For entertainment value, I'm afraid this is a bit of a long story. My 16 yo is driving the 85 4Runner and we've had a leak for some time that I was convinced was the rear main seal. Even though the engine has few miles on it, it has sat undriven for long periods over the last 4 years (which can cause the rear main to go). Anyway, I noticed on Wednesday that he had a belt squeeling so I decided to drive it up to the Toyota dealership (which I rarely use) to get a replacement belt. Well I started talking to the parts guy and one thing led to another and we got one of the service guys involved.
I gave them the keys and had someone pick me up. I guess I was just being very lazy and opportunistic as they could take it immediately and I really didn't feel like messing with any of the belts and didn't really have the time. I mentioned that the A/C wasn't working and probably needed charging. I had it converted to 134A a few years ago and it never would hold a charge longer than 6 months even though it had had dye, etc. done twice and no one could find a leak. Anyway, I was looking at $300 or so when I left.
Got a call later, A/C was completely empty but they found a leaking valve at the fill port (wet under the cap) and they also mentioned that I had an oil leak which they had traced to the oil pump seal. They also found the A/C blower full of trash (described as a bee nest of sorts) and suggested that everything would work better if they took it all apart and cleaned it. Fine. Whatever. Go ahead.
Well the total bill was a bit over $600 but I no longer have an oil leak (worth the total bill to me), the A/C works and the belts are all new (all 3) and don't squeek. Considering I was going to have to spend almost $500 to just have the rear main done (when I thought it was that), I don't think that's too bad. I'm not sure I'll turn everything over to this dealership but all in all I would say that they didn't screw me too badly.
Could I have done it all cheaper? Probably, although the A/C thing had stumped two other shops (assuming of course that it's actually repaired this time) so I'm sure I would have spent at least $150 between the A/C charge and the new belts and might not have the A/C or the leak actually repaired.
I gave them the keys and had someone pick me up. I guess I was just being very lazy and opportunistic as they could take it immediately and I really didn't feel like messing with any of the belts and didn't really have the time. I mentioned that the A/C wasn't working and probably needed charging. I had it converted to 134A a few years ago and it never would hold a charge longer than 6 months even though it had had dye, etc. done twice and no one could find a leak. Anyway, I was looking at $300 or so when I left.
Got a call later, A/C was completely empty but they found a leaking valve at the fill port (wet under the cap) and they also mentioned that I had an oil leak which they had traced to the oil pump seal. They also found the A/C blower full of trash (described as a bee nest of sorts) and suggested that everything would work better if they took it all apart and cleaned it. Fine. Whatever. Go ahead.
Well the total bill was a bit over $600 but I no longer have an oil leak (worth the total bill to me), the A/C works and the belts are all new (all 3) and don't squeek. Considering I was going to have to spend almost $500 to just have the rear main done (when I thought it was that), I don't think that's too bad. I'm not sure I'll turn everything over to this dealership but all in all I would say that they didn't screw me too badly.
Could I have done it all cheaper? Probably, although the A/C thing had stumped two other shops (assuming of course that it's actually repaired this time) so I'm sure I would have spent at least $150 between the A/C charge and the new belts and might not have the A/C or the leak actually repaired.
It's Murphy's Law telling you to not spend so much time out of the country or your Truck's pissed off it get's no love from you? 