[Carbuff2]

The picture tells me that the pan bolts are damaged. So the tech/dealer was wise to recommend a repair.


Seems to me, he recommended installing an oversized drain bolt on the pan. The alternative was a new oil pan. (Of course, on a car that old, a junkyard part might be a cheap middle ground, too...check at a junkyard or on Copart.com)

$16 for the 5W-20 oil is less than ~ $4 a quart. (Ours takes 4.5 qt) True, doesn't seem like a synthetic to me either. I see an 'express' oil change was requested, that's the 'get em out quick' service BTW.


If the engine is using oil I'd get another change in 4K miles and specify 5W-30 (thicker) oil, not necessarily synth.

 

[Carbuff2]

https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/Oil-Pan-Plug-Easy-Repair

https://www.amazon.com/Drain-Thread-Repair-Screws-Rethread/dp/B01MEFKNX4

 

[Carbuff2]

I think that YOU are mis-interpreting the suggestion.

Larger could mean longer...or larger could mean wider (in diameter).

At this point the advice given in Post 6 seems the way to go. Monitor the pan for drips, don't say anything the next oil change and see if they say anything.


(We get the same 'recommendations' for extra work from our oil burner technicians. It seems the oil company grades them on how much 'new business' they create. We just ignore them now (or at least, wait until the next service to see if the same extra work is recommended...it usually isn't!)