1998 Isuzu Rodeo Question Service center forgot to replace o

Tiny
HEALYP4
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 ISUZU RODEO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 73,000 MILES
So I recently went to my local Jiffy Lube for my 3000 mile oil change (more like 2500 in this case). Everything seemed to go smoothly and I left the service center. This was on a Friday. I didn't drive my car at all on Saturday. By Sunday, after driving about 15 miles, my car suddenly had very low power upon acceleration, started knocking, was smoking white smoke from the engine, and I noticed a high temperature gauge. I knew this was bad and I was befuddled since my car never had problems before and I pride myself on maintaining it properly. Then I remembered that I just had an oil change and felt a sunken feeling in my stomach. I parked as quickly as I could and sure enough, my worst fears were realized: I had little to no oil in my car. I quickly went to the gas station and put in 4 quarts of standard 5W-30. I started the car back up and the smoking and knocking stopped. I checked and found the drain plug in and didn't observe any leakage. So this brings me to my real question: I feel like a dodged a bullet, namely that my engine isn't totally destroyed, but I’m concerned about any unperceived damage. My hunch is that the technician simply forgot to replace the oil after draining it. I don't know enough about cars to know if my piston rings are now damaged due to the short period of intense friction, heat, and blow by. I only have 73K on this car and want it to last double that, but I feel like this episode cost my engine some serious shelf life. What's my best move here? I already contacted the Jiffy Lube. They told me to bring it back to the shop. At the very least, I intend to get my oil flushed and re-changed, but I'm still worried about my engine. Should I request that my pistons be checked for damage? I know this is time consuming and I’m not sure if Jiffy Lube can do that nor if it’s worth it since I don’t know enough to verify. Please advise. Thanks.
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Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 AT 10:11 AM

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Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
You should have had an oil pressure warning light on?

Does it work (the light)? It should illuminate when the key is "on".

If it had no oil in it then Jiffy lube is responsible. The engine would have to be disassembled and bearing clearances checked, inspect for cylinder scoring.
You could have a compression test done, but there would be no doubt that some damage was done, the extent of damage would be hard to estimate.

I would have Jiffy Lube replace the engine (well not them, but Isuzu), or give you an extended warranty e.G 50,000 miles.
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Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 AT 5:47 PM

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