Estimated Repairs

[pred02]

Hi,

I have a 1993 Camry LE 2.2 v4 sedan. The car has about 127K miles on it. I just got a new job that will require commuting approximately 8 miles each way (not a whole lot).

I took the car to the mechanic to inspect it and to let me know what needs to be changed to bring the car into shape.

Before beginning, we needed new struts for a while now (all four wheels) but have driven with the old struts with a little less confortable. The Camry is all paid-for and has been the beater car. We are reluctant to sell it, but repairs are getting pricey.

Last year we had a bunch of oil leaks fixed ($1000) and replaced the muffler ($500).

Our mechanic came out with the following qoute of fixing the car:

Brake Shoe Set
Engine Tourque Rod
Valve Cover Gasket
AT Filter Kit
Catalytic Convertre
Muffler/Middle Pipe
Transmission Fluid
Spark Plug Seal

The total for parts & labour is $1090 USD. Does this sound reasnoble?

To replace all four struts is approximately another $1100. However, he said that they are just a confort thing, and unless we are driving a lot of weight it should be ok.

One path would be to pay for these repairs and use the car. I mean the car is paid for and it's low on insurance because it's old. Getting a new car would require a significant investment. However, I am affraid that these $1000 fixes will occur every couple of months. No one can predict these things of course, but I would appreciate everyones input.

Also - my friend from school is quiet handy with repairs. He bought a 1991 Jetta and does pretty much all the work himself. He said that with renting the right tools he could replace the struts if I bring the parts. He has done so on his Jetta. He suggested that I get a service manual for the car and spend a weekend doing it ourselves.

Given how much mechanics cost, I am thinking of venturing out into learning a bit more about cars and repairs.

[Eye8Pussies]

the repairs that you did for that price is quite reasonable at a shop


as for the struts....got pick up some monroe struts and then install them yourself and save a good 600bucks.

[pred02]

These are the repairs that the mechanic said are mission critical while struts can wait.

I will talk to my friend to see if he can help me replace the struts. They are about $150 each. What site is recommended for OEM toyota parts?

Also, what tools would be required to rent to get this job done (my friend said it's a lot easier with the tools).

[MIC0417]

Ok that is whack, the struts are too expensive if you have seen them for that much. Like has been said, get some Monroes they will be as good if not better than stock and run around 85$ each. As for the Valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seal, that is an easy job that your friend could do, maybe 30$+ for the gaskets. Everything your friend and you should be able to except the torque converter rod, idk what that is but all the others you can go the forum home, where all the Gen 3/4 posts are and look for the Camry repair manual and there you can get all the info you need without having to buy a manual. Oh, and yes these repairs are worth it, there are Camrys here with over 300K and most are around 200K with routine maintence and TB's

http://www.**********s.com/camry/

all the info you need

[toyomoho]

If cash is critical and you car usage low, skip the shocks. You are driving under 4k miles per year. Have any trouble codes come up for the catalytic converter, does the car pass emissions test? Does the exhaust leak? If the converter is bad have the flex pipe changed at the same time.

Valve cover, plug seal, torque rod, trans fluid/filter and brake shoes are things you can do with a few hand tools. Suggest buying a set of metric hand wrenches and a socket set. Even a cheap set is good enough. Then as suggested download the service manual info and do a little research on TN history threads.

[ghettosled]

my 2 cents - hold off on the shocks and struts for now. everything else you can replace yourself with basic tools and encouragement from this forum. hey, everyone here is willing to help if you have any questions along the way.