Recent content by Mark_in_Fresno

The exciting finale....here is the cost breakdown and what the tech wrote on the invoice- thanks for the input from this forum.

I should have gone to Clovis in hindsight. Absent this forum, they may have talked me into a complete engine overhaul. That or I would have towed it to the Fresno Rescue Mission for a donation/tax write off:crybaby::crybaby::crybaby: Hope to keep it on the road now for another 240k miles.

No doubt!

UPDATE- Toyota tech removed bad starter and was able to rotate the crankshaft as a result. Flywheel was not significantly damaged. New OEM starter and associated parts total around $400 plus labor will bring the bill north of $1,000. I'll try to get some details from the tech when I pick it...

Update- I spoke with the mechanic this morning that had actually looked at it when it was brought in (instead of the service writer). He couldn't move the engine by wrenching on the crankshaft. The starter when actuated sounds like it spins freely when attempting to start it. I asked if the...

-The starter sounds like it is freely spinning when engaged- so maybe something broke free from the starter and is jamming the flywheel? Sound possible?

OK, so I'm not crazy. I'm going to speak to the service tech tomorrow morning .... as I wait for the tow truck to take it somewhere else. I found this pic on Google images and can't see how there could be any correlation. Wanna have my ducks in a row when I go in tomorrow morning

Nope, replaced the timing belt/water pump 20k miles ago. Engine ran fine after turning over and was running fine until I turned it off. Dealer told me they couldn't get the motor to rotate with a breaker bar, like it was frozen. Can the starter fail and put shrapnel into the engine??

My starter gave out yesterday after 240K miles and had been making a bad sound during start up the past few days. The sound would go away after the engine fired up and ran fine until it wouldn't start yesterday. After finding the posts on the forum about how to replace the starter- I called...

Yes Ring and Pinion Failure- options? Well, let's hope my wife doesn't read these posts. Ring and Pinion broke with ARB intalled. IV Whezel Parts installed F & R ARB- parts and labor was $3,173.99. Considering upgrading front and rear to aftermarket 4:88 vs. Toyota stock replacement...

I'll update once I get the verdict from the repair shop. I was crawling thru some of the more difficult sections of the trail (see attached trail descrption) without problem, got onto a flat dirt section and felt/heard the binding somewhere in the front end.

I did the Swamp Lake trail this past weekend (Central Sierra Nevada Mtns) and BARELY limped out and made it to the Ranger Station. Front axle begain binding and clanking on the trail out. Binding became so severe that it locked up the front wheels a few times and I had to back up a few feet to...

Had one of each, now have two 100's That's right. Bought an 05 GX 470 for my wife and I have an 04 Cruiser.... now we have two 04 Cruisers. Traded the GX straight across. GX is too small and rear access is a joke with the swinging rear door.... try it parked off camber if you disagree.