Speedco pm

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by droy, Jun 14, 2011.

  1. droy

    droy Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 11, 2008
    Iowa, LA
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    Recently had a truck pm done at Speedco; my experience with them should count as two, First and Last!
    Was due for an engine oil change and grease job, but they gave me the impression that if I did not let them change all fluids, and air filters immediately, I probably wouldn't make it out of their driveway. Trans, and finals had 290K on their oil change, all three samples had an identical brownish tint, which Speedco stated the oil should not have. To me, the oils looked and smelled just like most oils with that mileage normally do.

    After gently tapping the air filters on the concrete floor, there was no dust residue left, but Speedco claimed that being able to see dust when tapping means time to change, When I explained that my restriction gauge barely moved and only in the hardest pulls, the manager politely stated that I shouldn't rely on the gauge......HUH?

    The one thing that kind of worried me was my extended life antifreeze was borderline on the "nitrite" (sp?) test, (according to Speedco). In all honesty, I know nothing about nitrites. First break I got, I drained, then flushed my cooling system. Does anyone know where I might find some education on nitrites in the cooling system?
     
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  3. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    This is why I change my own oil and filters on both my truck and reefer unit . I hate the job, especialy greasing them, but at least I know its done right and dont have to deal with unkown people on the road.10 gallons of oil and 3 Cat filters runs me about $140. What'd speedco charge you?
     
  4. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    bloomington,in
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    I just had a PM done at Speed-Co. in Effingham,Il. $239.00 was the bill. No Extras just the standard PM. It took exactly one hour.

    If you go to Speed-Co it is important to watch their every move. Some of the workers are good at what they do but,some are clueless.
     
  5. canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    if you pull a used filter out-and tap it on the floor-your better off changing it---thatsw what the restriction guage is for--i would have slapped them upside the head for that
    i have seen some pretty nasty work come out of places like that--for gods sake--is an oil plug--it doesnt hold the truck together--i shouldnt need a 3ft cheater bar to get it out after a service--its not a space shuttle,but yet they can screw it up somehow
     
  6. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I agree, pulling the filter out allows dust to get in the intake. When I pull it out I wipe the cannister clean with windex and install a new filter. One of my oil pan plugs has nicely rounded corners due to allowing these nummnuts to change the oil in the past. Never again. And I dont use a cheater to get the plug out either... It only takes a couple maybe three hours to pm a truck in the driveway when it's hot outside. I can do it in an hour when it's cold. I don't have any mess in the driveway. I use a big box that our new washing machine came in and place a 15 gallon animal feed trough that I bought at tractor supply to catch the old oil and fuel from the filters. When I get done I take a gallon oil jug cut the top off and dump all that old oil back into the 5 gallon buckets to be hauled off. It's not that big a deal and the easiest thing a person can do to save $100.
     
  7. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Kellogg, IA
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    That is why I replaced my oil pan plug early on with a Fumoto drain valve. Makes doing the job at home a lot easier. I only had the first couple of oil changes done at a shop and from then on, I do it at home. Similar bad experiences as others have mentioned. Now I know everything is done right. I have my local oil supplier bring me a 55 drum of oil and I dump the old oil and fuel from filters into a now empty previous oil drum. My supplier brings me a new drum of oil and hauls away the used oil drum for free. Cost advantage is worth the time involved. When you get bulk pricing on oil and get filters from a reputable supplier, you can save quite a bit. More than the time you have to invest in doing the job.
     
    Big Duker Thanks this.
  8. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    Dahlonega, GA
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    Speedco and ever other place will try to "upsell" you, that's what they're trained to do. Especially on company trucks.

    I had the rearends on my truck serviced and happened to stop at a Speedco, the first thing they told my was that I needed my rear ends needed service, I told them it had just been done and they just needed to change the oil.
     
  9. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    I like Speedco...I get my truck serviced there.
    They always try to upsell but, So what? I just say no and go on about the business of watching them do my service.
    I tell them to not bother with the air filters and they don't touch them...

    I'd rather spend a little more money and not have to do it myself and waste my time off doing the job myself.
     
  10. SpankingGT

    SpankingGT Light Load Member

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    Sep 9, 2010
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    I go to speedco on my every third PM service just because i can get my oil analysis done as well. The other two times, I have a local guy doing it for me. My speedco experience has been good so far but then again I dont park my truck and wander into the truck lounge either. I monitor them like a hawk lol
     
  11. bigkw

    bigkw Bobtail Member

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    Sep 13, 2007
    Southeast ,GA
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    I also made two visits in one to Speedco. Before I rebuilt my motor I always put a gallon of Lucas oil treatment in # every oil change. When I asked them to put it in the said ok but would not fill the empty jug with new oil. I'm paying for 10 gallons of oil w/ the oil change and provided the gallon of Lucas. They said that is their policy. I raised total hell with them and vowed to never go back. That was 4 years ago and have not been back and cost them many customers business over the years.
     
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