intermitent starting problem

[jp213a]

He calls this morning & says tech sees intermittent prob with starter. So I say how much. $750 for labor & parts & thats a factory rebuilt! $90 something an hr!

Also, shop says my T belt looks to be orig & asked if I wanted to open my wallet for another $400 +/- to do that today!

So looks like I better get my tax refund real quick for this unexpected work.

A Toyota starter retails for $268.35 and wholesales (on-line price) for $214.68. http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...e=34&model=Land cruiser&year=2000&catalogid=1
So by my calculation, that's roughly $500 for labor to change a starter. It's hard to believe a starter R&R cost more than a timing belt replacement. I guess your local stealership knows it's tax refund season. You can buy a lot of tools for $500.

 

[SWUtah]

The $400 is a pretty good deal for a timing belt change.

 

[NMuzj100]

The $400 is a pretty good deal for a timing belt change.

I think the pricing on the timing belt job is getting more competitive as the 4.7L engines are getting older and the shops get experiance with them. On unknown jobs the shops charge by the book but when they know they can do it faster then they can go down.

I see lots of ads for $325 V8 belt changes. Dealers are willing to do a cheap 90k service just to bring in customers with "old" cars so they can look at the new ones. Plus the add ons (water pump, ect.. ) can add up quick.

 

[SWUtah]

I think the pricing on the timing belt job is getting more competitive as the 4.7L engines are getting older and the shops get experiance with them. On unknown jobs the shops charge by the book but when they know they can do it faster then they can go down.

I see lots of ads for $325 V8 belt changes. Dealers are willing to do a cheap 90k service just to bring in customers with "old" cars so they can look at the new ones. Plus the add ons (water pump, ect.. ) can add up quick.

Personally I would just want to get it all done while they were in there doing the starter. Water pump, hoses, belts, seals, timing belt, starter. Then not have to worry with it for another 90K.

 

[gjh]

Wow, someone wants to spend a lot of dough!

OK, so I pick up the truck tonight, they showed $330 for the starter & I politely tell the rep that parts quoted me $239, he logs & & reduces my bill by $90 without arguing; good PR. I walk out at $680, with reco for t belt, plugs, hoses & bunch of other stuff totalling like another $800-$900; a big hit ,I will look into an independent to do, or at least I may do some of it myself. I left with my orig batt & I go to Sears & have another load test & it shows up bad again, so the 2nd opinion shoots me towards a new batt; $115 installed for the only one they make for that vehicle; it's the "International" big deal i.e left hand positive post vs right, so I have to pay an add'l $30 for it vs the Die Hard Gold which has more CCA's; can't win.

Enough cash outlay for now, I did the full 60k service at 68k, all the fluids, plugs, serpentine, etc when I bought the truck as I didn't know the history. All new rotors & pads, plus rear emerg brake pivots for near $1000 two months ago, so I have been taking care of the truck. I hear you can go 120 with the T belt so may have to wait till spring. Oh, & I will be needing 4 tires too!

I gotta be honest, my '88 Range Rover was actually less exspensive parts & service wise, but I did have a good independent. Something I still seek for this truck.

I work 50-60 hrs a week & would rather be working on my Triumph than this...

 

[EdsCruisin]

Enough cash outlay for now........ so I have been taking care of the truck. I hear you can go 120 with the T belt so may have to wait till spring. Oh, & I will be needing 4 tires too!

I gotta be honest, my '88 Range Rover was actually less exspensive parts & service wise, but I did have a good independent. Something I still seek for this truck.

I work 50-60 hrs a week & would rather be working on my Triumph than this...

I feel your pain! Not only did I spend about $2k in a short two month period, but I had to listen to my wife complain about it as well! I would have much rather spent that cash on other pursuits.

 

[jp213a]

I hear you can go 120 with the T belt so may have to wait till spring. Oh, & I will be needing 4 tires too!

From my own experience and what I've read on this board, the risk of pushing a timing belt to 120K miles is very low. The belt is way over designed for the load so there is a huge safety factor. If the water pump, t-belt tensioner, cam seals, front crank seal, and idler pulleys are going to be replaced with the t-belt, it even makes the small risk more attractive because you'll be getting the 33% extended life out of these component too. That ends up being a chunk of change plus I hate the idea of retiring good Toyota parts way before their time.

 

[SWUtah]

From my own experience and what I've read on this board, the risk of pushing a timing belt to 120K miles is very low. The belt is way over designed for the load so there is a huge safety factor. If the water pump, t-belt tensioner, cam seals, front crank seal, and idler pulleys are going to be replaced with the t-belt, it even makes the small risk more attractive because you'll be getting the 33% extended life out of these component too. That ends up being a chunk of change plus I hate the idea of retiring good Toyota parts way before their time.

I changed the timing belt and water pump at 58K miles on a 99 LC. It was 7 years old and age is also a factor (per Toyota), mine would not of made it to 90K miles. Belt was cracked and fraided, and the water pump was leaking. Mine was a AZ LC so it saw some heat and the acc. belt was cracked which was my first clue that the timing belt might be in trouble. I changed every hose and belt, if it was rubber I changed it. I would not recommend waiting on the timing belt or water pump. The 4.7 V8 is a interferrence engine and if that belt breaks you might as well part-out the rest of your LC. DON'T WAIT DO THE TIMING BELT WHEN IT IS DUE BASED ON YEARS AND OR MILEAGE. Not worth the gamble.

 

[concretejungle]

Gary, if you still have intermitten starting problems after they fix the starter, post back and let us know. I still wonder if it's the ignition switch?

Can they bypass the ignition switch and test the starter that way?

See this post: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=125974

 

[concretejungle]

i was curious if there was an update to this thread?

 

[gjh]

Sems to be working fine after a new (Toyota factory rebuilt starter) & Diehard international battery.

I must say, that when it's 10-12deg every morning & you don't have to be waiting to hear that dreaded click, click it does ease your mind. If not your wallett... lol

 

[concretejungle]

good deal Gary, thanks.

If it acts up again, let us know as i would like to see if 100 starting problems can be traced to an ignition as the 80s are starting to do.

A rebuild kit from Cdan on an 80 starter runs about $30 plus a couple of busted knuckles. Otherwise, not bad.