Missing bolts?

[Rob M]

Thanks to Covid19, you also got charged $14.25 to have your interior disinfected.

 

[Ginapie]

Thanks to Covid19, you also got charged $14.25 to have your interior disinfected.

Luckily, that's the ONLY thing they DIDN'T get me for as this happened in December, before the outbreak was official. I'm wondering if they are pissed because I didn't buy the car from them....

 

[Rob M]

Luckily, that's the ONLY thing they DIDN'T get me for as this happened in December, before the outbreak was official. I'm wondering if they are pissed because I didn't buy the car from them....

Receipt lists CABINFILTERFRES on 2nd page and Frigifresh on the 3rd. Looks to me that they spray disinfected the cabin for $14.25. The Koreans must have known something was coming to the US, lol.

 

[Ginapie]

Receipt lists CABINFILTERFRES on 2nd page and Frigifresh on the 3rd. Looks to me that they spray disinfected the cabin for $14.25. The Koreans must have known something was coming to the US, lol.

Oh boy, I was wondering what "Frigifresh" was. Learn something new everyday lol

 

[Nuthadey]

You should also avoid letting them wash your car unless you want complimentary paint swirls.

 

[Spaceme17]

What in the actual f*ck is "oil conditioner"?!

Don't want to make you feel worse than you are feeling, but I hope that you have learned a good lesson.

An oil change for the Stinger (7.25 qts oil, oil filter, crush washer, and labor) should not be more than $60 to $75.

Definitely, register a complaint with KIA and never go back to this or any other "stealer-ship".

 

[oddball]

The dealer only did what dealers do - they upsold you on a deluxe service package. Now, if you specifically said "I just want a basic oil change" and they did all the other stuff without authorization, then you have a point. But if you don't pay real close attention, the service guy can talk you into all kinds of pointless stuff. Or if he rambled for several minutes about god-knows-what and you said "Sounds good!" then, well, you may have signed a blank check.
Oil conditioners, interior fresheners, gas treatments, etc are worthless. And I doubt you needed a cabin filter after 3,000 miles.
Kia won't do anything about this - the dealer did an upsell in the Service department which is specifically what service departments exist to do.

Now, back to the smell, the problem is you'll need to do some investigation, or just hand the car back to the dealer. You'll need to pull the dress cover off the top of the engine (just pull straight up, pops right off of four stand-offs) and take a good look all around the exhaust. You'll almost certainly also need to get the car up on stands/ramps, remove the two splash shields, and take a good look from the bottom.

It can take a while for oil to burn off from a big spill (hell, I've set headers on fire from an ATF spill..........) but several months is unlikely.
Remember any leak goes *down* and *back*. So once you find something, look forward and up to see where it's coming from.

There's really only three areas of concern, assuming the tech didn't do something terrible.
1) Oil fill cap - can spill oil when filling
2) Filter cap - front bottom of engine, can leak if they put it on too tight or cracked it. You'd see a small streak on the bottom of the engine.
3) Drain plug - back bottom of engine. You'd see oil on the crossmember directly behind the plug. This seems most likely to me, as it's easy for a small drip to drift onto the exhaust pipe.

IIRC, you only need a flat head screwdriver and a 10mm socket to remove the splash shields.

And please check the oil level on the dipstick!

 

[MerlintheMad]

"Capped price servicing" is a new one for me, not familiar with that. I made an appointment for the car's first oil change as it had 3213 miles on it. Upon arrival, we also discussed rotating the tires. Apparently during that process, they curb rashed my front wheel (another post I have on here) and that still hasn't been fixed, either and probably why the service manager will not return my calls. Attached is the paperwork I received after paying my bill of $265.94. I also questioned why they installed fuel additive as I always use a Top Tier fuel and they installed oil conditioner, which they said was for the turbo? I've had several turbo cars in the past and adding oil for it was new to me, also. As for just driving to the dealership, it's 40 miles away and you can't just show up, an appointment is required because of Covid-19. Oh, they didn't even have the right tire pressures and I had to inform them of the correct pressures.

This is a sad story of justified markup. On paper that is a lot more than a "simple oil change". Next time, and every time going forward, ask questions and give definite instructions. That's the only way to keep the price down. All suggestions to never go to a dealership again are not helpful for those of us who do not work on our own cars (the majority of owners, I suspect).

 

[Ginapie]

What in the actual f*ck is "oil conditioner"?!

Don't want to make you feel worse than you are feeling, but I hope that you have learned a good lesson.

An oil change for the Stinger (7.25 qts oil, oil filter, crush washer, and labor) should not be more than $60 to $75.

Definitely, register a complaint with KIA and never go back to this or any other "stealer-ship".

I did confront the service manager about this "oil conditioner" and called BS on that, along with the fuel treatment. He finally said my next oil change would be free. Sure. So, yes, I'm feeling about one inch tall now lol. This isn't the first time a dealership has taken advantage of me. I guess as a woman, I have STUPID written on my forehead.

 

[Ginapie]

This is a sad story of justified markup. On paper that is a lot more than a "simple oil change". Next time, and every time going forward, ask questions and give definite instructions. That's the only way to keep the price down. All suggestions to never go to a dealership again are not helpful for those of us who do not work on our own cars (the majority of owners, I suspect).

Right, I will definitely be more specific next time. I know I wanted the tires rotated but don't recall agreeing to anything else. We used to service our own vehicles as my boyfriend was a mechanic but he died from a motorcycle accident 4 years ago so I usually take the vehicle in for servicing now.

 

[87and66]

This isn't the first time a dealership has taken advantage of me. I guess as a woman, I have STUPID written on my forehead.

It's messed up how they do that to people who look unsuspecting. Don't feel too bad. The elderly, and even people like me get that kind of treatment too. I'm 25, but I look younger without facial hair. Hit a deer last year, and the body shop lied about replacing some internal parts that can't be seen if you don't look for them. Tried to pocket $900 for parts and labor. I assume because I look like someone who doesn't know cars, they thought I wouldn't notice what they did. Unfortunately for them, cars are a passion of mine and I notice everything. Also very sorry to hear about your boyfriend. I ride motorcycles too, so that hits home.

 

[Ginapie]

The dealer only did what dealers do - they upsold you on a deluxe service package. Now, if you specifically said "I just want a basic oil change" and they did all the other stuff without authorization, then you have a point. But if you don't pay real close attention, the service guy can talk you into all kinds of pointless stuff. Or if he rambled for several minutes about god-knows-what and you said "Sounds good!" then, well, you may have signed a blank check.
Oil conditioners, interior fresheners, gas treatments, etc are worthless. And I doubt you needed a cabin filter after 3,000 miles.
Kia won't do anything about this - the dealer did an upsell in the Service department which is specifically what service departments exist to do.

Now, back to the smell, the problem is you'll need to do some investigation, or just hand the car back to the dealer. You'll need to pull the dress cover off the top of the engine (just pull straight up, pops right off of four stand-offs) and take a good look all around the exhaust. You'll almost certainly also need to get the car up on stands/ramps, remove the two splash shields, and take a good look from the bottom.

It can take a while for oil to burn off from a big spill (hell, I've set headers on fire from an ATF spill..........) but several months is unlikely.
Remember any leak goes *down* and *back*. So once you find something, look forward and up to see where it's coming from.

There's really only three areas of concern, assuming the tech didn't do something terrible.
1) Oil fill cap - can spill oil when filling
2) Filter cap - front bottom of engine, can leak if they put it on too tight or cracked it. You'd see a small streak on the bottom of the engine.
3) Drain plug - back bottom of engine. You'd see oil on the crossmember directly behind the plug. This seems most likely to me, as it's easy for a small drip to drift onto the exhaust pipe.

IIRC, you only need a flat head screwdriver and a 10mm socket to remove the splash shields.

And please check the oil level on the dipstick!

I think I only asked for the oil change and the tire rotation but I'm sure he did the "ramble on" thing. But anyways, yes, I always check my oil level on the dipstick and it's always been fine. Oil pressure has been good, as well. My boyfriend was a mechanic (he died four years ago in a motorcycle accident) and I believe I still have all the necessary equipment to do the checks you suggest. I had already checked the oil fill and can only see a very small drip spot there. I'll see if I can find someone to help with checking out the rest of your suggestions. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[Ginapie]

It's messed up how they do that to people who look unsuspecting. Don't feel too bad. The elderly, and even people like me get that kind of treatment too. I'm 25, but I look younger without facial hair. Hit a deer last year, and the body shop lied about replacing some internal parts that can't be seen if you don't look for them. Tried to pocket $900 for parts and labor. I assume because I look like someone who doesn't know cars, they thought I wouldn't notice what they did. Unfortunately for them, cars are a passion of mine and I notice everything. Also very sorry to hear about your boyfriend. I ride motorcycles too, so that hits home.

Thank you for the kind words and I hope you always wear a helmet! He would be here if he would've had his on. It's a sad world when you have to constantly be aware of being scammed. Glad you knew what to look for! I was learning so much about cars and how to work on them but that all stopped when he died. Looks like I better start taking interest again and get back to wrenching on cars lol.

 

[87and66]

I hope you always wear a helmet!

Absolutely. I don't get on the bike without wearing full gear.

 

[Ginapie]

IIRC, you only need a flat head screwdriver and a 10mm socket to remove the splash shields.

And please check the oil level on the dipstick!

Thank you so much! I was able to take the shields off (found no oil leaks!) but I did find this "stuff" on my exhaust pipe. The best guess I have is a plastic bag melted on the pipe. It was really thick on the bend in the pipe and you can see where some of it was dripping off. I had to cut through it and then was finally able to get a scraper under the thicker edges. I got most of it peeled off. Took a quick spin around the neighborhood and basically no more smell! I'm sure with a longer drive the little bit that's left will eventually burn off. Problem solved. I'm so relived it wasn't an oil issue. As for the dealership, they just sent a notice that it's time for another oil change.....really? My last change was only 6 months ago and I haven't even driven 1000 miles since then. I got the manual out and the maintenance schedule suggests 6 months with severe usage conditions. Severe usage is something my car never experiences lol. The dealership still will not return my calls, so will try a different tactic on Monday.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I hope you always wear a helmet! He would be here if he would've had his on.

This applies to bicycles too. I wouldn't be here either - or if not actually dead, wouldn't have been the same after this one: Had a total brain fade moment (I've been riding virtually my entire life), turning into the mouth of a driveway, when I didn't angle the front tire enough and the raised edge of the gutter caught the tire. The bike went down instantly under me and I landed on it with my left hand going through the front wheel spokes which drew blood; pants leg torn at the knee and a bit more blood; but the real deadly hit was the side of my head over my right ear, on the raised edge of an unburied water meter cover (which I reported to Murray city that very afternoon; and two weeks later they had replaced it with a flush cover). Even with the helmet on it nearly knocked me senseless. Without the helmet, that thinnest part of the human skull would have been caved in; no question, as it was the hardest hit my noggin has ever taken. At that time (2016) I was in the summer habit of soaking my baseball cap and riding with that instead of a helmet, so fifty-fifty chance I'd have not been wearing the helmet then. Since then, I am a complete convert to never forking a bicycle without one, not even to cross the street; because "sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you" and you are not a prophet.

 

[Ginapie]

Wow, that's a pretty good ding in your helmet! Glad you were wearing it. You definitely would have been hurt a lot worse than what you were. I now wear a bicycle helmet, too. What kills me is the fact that my boyfriend's mom rides Harleys with no helmet, even after losing her son. I guess to each his own.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Some people have an immortality complex. Which is fine, because we are immortals; we just don't get to stay "there" (here) for very long.

 

[oddball]

Thank you so much! I was able to take the shields off (found no oil leaks!) but I did find this "stuff" on my exhaust pipe.

Great! Yup, likely a bag. Glad you found it!
It's always a good idea to crawl around under the car from time to time to make sure everything is OK. That's the only way to find torn boots and grease being slung around before parts start failing.