Best thing to do is ask them to show you the leaking part. I'm not sure what a $365 container looks like. The power steering reservoir is my only guess. Ask them to SHOW you the part on the car (make them take you out to the shop and show you the leaking part), and ask them to supply you with the part number of the part. Then you can look it up and find out what it's really called, and how much it should really cost.
What are the symptoms? Did you have a power steering fluid leak, and that's why you took it in? Is it at a Toyota dealership now, or other independent mechanic?
Best thing to do is ask them to show you the leaking part. I'm not sure what a $365 container looks like. The power steering reservoir is my only guess. Ask them to SHOW you the part on the car (make them take you out to the shop and show you the leaking part), and ask them to supply you with the part number of the part. Then you can look it up and find out what it's really called, and how much it should really cost.
What are the symptoms? Did you have a power steering fluid leak, and that's why you took it in? Is it at a Toyota dealership now, or other independent mechanic?
hey thanks --
yes, its a dealership - . i just brought it in for the 60K and they found a small leak in checking it out. I get the oil changed every 5K, but they hadn't inspected it this intense for well over a year and a half, back when it was around 30K.
conveniently the lady and the tech that worked on it are both gone for today (legitimately) and when i asked the covering girl for the part # and she couldn't find it.
when i call in tomorrow, im going to ask for the part number and the specific name of the part.
its not the rack or pump, but is that just the resevoir?
i hate these dealerships that are having a slow-down, trying to hit up hard working people like myself for $420 bucks on top of $479 i paid for the 60K today and the fact i need 4 new tires...
Check it out yourself. It may be a case of a dealer trying to stir up some business. Small leaks usually are just an aging gasket.
What do they charge nearly 500 bucks for at the 60K? The Toyota service guide calls for Oil, Oil Filter, Air filter and a coolant change.
Many dealers add supplemental reccomended services to increase profits. I'd just stock with what Toyota recommends If you don't have a service schedule on the car, Toyota has it on their website.
Print that out and take it with you when they show you the leaking part. Write down the MSRP prices and part numbers of the parts listed. Demand they show you the part number for the reservoir and hose.
As you can see, the dealer price is $178 and the online price is $130 plus shipping. Part number for the reservoir is 4436002070.
The reserve hose part number is 4440602080, MSRP of $110.
The reservoir hose part number is 4434802050, MSRP of $62.
The pressure hose is $264, part number is 4441002100.
I assume it is the pressure hose and reservoir that is leaking, as the price is close to what they quoted you. If that is what is leaking, then they are not ripping you off, even though that is a high price.
If the pressure hose is leaking, I would think that you would have a burnt up steering pump by now and no power steering, but I am not a mechanic.
Make sure they show you the hose that is leaking.
$55 for labor sounds like the hourly rate for labor. Reservoir should be a snap to replace. I am not sure about labor for the pressure hose, but it looks hard to get to and more than 1 hr to replace.
If it is not the pressure hose leaking, there has to be a misunderstanding about what is leaking and needs repair. If everything is correct, contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General and Toyota USA.
Sounds very shady that both the reservoir and hose are cracked. The whole situation seems shady too. Did they find other problems with your car? What did the $479 cover? Thinking about trying another dealer?
Print that out and take it with you when they show you the leaking part. Write down the MSRP prices and part numbers of the parts listed. Demand they show you the part number for the reservoir and hose.
As you can see, the dealer price is $178 and the online price is $130 plus shipping. Part number for the reservoir is 4436002070.
The reserve hose part number is 4440602080, MSRP of $110.
The reservoir hose part number is 4434802050, MSRP of $62.
The pressure hose is $264, part number is 4441002100.
I assume it is the pressure hose and reservoir that is leaking, as the price is close to what they quoted you. If that is what is leaking, then they are not ripping you off, even though that is a high price.
If the pressure hose is leaking, I would think that you would have a burnt up steering pump by now and no power steering, but I am not a mechanic.
Make sure they show you the hose that is leaking.
$55 for labor sounds like the hourly rate for labor. Reservoir should be a snap to replace. I am not sure about labor for the pressure hose, but it looks hard to get to and more than 1 hr to replace.
If it is not the pressure hose leaking, there has to be a misunderstanding about what is leaking and needs repair. If everything is correct, contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General and Toyota USA.
Sounds very shady that both the reservoir and hose are cracked. The whole situation seems shady too. Did they find other problems with your car? What did the $479 cover? Thinking about trying another dealer?
Mike
HOLY SH*T DUDE! you just hit the motherload!
this is awesome - i'm printing this out and stickin it to them
im going to ask,
1) was my Powersteering fluid low?
2) how could you tell it was leaking?
3) which hose is broken? where is it broken?
4) how can you tell? (its still on my car -- they didn't replace it yet)
5) are both the reservoir AND the hose leaking?
i find it really strange during these times economically that this would happen --
hard to turn the wheel sometimes this summer, brought it into them, they said PS was fine was alignment
never noticed the levels low and i check them once a month or two.
i mean i felt under the PS Reservoir tonight and it was a little wet, not pouring out.
the hose thing has me wondering if theyre just throwing things in to make money--
how do i ask them to show me the hose, put them on edge and then expect them not to ruin my car any worse?
i mean the damage is done right? i have a pretty good relationship with them. maybe the hose is really busted?? :confused
my wife just said if the reservoir was the only thing leaking, then why do they need to replace one of those hoses? can they tell if those are leaking too? sounds fishy...
Make sure they show you the leak. Someone could have "accidentally" dropped oil/fluid on the hose and later looked at it and thought the hose was leaking. If it is the pressure hose that is leaking, ask them why do you still have power steering and fluid in the reservoir? It could be another hose leaking and they are charging you for the pressure hose. I cant imagine that they would let you drive off with a leaking pressure hose.
Make sure they show you the leak. Someone could have "accidentally" dropped oil/fluid on the hose and later looked at it and thought the hose was leaking. If it is the pressure hose that is leaking, ask them why do you still have power steering and fluid in the reservoir? It could be another hose leaking and they are charging you for the pressure hose. I cant imagine that they would let you drive off with a leaking pressure hose.
yeah and the fact they let me off the lot and the car is driving fabulous and fine!
don't you think they would have fixed the hose? they only didnt have the reservoir in
i didn't pay for the hose or reservoir yet. they just ordered it.
my wife just said if the reservoir was the only thing leaking, then why do they need to replace one of those hoses? can they tell if those are leaking too? sounds fishy...
Preventative measures, its sorta like replacing one thing might as well replace another. It may not be necessary.
The MSRP pricing from trademotion is not 100% accurate, you can feel free to visit a bunch of Toyota's part department. Trade motion do have cheap parts though.
Why not go to an indy shop? They will always be cheaper, just get the parts and bring it to them.
The trademotion parts are similar to the prices on the Toyota part list. The trademotion MSRP prices are a bit more than the Toyota prices, likely due to inflation.
Good to see you both yesterday and thanks so much for your help.
I'm writing an email right now, as I am in meetings most of the day today.
I just had a couple of quick questions regarding the Reservoir and Hose:
- Are both the Fluid Reservoir and Hose Cracked, or just one? How do they know its a Hose too?
- Was my Power Steering Fluid low -- how did they determine the crack in hose and reservoir?
- Which Hose is it that needs to be replaced -- the Reservoir Hose, Return Hose or Pressure Hose?
- Is it safe to drive with a cracked Hose? I just want to make sure its okay to drive through the weekend.
- Are they sure a Hose is cracked or leaking in addition to the reservoir?
- Could it be fluid leaking onto one of the hoses? I just want to make sure its the right thing that's being replaced.
Again thanks so much for all your help. It is a pleasure to work with both of you -- both excellent customer service.
If there is anything you can do to bring the price down, that would be great as I needed to buy 4 new tires too. I know ----- mentioned something about 10% discount. I just wanted to exhaust all possibilities with the Reservoir/Hoses since its a big hit for me financially in addition to the 60K and the 4 new tires.
Thank you very much for your thoroughness and the technician's in catching this.
If you could just write me back and let me know, that would be great.
Again, I'm slammed in meetings/events all day until 8pm.
And is Monday or Tuesday next week okay to bring the car down to get that fixed -
I have to drive pretty far for Thanksgiving on Thursday.
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