Who Changed Their Oil Wednesday Night?

We need to find out who changed their oil last night (Wednesday, 6/22) They left the old oil behind in a drain pan, an oil jug, and a mess on the floor under the lift. Does anyone know who was there last night or before 9AM this morning (Thursday)?

Someone pointed this out to me yesterday evening after they finished doing their own oil change. For lack of a suitable container, we left it as-is; it was at least in a catch pan rather than coating the floor.

The mess under the lift seem to be a separate issue - I recall no mess when I left yesterday evening around ten ish.

Agreed. I walked right between the lift uprights last night around 10pm and there wasn’t a mess.

Edit: depending on your definition of mess. There was a 3"-ish puddle of what looked like water.

Seems like it is time to review the cameras and ban a member, from auto at least.

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I do believe there is a rule stated somewhere you must bring your own trash fluids container, much like doing it yourself at home.

I don’t think the lack of a container at the space is an excuse for this person’s poor planning. :frowning:

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The rule is on the wiki and there’s a big sign in the auto area. Rule 12 says failing to comply with the rules gets you a 30 day ban from auto.

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@merissa. If Brandon would like assistance reviewing the footage to identify the scoundrel, I will gladly volunteer to help.

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Let’s tag @Brandon_Green then to see if he’s looked into it yet

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Empty oil container was left on the bench.

Mess under the lift, between the pads, at 9AM this morning:

Brandon has been contacted. Does anyone know who was working on their car last night?

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The party accidentally forgot and will be by to clear up oil today and dispose of it (most parts stores will take used oil), thanks for the post.

In general will also look more into setting up an oil disposal service at DMS just for the convenience. (Where we would have a 55 gallon drum on site that a service comes and empties on demand)

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I would caution against that. I suspect you will not want the paperwork or the liability (for you and the space).

I would spend some time reading the following before pursuing this.
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/rg/rg-325.html/at_download/file

and the actual State regulations (there are also federal regulations you should research).
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=30&pt=1&ch=324&sch=A&rl=Y

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Thank you, Brandon. I will leave where it is.

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As tempting as the oil service sounds, I agree with Walter. I suspect it would be a headache we’d soon regret.

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Most oil services charge per Oz of non oil fluid in the bulk container, that is why my local autozone watches each person who brings in oil to dispose of. They get fined for having water in their bulk oil and I would think the same would be true of the DMS.

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This is another topic where I think the space would really benefit from contacting TCEQ’s Small Business and Local Government Assistance section. A Compliance Assistance Specialist could come out and advise on environmental concerns, whether auto related or on another topic, no risk of violations.

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I changed my oil Monday morning 6/6 and found used oil in the oil changing catch pan. I had enough capacity in my disposal container to accommodate it so I just took it and my used oil to my NAPA auto parts store and disposed of it there.

The closest auto parts store to DMS that I have found is O’Reilly Auto Parts 1840 Josey Lane just north of the intersection with Valwood Parkway. They have an oil disposal tank in the back of their store, although I am sure they would prefer you buy your oil from them if you are going to use their disposal tank.

And a note to whoever they changed their oil before Sunday morning 6/12 - we found your oil plug washer in the screen of the oil drain funnel. That is why you have an oil leak.

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