Two months ago I had the oil of my 2003 Renault Clio changed at the local Renault dealership. I noticed oil leaking from the pan plug, so went back. The mechanic insisted on wrapping the oil pan plug many, many rounds with white teflon tape. I tried to explain to him that white teflon tape does not fill voids, but rather lubricates the threads, so one wrap is all that should be used. But he insisted, he says that he is a plumber on the side, and this is how to do it.
Now, two months later, I noticed that the motor is very loud. My daughter even asked why is it so loud. I check the dipstick: no oil! I immediately filled the motor with the proper quantity of the proper oil, but I suspect engine damage as there is a large hill that with two 200-meter elevation changes, and the vehicle now has very much difficulty getting up that hill.
Is the dealer responsible for engine damage due to an incorrectly installed oil pan plug? Was the oil plug in fact incorrectly installed if it was so wrapped with teflon?
Vehicle info: The vehicle had about 98,000 KM at the time of the oil change, now 100,700 KM. Until ~85,000 the vehicle had only ever been driven by the woman who bought it new, she was past retirement age at purchase and I doubt that the motor had ever seen 2500 RPM during the 13 years that she owned it, mostly city driving. She wouldn't even put it in gear until the engine was at operating temp! I acquired the vehicle at ~85,000 KM and I'm a bit rougher with it, using it mostly on the highway. 1300 cc motor, automatic transmission.