I doubt you have any reason to be concerned. Although with a rig this expensive, I like to be safe rather than sorry. Maybe tell them you think it could start leaking and get them to replace it.

 

All things considered, I don't think that the Walmart teh torqued your drain plug.... The required amount of torque is nowhere near enough to dent the filter housing if the wrench slips. I refuse to use filters with damaged housings.... I have no idea of what forces were exerted to cause the damage... I have no idea if the shock was enough to cause a joint inside the filter to be stressed (well, I could cut it open to see, but then we wouldn't re-use it anyway, after that).

There is a better than even chance that I am just being anal (my perogative)... but it ain't my filter (the one I paid for had no dent) it ain't my motor and it ain't my wallet. I would complain and expect restitution (aka a NEW UNDAMAGED filter installed right now).... the "tech" should have his pee-pee whacked for using damaged goods.

At this point, I could write several paragraphs - most of them derogatory for all concnerned... It wouldn't serve much purpose. Thought process is required...

 

Thanks for your frank opinion.

I don't know for sure that the filter was not damaged in the box. It may not have been a wrench.

This is off the point but raises two other issues: What is the correct torque for the plug? Walmart said it was 18 ft-lbs. The last time I checked (don't know where) I found it to be 24 ft-lbs. Second, is it ok to use a white plastic washer instead of a copper one? Walmart didn't have a copper one.

I've had about 20 oil changes at walmart and this one is the worst, nothing even close.

What do the rest of you guys think: Would you really bug them about a small dent in the bottom edge of the oil filter housing? I suppose the guiding rule is "better safe than sorry," but who knows what they'll screw up redoing it.

Thanks,
Bob

 

If it was me I'd do the oil change myself, I think its cheaper that way and I know who to blame if its not done right /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for your frank opinion.

I don't know for sure that the filter was not damaged in the box. It may not have been a wrench.

This is off the point but raises two other issues: What is the correct torque for the plug? Walmart said it was 18 ft-lbs. The last time I checked (don't know where) I found it to be 24 ft-lbs. Second, is it ok to use a white plastic washer instead of a copper one? Walmart didn't have a copper one.

I've had about 20 oil changes at walmart and this one is the worst, nothing even close.

What do the rest of you guys think: Would you really bug them about a small dent in the bottom edge of the oil filter housing? I suppose the guiding rule is "better safe than sorry," but who knows what they'll screw up redoing it.

Thanks,
Bob

[/ QUOTE ]

Just curious what was wrong with the copper washer that they took off?

 

There was a very slight drip, even with the plug tightened to 24 ft-lbs.

 

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for your frank opinion.

I don't know for sure that the filter was not damaged in the box. It may not have been a wrench.

This is off the point but raises two other issues: What is the correct torque for the plug? Walmart said it was 18 ft-lbs. The last time I checked (don't know where) I found it to be 24 ft-lbs. Second, is it ok to use a white plastic washer instead of a copper one? Walmart didn't have a copper one.

I've had about 20 oil changes at walmart and this one is the worst, nothing even close.

What do the rest of you guys think: Would you really bug them about a small dent in the bottom edge of the oil filter housing? I suppose the guiding rule is "better safe than sorry," but who knows what they'll screw up redoing it.

Thanks,
Bob

[/ QUOTE ]

The plastic washer is probably better than the copper, so don't worry about it. I would make them replace your filter though.

Hammer

 

[ QUOTE ]
The dent is at the edge where the rounded bottom turns into the side. It is only about 1/4 inch deep and covers the area of about the size of a nickle.

[/ QUOTE ]

He probably dropped it on the floor and was too lazy/cheap to go get another one.

It MAY not cause any peoblems, but like Grampy_Jim said, it isn't right, because you didn't pay for a dented filter. If it were me, I'd have them change it.

 

For the oil filter it's probably ok but I would ask them if they would have installed it on their own personal vehicle.
The plastic drain plug washer works better than the copper ones. I have used them for quite a while and they last for several oil changes unlike the copper ones that should be replaced every time the plug is removed.
FMT

 

I've only changed my copper washer once in 230,000mi worth of changes! It took 180,000mi to start leaking. I must be real lucky /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

The dented filter is fine, if the housing is not cocked on the base the internals have plenty of clearance even with a 1/4 deep dent directly in the side. There's nothing in the lower radius to contact anyway the end of the element is held off the bottom of the housing, usually by a spring. I've had filters with the whole side caved in after contact with off road debris and never had a leak. I've taken quite a few apart, it would take a huge impact to knock anything internal loose.

Of course the construction of the filter is dependant on the manufacturer.

 

Thanks for all the advice...

Maybe I'm under a misconception. I've been assuming that to change the FL-1995, they would have to drain and fill the whole 15 qts of oil. Is this true? Is it risk-free to pull the filter, slap a new one up and then top off with whatever oil was lost?

Here is an interesting thought experiment for those that do your own oil changes: You are at home and have your oil filter off and your oil drained and have two new oil filters on the bench. Let's say you drop one and put a small dent in the bottom edge. Would you use it or use the other new without the dent, eating the $9.94 Walmart cost? (I'm assuming you wouldn't take it back and say it was already dented when you opened the box)? What if you only had one filter on the bench? Would you run out and get another one (assuming you had another vehicle) or go ahead and use the dented one?

Thanks,
Bob

 

I'd get a new one (even if I had to get a ride to the store to buy it).

My trucks worth it!


Besides the tech that put it on had easy access to new one and yet he left the screwed up one on. I get them to replace it and drain-refill the oil.

 

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for all the advice...

Maybe I'm under a misconception. I've been assuming that to change the FL-1995, they would have to drain and fill the whole 15 qts of oil. Is this true? Is it risk-free to pull the filter, slap a new one up and then top off with whatever oil was lost?

Here is an interesting thought experiment for those that do your own oil changes: You are at home and have your oil filter off and your oil drained and have two new oil filters on the bench. Let's say you drop one and put a small dent in the bottom edge. Would you use it or use the other new without the dent, eating the $9.94 Walmart cost? (I'm assuming you wouldn't take it back and say it was already dented when you opened the box)? What if you only had one filter on the bench? Would you run out and get another one (assuming you had another vehicle) or go ahead and use the dented one?

Thanks,
Bob

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it's risk free for them to pull the old one, fill a new one with oil, slap it on, idle for a minute, check the oil, and top off if necessary.
They can punch a hole in the bottom of the current filter to drain it, yank it, and replace it, not hard at all. No need to change all the oil.

 

I took the truck back to the Walmart today and got it taken care of. After a little explaining, they agreed to do a complete new oil and filter change + a free oil and filter change in the future. So, in my opinion, WMT came through.

Hopefully they will not ignore a dented filter in the future.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Bob

 

How much internal pressure does an oil filter have when running? I have a small dent in my cannister, but was not really concerned before reading this thread.

 

How much oil pressure do you run?

Unless the metal is creased, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ QUOTE ]


Here is an interesting thought experiment for those that do your own oil changes: You are at home and have your oil filter off and your oil drained and have two new oil filters on the bench. Let's say you drop one and put a small dent in the bottom edge. Would you use it or use the other new without the dent, eating the $9.94 Walmart cost?
Thanks,
Bob

[/ QUOTE ]

I always put a dent on the bottom edge of mine. It makes it easier to tell how many turns I've made after gasket contact.

 

[ QUOTE ]


Here is an interesting thought experiment for those that do your own oil changes: You are at home and have your oil filter off and your oil drained and have two new oil filters on the bench. Let's say you drop one and put a small dent in the bottom edge. Would you use it or use the other new without the dent, eating the $9.94 Walmart cost?
Thanks,
Bob

[/ QUOTE ]

Would you eat a Hamburger with a big chunk missing out of it, or one that was mangled? No, you'd request a new one.

 

[ QUOTE ]


Would you eat a Hamburger with a big chunk missing out of it, or one that was mangled?

[/ QUOTE ]

it depends on whether my wife or my kid took the bite out.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif