Lesson Learned...

[mattb2003]

We've had our '07 4Runner for about a month now and got our first CEL last night (also, the VSC lights came on). Took it into the mechanic and they pulled off an evap code, saying it might be the gas cap. They did a few additional tests and said that the gas cap needed to be replaced. So, I had them replace it, costing me $110.00 (labor, parts and tax).

Well, in browsing through the forum after getting home, I noticed that this issue has come up quite a bit, with most clearing the code themselves and just taking the cap off and putting it back on again. Can't believe I shelled out $110 for a plastic gas cap.

Lesson learned I guess...

 

[A10MileHusker]

We've had our '07 4Runner for about a month now and got our first CEL last night (also, the VSC lights came on). Took it into the mechanic and they pulled off an evap code, saying it might be the gas cap. They did a few additional tests and said that the gas cap needed to be replaced. So, I had them replace it, costing me $110.00 (labor, parts and tax).

Well, in browsing through the forum after getting home, I noticed that this issue has come up quite a bit, with most clearing the code themselves and just taking the cap off and putting it back on again. Can't believe I shelled out $110 for a plastic gas cap.

Lesson learned I guess...

I notice you're from Denver. I just moved from there. You didn't happen to go to Stevinson Toyota did you?

I bought my 05 a couple years ago and the 2nd day I had it that light came on. This was all before I was on the forums too. So I called them and they told me the same thing, 110 for gascap and everything so i told them to take the car back and refund my moolah and they gave me the gas cap for free :lmao: but yes, lesson learned.

Anything goes wrong with your truck, CHECK HERE FIRST!! :bigok:

 

[mattb2003]

I notice you're from Denver. I just moved from there. You didn't happen to go to Stevinson Toyota did you?

I bought my 05 a couple years ago and the 2nd day I had it that light came on. This was all before I was on the forums too. So I called them and they told me the same thing, 110 for gascap and everything so i told them to take the car back and refund my moolah and they gave me the gas cap for free :lmao: but yes, lesson learned.

Anything goes wrong with your truck, CHECK HERE FIRST!! :bigok:

I'll definitely be sure to check the forum first next time! I actually didn't go to Stevinson. It was an independent Toyota mechanic (they only work on Toyota, Lexus and Scion). They seem to be a little less than the dealer and came highly recommended...

 

[blaniac22]

Live and learn...I think we've all done something similar. After I paid too much to have a heater core replaced in our Camry I vowed to always research a project when possible - if not to do it myself, but to help negotiate with the mechanic.

 

[Redstone8]

Sorry to hear you just gave away $110. That could have gone to some holiday presents or some other purpose. Yeah I always check here first if I have a problem. That is the purpose of the forum so we can all help each other out and in most cases if the issue is simple you can buy the parts and do it yourself and avoid the stealer altogether. If is a more complicated issue then you can arm yourself with info obtained here so you will know what the problem is when you take it in and they wouldn't be able overcharge you or pull a fast one and fix unnecessary things that don't need replacement.

 

[08medic4x4]

$

it's good you have a "live and learn" attitude about it, it's done, and over with, and now you know, and you can move on, like you said lesson learned, we all have our stories, don't feel you are alone, enjoy your ride!

 

[teampwr2]

One other thing youll want to do before you pay someone for a code check is Always check your gas cap and Then Disconnect the positive battery cable and let it reset the the computer , Hook it up after about ten minutes ... Anytime you have a light come on do that first. Might save you time n $$$

 

[riverider]

Them sweet little Check Engine Lights CEL have just made many Stealer Dealers and many mechanic,s, a bunch of money.:bash: You were lucky they did not also tell you that you needed to replace all the O2 Sensors.

 

[blaniac22]

..Other options:

- Auto Zone will do a CEL scan for free
- You can spend some money and get a scanner. You could have bought one with the $110. That's not intended to be a dig.

 

[mattb2003]

Thanks for all of the responses. Next time, I think I will invest in a code scanner and check the forum before bringing it in. Hopefully someone else can learn from my experience...

 

[Bacon]

some of the best money I spent was on an obdii scanner. they work on everything with an obdii port, which is everything since about 96 i believe? get the code, check the forums, repair it myself. that $150 for the scanner has saved me hundreds more...

 

[Justinlhc]

I recently got a freak code on my Tacoma. Took it to autozone and had it scanned for free. Possibly an o2 sensor, but could be nothing since it hasn't came back in weeks. I ordered a scanner on Ebay for like $24.


EDIT: Be careful what scanner you buy. The one I ordered said it would work with all 96+ Toyota vehicles, but it does not work with anything over 03.

 

[riverider]

I recently got a freak code on my Tacoma. Took it to autozone and had it scanned for free. Possibly an o2 sensor, but could be nothing since it hasn't came back in weeks. I ordered a scanner on Ebay for like $24.
U380 OBD 2 II EOBD OBD2 Fault Code Reader Scanner - eBay (item 160446579825 end time Dec-15-10 04:21:17 PST)


U380 OBDII EOBDII Memo Scanner - eBay (item 180571218385 end time Jan-04-11 18:16:26 PST)

I had the CEL light up on my 98 Nissan Maxima, hold on it has just 16,000 miles. I went to Auto Zone for a free check guy told me it's the #1 O2 sensor, got one in stock for $60.
Said I will be back, went home and did a little reseating my gas cap, few days later the light went off all by it's self.
I knew my gas milage was still the same, I use real gas not that junk e-10 soon tpo be e-15. and the engine still had great preformance.
Do you think Auto Zone was out to scam little me?:naughty: Oh! No! not sweet Auto Zone. :bigok:

 

[Lzyltng]

Thanks for all of the responses. Next time, I think I will invest in a code scanner and check the forum before bringing it in. Hopefully someone else can learn from my experience...

Yeah, unfortunately, the "gas cap" shuffle has been going on for years and shows no sign of letting up. I think you've gotten some good advice here. Be sure to check here first for any problems or concerns. Chances are that one of us has been through it before...

 

[Casper421]

One other thing youll want to do before you pay someone for a code check is Always check your gas cap and Then Disconnect the positive battery cable and let it reset the the computer , Hook it up after about ten minutes ... Anytime you have a light come on do that first. Might save you time n $$$

Been experiencing this situation on and off for the past couple months. The lights would typically turn on after i got gas. After reading some posts i retightened the gas cap and the lights would turn off after a couple engine starts. Recently the light was on far longer than previous times so i decided to take some advice from teampwr2 and others on this site and disconnect the battery. Problem solved...so far. Im keeping my fingers crossed its not something serious like a bad cat or sensors :ybrick: which others have been experiencing. Thanks for all the advice guys!:thanks:

 

[Hi-Fi]

some of the best money I spent was on an obdii scanner. they work on everything with an obdii port, which is everything since about 96 i believe? get the code, check the forums, repair it myself. that $150 for the scanner has saved me hundreds more...

Just a suggestion, but before getting a OBDII reader, look into a scangauge. They read error codes and can reset them as well.

Plus you can mount it in the truck and monitor different systems. I bought mine to use on my Ford truck to monitor transmission temperature. Unfortunately on the Toyota I can't monitor transmission temp, but have it set to display instantaneous MPG, water temp, battery voltage and ... something else, I forget what right now.

I have mine mounted on top of the steering column.
Bill

 

[sunnyside]

Last winter same reason brought me to the toyota dealer, they found out it's the gas cap seal is broken, they replaced the part, didn't charge me anything.

 

[Ducman]

Agreed

some of the best money I spent was on an obdii scanner. they work on everything with an obdii port, which is everything since about 96 i believe? get the code, check the forums, repair it myself. that $150 for the scanner has saved me hundreds more...

I couldn't agree more. A code scanner is something everybody should own and I have used it atleast a dozen times over the years. You can narrow down a lot of automotive problems with a code reader and Google. :

I gotta say mine was a heck of a lot cheaper though. Nothing fancy but does the job and can reset codes.

This is the one I own: Actron CP9125 PocketScan Code Reader

Amazon $55 shipped.

Best of luck to ya and stay away from the stealerships.