Tensioner pulley seized

[kunu]

Afternoon Gents,

I’ve had a rhythmic squeal going on for about 1 week now. First noticed it on a couple cold starts 2 weeks ago, it would let out a loud squeal then go away. This week is graduated to a loud rhythmic squeal that goes away when I rev the engine.

Come to find out the tensioner pulley is seized and not moving.

I took it to my local Toyota dealer (for diagnosis) and they quoted me $600 for 3 hours of labor . Plus parts. I watched one YouTube video and it looks like this might be a 45 minute job at max.

Can someone give a sanity check. Is this really something a rookie should shy away from. Idk why I keep going to Toyota at this point, I think they’re just guessing.

 

[shane431]

If you got the tools it's not really a hard job. But worst case scenario buy the parts from Toyota and take it to an independent shop or find an independent shop that specializes in Toyotas and let them knock it out.

 

[kunu]

If you got the tools it's not really a hard job. But worst case scenario buy the parts from Toyota and take it to an independent shop or find an independent shop that specializes in Toyotas and let them knock it out.

Yep, this is the one I watched. Seems reasonable enough.

 

[Mike NXP]

A rookie can definitely do it. Very little to go wrong, and a great deal of feeling good when you get it done....Assuming you have basic knowledge of turning a wrench you should be OK mostly just a ' remove and replace ' type of job. Or find a trust local shop who can use OEM parts they will quote you less .

- If replacing the tensioner pulley, you should consider doing the entire assembly. If you are not doing the tensioner assembly as well be sure to use the correct size pulley, mid years switched over to a larger pulley and different tensioner setup
- You should consider replacing your serpentine belt as well. OEM is the way to go
- You should consider replacing your top idler, its easy to get and easiser to swap then pulley on the tensioner

 

[Trapper50cal]

Yeah, a “while you’re at it” situation. I actually did idler, tensioner and belt while doing the t-stat.

 

[Aracobuilt]

Unfortunately, things have gotten out of hand, not only with dealerships, but also independent shops. If you don't want to get screwed you have to make the repairs yourself, at least the simpler ones.

Examples:
I got quote $4,500 by an independent shop to replace the four suspension accumulator balls and replace the AHC fluid. I ended up ordering them for around $600 and $50 for the fluid. It took me one day to change them out and put in the fresh fluid. I save myself almost $4,000 for one days worth of work in the drive way.

My LS400 needed steering rack bushings replaced. Another shop quoted me $550 just in labor, without the cost of parts. I ended up replacing them in under an hour.

I just replaced the fuel sending unit on my LX470. The job went smoothly and without hiccups. I don't want to know what a shop would have charged me for this. Took me no more than an hour or two.

 

[kunu]

I got quote $4,500 by an independent shop to replace the four suspension accumulator balls and replace the AHC fluid. I ended up ordering them for around $600 and $50 for the fluid. It took me one day to change them out and put in the fresh fluid. I save myself almost $4,000 for one days worth of work in the drive way.

This is EXACTLY what sparked my skepticism in shops. I had the exact same experience a couple months ago, they told me my globes were going to be $4500 and it took me an afternoon and some sweat. And I am as rookie as they come….

 

[kunu]

I just called the shop and told them to cancel my appointment and why. The tech told me that they just enter the job into their system and it calculates the time for them based on Toyota recommendations. So they’re not even using their own heads when they bid these jobs.

Super sad, but it is what it is. Thanks Mud

 

[Mike NXP]

I just called the shop and told them to cancel my appointment and why. The tech told me that they just enter the job into their system and it calculates the time for them based on Toyota recommendations. So they’re not even using their own heads when they bid these jobs.

Super sad, but it is what it is. Thanks Mud

Totally, that's called flat rate....A particular job pays a certain amount of hours based on manufacturer recommendation....Hours to do job X shop rate = grand Total.....The tech does the job faster than that's money in their pocket ...Even around here some Indy shops are up to $180+ an hour... But their mechanics need to get paid and we all want to eat so that's just the way she goes...Do whatever repairs you can...Usually once it involves crawling under the car on jack stands / needing a lift is when I give up and just pay someone...under the hood type repairs you can handle it

 

[Aracobuilt]

When you have hourly rates above $150, many between $200 and $250, and increasing parts costs things add up quickly. Hardly anyone is leaving with a repair bill lower than $1,000. And to top it off the guy working on your vehicle is a kid making $15 an hour.