• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


History Repeats itself - GRRRRRRR!!

minuteman3

Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
102
Reactions
129
Points
37
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#1
A few weeks after we took delivery of our ST in June 2020, I took it to the closer of the two Ford dealers in Tacoma (Lakewood Ford) for an oil change (I like to put a few miles on, then flush out the factory oil). Making a long story short, on 4 Aug 2020 the dealer's tech "forgot" to put the oil filler cap back on and just sort of hung the dipstick loosely in the block, making a huge mess of flying oil. (Look HERE for the complete, sad, story.

Over the past two years, I used the other dealer in town (Titus-Will Ford), and have had no problems at all with their service. But, they're about twice as far away, so a few days ago I thought I'd return to the closer one for a routine "Works" package (on 19 Aug 22). In a sense there's little difference in pricing, etc., as they are both owned by the same company.

Today, as I drove around a bit more I started to smell burning oil ... and, yup, same dang thing!!
Aug 22 Update-7.jpg
Note the missing oil cap!!

At least this time the dealership is being far nicer about everything. They sent me back home in a loaner and will call me when it's repaired and thoroughly cleaned/ready tomorrow. They wanted to wait until the engine is cold to really clean it, which sounds reasonable. A lot of apologies as well.

But, do I dare go back in six months? Is saving an hour or so of drive time worth the aggravation? Is it even possible to happen a third time?

Ken
 

Last edited:
Messages
298
Reactions
219
Points
37
Location
Utah
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer Platinum
#2
Man! That's frustrating! So sorry for your luck!
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,976
Reactions
1,991
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
#3
I doubt I would go back. Slim chance of it happening again but?
 

Messages
98
Reactions
71
Points
17
Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#4
Just ask them for lifetime oil changes on the vehicle, at least that way you can be sure to get your engine bay detailed every 3rd oil change.
 

Messages
172
Reactions
105
Points
27
Location
Gig Harbor, WA, USA
#5
That's crazy. I stopped going to Lakewood service bc they took forever to get my Explorer back once and didn't even do what they were supposed to do. Been to Titus Will a few times and have never had a problem. So sorry that happened.
 

Messages
298
Reactions
219
Points
37
Location
Utah
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer Platinum
#6
If you're open to giving them one more chance, you could take a quick minute before leaving and give it a quick once over to make sure everything is where/how it should be. You'd still have an overall net savings in time. Just a thought I'm sure you've already had.
 

Last edited:


Top