Oil cap has worn threads

PTO1010

MEMBER
2012 KIA SPORTAGE
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

I took my car in for an oil change about two weeks ago. Yesterday, there was a huge puddle of oil under my car in the garage. I went back to the same mechanic who did the oil change, and they said that the threads on the cap for the oil were worn, and to repair, would need to take the whole carter/container (I assume oil container?) Out, but would need to take the motor down to do that. They said they temporarily fixed the cap until the next oil change, but that all the work would need to be done at the next oil change, all because the threads are damaged. What I'd love to know is: A) how did the threads get so stripped in the first place? B) Who is likely at fault for that? (Ie, was it the last oil change, or could it have been longer ago?); And C) Is that actually what's necessary to fix it?

3 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

Are you talking about the Oil Drain Plug located in your vehicle's oil pan or are you talking about the Oil Fill Cap which is located in your vehicle's valve cover? I'm going to assume it's the former and not the latter. If you haven't been doing the oil changes yourself then guess what, this is entirely, 100%, the technician who has been doing your oil changes fault.
The correct remedy would be to replace your vehicles oil pan. You could even probably get by with drilling the whole a little bigger and tapping it and getting a drain plug bolt that would fit it. But, the point being, whatever the remedy is, whoever has been changing your vehicle's oil is responsible for remedying this situation.
I am not sure where you live, but you should have a government agency that is responsible for keeping repair shops on the up and up. You might want to inquire with them if you can't get any satisfaction from whoever has been changing your vehicle's oil. Get back to us with what happens.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 5:57 PM

PTO1010

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks so much for the information, Alex. I spoke again with the mechanic, who confirmed that it was an issue with the oil drain plug. We only bought the car late last year. The shop that we bought it through did an oil change at that time, and then we got the most recent oil change (two weeks ago) through a near by mechanic. Would it have been the fault of the most recent oil change, or could it have happened during a previous one?

As for the government agency, that's a great idea, but we unfortunately live overseas where I doubt the local government would be willing to help at all!

Thanks again,
Patrick

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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 2:01 PM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello again,

I would take it to who you bought it from and tell them you would like to have this remedied. You might get lucky and they will make it right, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I would probably replace the oil pan or drill and tap the hole. If you want I can you instructions for doing either one. Please get back to us with what you find out and decide to do. We are here to help.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 7:16 PM