60K mile service = $1000.00? What the ....?

[Dragonslayer]

OK, just called the toyota dealer for my 60K service and was quoted $1000.00. They said the timing chain had to be tightened, and a few other things, but I really think this is excessive, especially since I haven't pulled many trailers or anything, although that's about to change. BTW, the service is for an '03 4R AWD V8. Any thoughts on the matter and has anyone had a 60K service and if so, what did they do and how much did it cost? As always, thanks in advance for the replies. JT

 

[jharris2]

Here's the scheduled maintenance for the 2003 model at 60K miles. I don't see anything about tightening the timing chain....especially since the V8 uses a timing belt!

1. Replace engine oil and oil filter
2. Replace engine air filter
3. Replace engine coolant
4. Lubricate propeller shaft (4WD)
5. Replace non-platinum spark plugs (IGR-FE) (3)
6. Re-torque propeller shaft bolt
7. Rotate tires
8. Inspect the following:

• Automatic transmission fluid
• Ball joints and dust covers
• Brake lines and hoses
• Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs
• Charcoal canister (4)
• Drive belts (5)
• Drive shaft boots (4WD)
• Engine valve clearance
• Exhaust pipes and mountings
• Front differential oil (4WD)
• Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
• Fuel tank cap gasket
• Radiator core and condenser
• Rear differential oil
• Steering gear box
• Steering linkage and boots
• Transfer case oil (4WD)

Additional Maintenance Items for Special Operating Conditions:

• Driving on Rough, Muddy or Snow-Melted Roads
  Inspect nuts and bolts on chassis and body
• Driving on Unpaved or Dusty Roads
  Replace air conditioning filter
• Towing a Trailer or Using a Camper or Car-Top Carrier
  Inspect nuts and bolts on chassis and body
  Replace front differential oil
  Replace rear differential oil, including limited-slip
  Replace transfer case oil (4WD)
  Replace transmission fluid or oil

Applicable Footnotes:
3) Required under the terms of the Emission Control Warranty.
4) Applies to 4Runner with 2UZ-FE. Inspect at 60,000 miles or 72 months, whichever comes first. Required only for vehicles in California, Massachusetts and New York.
5) Initial inspection at 60,000 miles/72 months. Inspect every 15,000 miles/18 months thereafter.

 

[sharp4runr]

Seeing as the V8 has a timing belt, I wouldn't trust this dealership to work on my truck. The V6 has a timing chain. I'd take it to another dealer for a second opinion...

 

[jharris2]

Seeing as the V8 has a timing belt, I wouldn't trust this dealership to work on my truck. The V6 has a timing chain. I'd take it to another dealer for a second opinion...

:iagree:

If there's not another dealer, then find a good mechanic locally. Either the dealer you called thinks you don't know anything about your truck, or they don't know anything about your truck.

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

It looks like to me that dealer at the quoted price is making about $600.00 in gross profit.

You know there is nothing wrong about making money...but then there is the issue of EXCESSIVE PROFIT! (You know..kinda like the oil companies...)

 

[toto]

Never, ever call a dealer and ask for the "x,000 mile service." You would think that they would go by the book for your car and quote what you need, but they often don't. Instead, they pad the job with unnecessary services. And that also makes it harder to shop around, as each dealer may have a different list of work.

Look at the maintenance guide yourself and ask the dealer how much it will cost to perform a group of specific tasks.

 

[Dragonslayer]

All great advice, everyone, actually I meant to say timing belt, which was $300 plus and something else which I don't remember now, but seemed unneccesary to me. I was probably still reeling for the shock. All of my other maintenance costs were quite cheap, actually, from the same dealership so I was kind of surprised. I did look at the manual and it mentioned inspecting the timing belt, well, generically all the belts, but that was it. I think I need to find a decent local, ie. non-dealer affiliated mechanic. Thanks.

JT

 

[Jeff Kleb]

All great advice, everyone, actually I meant to say timing belt, which was $300 plus and something else which I don't remember now, but seemed unneccesary to me. I was probably still reeling for the shock. All of my other maintenance costs were quite cheap, actually, from the same dealership so I was kind of surprised. I did look at the manual and it mentioned inspecting the timing belt, well, generically all the belts, but that was it. I think I need to find a decent local, ie. non-dealer affiliated mechanic. Thanks.

JT

By "inspecting" the timing belt, I think you are referring to the accessory drive belts {i.e., fan belts} - or possibly a serpentine belt on some trucks. The timing belt is simply replaced - not just inspected. If you do all of the labor to be able to see the darn thing, you may as well go ahead and replace it.

If you have yet to put on new fanbelts (or the thick serpentine belt - if so equipped), I would suggest it doing it at this time - since the mechanic will remove it to gain acess to the timing belt cover anyhow. (A serpentine belt should only be about twenty bucks; so it will serve as cheap insurance to go ahead and do it now.)
:awais:

$300+ just for replacing a timing belt is not out of the norm; since most of the job is labor-intensive. They'll soak you on the other stuff, however, so don't be surprised if they want fifty bucks for blinker fluid or a left-handed smokeshifter.
:bash:

Find yourself a good, honest mechanic who can work on imports - either a national chain with good local management (Goodyear, Midas, etc., etc.) or a "backyard guy" who never needs to advertise for business. The latter is getting harder and harder to find nowadays.

Good luck to you with your 4Runner. I totally love my 2005 - even if it is only a V6 model.
:biggrin2:

 

[jharris2]

The V8 timing belt needs to be changed at 90K miles, not 60K.

Jeff makes some great points. If the serpentine belt has not been changed, now is the time to do it. If the V8 is like the V6, it's easy to do -- if I remember correctly, it took me about 15 minutes to do it.

 

[mtnracer]

I paid about $400-500 for the 60K service. That included spark plugs, coolant flush and a bunch of other stuff. No timing belt service needed until 90K per service adviser. You are getting ripped.

 

[GRIDLOCK]

Seeing as the V8 has a timing belt, I wouldn't trust this dealership to work on my truck. The V6 has a timing chain. I'd take it to another dealer for a second opinion...

+2

 

[greasefingers]

If the serpentine belt has not been changed, now is the time to do it. If the V8 is like the V6, it's easy to do

Yes it was one of the easiest serpentine belt changes that I have ever done.

 

[gizmopt2002]

FYI, I would be careful about them changing the spark plugs. My dealer wanted 110 + tax! I said come again, and asked what they did. All they did was change the spark plugs. I asked them how many people ACTUALLY get a spark plug change through you, they said quite a few, why? I said because it costs $20 for six spark plugs and 40 minutes of my time. They hung up on me. So moral of the story is careful about what the charge for each service and try to do-it yourself.

 

[jeober]

re. spark plugs:

What do dealers get these days for labor rate? $90/hr? So $110 for spark plugs isn't so unreasonable if you can't do this yourself.
Maybe an experienced mechanic can do this in 1/2 hr. with the tools out but I would expect a 1 hr standard labor.

 

[greasefingers]

Yup $ 90/hr is normal.