What did you pay for your valley plate coolant leak? (3 Viewers)

[linuxgod]

Have you used The Car Care Nut? If so, what is your feedback? Seems like a pretty descent mechanic and shop based on his YouTube videos.

I have not. They're over an hour away given no traffic (which is virtually never here).

The dealer (Bredemann Toyota) is about 20 minutes and provides a service loaner. They are generally above average for a dealer, though I've had a few complaints over the last year so maybe my bar is just set too low.

I really liked Chi-Town out west but they've gone from being a full service mod shop to mainly lifts and wheels.

The problem around Chicago I've found is that even shops with good mechanics tend to want the easy jobs like brakes which they can do in half the book time. There are so many of those jobs available that they'd rather not even attempt the more complicated stuff which ties up their couple of service bays unless they're having a quiet week. And honestly the majority of shops seem to hire inexperienced mechanics who don't know what a torque wrench is and give you your truck back with lug nuts at half their proper torque

 

[UZJ100LC]

so this is one time fix?
assuming that, it would be beneficial to purchase a 200/LX 570 that already had this repair done at a dealer

 

[Jeff Elliott]

FWIW, while a time consuming repair that comes with the possibility of a couple of busted knuckles, this isn't a super-complicated endeavor. Basic tools & patience are all that are needed since the how-to has been covered at length here and on youtube. I've done this one myself and I'd do it again just for the piece of mind that I know it's done right + I did several "while I'm in there" items (water pump & bracket, tees, belts, etc.).

Everyone's time is worth something and is different for each person so certainly not pushing anyone here to take it on... so is everyone's skill level, facilities & comfort with taking on a new challenge. That said, this is a repair that pros are pricing almost exclusively on the time it take vs. specialized knowledge, tools & skills so don't be afraid to give it a go.

 

[linuxgod]

so this is one time fix?
assuming that, it would be beneficial to purchase a 200/LX 570 that already had this repair done at a dealer

I think so but I have seen at least one person on this forum post they've had it done twice.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

Have you used The Car Care Nut? If so, what is your feedback? Seems like a pretty descent mechanic and shop based on his YouTube videos.

Hey.

I have a lx 2013

I used tccn automotive which is the car care nut service center about 14 months ago. We don’t live in the area. We visit family that is about one hour away. I request front and rear brakes. Power steering and brake fluid flush. He was able to squeeze me in. My last brake job was about 40,000 miles before.

He said I am going to guess you will not rear brakes. He immediately checked. He said nope rear brakes are not needed. The front ones were at 4 mm. I had purchased pads, hardware, and rotors form Toyota dealer (great sales). He was cool with using them as long as they are oem and from dealership. He did say change out rotors and hardware. I didn’t have any warping.

I was charged 1.5 hour for front brake,1 hour steering flush, and 1 hour from brake fluid flush. Labor rate was $120 back then. I am not sure about current rate.

No service loaners but enterprise is in the same complex. There was water and soda in the “waiting room”. I dropped off. And was alerted with text message and phone call that it was ready. The shop is very clean.

I picked up and noticed engine cover clips had been replaced and engine had been wiped down. I was not charged or told about it. They seem prideful.

I have not had brake noise or warping after 20k miles. I seek out independent shops rather than dealerships.

I asked about my weeping struts. He said to keep an eye on them and fluid for ahc. He said change out mounts if you do the struts.

The shop tears an engine apart every 10 days. They don’t do any other work during that time.

He is professional but down to earth. Passionate about Toyota.

We live about six hundred miles away. I would use his shop again.

 

[urinalcake]

FWIW, while a time consuming repair that comes with the possibility of a couple of busted knuckles, this isn't a super-complicated endeavor. Basic tools & patience are all that are needed since the how-to has been covered at length here and on youtube. I've done this one myself and I'd do it again just for the piece of mind that I know it's done right + I did several "while I'm in there" items (water pump & bracket, tees, belts, etc.).

Everyone's time is worth something and is different for each person so certainly not pushing anyone here to take it on... so is everyone's skill level, facilities & comfort with taking on a new challenge. That said, this is a repair that pros are pricing almost exclusively on the time it take vs. specialized knowledge, tools & skills so don't be afraid to give it a go.

Well stated. I echo the opinion. I haven’t done it yet on my truck (currently at 183k mi), but will tackle it when the time comes.

 

[Dan Lee]

I paid about $2000 but included a lot of parts replacements and PCV (for example, any hose, gasket, o-ring that was removed got replaced). It was about $1500 in labor (including lots of cleanup of the leaked, caked fluid) and $500 new factory parts (including the $100 tube of black sealant). I perhaps went overboard with parts but it was incremental over the labor costs. Local shop, not dealer.

 

[c4xplsv]

I can attest on this. One of my E46's M3's had a "killer" situation that I really gave up on it. I sold it full disclosure and the day of teh sale, guess what? It started no issiues ! Hahahah...Ce la vie !

Ya sounds just like my buddies smg e46 m3 - total money pit.

 

[MeWantLC]

I have seen it done twice but majority reports just one. Please don't let this one thing worry you too much

so this is one time fix?
assuming that, it would be beneficial to purchase a 200/LX 570 that already had this repair done at a dealer

 

[MeWantLC]

Ya sounds just like my buddies smg e46 m3 - total money pit.

Funny enough.... Out of the 4 I had, one was SMG and it was the one that gave me the least of the issues

Ze Germman Kars

 

[LX Cruiser]

Seems to me I read about the coolant valley leak more on 200s and GXs than on Tundras and Sequoias. And there are a lot more Tundras than 200s.

But I don’t think any of these common issues (coolant valley leak, cam tower seepage, timing tensioner rattle, etc) are model specific—they occur on engines built in Japan and in the States.

Well, one issue is model-specific: the 200 radiator 2008-2018. 200s and 570s are the only unfortunate recipient of that design flaw.

 

[y2kc0wb0y]

$2100 Washington DC area.

 

[tacoduck]

Should you do the starter while you’re in there?

 

[linuxgod]

Should you do the starter while you’re in there?

you can but it’s the opposite side of the engine (top vs bottom), doubtful there’s any cost savings

 

[thefourthdoctor]

Was just quoted about $1450 at local indy shop

 

[JohnQ]

Just had mine done at the local Toyota dealer for $1300. Dropped it off about 9:30 in the morning and it was done by the end of the day.

 

[hank14]

2016 Sequoia w/ 125,000 miles is at an independent Toyota/ Lexus shop for some other service right now. Found the Valley leak which didn't surprise me because I've had to add a small amount of coolant recently.

Quoted a 12 hour job and $2300 which I thought was high based on other reports. I'm not sure if they were including the water pump or other items.

I'm going today to pick it up and see what all else they were going to do while they were in there.

 

[hank14]

2016 Sequoia w/ 125,000 miles is at an independent Toyota/ Lexus shop for some other service right now. Found the Valley leak which didn't surprise me because I've had to add a small amount of coolant recently.

Quoted a 12 hour job and $2300 which I thought was high based on other reports. I'm not sure if they were including the water pump or other items.

I'm going today to pick it up and see what all else they were going to do while they were in there.

My quote of $2300 was just for the valley plate. And whatever gaskets, o-rings, and FIPG are required for that repair. No water pump or anything else. I'm looking at other options including putting together a parts list to DIY this job.

 

[TLC2013]

My quote of $2300 was just for the valley plate. And whatever gaskets, o-rings, and FIPG are required for that repair. No water pump or anything else. I'm looking at other options including putting together a parts list to DIY this job.

Good call to shop around. I had quotes varying from $1400 to $2700 which was at a lexus dealership.

 

[linuxgod]

My quote of $2300 was just for the valley plate. And whatever gaskets, o-rings, and FIPG are required for that repair. No water pump or anything else. I'm looking at other options including putting together a parts list to DIY this job.

I paid $1400 out the door at my local Toyota dealer last year