drgonzo370

iTrader: (1)

OK so here is what is going on. I took my 01 GS300 to the Lexus dealer on Sept. 21 with 169,xxx milesto get the timing belt done. I had priced it with my local independent mechanic first and he told me about 950 so I was surprised when I called the dealer and they quoted me 700. Well I just happen to have a $100 off coupon for a timing belt replacement from them so I figured I couldn't go wrong. So I took it in and had them do it, they called and said the cam seal and both valve cover gaskets needed replaced so I said fine, they quoted me about 1200 for all the work so I said OK. Well went picked it up, only ended up costing a little over 1000, score right? Well I had paid and went home and got a phone call from them an hour or so later trying to tell me they didn't bill me for all the labor and wanted to charge me another 600 for labor. Well I had some words for them and told them I would come in Monday to discuss (it was Friday afternoon). 5 minutes later I get a call back apologizing and telling me not to worry about it. I only tell you about the last part to let you know where I stand with this place.

Fast forward to last week I start getting a misfire, pull the code and get p1349. Since it was with the VVT I figure I should take it back to the dealer to see what the issue is. Dropped it off yesterday and got a phone call from them a few hours later saying it was the left hand VVT cam gear and they wanted 750 for the job ($115 of that was for the diagnosis). So instead of having a panic attack like I wanted I called my local independent and asked his opinion. He said he would look into it and get back to me. Calls back and we discuss it and his opinion was they were screwing me over and that AllData only lists it as a one and a half hour job with a $200 or so dollar part. So I go back to the dealer today and they say it's a 4 hour job and that it isn't even listed in AllData as a replacement.

I think that is about it in a nutshell, so is my local guy right or is Lexus? I'm just a little skeptical of the dealer after my last experience and want to make sure they aren't "recouping" their cost from my last service. Just frustrating having put all that work into it for them to do it all again. So any help or insight is appreciated, I don't expect a handout but I want to make sure I am being billed fairly and that if they should be giving me a break on labor or anything with all the work I just had done in that area that I make sure to get it.

Hardrvin

Many threads on here regarding that code. 95% of the time its the OCV. I did a short picture instructions on how to do it yourself. 20 minutes, easy to do, $120 part.

It's probably not the cam gear. I would agree with the dealer that it is not a 1 hour job though.

drgonzo370

iTrader: (1)

I forgot to mention it was leaking oil pretty bad, another issue I brought up to them which makes me believe it is the cam and not the OCV. They said the OCV tested OK.

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

I don't know what your problem is, but i'll share my experience. I had the timing belt service done by an independent shop. I supplied most of the parts so i don't remember the total. I think they charged $450 or so. Anyway i go to pick up the car. I get there just as he's buttoning it up. He says got bad news, your vvti gear is leaking.i wanna say the part was around $200 something and he cut me break on the labor since he didn't catch it before putting it back together. I think he charged me $140 for the labor. I know the total was a little under $400.

Hardrvin

^ that would be the second thing. They'll duplicate 70% of the work they did for the timing belt. Sure would have been nice for them to catch it then.

There's not a good way to test the solenoid. Bad ones will still circuit check ok.