Oil Dripping from my SRT! :(

[YellowViperSRT10]

Well, last Friday I got my car back from and oil change and shifter install. I used the car twice since then, everything seemed ok. I just washed the car today, pulled it out of my garage and I see a spot of oil under the car. I attached a picture of it. I cannot really see where it is leaking from, but when I look under the car I see at the end of that fiberglass sort of cover toward the front of the engine a big circle that appears to be wet and I see an oil drop hanging from there. I opened the hood and could not see where it is from. ( I don't much about mechanical stuff/engines though). I did notice while my hood was open that my airbox cover was just sitting on top of the airbox not screwed in? Does the dealer take this out for some reason? I took the whole airbox off to see if I can get a better view of the leak, but didn't. Also it seems like they were real sloppy with the oil change, there was oil all over the engine and other parts under the hood. Even on top of the hood near the fender area there was like an oil splatter and drops everywhere. Plus with my airbox not being screwed down it just really upsets me that if you don't check things you don't know if they were done right. I am going to call the dealer tomorrow about this leak and hopefully have them check it out. I wont drive the car till then, only to take it to the dealer. But it seems weird I had an oil change and came home with an oil leak? you think they could have possibly done something wrong?

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[twinturbo3150]

I would check to see if maybe they over tightend the drain plug. But it sounds to me like they were just plain sloppy, and it excess oil.02

 

[Don Hiltz]

This happens routinely when the oil is changed. Some of the old oil always runs over areas near the oilpan plug and will drop off for a day or two. You can see from the picture that the deposit is dirty (old).

Most service facilities will attempt to clean the area by spraying a solvent over it, but I've always found that there are still a few drops which appear on my garage floor.

It'll stop....

Don

 

[96GTS]

Vipers don't leak, they mark their spot. It might just be residual oil from the oil change that was missed by the technician. Wipe it up and check again after you drive it. You might try trying to wash around the oil pan area if you can reach it in case there is anymore.

 

[Racer Robbie]

I would be looking at the oil filter to make sure they used the proper one for a viper. napa gold, made by wix, number is 1085 and k & n is hp-2004.When you remove the filter there is a lot of oil that drains out of the oil filter mount so I guess they did not do a good job of cleaning the mounting surface. I have to wonder, did they start the engine with the wrong filter on it causing oil to spray all over your engine as you mentioned above that they had removed the air box, maybe to try to clean up their mess. There is no need to have removed the air box to get to the oil filter as it is under the right front of the engine next to the crankshaft vibration damper. I hope this helps.
Robbie

 

[ulllose]

My guess a sloppy tech.

I changed my oil this weekend without spilling a drop anywhere. It also took me about a hour to do the change but did not drip/spill/dumb oil anywhere.
I do know that my car burns alot of oil for some reason.
i change my oil every 3 thousand and i'm always 2 qts. low.
thats alot if you ask me

 

[ulllose]

Oh ya, Yellow viper-

Just find a different dealer i wouldn't even give them a second chance.
If this was your first time at this dealer/shop they should have been going the extra mile to make you come back the next time. (Meaning make sure the car is perfect when it was ready to be picked up) I don't care if you drive a base model stratus or their top dog viper dealers/shops should really just do the job good and right the first time.
I have had plenty of problems with Lincoln dealers and 1 problem with the dodge dealer. I do not give them any slack
I paid dearly for atleast 7 years of service so don't give my car to the tech that is on flat rate if you think he may rush throught it. (managment)

 

[YellowViperSRT10]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Some mentioned to check the oil cap or filter. I really am unfortunately not familiar with working on or checking engines to even identify or locate any of it. I will try to call the dealer in the morning and hopefully they can check it out that day. I doubt they will take me the day i call, but I hope so since I like to daily drive this car and wont until its fixed. I really hope it is nothing and just a sloppy job like some of you said.

 

[YellowViperSRT10]

I am going to have to check and see if there are any other dealers around here with a Viper tech. I was told by this dealer they are the only dealer in South Florida with a Viper tech, but i highly doubt that. Although i would much rather not travel a few hours to get my car serviced. The only good this thing dealer has going for them is it only takes me about 15 minutes to get there.

I had an oil change at this dealer once before and everything was perfect.

 

[Racer Robbie]

A lot of dealers say they are certified viper dealers when they are not. Any dodge dealer can sell vipers and not be certified. They buy them wholesale form a certified dealer and mark them up. Here in CT every dealer on every corner sells vipers but there are only 2 certified dealers, that I know of, in the state. If you do not believe me call Chuck tator and ask him. He will point you to a good certified dealer. this is a real problem that I have brought up to DC as my wife works for DC. Their answer is that dealers are independant, there for they can not tell them what they can sell. They also said you have the right to see the dealers certification papers and the mecanics certification in Viper repair.
Good Luck,
Robbie

 

[96GTS]

If a dealership wants a certified Viper tech, they have to send a mechanic to school to learn to work on the car. There is a large amout of specialized tools required to work on a Viper, and the total cost of the tools is around $10,000. Ask some of your local Viper owners who they recommend.

 

[YellowViperSRT10]

Well, i was able to bring the car into the dealer today they had the tech take a look at it right away. It turns out most of you were right, he said he checked everything and it all looks fine that it must be residual oil. He said to just keep an eye on it. So far so good. So we will see. I use this car a lot so did not want to take any chance of him not looking at it incase it was something.

I asked my service adviser if he is a real viper tech and they said he is the only one that works on the vipers and can show me any sort of documentation i need. I did not bother to look. I normally see about 3-4 other vipers in for service, so he probably is a viper tech. Still does not mean he does not do a sloppy job though.

 

[Racer Robbie]

96GTS is quite correct. Just because the guy told you he is viper certified and has vipers in his shop means nothing. You should make him produce the parers or call DC and tell him that he is saying he is certified when he is not. Hell I would call DC anyway and complain about the sloppy job. We are talking about a $100,000.00 car here, not a caravan.