Hi all,

I took my car at the end of January to a major tyre and oil change company for a routine oil change, since then the car developed a slow oil leak from around the sump nut that I only noticed a few weeks ago.

I took it back to them yesterday, they admitted the nut was deformed and replaced it, but then said that there is a crack in the sump which is where the leak is coming. When I questioned that could it be from over tightening the nut they said it was possible but that it could not have been them as they never over tighten sump nuts or use the auto wrench for such delicate work!

Now they are the only company that have touched the sump and sump nut in the last 3 years so they must have had something to do with it, but does anyone think I stand any chance of taking it further against them to get them to cover the repair cost especially with the car being 12 years old?

I am taking it to my independent garage tomorrow for them to assess and see if liquid metal could be used to stop the leak but if the plug thread is damaged also they suggested it would need a new sump at fairly major expense. If the thread is damaged then in my mind it also proves it was the cause of the damage linking back to the tyre / oil change franchise.

Anyones thoughts on what I can legally do are greatly appreciated. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

Last edited by Flashman on 27th Apr 2017 7:39pm. Edited 1 time in total

I stripped a sump thread on a motorcycle once. A helicoil insert solved the problem and the sump was oil tight for the remainder of my ownership. There was no cracking in that case. I hope you can get a similar solution as legal claims are apt to be an expensive hassle with no certainty of success. Your starting point would have to be an expert report on the problem, which attributed the leak to the recent work and which could exclude other causes, from someone who would be credible in court. Such a report might produce a better response at the place you used, or at their head office which might be less motivated by a wish to avoid personal criticism and have more of an eye to the wider reputation of the business.

Good luck. Only Range Rovers since 1988

I think you will have a hard job getting the company to accept liability as you only discovered the problem and returned to them after 3 months. Although they changed the sump plug they could well argue in court (if it goes that far) that they have no way of knowing whether anyone else messed with it during the 3 months. Annoying but true

I've had similar workmanship problems on another car and even though I knew it was the garage, there was no way I could have proved it, so I just had to move on and sort it myself

If they don't play ball, could you have it sealed up permanently so it doesn't leak oil and then use a suction pump to change the oil next time? Cheaper than the cost of a new sump.

Good luck.  2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography (2021-2024) - Santorini Black
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster (2016-2021) - Santorini Black

Presume the "sump untouched for three years" comment means it has been previously sucked out? Not unchanged for three years.. 2007 Vogue TDV8 with 255/55/20's fitted

It means they are the only company that have carried out oil changes and thus used the sump plug. Nobody other than them has touched it.

I have taken it to them yearly for a routine oil change. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

Apologies Tom, I misinterpreted your initial post.
There are loads of specialist companies out there who will successfully repair things to a high standard, or offer engineering services like getting out snapped glow plugs/injectors and the likes, so I wouldn't necessarily say you need a new sump till someone else has had a look. 2007 Vogue TDV8 with 255/55/20's fitted

Just got back from my local garage and they showed me that it is a blatant case of over tightening the sump plug. There is a crack running along the bottom of the plug screw collar from the nut for about an inch.

I will see what the oil change franchise say now. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

Just a thought, the sump plug on a td6 is steel with a parallel thread.
The sump is aluminium with a parallel thread.
I stand to be corrected but I don't really see how tightening the plug onto a copper washer could crack the sump. Tapered thread yes but not a parallel thread.
Could it be that a previous owner has used a tapered plug at sometime?
I appreciate this doesn't help you with the crack problem but have you considered a used replacement sump, they are available and can't all be cracked.

No sure about the make up of the sump plug but I think the mechanic must have used the wrong tool.

The good news is that after reporting the issue to the oil and tyre change franchise their area manager called me up and said he had spoken to the manager that saw the crack on Tuesday at their branch and promised that they would cover the cost of a repair at a garage of my choice. Very impressed so far, just need to get it sorted and finished before I relax fully.

Just got the first quote from an LR independent specialist. 7 hour job, £500 for the parts over £1200 including VAT all in! Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

I remember years ago, my aunt had a 12 month old Vitara, and took it to a tyre and exhaust place for an oil change, something went wrong and all the oil fell out and the engine seized within 1/2 mile of the depot! New engine paid for! There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

The funny thing is that oil changes are so simple and a key thing to keep the engine happy, but it still runs the risk of killing the engine too.

I only noticed when the car was down 3.5 litres of oil, could have been worse if I left it another week or so. I will have the repairing garage check out the oil for any engine damage. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic