$1200 for 90,000 mile service

I'm used to paying extra at the dealer, but this has gotten ridiculous.
Went in for the 90,000 service and specifically requested new timing
belt because it's needed. They call back and start in on how the front
oil seals are leaking and the water pump is leaking, which they
weren't. That's just part of a standard timing belt service. Anyway,
I say okay, and along with the timing belt they put in new spark plugs,
drain and fill transmission (didn't drop the pan), new air filter,
drain and fill coolant, and a few other pissy things like wiper blades,
and of course my "free" oil change, and slap me with a $1200 bill.
Does that seem just a LITTLE high?

<rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us> wrote in message
news:1165353819.580731.178350@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> I'm used to paying extra at the dealer, but this has gotten ridiculous.
> Went in for the 90,000 service and specifically requested new timing
> belt because it's needed. They call back and start in on how the front
> oil seals are leaking and the water pump is leaking, which they
> weren't. That's just part of a standard timing belt service. Anyway,
> I say okay, and along with the timing belt they put in new spark plugs,
> drain and fill transmission (didn't drop the pan), new air filter,
> drain and fill coolant, and a few other pissy things like wiper blades,
> and of course my "free" oil change, and slap me with a $1200 bill.
> Does that seem just a LITTLE high?
>[/color]

Three questions:

What kind of car?

What model year?

You went to the dealer?? (sorry Ray O)

Truckdude wrote:[color=blue]
> Three questions:
>
> What kind of car?
>
> What model year?
>
> You went to the dealer?? (sorry Ray O)[/color]

'99 Sienna. I've been trying to teach myself basic maintenance and
hopefully I can kiss off the dealer for good soon.

<rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us> wrote in message
news:1165353819.580731.178350@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> I'm used to paying extra at the dealer, but this has gotten ridiculous.
> Went in for the 90,000 service and specifically requested new timing
> belt because it's needed. They call back and start in on how the front
> oil seals are leaking and the water pump is leaking, which they
> weren't. That's just part of a standard timing belt service. Anyway,
> I say okay, and along with the timing belt they put in new spark plugs,
> drain and fill transmission (didn't drop the pan), new air filter,
> drain and fill coolant, and a few other pissy things like wiper blades,
> and of course my "free" oil change, and slap me with a $1200 bill.
> Does that seem just a LITTLE high?[/color]

One should never get XX,000 mile service performed on your car. Instead,
list out all of the items that need attention at that mileage interval and
get separate price quotes for all them. Check you dealer web site for
service specials, and try not to limit yourself to just one dealer for the
service.

<rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us> wrote in message
news:1165354679.723903.252430@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Truckdude wrote:[color=green]
>> Three questions:
>>
>> What kind of car?
>>
>> What model year?
>>
>> You went to the dealer?? (sorry Ray O)[/color]
>
> '99 Sienna. I've been trying to teach myself basic maintenance and
> hopefully I can kiss off the dealer for good soon.
>[/color]

For $1,200, I would have purchased the factory repair manual, taken a basic
continuing education auto shop class, invested in a metric ratchet wrench
set, and done the work myself.

BTW, to clarify, here are my recommendations for Toyota automotive service:

Use OEM parts whenever possible, ALWAYS use OEM for ignition and brake
parts.

When advice from an independent service facility, your uncle Joe, (who was
Hudson-Nash master mechanic along with my dad), the dealership, and Toyota
differs, follow Toyota's advice. They made the car, they probably know more
about it than everyone else combined.

If you are looking for expertise on your vehicle, go to the dealer.

If you want the cheapest possible service, do it yourself. If you do not
know how to do it yourself, learn. Luckily, maintaining a car is not rocket
science because I would not be able to do it myself. Next best thing is to
bribe an dealer technician or ex-factory rep to teach you how to do the
work.

If you cannot do the maintenance yourself or you are too lazy, and you do
not want to do pay dealer prices, then take it to a competent ASE certified
technician and don't squawk if they mess up your car.

If you want to work on a car, you will be able to diagnose and repair 99% of
what happens to the car if you remember these 3 basic principles and the
variations of those principles
1) E = I * R will cover just about any electrical problem in the car;
2) An engine needs air, fuel, and a source of ignition, all at the
appropriate time, to run.
3) Righty tighty, lefty loosey.

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[email]rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us[/email] wrote in
news:1165354679.723903.252430@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
[color=blue]
>
> Truckdude wrote:[color=green]
>> Three questions:
>>
>> What kind of car?
>>
>> What model year?
>>
>> You went to the dealer?? (sorry Ray O)[/color]
>
> '99 Sienna. I've been trying to teach myself basic
> maintenance and hopefully I can kiss off the dealer for
> good soon.
>
>[/color]

Just had 90,000 service on our '99 Avalon (same engine) &
had similiar expense but not as much & was very happy with the
dealer. Our bill came to little over $800. I shopped around to
several dealers in the area till found one offering something
off on the timing belt service. In addition I requested them to
clean the throttle body & to replace the water pump as long as
doing belt & to check the car over for any other items they felt
should be repaired. I change my own oil\tranny fluid & had just
done a brake job. I received a call back from them that they
completed the jobs requested & everything else checked out as A-
OK including the test drive they did on it. Did suggest rotors
at some point in the future but did acknowledge that pads were
in good shape, even tho I hadn't mentioned doing the brakes
recently. Didn't try to sell me any additional services\etc.
Said vehicle was in excelent condition. Possibly shopping around
before the sevice helped me find a truly competent\ honest
service department. In any event I was very satisfied with the
dealer in this instance. Also am happy in knowing that I got OEM
parts used, which will NOT get if not using the dealer.
Sorry about long-winded response but felt that had to
point out that dealers are not ALWAYS the ripp-off artists that
people like to make them out to be.
dc

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> If you want to work on a car, you will be able to diagnose and repair 99% of
> what happens to the car if you remember these 3 basic principles and the
> variations of those principles
> 1) E = I * R will cover just about any electrical problem in the car;
> 2) An engine needs air, fuel, and a source of ignition, all at the
> appropriate time, to run.
> 3) Righty tighty, lefty loosey.[/color]

Recently got my girlfriend into working on cars (shes a theatre
technical genius, as in stage theatre) and within an hour she had
replaced an intermediate-supported driveshaft in her car with me there
just to check - it really is amazing what anyone can do on a car if
they use basic common sense and a manual!

Coyoteboy wrote:[color=blue]
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
> > If you want to work on a car, you will be able to diagnose and repair 99% of
> > what happens to the car if you remember these 3 basic principles and the
> > variations of those principles
> > 1) E = I * R will cover just about any electrical problem in the car;
> > 2) An engine needs air, fuel, and a source of ignition, all at the
> > appropriate time, to run.
> > 3) Righty tighty, lefty loosey.[/color]
>
> Recently got my girlfriend into working on cars (shes a theatre
> technical genius, as in stage theatre) and within an hour she had
> replaced an intermediate-supported driveshaft in her car with me there
> just to check - it really is amazing what anyone can do on a car if
> they use basic common sense and a manual![/color]

Couldn't agree more. I'm slowly teaching myself to work on the cars
and it's great fun. Still making some dumb mistakes (my latest:
foot-pounds are not the same as inch-pounds of torque) and didn't feel
ready to tackle the timing belt.

[email]rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> I'm used to paying extra at the dealer, but this has gotten ridiculous.
> Went in for the 90,000 service and specifically requested new timing
> belt because it's needed. They call back and start in on how the front
> oil seals are leaking and the water pump is leaking, which they
> weren't. That's just part of a standard timing belt service. Anyway,
> I say okay, and along with the timing belt they put in new spark plugs,
> drain and fill transmission (didn't drop the pan), new air filter,
> drain and fill coolant, and a few other pissy things like wiper blades,
> and of course my "free" oil change, and slap me with a $1200 bill.
> Does that seem just a LITTLE high?[/color]

90k service? How did that add up to $1200?? I don't see the problem
with replacing the water pump but that's big money. This is a 1999
Sienna right? Tell you what, save that paperwork because you'll need
it when you sell that thing on craig's list.

I had the mechanic I use do a couple of fairly simple jobs on my 95
Toyota Corolla and he did a great job... so I've let him do just about
everything from the transmission to the door speakers since (plus
equivalent work on a 92 Accord) and he's been very consistent. I did
have to take the Accord back twice when I had a new exhaust system
installed for tightening, but that's probably normal for a 10 year old
car or whatever. For the price and the no-questions-asked attitude
when I drove back for adjustments, no complaints at all. A perfect
relationship for an older car you're thinking of keeping maybe 3 -- 5
years or so (depending on miles of course).

Depends on the car though. My mechanic lets me buy my own parts and
drop-ship them to his garage, although I lose the warranty on the labor
or whatever -- as I said he lets me bring it in as needed for
adjustments. I have an excellent supplier I found on ebay for car
parts.

So yeah a good relationship with an honest ase certified mechanic
nearby work or home is a must-have with a middle-aged carriage. Unless
you like digging black sand outta your fingernails or you're really a
master which I ain't.

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:a1f$4575efab$44a4a10d$13959@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> <rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us> wrote in message
> news:1165354679.723903.252430@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>>[/color]
> If you want to work on a car, you will be able to diagnose and repair 99%
> of what happens to the car if you remember these 3 basic principles and
> the variations of those principles
> 1) E = I * R will cover just about any electrical problem in the car;
> 2) An engine needs air, fuel, and a source of ignition, all at the
> appropriate time, to run.
> 3) Righty tighty, lefty loosey.[/color]

LOL! With all my education, that is about ALL I know, and it has served me
well! ;)


[color=blue]
>
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>[/color]

<rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us> wrote in message
news:1165358629.125836.294470@73g2000cwn.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Coyoteboy wrote:[color=green]
>> Ray O wrote:[color=darkred]
>> > If you want to work on a car, you will be able to diagnose and repair
>> > 99% of
>> > what happens to the car if you remember these 3 basic principles and
>> > the
>> > variations of those principles
>> > 1) E = I * R will cover just about any electrical problem in the car;
>> > 2) An engine needs air, fuel, and a source of ignition, all at the
>> > appropriate time, to run.
>> > 3) Righty tighty, lefty loosey.[/color]
>>
>> Recently got my girlfriend into working on cars (shes a theatre
>> technical genius, as in stage theatre) and within an hour she had
>> replaced an intermediate-supported driveshaft in her car with me there
>> just to check - it really is amazing what anyone can do on a car if
>> they use basic common sense and a manual![/color]
>
> Couldn't agree more. I'm slowly teaching myself to work on the cars
> and it's great fun. Still making some dumb mistakes (my latest:
> foot-pounds are not the same as inch-pounds of torque) and didn't feel
> ready to tackle the timing belt.[/color]


You're not alone! I haven't done a timing belt yet, esp on the Twin-Cam
engines, and I know a really good mechanic that builds racing motors and
won't do DOHCs!!

If you have a SOHC engine, it's a bit easier. I'm about to find out on the
Mazda I just bought...

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165364376.435988.95440@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> [email]rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us[/email] wrote:[color=green]
>> I'm used to paying extra at the dealer, but this has gotten ridiculous.
>> Went in for the 90,000 service and specifically requested new timing
>> belt because it's needed. They call back and start in on how the front
>> oil seals are leaking and the water pump is leaking, which they
>> weren't. That's just part of a standard timing belt service. Anyway,
>> I say okay, and along with the timing belt they put in new spark plugs,
>> drain and fill transmission (didn't drop the pan), new air filter,
>> drain and fill coolant, and a few other pissy things like wiper blades,
>> and of course my "free" oil change, and slap me with a $1200 bill.
>> Does that seem just a LITTLE high?[/color]
>
> 90k service? How did that add up to $1200?? I don't see the problem
> with replacing the water pump but that's big money. This is a 1999
> Sienna right? Tell you what, save that paperwork because you'll need
> it when you sell that thing on craig's list.
>
> I had the mechanic I use do a couple of fairly simple jobs on my 95
> Toyota Corolla and he did a great job... so I've let him do just about
> everything from the transmission to the door speakers since (plus
> equivalent work on a 92 Accord) and he's been very consistent. I did
> have to take the Accord back twice when I had a new exhaust system
> installed for tightening, but that's probably normal for a 10 year old
> car or whatever. For the price and the no-questions-asked attitude
> when I drove back for adjustments, no complaints at all. A perfect
> relationship for an older car you're thinking of keeping maybe 3 -- 5
> years or so (depending on miles of course).
>
> Depends on the car though. My mechanic lets me buy my own parts and
> drop-ship them to his garage, although I lose the warranty on the labor
> or whatever -- as I said he lets me bring it in as needed for
> adjustments. I have an excellent supplier I found on ebay for car
> parts.[/color]

Thats pretty good. The mechanic I use gets his parts from O'reillys but he
doesn't mark them up like most other places seem to.

"Coyoteboy" <coyoteboyuk@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165358281.035231.85630@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> If you want to work on a car, you will be able to diagnose and repair 99%
>> of
>> what happens to the car if you remember these 3 basic principles and the
>> variations of those principles
>> 1) E = I * R will cover just about any electrical problem in the car;
>> 2) An engine needs air, fuel, and a source of ignition, all at the
>> appropriate time, to run.
>> 3) Righty tighty, lefty loosey.[/color]
>
> Recently got my girlfriend into working on cars (shes a theatre
> technical genius, as in stage theatre) and within an hour she had
> replaced an intermediate-supported driveshaft in her car with me there
> just to check - it really is amazing what anyone can do on a car if
> they use basic common sense and a manual!
>[/color]

Sure is!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Hachiroku????" <Trueno@ae_86.gts> wrote in message
news:75odh.2104$ne3.1081@trndny03...[color=blue]
>
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:a1f$4575efab$44a4a10d$13959@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> <rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us> wrote in message
>> news:1165354679.723903.252430@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>>[/color]
>> If you want to work on a car, you will be able to diagnose and repair 99%
>> of what happens to the car if you remember these 3 basic principles and
>> the variations of those principles
>> 1) E = I * R will cover just about any electrical problem in the car;
>> 2) An engine needs air, fuel, and a source of ignition, all at the
>> appropriate time, to run.
>> 3) Righty tighty, lefty loosey.[/color]
>
> LOL! With all my education, that is about ALL I know, and it has served me
> well! ;)
>[/color]

Cars are actually quite easy to understand if you break it down to the
basics!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

In about the past 4 or 5 months I have had the 60k service done on my 02
'Lander. I had first part done at Former Toy mech shop - Belts, front pads,
drain/fill trans (4 quarts) drain/fill diffs/transfer case. (also checked
all the bolts etc) I think it was about $350. I ran it about 5k miles -
took it to dealer and had new rear blade, radiator/drain/fill (the red
stuff!!), cabin filter and drain/filled trans again. I think it was under
$125. This is what I felt I needed at the time - I usually do all the
filters myself in both Toy's but don't do oil as I opted for dealer lifetime
on both. (I am 68, 2 strokes so don't like crawling under, as well as right
hand a bit unsteady)

The $1200 seems a bit high to me but remember service writers work on
commission too!
Ron
<rbrailas@courts.state.tx.us> wrote in message
news:1165353819.580731.178350@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> I'm used to paying extra at the dealer, but this has gotten ridiculous.
> Went in for the 90,000 service and specifically requested new timing
> belt because it's needed. They call back and start in on how the front
> oil seals are leaking and the water pump is leaking, which they
> weren't. That's just part of a standard timing belt service. Anyway,
> I say okay, and along with the timing belt they put in new spark plugs,
> drain and fill transmission (didn't drop the pan), new air filter,
> drain and fill coolant, and a few other pissy things like wiper blades,
> and of course my "free" oil change, and slap me with a $1200 bill.
> Does that seem just a LITTLE high?
>[/color]