New Starter cost - this seem right?

[Jwoodywild]

Quoted $995.00 to replace the starter. Price seem fair? Also, about how long should a starter last?

It is making a metal sound on startup about 50% of the time. I am told this symptom can lead to damage of the ring or even the starter coming apart and pieces going to unwanted places - so instead of waiting for it to crap out gonna take care of it. Price seem fair?

 

[nissanh]

The main componenets of a toyota oem starter should last easy 30-40 years or more (my 90 hilux, 92 corolla in fact all toyota's have the factory starter still), the only part that may need replacement is the starter contacts usually two copper plates and a plunger runs about $12 on ebay, or OEM solenoid at toyota for $40-50. You may have a abused starter in the sense, someone energized the starter while engine is running.

 

[Jwoodywild]

The main componenets of a toyota oem starter should last easy 30-40 years or more (my 90 hilux, 92 corolla in fact all toyota's have the factory starter still), the only part that may need replacement is the starter contacts usually two copper plates and a plunger runs about $12 on ebay, or OEM solenoid at toyota for $40-50. You may have a abused starter in the sense, someone energized the starter while engine is running.

About 50% of the time when I start the truck (2003) it makes a metal sound like metal on metal. Some speculated it was the starter having trouble releasing -I don't quite know what that means but what I was told. Today at the shop I was told that the noise was something heard before and a symptom of a starter that will not only fail but "come apart" with bearings or other debris getting into the transmission. The recommendation was to replace the starter.

I can try and take a video of the noise - it does not happen every time.

 

[Jwoodywild]

The grinding sound referenced on this page is what I am hearing:

How To Identify A Failing Lexus Starter Motor | Lexus of Orange County

If your Lexus engine won't start, it could be due to a failing starter motor. Read on to learn the signs of a failing Lexus starter motor and what to do.

www.lexusorangecounty.com

 

[BullElk]

Agree… the starter can last many years and several hundred thousand miles. $1k seems high to me in my area. I have had one replaced if I recall and it cost closer to $500 parts and labor. I would recommend having knock sensors replaced while paying for that labor. They are located right beside the starter.

 

[3_puppies]

what starter are they using?
all OEM stuff? starter, manifold gaskets, etc
there is a chance the 1 connector will break and need to be replaced also

 

[2001LC]

Have shop make sure, the two starter mounting bolts are torque in.

If this sound was not present before service, then it's 97% chance related to new starter.

If starter bendix drive falls apart. The snap ring and bearing fall into bell housing, not transmission. They don't usually damage anything. But the start drive gear (pinion), then wobbles out of alignment. This damages, the teeth on flexplate (aka: flywheel) that starter is engages to turn over engine.
.

$995 indicates, service done at INDY shop. Post up a copy of work order, lets see what parts they used?

Here's what I see from INDY, DIY and even sometimes from dealerships starter service:

1. Top of engine not cleaned resulting in sand dropping into intake ports of heads. A good mechanic, at minimum use air gun to blow off sand.
2. Start wire housing block clips busted and reused. This can result in starter wire falling off.
3. Aftermarket start installed. Good luck on getting much more than 5 years.
4. Gaskets reused, which they should never be.
5. Not torquing mounting bolts of starter, intake manifold or throttle body
6. Reattaching, cracked vacuum lines.

Starter jobs, is a red flag for me, when doing PPO inspection. I've seen many engine with bad compression, because shop did not take the time to do right. Personally I spend more time cleaning pre disassembly and during assemble, than most shop do on the while service. I also reseat contact of all remanufactured starters.

 

[Mike NXP]

The grinding sound referenced on this page is what I am hearing:

How To Identify A Failing Lexus Starter Motor | Lexus of Orange County

If your Lexus engine won't start, it could be due to a failing starter motor. Read on to learn the signs of a failing Lexus starter motor and what to do.

www.lexusorangecounty.com

Any chance you can catch a recording of the noise? I've been having a suspect noise lately as well and I'm wondering if my starter is starting to show signs of something

 

[excessive]

i agree with @2001LC
there is a lot that can go wrong with a quick-n-dirty starter replacement. Take the time to clean, clean, and clean some more when doing this job

 

[Jwoodywild]

Have shop make sure, the two starter mounting bolts are torque in.

If this sound was not present before service, then it's 97% chance related to new starter.

If starter bendix drive falls apart. The snap ring and bearing fall into bell housing, not transmission. They don't usually damage anything. But the start drive gear (pinion), then wobbles out of alignment. This damages, the teeth on flexplate (aka: flywheel) that starter is engages to turn over engine.
.

$995 indicates, service done at INDY shop. Post up a copy of work order, lets see what parts they used?

Here's what I see from INDY, DIY and even sometimes from dealerships starter service:

1. Top of engine not cleaned resulting in sand dropping into intake ports of heads. A good mechanic, at minimum use air gun to blow off sand.
2. Start wire housing block clips busted and reused. This can result in starter wire falling off.
3. Aftermarket start installed. Good luck on getting much more than 5 years.
4. Gaskets reused, which they should never be.
5. Not torquing mounting bolts of starter, intake manifold or throttle body
6. Reattaching, cracked vacuum lines.

Starter jobs, is a red flag for me, when doing PPO inspection. I've seen many engine with bad compression, because shop did not take the time to do right. Personally I spend more time cleaning pre disassembly and during assemble, than most shop do on the while service. I also reseat contact of all remanufactured starters.

My truck has 298,500 miles and the starter has likely not been replaced.
The noise, which I will try and record, has been ongoing for many months and does not happen 100% of the time - more like 50%.
It is an INDY shop in SoCal - but a shop that works on many old cruisers - the owner drives one and both his kids do too. So I trust he knows what he is doing but I can get more info -my guess is OEM parts.

I plan to call around to get some other prices.