OK, took it to a shop about my steam problem

[91tercelowner]

Here's what he said. Right off the bat, he started mentioning "4 thousand dollars"--

He said he would do external test and internal test and that the tests alone would cost close to $200.

He also said that these cars weren't made to last many miles.

I would have thought given this steam coming out from the engine only started happening THE DAY AFTER I replaced the thermostat, that whether the wrong thermostat was put in would be the first thing to be considered. He barely mentioned that.

I can't find anybody around who is a Toyota expert (except of course, the dealer who will be even more expensive).

Anyway, I had heard these cars last many years and several hundred thousand miles.

I didn't have him go ahead with it because I didn't want to shell out $200 with someone who seeemed to already be telling me to get rid of the car.

Obviously, putting 4 grand into a 17 year old car with 140K miles would be ridiculous, especially since there are so many other parts yet to "go".

Thoughts, guys?

[draenor]

That guy is ripping you off. Find another mechanic.

[91tercelowner]

didn't get a chance to rip me off, cause I left saying "I'll think about it."

The big problem is my inspection sticker expires in 2 days, and no way I would make it through the stringent NJ inspection in this condition.

I am not driving it, except to run the engine, and move it for snow removal and stuff.

Any other ideas? Everything around here costs a fortune, most of the mechanics wanted to charge me over $100 to replace the thermostat, which is why I went back to the radiatory guy to do it, he charged $40, but maybe his work is what resulted in this steam?

[AstroVannin]

most likely the thermostat. Ive replaced them before and got a bad one. The first guy was jamming you, no question. Even if you went to the dealer you woulda been better off. Go get yourself a new thermostat and replace it yourself. IT will literally take you like 20 minutes. The thermostat is right there under the distributon on the driver side of the engine. It couldnt be any easier. Failing that run the car and visually inspect for the source of the steam. It could even be somthing as simple as a leaky rad hose spraying onto the manifold.

[91tercelowner]

Astro, thanks. But you give me way too much credit. I have less than zero mechanical ability. I can add oil and air, that's about it. Can't even change plugs.

My only hope is to be as educated a consumer as possible, so I won't be eaten alive by the ripoff mechanics.

[hevster1]

Originally Posted by 91tercelowner

Astro, thanks. But you give me way too much credit. I have less than zero mechanical ability. I can add oil and air, that's about it. Can't even change plugs.

My only hope is to be as educated a consumer as possible, so I won't be eaten alive by the ripoff mechanics.

I guess you don't read replies to your posts. I offered to do a full diagnostic for you for the princely sum of $25.00. If I had to travel to you it was $50.00. I am an ex Toyota Master Diagnostic technician with 23 years experience working on them. What more do you want?????
I also will send a PM to you.

[Daox]

Unless he actually did some physical testing, you got incredibly ripped off. The code he told you is exactly what you would get from going to Autozone and having them do it for free.