Toyota Dealer in SoCal wants $7600 to replace the short block!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drifty'sDad @ Oct 11 2007, 07:02 PM) [snapback]524361[/snapback]</div>

How rude and presumptious. <_< Any responsible person checks and maintains their vehicle. In fact, in my household, *I* am the one that takes the responsiblities for getting oil changes on our vehicles.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Oct 12 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]524793[/snapback]</div>

Nope, never ran it low on oil. It did not have excessive oil consumption - I didn't keep topping it off. Whenver I checked it, it was fine. No idea on the compression, other than when I drove it home prior to taking it in for service, I did notice a lack of performance. At the time, I thought it may be because I was comparing it to driving my RX-8 the day before, but I'm pretty sure I'm not that silly. There was no smoke noticable at ALL from the exhaust - no indication of any problem at all, other than the quiet tapping that I noticed. I also noted that when in "B" mode (engine brake), if I was stationary the engine would continue to run and tap.

I'd really like to get a second opinion, but I don't see how that is possible at this point. If I have them put the thing back together and I take it home, they charge me the $3500 and I have no value derived. I don't see a way to get a second mechanic over to THEIR shop to look at it either.

I'm thinking Balvenie, 21yr. yea. definitely.

 

I have to agree with majority here; the dealer is ripping you off charging $3,500 to diagnose the problem, even of that included tearingthe engine down to diagnose the problem. I would get Toyota customer relations involved immediately. Then if they do no good for you, I would seriously consider a wrecked Prius' engine- just saw a totaled 2006 on a flat bed yesterday headed to the salvage yard so I know engines are available. Thereis no way I would give the dealer 10K for an engine. Geeze, to rebuild a 911 motor was expensive but not 10K. Sorry for your pain.

 

Latest update: We filed a complaint with Toyota Corporate in Torrance. They have assigned us a case # and told us that they would get back to us by the end of the day today. So... we'll see what they have to say about all of this.

 

Today's update:

We talked with Toyota Customer Experience Center. While I enjoy the Toyota experience, I certainly do not enjoy the experience of having to deal with a horrible phone tree and two receptionists just to get through to my case manager. It takes ages and feels like I'm connecting to the inner sanctum of the FBI. But I digress...

They spoke with the dealer and they told me that the pricing that the dealer is quoting for parts & labor is in line with what they would expect, and that there is really nothing they can do for me. They had been hinting at some sort of relief program, but that never materialized. They said that they can be a bit flexible on the warranty or extended warranty, but that I'm far enough over the 60K cutoff for the drivetrain warranty that they can't justify wrapping me into that program.

So, I am basically out of avenues. Here's the dealer's current quote in broad strokes - he says he's going to knock $125 off the labor, but that he can't adjust the hardware costs. Hardware is $3121, labor to rip apart the old engine, and re-assemble the new engine and install it is $3500, so that's a total of $6621. My front brakes needed new pads and rotors (warped), which I knew, so I'm not surprised at the $463 for that. They sent the engine head out to another shop to get it inspected, cleaned up and adjusted for $350, so the grand total for all repairs should be $7435 + tax (minus my $125 discount).

The short block part of the parts list is the big ticket item, weighing in at $2197. When I pointed out that you can find it on the web for $1480 (plus shipping of ??), he said that was the price from his parts department and that he didn't have the ability to alter it (this is when he offered a discount on the labor instead). So, I don't see there is anything I can do short of trying to buy the short block from back east, paying for shipping, living without my car for another week or so, and then trying to get these guys to install it. Way more hassle than it's worth, I think. So, I'm biting the bullet and authorizing the repair.

In the meantime, I'm commuting in my RX-8, filling up the tank EVERY DAY (which ain't cheap), and taking about an hour longer to get home because I can't use the carpool lane. Today I'm riding my motorcycle instead, but that's not going to work much longer as we're heading into winter.

Tim

 

Wow, so after getting everyone here's advice, you still went ahead with getting reamed. And you even said yes to the way-overpriced brake job. I can't believe what I'm seeing.

 

wow. just, wow.

at least the brake job is in line for pads and rotors...

$3500 labor... that's about 39 hours at $90/hour... since they don't have to actually assemble the bottom end, that's steep. realistically they should be charging you 30, not that it would take that long in actual time, just book time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 18 2007, 09:09 PM) [snapback]527569[/snapback]</div>

I think Evan's right.

Also, (and pardon me for speculating negatively like this) sometimes when the owners tend to neglect the maintenance of the mechanicals, the interior, paint (and everything else which would benefit from regular attention), seem to wear more quickly, too...for the same reason.

 

Interesting problem since I don't remember seeing a write-up on a failed Prius ICE. But to make sure I understand the background:

• ~25k miles since last oil change
• ~200 mile daily commute through CA mountains, 50,000 miles/year??
• loss of Prius imposes a significant expense from fuel costs and extra hour

I'm sorry for your problem but sharing helps others understand the risk factors.

Bob Wilson

 

I dont care what the manufacturers say, I change my oil every 5k

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 18 2007, 07:09 PM) [snapback]527569[/snapback]</div>

Yes, it occured to me that it might be better to replace the vehicle, however I'm in CA and have the carpool lane stickers on this vehicle (which are not transferrable should I change vehicles). I have an absurd commute and really count on being able to use the carpool lane. So, I'm extremely reluctant to swap vehicles and add an hour to my going-home commute.

As for my poorly-maintained transaxle (my god, you people look down on the world from your high horse), I have done all the periodic services required by the book, by the dealer (various dealers). There is no additional maintenance I am aware of. The ONLY thing I didn't keep up on was the oil changes - so pardon the heck out of me for that, I guess.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Oct 18 2007, 07:52 PM) [snapback]527591[/snapback]</div>

I completely agree, but couldn't get the dealer to budge, other than knocking of a whopping $125 from the labor. I can't take it to another dealer and have them do it, because then the first dealer hits me up for the $3500 (which toyota corp stands behind), and then I'd have to pay dealer #2 also. Loose, loose.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsd43 @ Oct 18 2007, 07:02 PM) [snapback]527564[/snapback]</div>

Believe it. This is the real world. I can't sit around for weeks without my car waiting for some nonexistant gem of wisdom from you lot. Go buy a refurb engine? Great idea - brilliant. I still pay the labor for install, so I'm no better off. Go buy a short block? Again, brilliant, but not a cost savings once I pay for shipping, waste another week driving my gas-guzzler, etc.

Sometimes even though it's irritating, and rubs you the wrong way, you are stuck with a given course of action.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Oct 19 2007, 05:23 AM) [snapback]527695[/snapback]</div>

Bob - thanks for your sympathy, constructive tone, and lack of mud-slinging.

Yes, 20K since last oil change, if memory serves - it was at the 65K service (dealer).
Yes, 98 miles each way betwen Arrowhead and Beverly Hills. Mostly, it is highway driving, but 20 miles of it is up and down the hill.
Yes, loss of Prius has been extremely inconvenient and expensive.

Cheers,
Tim

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(timcapps @ Oct 19 2007, 12:06 PM) [snapback]527847[/snapback]</div>

That's like asking not to be blamed for your dog's death when the only thing your forgot to do was feed it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(timcapps @ Oct 19 2007, 02:06 PM) [snapback]527847[/snapback]</div>

I'm sorry I didn't think of this before but if you'd gotten an oil sample, it could have been sent off for analysis. We could use those results to see if the oil was even close to the proper grade.

Now this is 'grasping at straws' and if you have the receipt from the last dealer change, you can quickly confirm . . . did they use the right grade of oil in the last change? If the 65k change was something other than 5W-30, you'd have 'leverage' to negotiate a better deal. Toyota service is pretty darn good and this really is 'grasping at straws,' but if someone screwed up and used something too heavy 10W-40 or too light 0W-20, you'd have a powerful argument for cost sharing.

By expensive, I meant not the repair cost but also the commuting costs in fuel and time. These are quality of life issues having nothing to do with any "payback" interval. I'm not trying to trivialize the unexpected repair cost.

About the repair cost, just a thought, but you might talk with the banker about what sort of loan renegotiation might be done to address this unexpected cost. Sometimes they are more flexible than we know . . . asking is free. When my wife had some unexpected dental expenses come up, she was able to use the equity already built into her car loan to borrow at a very reasonable rate the dentist's boat payment.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

When the transmission went out earlier this year on my wife's Beetle. We were originally told that it needed replaced at the cost of $3800 + $120 for the diagnostic fee + tax. So I told them I would probably take it to another shop, and not do anything until I gave them a call back. I called a few shops and was quoted twice about $1800 for a complete rebuild. So I called the dealer back up and told them that I would be picking it up later and just paying the diagnostic fee. The dealership called up my wife right after that and told her that he had already ordered all the parts and that I would have to pay them $400 for a restocking fee. Well he shouldn't have tried to mess with the wife because she tore him a new one and she ended up getting the transmission at the "wholesale price" of $1600 and they waived half the labor and then told her about the 10 % off any major service coupon. LOL we still paid an arm and a leg though.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Oct 19 2007, 03:47 PM) [snapback]527885[/snapback]</div>

LOL

 

Get a used engine from a salvage yard with a guarentee of some sort (e.g. 30 day). Scour the net for a deal or salvage yards within a 100~150 mile radius from where you live. Get it installed and sell the car. Look for a mechanic who can do the job at a reasonable rate. I'd pump in $2500 to $2900 max for this total.

BTW, oil changes are essentially the most important service you can perform on your car. Never skip and don't skimp with oil.

Sorry you had this happen to you.

Good luck..
B

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hycamguy07 @ Oct 19 2007, 07:30 AM) [snapback]527697[/snapback]</div>

I don't care what the manufacturers say, I change my oil every 30,000+ miles with
Amsoil.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusBrian @ Oct 19 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]528066[/snapback]</div>

...after, of course, advising the buyer that the engine's salvage and recently installed...right...?


He said he wants to keep his HOV decals, and they're not transferable to a new vehicle; would seem to nix this scheme.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 19 2007, 11:59 PM) [snapback]528081[/snapback]</div>

No.. I'll make this real simple.

1) Get a used engine from a prius that got in a wreak. Typically they come with a 30 day warranty. Most can be found in junk yards but it will take some time to find one. Have patience.
2) Take newly acquired "used" engine and visit a mechanic who can install it in the dead prius at a reasonable price. Seek a moonlight mechanic to do the job. They exist...ask around.
3) Once installed...sell the car with the HOV stickers. Enjoy.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto?

Am I missing something here?

b