Yeah, that sound right that they probably didn't remove the fluid. The front-end guy said that is how they are supposed to do it. Remove the fluid, add fluid and then bleed with a vacuum bleeder.
Aside from that, the metal splash plate below the engine was missing two bolts and one of the two existing bolts spun. Its backing hole was loose I think since I heard it twisting as I unscrewed the bolt. The wire loom mounts weren't put back into place either. I put some of them back but it isn't obvious where the others go.
The engine is starting and running fine so they did the timing chain and actuators correctly. They actually replaced the parts they said they would as far as I can tell, although I didn't check the spark plugs. The valve cover gasket leaks again, I found that if I don't run it hard its fine and I brought that problem in to them so it isn't their fault. I'd like to be able to R it out without fear of springing another leak that smokes oil out the side of the engine bay while at the off ramp light or when climbing a steep grade. It might need a new valve cover and it looks like they are plastic. I haven't seen that until now. The valve cover bolts look like a PITA to get to on the drivers side toward the fender. I couldn't see them or feel them.
