Did they change it (oil filter)

Vegetable · 12-14-2012, 10:29 PM

Every time I have my oil changed I mark the filter with a little dot of baby powder on the back side of the filter cap.. After my oil change today the powder is in the exact same spot and it just doesn't look like the cap was removed.. There is also dust all over the cap, which seems like it would have been wiped free had the filter been removed. Is it possible that the dealership somehow removed the filter without disturbing the baby powder on the cap or the dust all around the cap?

Here is a pic of what it looked like AFTER the oil/filter change

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1019344...ream/lightbox/

pruettfan · 12-14-2012, 10:50 PM

They have a special metal cap that goes over the plastic cap that is attached to a ratchet that is used to remove and retighten the oil filter. I am sure they replaced the filter. The baby powder would not be removed by the filter wrench the use anymore that would the dirt be removed. If you are that concerned I would start changing my own oil. I am very picky about how my car is maintained so I do. This is probably the easiest car to change oil on of any I have ever owned.

gpb · 12-14-2012, 11:03 PM

Look up oil filter wrenches for these cars, pruettfan is correct. The wrench used wont disturb any dirt/dust and its very possible for the marked spot to index to the same area.

If you want to be more sure next time, use a grease pencil to mark a line from the filter to the housing so you can tell if it does or doesn't exactly line up. There's a good chance it'll be close since the threads start at a certain spot and assuming they torque the thing, it should tighten to around the same spot each time.

Also I'd be rather surprised if any reputable shop would intentionally not change the filter. Way too much liability charging customers for work not performed.

sankohuy · 12-15-2012, 05:28 AM

Search YouTube "jiffy lube scam"

CombatNinja · 12-15-2012, 05:35 AM

BMW dealers charge enough for oil and filter changes that there is really no need to screw the customer twice.

Juiced46 · 12-15-2012, 08:45 AM

The BMW tool will not disturb the powder like mentioned. Second, the filter cap lines up in the same exact spot once it is tightened.

Tom K. · 12-15-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

BMW dealers charge enough for oil and filter changes that there is really no need to screw the customer twice.

Perhaps you need to change dealers. Mine charges about $110 and only $79.95 with a coupon.

Tom

12-14-2012, 10:29 PM	#1
Vegetable Lieutenant Colonel 793 Rep 1,627 Posts Drives: 2019 M4 MT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Humboldt iTrader: (0)	Did they change it (oil filter) Every time I have my oil changed I mark the filter with a little dot of baby powder on the back side of the filter cap.. After my oil change today the powder is in the exact same spot and it just doesn't look like the cap was removed.. There is also dust all over the cap, which seems like it would have been wiped free had the filter been removed. Is it possible that the dealership somehow removed the filter without disturbing the baby powder on the cap or the dust all around the cap? Here is a pic of what it looked like AFTER the oil/filter change http://www.flickr.com/photos/1019344...ream/lightbox/ Last edited by Vegetable; 12-14-2012 at 10:35 PM..
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12-14-2012, 10:50 PM	#2
pruettfan Brigadier General 1622 Rep 3,402 Posts Drives: 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, Exec Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	They have a special metal cap that goes over the plastic cap that is attached to a ratchet that is used to remove and retighten the oil filter. I am sure they replaced the filter. The baby powder would not be removed by the filter wrench the use anymore that would the dirt be removed. If you are that concerned I would start changing my own oil. I am very picky about how my car is maintained so I do. This is probably the easiest car to change oil on of any I have ever owned.
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12-14-2012, 11:03 PM	#3
gpb First Lieutenant 5 Rep 393 Posts Drives: 335i Cabrio Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Look up oil filter wrenches for these cars, pruettfan is correct. The wrench used wont disturb any dirt/dust and its very possible for the marked spot to index to the same area. If you want to be more sure next time, use a grease pencil to mark a line from the filter to the housing so you can tell if it does or doesn't exactly line up. There's a good chance it'll be close since the threads start at a certain spot and assuming they torque the thing, it should tighten to around the same spot each time. Also I'd be rather surprised if any reputable shop would intentionally not change the filter. Way too much liability charging customers for work not performed.
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12-15-2012, 05:28 AM	#4
sankohuy First Lieutenant 44 Rep 385 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: norcal iTrader: (0)	Search YouTube "jiffy lube scam"
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12-15-2012, 05:35 AM	#5
CombatNinja Banned 46 Rep 1,556 Posts Drives: e91 328i, e90 328i, e90 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	BMW dealers charge enough for oil and filter changes that there is really no need to screw the customer twice.
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12-15-2012, 08:45 AM	#6
Juiced46 Major 74 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 03 Turbo Cobra, 2011 335xi Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wallingford CT iTrader: (3)	The BMW tool will not disturb the powder like mentioned. Second, the filter cap lines up in the same exact spot once it is tightened.
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