Thanks for the contact info update and all, but inquiring minds want to know what they said ????????????

^ Nothing! Haa! That's why I asked for Corporate's mailing address. I told the guy about the incident and all he said was it was "unfortunate." He gave me a contact number to get my towing reimbursed. I figure he can't really do anything anyways.

I'll feel more comfortable writing everything I want to say in a letter and send photos of the incident. Plus, this way, everything will be documented and tangible.

wow

That's consumer affairs for you

Ok, I was able to retrieve a photo from the dealership of the "faulty rubber seal" on the oil filter while it was still in my car. They supposedly took this photo upon seeing the car for the first time.

The filter is screwed in and sitting in my engine bay, and you can see the rubber seal hanging off from underneath it. Their explanation was from driving the car, the pressure moved the rubber seal off its base and made it slide off to the side.

I've spoken to a few mechanics that said if the oil filter is properly secured and tightened, there's no way the rubber seal can just "slide" off. They added the "pressure" excuse is bull, especially since I only accumulated 30 miles (from when the maintenance was done).

Can anyone confirm this? Does pressure build up where the oil filter is installed? If so, would it be possible for this pressure to move the rubber seal if the oil filter was secured tightly?

Yes, pressure builds up (whatever oil pressure is, so figure 35-70 psi). That said, the rubber gasket is captured against the filter in a small trough, so if properly installed, I do not see how that could fail in that manner.

More likely the filter was not entirely tightened, and it pushed out due to that.

That's complete bs, they're just trying to save their own a$$es. No way is the rubber gasket moving from it's channel when the filter is properly tightened and the mounting surface is clean. These things are tested well beyond anything that will be seen in normal operating conditions. If I get some free time, I'll try to get some numbers for about how much pressure could unseat the rubber seal.

yes pressure builds but like many said its not possible for the gasket to move UNLESS the gasket was completely cut across to allow the seal to come off before the install, hope that makes sense...

Either way i dont really see them backing down and it seems like your engine sustained no damage so i think it will be a waste of time for you to pursue it further, best case would be to have them make a note of the exact happenings in their system and check to make sure its their under the VIN and get a few free oil changes i guess.

After what the OP went through I think free oil changes at that dealer would not be much of a bonus

^ i know, but im just stating it as it is, the fact is that the dealer has already "remedied" the situation, had they not touched it and OP was able to get pics and or other expert opinion in writing before they replaced it then he could have done something but now UNFORTUNATELY he has no real case to get what he deserves in this case, so might as well accept that and roll with the punches and enjoy what you can!

wow damm dealership noobs...

sorry to hear they wouldnt do anything else hopefully there was no damage and ur all good!

Contacted more technicians and they're saying it was most likely a "double gasket" issue: where the gasket (rubber seal) from the old filter was left behind upon installing the new filter.

And the picture the dealer provided was a little fishy because if there was an oil spill from a "faulty gasket", wouldn't the filter and surrounding components be covered/splattered with oil?? The picture they showed of the filter with the displaced gasket (which was still sitting in my engine bay) was pretty clean and had NO OIL spots anywhere!!

Weird, right?

shoulda went to jiffy lube ....lol jp they suck too

Mobil 1 Synthetic + Mobil 1 Filter = $30 from Autozone
Copper crush washer from Infiniti/Nissan = $1

Changing your own oil = Assurance.

I was just gonna say it was prolly a double seal issue, where the stupid noob mechanic forgot to make sure that the old seal came off when he took the filter off.....