Could this actually be missed by a legit mechanic, especially a Toyota Master Tech?

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Harker Heights, TX
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The above is the work that was done by EQ in mid July 22. The below is what I got after I took it to Toyota for a PPE. It was what I got about 3k miles and 5 months after the EQ work was done. Could this have happened in 5 months/3k miles?

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3k for valve cover gasket job? Wtf

Also timing belt service 2400$ ??

Whew ! Very high prices
 
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Yeah, I know the stealership is ridiculous on parts and labor cost. But the fact that a Toyota Master Tech missed all of the stuff listed by the PPE, after the service they did, I'm convinced they couldn't have missed all the issues and that the seller hid things.

Can a Toyota Master Tech miss all of this other stuff based on the service they did? I guess that's my question.

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based on the date it should have, or was at least on schedule. Do you think the shop missed it, or that the seller concealed it?
 
Can a Toyota Master Tech miss all of this other stuff based on the service they did? I guess that's my question.
i dont think so.

the carfax only recorded the service item done by the time, most likely the PO might deny quite a lot of service items at the time, esp. if he/she decided to sell the car soon.

also if you ask recommended service items, the shop tends to give you quite a lot of items to service, some time it is not based on the inspection but based on your truck age. I dont think your inspection shop was even bothered to open the valve cover to check the status nor they saw leakage over there. they just thought it *should* change at this age of the vehicle.

you can ask the shop why they think the valve cover gaskets need to replace and photos evidence. Also ask them where is the location of the oil leakage.
 
i dont think so.

the carfax only recorded the service item done by the time, most likely the PO might deny quite a lot of service items at the time, esp. if he/she decided to sell the car soon.

also if you ask recommended service items, the shop tends to give you quite a lot of items to service, some time it is not based on the inspection but based on your truck age. I dont think your inspection shop was even bothered to open the valve cover to check the status nor they saw leakage over there. they just thought it *should* change at this age of the vehicle.

you can ask the shop why they think the valve cover gaskets need to replace and photos evidence. Also ask them where is the location of the oil leakage.
I'm about to ask them about it, just wanted to make sure that I wasn't wrong about how those issues should have been identified based on the services that were done.
 
no worries, a lot of those services look to be a bit high on the price. i would want to know why they were looking to replace the rack, it looks like new boots were installed and the old ones werent removed. 2900 for vcg is an absolutely asinine price for the job, unless their actually replacing the valve covers themselves. i would go and get a second opinion with those prices
 
Inspections are subjective. Different techs/advisors/dealers recommendations will fall on the spectrum anywhere from what’s needed for safety to completely replacing all wear items and all service that isn’t documented based on time.

One guy might look at a 170k truck with a seeping ball joint and not recommend anything and another will recommend a control arm.
 
no worries, a lot of those services look to be a bit high on the price. i would want to know why they were looking to replace the rack, it looks like new boots were installed and the old ones werent removed. 2900 for vcg is an absolutely asinine price for the job, unless their actually replacing the valve covers themselves. i would go and get a second opinion with those prices
Pretty sure they wanted to replace the rack because of the bellows being torn in pieces, the PS fluid leak, and not knowing if there were problems with the inner/outer tie-rods.
 
Pretty sure they wanted to replace the rack because of the bellows being torn in pieces, the PS fluid leak, and not knowing if there were problems with the inner/outer tie-rods.

boots, lines and tie rod ends can all be replaced no need for a rack replacement. if its actually leaking from the rack around the pinion or the lines that are on the rack then that would warrant a replacement
 
My biggest issue/question is if a "car dealer" friend of mine(friends since we we very tiny kiddos) hid obvious problems from me, inclu
boots, lines and tie rod ends can all be replaced no need for a rack replacement. if its actually leaking from the rack around the pinion or the lines that are on the rack then that would warrant a replacement
Yeah, Gotcha. My issue is the fact that a Yota master tech couldn't find all of these issus
 
Yeah, Gotcha. My issue is the fact that a Yota master tech couldn't find all of these issus

as someone else mentioned doing the inspection can be a little subjective, one might suggest the whole rack while another may just recommend the tie rod ends. its not that it was necessarily missed it may have just beena different recommendation
 
@txtuffluck

It's really hard without these being directly back to back. Stuff can deteriorate quickly. That seems unlikely, but it's possible.

As stated, inspections are VERY subjective. What some shops pass as good, others will flag as must replace. It's a difficult balance because customers are often angry when they're told they have a pending high $$ bill. Others want everything repaired ASAP. It's a field of grey. A cracked boot can turn into what you have now in a matter of years or days.

I'm pedantic.. What I deem worthy of replacing with new, others will live with for years.

Those prices do seem high, but I wonder what all is included. The valve cover gasket kit for instance. The parts are rather cheap, but that can turn into a HUGE amount of labor. Depends what all is being replaced. I had a bypass gasket fail in the back of my 06's engine. That leak ended up costing me around $1500 in parts and something like 25 hours of labor. I was DIY-ing it, but that's a $5,000 parts and labor bill at most dealers. The "while I'm in there" list grew very long. Starter, tons of new hoses, gaskets, cleaning of injectors, etc... A very good shop will have a very long "while you're in there" list, IMO. If this dealer was accounting for a lot of that sort of thing and just labeling it all "Valve cover gasket kit" then that price might be fine. If that's literally just for the two valve cover gaskets and nothing else... that seems excessive.

I wouldn't fret your friendship or anyone's master tech capabilities. Too many unknowns going on. Figure out what parts need replacing on your ride and get her fixed up how you see fit after getting a second opinion from a good cruiser shop.
 
It’s a 17 year old truck and you took it to a dealership for a PPI -would expect anything less? The service writer is going on a fishing expedition to sell you anything he can at full tilt $$$++.

The previous work performed by EQ may have been quoted for more repairs but limited to whatever the PO approved them to do-
 
I also don’t think many people familiar with this engine would spend their own money to replace a 6 year old 50k timing belt.

Maybe I missed it but is the vcg leaking or seeping? Why are they recommending control arms, and ps pump? Is the rack leaking?

if your buddy is a master Toyota master tech why don’t you take it to him for a second opinion?
 
A Toyota master tech can miss anything if they don't give two s***s about upselling anything-or about customer satisfaction/retention.

But how do you know the work actually went to a master tech anyways? The work on an older vehicle may have been dispatched to their used car tech, lube tech, apprentice, etc..
 

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