I received an oil change at Wal-mart on 05/19. On 05/22, I noticed that my oil light came on. I checked my engine and found that it was completely out of oil! I bought and added more oil to my car in an attempt to get it home.
While driving, my oil light came on again.By the time I reached the nearest exit, my car's engine was making loud noises. I was stranded at a gas station far from my home. Two men saw that I was in trouble and offered their assistance. They saw that my oil filter had not been tightened properly. They could not find an oil filter wrench in their car and tried to tighten it with their hands and add more oil. All of the oil spilled out of my engine. They warned me that it would be dangerous to try and drive my car any further. They gave me their names and addresses as witnesses who could verify that my oil filter was loose.
The next day, I walked to the nearest Wal-mart and told them what happened. They told me that there was nothing that they could do but they gave me a claim number for CMI (thier insurance company).
CMI told me that they would pay for damages if I found a certified mechanic who could verify that the damage to my vehicle was caused by the loose oil filter.
I found a mechanic who spoke with the insurance adjuster, Lindsey, and verified to her that the damage was due to the oil filter. The insurance adjuster offered me a rental car but told me that she would have to have a representative from a nearby Walmart verify the damage before she could authorize repair. The next day she called me and told me that her representative checked my car and found that the "oil filter was not loose and that there were various leaks from other parts of my engine." She then told me that I would have to authorize the mechanic to drop my oil pan so that she could send out another inspector to check my car.
I felt wary of authorizing the mechanic to drop the oil pan because I did not know whether doing so would erase evidence of the loose oil filter and because she insisted on using an inspector that works for their company. I asked if we could both pick an inspector who would be unbiased but she refused and threatened to take back the rental car if I did not make a decision by the next day. Feeling helpless, I authorized the mechanic to drop the oil pan.
Although, I have not yet been contacted with a decision from the insurance company, I feel afraid that the claim will be denied and that I can be stuck with the loss. I am a traveling artist and have not been able to work since this has happened because my equipment cannot fit into the rental car. I have since discovered several other people who have experienced this same problem. If you or any one you know of has experienced this or a similar problem with Walmart automotive, please contact me as soon as possible.
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