90k checkup done...now>>>>

[Idsrvit]

Hello all...

I am a LX 470 owner and new to this forum. Looking for tech help.

I just paid over $1700 to have my 90k (actually 90 &95k combined) Everything was done..but dealer PMO by the way they grouped the bill. Went in...had three estimates given...first one...with the usual oils flushed/ replaced and brakes. Second ...if timing belt needed replaced and third...with wheel baring repack. Eventually told it all needed done plus since they were in there, water cooler should be replaced too. Had it all done...but felt like I was hammered on my bill because of the way each bill was grouped (no discounts given in labor) After some discussions...did get about $200 taken off on parts..but still feel like I paid way too much for the service. NOW>......I am noticing something new. When I accelerate hard going up a hill...the car kicks in for about three seconds, then I get this "kick" or stop (sort of as if the car was shutting off for a split second) and then it kicks back in. Anyone have any ideas on what this is?? I am worried it is a screw up in the timing belt install or something. I am trying to use up this tank of gas to be sure it isnt bad gas. PS...just for a butt kicker, when I brought the car home from the dealer ,parked in the garage for about 10 min and came out to see a puddle of antifreeze sitting on my garage floor. Took it right back and the dealer told me there was a slice in the hose?????? I'm ot buying that..I'm thinking they forgot to secure the hose. what are your thoughts on that one too?

 

[ATLcrusher]

Not sure what they did to the brakes (you don't specify), but $1500 probably isn't terribly out of line, especially given that it was a Lexus dealer.

I have no suggestions on your acceleration problem.

Sounds to me like the dealer cut the hose - it wasn't leaking before after all. They should replace it.

 

[Idsrvit]

90k

well..for starters..it was a toyota dealership (not lexus). the original estimate for a 90k c/u was $1200 to have everything (all fluids, timing belt, serp belt, wheel baring repack,brake pads) and an additional $250 if I needed rotars. So..the most I was looking to spend on this with everything done was $1500-$1600. I told them to change the belts, repack the wheel barings and was certain I needed new brake pads..wasnt sure about the rotars, but of course, they said yes. So, I went ahead...as mentioned assuming I was spending $1600 tops. When I went into pick up the car, the bill was pennies shy of $2000. I wanted explanations fast...turns out...the way it was billed, it was for three separate jobs, One...a simple 90k c/u (no brake pads, no wheel repack). then..the second estimate was a wheel repack....then the third was for the brake pad/rotars. but..the fourth was for the timing belt and water cooler. So, each one had its own labor rate. I am not a mechanic and in fact, a woman who does not know a whole lot about fixing a car, but, I do know if you are rotating tires, you check the brakes and rotars then....or if you are doing a timing belt, you check the water cooler then....however, the way it was itemized in billing all gave the rate quote for start to finish of each job as a serparate entity. (hopefully you are following my logic). So...I had to convince them that the 95k c/u rate (with everything) was $1600...how am I at $2000???? As they showed the bill...it was all grouped as separate services. So, I had to point out each could have or should have been done while the other was done. Didnt even mention that I was told it would take a day and a half, and they had my car for four days. That is not including the extra day they had it to replace the hose that they said was sliced. So, in all I am out a week the use of my car!! Finally the service manager sat down with me and asked me what I expected to pay. I asked him to run me a quote of a 90k c/u and it came back $1500 something...(closer to 1600 but under) so I said that is what I expected to pay. I asked why it was billed out as four separate services when I said from the start to do it all. So, the $200 he took off was from the labor and there was a minute 10% from parts that came to about $60. That is how I got to my $1700 figure and that is what I had to pay. I figured it was within the $100 of my original quote.....so I agreed to pay it. But, still felt as if I should not have had to defend myself as much as I did!

 

[e9999]

welcome to the forum!

well, indeed, you shouldn't have to pay twice for the same labor if it's done at the same time. Sadly, many dealers are not shy about trying to pad costs up that way. Even more sadly, maybe more likely to try if they are dealing with women, so good for you!

Not sure what you mean by water cooler. Water pump, maybe? If so, that was good thinking.

Sliced hose? When one says sliced, that implies cut. Odd. Seems likely that they must have caused that if you didn't have leak before. Or simply needs tightening. They should take care of that.

Not sure about hesitation.

good luck!

 

[Alacrity]

Re: hesitation - has the throttle plate ever been cleaned?

 

[Gohawks63]

Needing new rotors sounds fishy to me. Unless they were deeply scored because you drove them with worn pads, they shouldn't need to be replaced.

I had an '01 TL that was notorious for warping rotors. THey were machined at least three times and at 80k miles they warped again. I was certain that they were going to tell me that new rotors were in order, but no. They were still within specs.

Given that the LC/LX has heavier duty parts, I find it hard to believe that a rotor replacement was needed.

 

[ATLcrusher]

For reference, I just got mine back this afternoon. $1581 which included everything in the 90K service, plus t-belt, the other belt (can't think of it's name), water pump, crank seals, fluid change on diffs/transfercase + shaft lube (he he), f/r brake pads and tax. I supplied the oil (Mobil 1) and didn't let them change my SilBlades (wipers).

I don't think it was a screaming deal, but not bad, and I'm trying to build some goodwill with Mr. T.

 

[tabraha]

other belt = main drive belt

 

[NMuzj100]

main drive belt = serpentine belt

Idsrvit - what year of LX ?

Sounds like they tried to take advantage of you but you held your own. Try and be happy that you kept them honest and came out with a fair resolution rather than dwell on the fact that they tried to cheat you.

Your hesitation while accelerating uphill doesn't sound like it would be related to a improperly installed timing belt. Sometimes after the battery is disconnected for service the vehicle will drive differently until the programming adjusts. Not sure if this could be your situation.

Also take the time to check the levels of all the fluids (esp... transmission fluid) after some driving.