion. The battery is only 1 year old, fyi. His theory is the green stuff was coolant that leaked onto the existing corrosion, and hardened. (Green stuff is rock hard). I agreed to let the technician clean off the green stuff, and he actually had to use a chemical to remove it, as the clamp was completely stuck because of it. I had pictures, and I kept some of the green stuff as well.

Other concerns:
- The technician I spoke to was not the one that worked on my car. The guy that did, had already left, as it looks like my car was the last one he worked on. In a hurry to be done?
- After reconnecting the battery after the cleaning, my car barely started after trying a couple times. Never had an issue prior, and again, it's only one year old.

Should I be pushing for something here, or just leave it be? I don't know enough about cars to have any substance really to my concerns, other than the fact my car seemed perfectly fine prior to this oil change. The car started fine this morning, and seems no worse for wear.

Northendzone · 08-23-2016, 11:15 AM

generally speaking, I have heard of more issues with people seemingly having car troubles after oil changes done at the "quickie lube shops" compared to having an oil change done at a dealership or regular service shop (not saying all these shops are perfect).

not sure how to recommend that you proceed, other than starting a conversation with the store manager. my guess is that they will not easily admit to making a mistake - but perhaps I have just being negative

puckedoff · 08-23-2016, 11:16 AM

Can't see your photo so not sure about the corrosion. Typically, corrosion around battery poles can be removed with a solution of baking soda and water.

Secondly, wtf is a friction sheild (tm)? Odds are you don't need that.

After an oil change, if they spilled some oil when topping it up it could have leaked onto the exhaust manifold and burnt, causing some smoke.

Not sure what to recommend other than learning how to change your own oil, hopefully Mr. Lube would stand behind their work if they damaged anything but who knows these days.

burn_this_city · 08-23-2016, 11:21 AM

You have coolant or something splashing on the battery terminals. Quick lube shops are terrible, but that looks pre-existing. The smoke you saw might have been some oil dripping on the exhaust manifold from the filter housing or oil filler.

MillerTime GFG · 08-23-2016, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

You have coolant or something splashing on the battery terminals. Quick lube shops are terrible, but that looks pre-existing. The smoke you saw might have been some oil dripping on the exhaust manifold from the filter housing or oil filler.

But that doesn't really explain the layers of ash?

speede5 · 08-23-2016, 11:29 AM

You need to clean those terminals, disconnect them clean them with baking soda and water, and reconnect. Not a bad idea to use some emery cloth and polish everything up before reconnecting. A good coat of batt terminal sealer is nice too. Looks like they got some anti freeze on your corrosion.

I second the smoke being oil spilled on something, not to worry unless it persists.

Don't get friction shields and additives. If your using a good quality namebrand oil it will have all the additives your engine needs. Pennzoil, Mobil, Quaker state. You have to trust the shop you're at though. Some will fill their tanks with the cheapest house oil they can source.

Dion · 08-23-2016, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Can't see your photo so not sure about the corrosion. Typically, corrosion around battery poles can be removed with a solution of baking soda and water.

Secondly, wtf is a friction sheild (tm)? Odds are you don't need that.

After an oil change, if they spilled some oil when topping it up it could have leaked onto the exhaust manifold and burnt, causing some smoke.

Not sure what to recommend other than learning how to change your own oil, hopefully Mr. Lube would stand behind their work if they damaged anything but who knows these days.

Last time I used Mr Lube they didn't tighten the oil plug and I had a pool of oil under my vehicle. Never went back!

speede5 · 08-23-2016, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

But that doesn't really explain the layers of ash?

It's not ash, it's corrosion, I don't know the exact term for it.

It's very common as those contacts see all sorts of moisture/heat cycles, venting of battery gases, and lose connections.

btimbit · 08-23-2016, 11:39 AM

Especially on those Canadian tire batteries. They corrode terminals like crazy. Not a real issue if you make sure to clean it often.

Terminal Corrosion and oxidization often looks ashy. The smoke was likely from something spilled, a rag wouldn't just catch fire from being on a battery.

Did it run and drive fine after you got it starting? Start okay after that? Or does it still have trouble?

Oh and don't get the engine flush. That's useless. Modern oil has so many detergents in them to keep your engine clean, you don't need to do anything else. Just a money grab. Especially the friction shield. That's what oil is for

calgaryblood · 08-23-2016, 11:41 AM

That does look like a rag caught on fire.

photon · 08-23-2016, 11:41 AM

That doesn't really look like ash to me, more like corrosion. It's common to happen, though it can sometimes be an indication that something's wrong with the charging system. If the battery is being overcharged it'll out-gas. It can also happen if the metals of the battery posts and lead clamps are different.

calgaryblood · 08-23-2016, 11:46 AM

Just wanted to add, an engine flush and friction shield? Not something you want done at a Mr. Lube or at all to be honest.

CorsiHockeyLeague · 08-23-2016, 11:48 AM

This reminds me, the Z really really needs its battery terminals cleaned.

Fuzz · 08-23-2016, 11:48 AM

The green corrosion is normal, the colour is from the copper. The corrosion by the clamp is from leaking up from the caps. Honestly, it's nothing really to worry about, it's fairly common given our climate. In the really cold weather your battery can swell a bit, and when it warms some fluid may bubble out.

As was recommended, rinse it with baking soda/water, clean the terminals and rough them up with emery paper. Given the corrosion on the clamp you may want to open the caps and check the fluid level. Top up with distilled water. Or go to any decent garage and ask to have your battery serviced, they will do the cleaning and checking for you.

photon · 08-23-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzz

any decent garage

Not Canadian Tire?

Hockeyguy15 · 08-23-2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

This reminds me, the Z really really needs its battery terminals cleaned.

Trying for a humble brag?

CorsiHockeyLeague · 08-23-2016, 12:02 PM

Why would it be a brag?

Granted it was a pretty irrelevant post, not sure why I didn't just say it to myself.

Hockeyguy15 · 08-23-2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Why would it be a brag?

Granted it was a pretty irrelevant post, not sure why I didn't just say it to myself.

Just the way you said it, calling it "the Z" makes it seem like you are bragging about it.

Not "that reminds me, my car really needs it's terminals cleaned"

PepsiFree · 08-23-2016, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Just the way you said it, calling it "the Z" makes it seem like you are bragging about it.

Not "that reminds me, my car really needs it's terminals cleaned"

Plus, Corsi.

Looch City · 08-23-2016, 12:08 PM

What I'm wondering is if this was pre-existing, why didn't they tell you about it?

Did the report say anything about "oh and you have some #### stuck to your battery terminals"?