Q: Went to Jiffy Lube got a oil change

asked by on January 29, 2017

Went to jiffy lube , got a oil change drove five miles went into store came back out to crank car car would not crank check dipstick and there was no oil on it at all . How do I know if the motor locked up what do I do in this situation

My car has 128330 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

To determine if an engine is seized, one would turn it clockwise by hand using a wrench and socket applied to the crankshaft pulley bolt. That test is made easier if you remove the spark plugs so that there is no engine compression. If your engine was run without oil though, the bearings may be so dry it might not turn. There are engine oil pressurization systems that can re-introduce oil into the oil galleries and bearings and you "might" be able to get the engine to turn after using such a tool. If there was no oil in the engine and you drove 5 miles the engine has definitely suffered damage but the exact extent would only be discoverable in disassembly. In all probability, the engine will have to be re-built. It is not rare by any means for mass production "oil change facilities" to fail to add oil back, install the filter, tighten the drain plug, or tighten the oil cap. Your inquiry on this general problem is not the first. In your circumstance, if oil was not added to the engine and the quick change facility carelessly sent you on your way, obviously the shop is 100% responsible for replacing your engine. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Engine making humming and bumping noise.
Hello, depending on where the damage is on the car you may have broken or bent something on the outside of the motor. I would say the most common problems would be from a fan that is damaged or a...
Fast idle - 1983 Mercedes Benz 380SL
Hello. There could be a problem with the throttle cable sticking, causing the high idle. There also could be a problem with the throttle position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement) malfunctioning, causing a high idle. Sometimes a dirty throttle body (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clean-throttle-body) can cause...
i have a 2005 gmc c5500 the heater motor comes on for 20 sec when first start truck then nothing
Hello - I suspect this may be a problem with the fan motor resistor pack. If the fan control is put in the "Max" or "High" speed position, does the fan continue to run? Does the fan only run for...
Car shakes with air conditioning (AC) on
The air conditioning compressor adds significant load to the engine. The compressor can be considered a small engine itself. Much in the way pistons compress air and fuel to power the vehicle, the internals of the a/c compressor compress refrigerant...
What is the line going to the slave cylinder called?
The hydraulic lines that are coming from the slave cylinder are the same as regular brake lines. If you have a leak in one of these lines, unfortunately the line will need to be flared and bent to fit. Typically...
A single clicking noise when i try to start my car
Hi There, I believe the shop is correct in that this is related to a faulty starter solenoid. Depending on the particular model of your Suzuki, this may have a starter solenoid that is external from the starter (meaning it...
What will I need to change my fpr on my 96 Chevy Silverado 5.7 liter? I appreciate any advice and understand if you don't want to
It takes a mechanic about 2 hours. The main thing you have to keep in mind is gasoline is flammable and the vapors can accumulate and explode. You have to be mindful of even your shop light, and static electricity,...
Headlight
Even after watching the video i do not think it will be a permanent fix. Even this clear coat will start to fade and haze over time. The sun will cause damaged to it and process will need to be...
my car wont go over 20mph and the engine light is flashing
The issue you are writing in about is common enough that a specific diagnostic, namely a reduced engine power diagnostic (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/reduced-power-light-is-on-inspection) is performed by technicians dispatched by YourMechanic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing High Pressure Safety Valve
Common signs include the Oil Pressure Light illuminating, increased engine noise, and oil pressure dropping.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Cooler Hose (Automatic Transmission)
Common signs include visible damage on the hose, oil leaking around the fittings, transmission overheating, and deterioration in the rubber.
How to Top Up the Oil in Your Car
Regular car maintenance can make a huge difference with keeping your vehicle in good condition. For major repairs and special jobs,...