Stripped drain plug on a 2000 Neon

That's good - it's been my experience also that the service writers aren't
as good as the mechanics.

Ted

 

Found a great dealer for a Chrysler dealership but the service writers
are just that, without any solid knowledge or experience. One is
awfully pretty though and pleasant so who am I to complain? Whatever
you say good looking, just keep talking to me...

 

That's why all service writers, or at least the service managers,
SHOULD be mechanics.
Most dealerships hire vacuum cleaner salesmen for the job. That way
they know the've got someone experienced at "hosing" the customer.

 

Aluminum pans are often used to stiffen the lower end of the block as
well as reduce noise, but not necessarily to reduce weight. AFA noise
reduction is concerned, I find that they *change* the engine's sound
more than *reduce* it, but that's what I've read in new model
engineering reports.

Toyota MDT in MO

 

Well... maybe not directly to reduce weight. But the block can be
lighter since the pan is expected to provide some stiffness; the net
result is less total weight for a given level of stiffness.

 

thats why i left my dealer recently the manager was not one and never touched a
tool except for a bottle operner

 

the alum oil pans do next to nothing on a steel block

 

No such thing as a "steel" block (except for Crosley). Try cast iron.

 

dam near same thing both made of iron ore

 

Right...and gasoline and engine oil are both made from crude.