So I don't put that many miles on my '73 but do change the oil once per year. I'm beyond the days of doing it myself. Just not worth the hassle of the mess and disposing of the oil.

I do have a very trusted independent service garage where I take my car for all service work. But it takes a bit more effort to make an appointment and drive the car out there since it is 12 miles away. And I'm not sure they even really want to mess with a simple oil d and filter change. Would be much easier to just zip down to a trusted oil change place and do it there. Am I making a mistake taking it to an oil change place and risking that they mess something up?

There's no way I'd let one of those places touch my VWs or 914.

I won't even let them touch my DD. You have such a perfect survivor, I'd be foolish to take a risk IMHO.

Yeah I guess I knew that was the feedback I'd be receiving. And that's why I've hesitated doing it. Just thought MAYBE I was being overly cautious. Thanks for setting me straight. I'll call my reliable indy guy who knows my car.

HELL NO Steve - you're being absolutely correct!

None of those idiots at the oil change places could give a flying F about your pristine car!

In fact, I would reinforce on your regular shop to be absolutely careful with it, & take pix before & after leaving it anywhere for service! It's only original once, & any damage touched up after a mishap devalues your car(s).

Alternatively, get one of those flat waste oit tanks + oil & filter plus an extra quart or two of same viscosity oil to just let run through to the waste oil tank to somewhat wash out the old stuff, then get on your crawler & do it yourself with utmost care that only YOU can give the task!

We're about the same age, so I know you can do it if so inclined & motivated.


Tom
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Thanks Tom. I guess I touched a predictable nerve with this thread. In some strange way I guess I was hoping for the answer I should have known I wouldn't get!

Not into doing it myself. Been there done that. No longer have the garage or time and tired of finding places that will take the used oil.

Called checkpoint auto. They know 914's and 356's inside out, have worked on my car before and appreciate its originality. They will do it on Thursday. Done and done.

Now my next risky move is having someone remove three tiny door dings from the passenger door. Done some research and I think I've found a guy to do that next week. Wish me luck! I think I'll remove the door cards myself for that one.

More than likely one of the 'fast lube' places would remove the screen cover to drain the oil then tighten it up real good. Breaking the internal boss and sending you home on a tow truck with a permanent leak. Then when you try to collect on the $7k+ motor THEIR employee broke, you will get laughed at.

We'll, when you put it that way.....

Thanks!

This is really gonna strike a nerve, but I wouldn't even take my car to the dealership at this point. Doubtful you'd ever find a tech who knew their way around an aircooled motor, let alone a 40+ year old variety. Unless of course you are near Woody in California.

Once you find a good independent shop/mechanic, I think that's the way I'd go from then on out. Sounds like you're in a good spot.

FIFY

I agree....don't have anyone work on it unless they're familiar with 914's. It's not worth taking the risk.

I had several small dings removed from my car last year....I removed the door cards myself prior to dropping the car off. The guy that I took it to had several classic cars that he was working on so I felt pretty comfortable having him work on it. It was pretty impressive to watch him them remove dings.

Lol, learn something new every day! I thought for sure Woody was in Cali. It's too bad Steve isn't in Connecticut - I know where I'd be taking my car if I lived there.

OMG! Heck, I would be as worried about that as going in for brain surgery and seeing a homeless guy standing there with a hacksaw and screw driver ready to do brain surgery. No way I would ever let one of those hacks touch a 914 or any Porsche. For entertainment value one day, walk up and watch them do a couple oil changes.....you will never consider letting them even put air in your tires after that.

True story, a few years back, I planned on attending a PCA autocross weekend at Marina California. The car, a Boxster, needed an oil change. I was working all week so no time to do it myself. Friday, I took it to Jiffy Lube down the street. I noticed a lot of filling and checking going on, but the tech didn't approach me with questions and didn't state any concerns when they charged me and gave my keys back. I then drove the car to Marina with no problems. Saturday morning, I was in the second group and when it came my turn for my run, I gunned it and let out the clutch. Behind me as I came off the line was the biggest cloud of white smoke I had ever seen.
I left the course and limped it back to the pits, horrified that I had probably blown the engine and spent +- $10K. I opened the back engine lid and discovered oil everywhere. Upon closer inspection, I see the dip stick has been jabbed through the plastic tube going to the block. I instantly guessed what the guy had done. He kept checking it and because he had kinked and tore the plastic tube, it kept coming up dry. Let's just say, he put a shitload of oil in the car. I had to go to a service station in Monterey and have them drain it and refill it.
Bottom line, they don't screw up every oil change but if someone can screw up an oil change, it will be one of the oil change places.

I am sometimes asked how long I will keep my 914. The answer is, when I can no longer wedge my old ass into it. I will be changing my oil and filter my own self, right up to that day. (Awaiting Kent's comments).

Besides that, what oil are they putting in it? Are you supplying them?

http://jalopnik.com/lazy-idiots-at-lube-sh...-pan-1748394648

To add to the info.
One of the other techs at Rothsport had the family's SUV oil changed at a fast lube.
Today he had a new oil pan delivered from NAPA. His oil drain plug was stripped out.

Well, I've clearly gotten my answer guys. Thanks for setting me straight. The funny thing is that I'm obsessively careful with the car but being so busy just started to think delusional thoughts that I could take the quick and easy way on this.

Car goes in tomorrow for proper oil and filter with the experts.


Steve

You made the right choice. I've built MANY engines that were destroyed by some quick lube place.

Right now I'm the unpaid salesman for Quickjack. Just put my car up on the lift yesterday and in 5 seconds did what jackstands took 1/2 hour and a higher lift too.