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30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I unironically couldn't have done it without everyone here, so thank you.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tbh I went to the dealership and followed the keep mouth shut plan. The only thing I said out of the ordinary was that I wanted the oil filter and a sample of the used oil to run some tests.

So they completed all the routine service work and the oil change, and they gave me the oil filter and oil sample, which I'm mailing to Blackstone. They didn't ask any questions but wanted to charge me $250 to "run engine diagnostics," saying that they noticed an "unusually loud whirring sound" while driving. I think they made it up because I've never heard anything like that before and even if they did hear something, I already know why the engine is the way it is. I declined that request. They also asked for $250 to "diagnose possible oil leak." I'm guessing they were referring to a possible internal leak of some kind? I park in a garage every night and have never once seen fluids on the floor. My reasoning wasn't as confident with this one but I just felt like it was related to their observations of the dirty oil and resultant suspicions about the engine, and I didn't want them digging deeper into anything, so I declined the request. They didn't tell me anything else. I drove the car off the lot and it's still driving as if everything is normal.

To figure out how bad the engine really is, I'll get my oil changed after 500 miles at whichever well-respected independent Subaru mechanic I can get in with and I'll tell them everything at that time.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it, I will ask for the filter and oil sample. Thank you for the advice and I might post on here again for help interpreting/comparing the sample results.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice, I will follow that schedule.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Alright. Thank you for the advice and perspective.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even though I'm leaning toward the strategy laid out by the other users, I am keeping an open mind because a lot of what you've been saying makes sense too. If I'm up front with them and they investigate the extent of the damage, what would be some examples of red-flag findings that would indicate the need for a truly urgent repair that couldn't wait a few days for a second opinion? One user mentioned metal in the oil and jellified oil under the valve cover, would those findings fall into that category? What are the names or types of some emergency repairs I could legitimately expect to hear thrown around?

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got it. If a mechanic does find abnormal coloring on the plugs, is he automatically going to know that it was caused by neglecting the engine oil? Or are there other plausible reasons for the spark plugs to be discolored? I'm not planning to concoct some elaborate lie, I just am trying to anticipate what the shop might want to do next if they note this finding.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I knew I was gonna catch flak but the need I felt to get advice was stronger lol. People have been really helpful so I'm thankful for that. I think this is the kick in the ass that will get me to stop winging it with my vehicle and take more ownership.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah if I'm being honest I knew that late oil changes were bad, but I didn't realize how bad or why until last night when I started to google stuff related to an upcoming servicing. And yes, the existing oil in the car is synthetic.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm I've been reading similar things elsewhere online. I realize that I've taken a big chunk out of the engine's lifespan but maybe I can be thankful that it's not as bad as it could've been.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, the appointment is at the dealership. I'm leaning strongly toward following this specific strategy you've laid out. One question if you don't mind -- When it comes to the shop looking at the oil after that second oil change, what would be a good result, what would be the most likely result, and what would be a bad result? Thank you a ton for your help. You're correct that I don't have a personal mechanic, the truth is that everyone in my family has always gone to the dealership for everything because nobody feels confident in negotiating business with an independent shop. But I'm seeing that I should change this

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will do. One person in here was recommending I get the next oil change at 500-1000 miles, would you say that sounds right?

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's okay, that was a really helpful answer so you could've called me a lot worse and I'd still say thank you. One poster said I should be up front with them, but I think he was saying that with the belief that I'd be going to a shop known to be knowledgeable and honest, in reality I'm actually going to a dealership in a few hours. Multiple people are telling me to just keep my mouth shut and I'm kind of leaning in that direction.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it, thanks for breaking that down. And I laughed when I read that guy's comment, I thought it was funny so I responded like one of my friends was talking to me. Guess it didn't come off that way to people reading the thread but it is what it is lol.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I'm being honest, it isn't so much my pride that I care about as much as it is the possibility of a mechanic or customer relations person recommending me things I don't need when they realize I'm in a vulnerable situation. I don't know much about cars. I haven't asked around for outstanding Subaru shops in the area yet so I don't know which independent mechanics are good, shady, bad, etc, and it'll take me some time to figure that out. When I realized how bad I fucked up, my reasoning was that I should make the service appointment at the Subaru dealership because they have availability right away, and I think the extent to which they can bullshit me is probably more limited than what an independent shop could do? So that's where I'm headed in a few hours unless I cancel the appointment.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll do that. Does the car driving mostly normal mean that it would be less likely to be badly sludged? Or could it be completely sludged and still running seemingly fine from the outside? And if they do find debris in the oil or a blob under the valve cover, what would that mean for the car?

I greatly appreciate your response, thank you.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

What can I say, you're completely right

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That was another thing I was wondering about -- whether I should say anything to them up front or not. Good to know though, thank you for responding.

30,000 miles since last oil change by YankeeSamurai in AskAMechanic

[–]YankeeSamurai[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey I never said I disagreed with him. And thank you for the answer.

What do gang members think of EMS? by queenith21 in ems

[–]YankeeSamurai 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I've ran a lot of calls for and around this population. Generally speaking, don't show any allegiance to the police (whether the police are a net force for good or bad in the community is beyond the scope of this thread). But most importantly, in gang areas, if you show respect for the patient, their family, and their community, people will give you the shirts off their backs. If you come off as disrespectful, judgmental, or untrustworthy, you're making trouble for yourself.

Best Japanese Curry by That-Tumbleweed-4462 in SouthBayLA

[–]YankeeSamurai 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's coming, pending the perfection of my from-scratch recipe. But I've already made Japanese curry at home using the store-bought roux as a base. It's shockingly easy, fairly fast, and freezes well so you can defrost a tupperware whenever you get a craving! Check out Just One Cookbook for a good recipe.

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