What should be a reasonable labor cost from an independent shop for a starter replacement? Just the labor since I bought a reman OEM starter for $120. Much thanks
Labor cost of starter replacement (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter lxj1
- Start date
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BullElk
SILVER Star
I had the work done for $200, which is probably less expensive than most. But after 355k miles on the original stater, I ain’t complaining.
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2001LC
SILVER Star
I see book time at 5 hr's (5.5 VVT). Hrly rate vary's
More parts needed than just starter, depending on VVT or non.
Also you need a shop that really takes "precaution". Good luck finding one!
Precaution: Clean top of engine paying special attention to area between intake manifold and heads. Cover intake ports while working under intake manifold, Vacuuming out each intake ports pre-assembly.
Very nice touch is replace fuel inject damper seals in intake (seals bottom of fuel injectors).
Additionally consideration: Rebuilt starter, especially if not "Toyota" reman Denso. Which is different then Denso. The contact should be reset.
If someone offer to do this job today, for $200 dollars, I'd run away!
Do the job once and do it right. Avoids damaging cylinders and costing lose of cylinder compression.
More parts needed than just starter, depending on VVT or non.
Also you need a shop that really takes "precaution". Good luck finding one!
Precaution: Clean top of engine paying special attention to area between intake manifold and heads. Cover intake ports while working under intake manifold, Vacuuming out each intake ports pre-assembly.
Very nice touch is replace fuel inject damper seals in intake (seals bottom of fuel injectors).
Additionally consideration: Rebuilt starter, especially if not "Toyota" reman Denso. Which is different then Denso. The contact should be reset.
If someone offer to do this job today, for $200 dollars, I'd run away!
Do the job once and do it right. Avoids damaging cylinders and costing lose of cylinder compression.
JunkCrzr89
Competent Ignoramoose
x2. Everything Paul said is on point. Not too many people I would trust to do starter replacement...
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
Agree with the guys above. Booked time is between 4-6hrs depending. Make sure that if they are doing the job they research before as FSM states to remove upper intake manifold to get to certain bolts to release lower, but there are a couple threads around here that show you can remove the entire intake as one piece. This will save some time and money on gaskets unless the vehicle has lots of miles on it, at which time there may be some benefit to replacing the gaskets between upper and lower intake pieces.
Not sure where you are in Cali @lxj1 but if you are near the central valley (Stockton) I would HIGHLY recommend scheduling with Georg at Valley Hybrids. Land Cruisers is what the man knows and works on. Can't recommend him enough.
Not sure where you are in Cali @lxj1 but if you are near the central valley (Stockton) I would HIGHLY recommend scheduling with Georg at Valley Hybrids. Land Cruisers is what the man knows and works on. Can't recommend him enough.
BullElk
SILVER Star
But if you play your cards right, use the mechanic for other smaller jobs first, learn his personality, attention to detail, patience with customers playing their cards right like me, find out how fair his previous pricing is, maybe give a little extra when you think its fair, etc..... You can get steals of deals like I do. I did mention it was less expensive than most. And my guy did an excellent job cleaning surfaces and covering intake ports. He actually shows me the book hours then charges much less based on actual time. Just an honest guy in every way and believe me....I'm looking and listening.
All and all is this a job rookies out there should consider doing? It seems pretty straight forward and no special skills/tools are needed other than some time and precaution to keep everything clean. This would ensure the job gets done right.
- Thread starter
- #8
I’m in Los Angeles so at 4-6 hours we’re talking up to $700. Ouch.
Any recommended, ie, good value
LC/LX shops in the LA/Orange County area?
I also need to do the timing belt. Would a shop charge less doing the starter and timing belt together (compared to doing them at separate times)?
I know these are both significant work, but doable by diy’ers so I may have to block off a long weekend (or few) to keep some change in the pocket!
Thanks all.
Any recommended, ie, good value
LC/LX shops in the LA/Orange County area?I also need to do the timing belt. Would a shop charge less doing the starter and timing belt together (compared to doing them at separate times)?
I know these are both significant work, but doable by diy’ers so I may have to block off a long weekend (or few) to keep some change in the pocket!
Thanks all.
Doable for sure. Just need common tools and careful attention.
I’m in Los Angeles so at 4-6 hours we’re talking up to $700. Ouch.
Any recommended, ie, good value
I also need to do the timing belt. Would a shop charge less doing the starter and timing belt together (compared to doing them at separate times)?
I know these are both significant work, but doable by diy’ers so I may have to block off a long weekend (or few) to keep some change in the pocket!
Thanks all.
$700 sounds right. If someone's charging much less, they're clueless, IMO. Starter on a 2UZ is a big task and there are a handful of shortcuts that will be a significant detriment to reliability long term if taken.
As Paul says, lots of gaskets and seals to replace and check. Dropping some debris in the intake can really harm an engine.
This is similar to a timing belt job. The parts to do the minimum work are a small concern overall. The labor and care taken to address issues along the way is far more valuable than any savings you could get by finding a clueless mechanic that quotes a low rate not really understanding (or caring) what they're about to dive into.
IMO, a timing belt job on a 2UZ should cost at least $1500, probably closer to $2000 (including labor). Any less and somebody is taking shortcuts or paying themselves far too little - or both.
To me, replacing the starter seemed way easier than replacing the timing belt. It will take you 1/2 a leisurely day and the only specialty tool needed is a torque wrench.
I’m in Los Angeles so at 4-6 hours we’re talking up to $700. Ouch.
Any recommended, ie, good value
I also need to do the timing belt. Would a shop charge less doing the starter and timing belt together (compared to doing them at separate times)?
I know these are both significant work, but doable by diy’ers so I may have to block off a long weekend (or few) to keep some change in the pocket!
Thanks all.
New shop just opened up in the La Crescenta area called RS Automotive Works. Richard (the shop owner and primary mechanic) is a stand up guy, super thorough, fair and transparent. I've used him for a couple jobs on my 99 already and I'm 100 percent going to have him do my timing belt job and any other work I need. Give him a ring and tell him Gerard with the 99 land cruiser referred you to him.
This job is doable but I am not sure whay you mean by rookies. If you are an advance rookie then yes. The hardest part of this whole exercise is getting and putting back the rear bolts out from the starter between the engine and firewall. There is very little space. This was a pita. You have to get up and on the engine and twist yourself in ways not designed for most men. Lol. Besides this the rest of the stuff is very doable.
- Thread starter
- #13
I decided to replace the starter myself. The major auto shop in my neighborhood quoted labor cost of $560 for the starter and $630 for the timing belt and water pump. But I like getting to know my car more intimately.
The starter replacement took about 5 hours (not counting the beer and lunch breaks) and I am just an intermediate diy’er. That includes 30 minutes of fishing for a dropped socket. Doh.
That $630 labor quote for the timing belt and water pump sure sounds tempting though!
The starter replacement took about 5 hours (not counting the beer and lunch breaks) and I am just an intermediate diy’er. That includes 30 minutes of fishing for a dropped socket. Doh.
That $630 labor quote for the timing belt and water pump sure sounds tempting though!
nice to accomplish a job.
$630 for the parts and labor on the timing belt? I like changing almost everything while doing this job, serp belt, coolant hoses, heater T's, idler, tensioner, crank seals, etc
Good job on the starter, and I’d say if you felt comfortable doing that, step up and do the timing belt yourself. The money saved is secondary to having the experience under your belt and knowing the engine better. There’s a lot of videos that show the entire process on a 2UZ, follow those and have at it!
