saleenssc

I recently purchased a 98 LS400 with 155K miles on it. I got a quote from a local toyota/Lexus Independent shop for a list of repairs. How are these prices? Also anything else i should consider replacing?

Quote:

Replace timing belt,water pump, front crank shaft seal and serpentine belt with timing belt tensioner $890


150,000 mile service $460
brake fluid flush
transmission drain and fill
oil and filter change
replace air filter and cabin filter
replace rear differential fluid
rotate and balance four wheels
replace pcv valve

SonicC

Go to a different independent shop and get timing belt done for $500 or less.

Rest of the stuff, some of it you can do yourself - oil, cabin filter, air filter, PCV, brake fluid flush. Have the shop do transmission, rear diff, and tire balancing.

RugbyDad

If those prices include parts, then they are spot on. Still you can get a little bit cheaper price from an indy shop. Either way, source the parts yourself. Its guaranteed cheaper.

cgawelko

Why have a shop do the rear diff? You drop the drain plug, 1.9 pints of fluid comes out, put drain plug in. Open fill plug. Pump in 1.9 pints of new fluid. Its not like he is having the dang thing reshimmed or anything.

All that you can do at home. Easy as pie.

Rotation and balancing of the wheels. Does it shake at high speed? or thump thump thump? No?? Then rotate them at home.

PCV is right on the valve cover - cake. air filters, cake. Oil change - I hope we all know how to do that by now.

I can get you the timing belt kit, cam seals, valve cover seals, crank seal, with water pump for less than $300. Oil change $80. PCV is probably like $10. Diff fluid $30. Air filters no more than $50.

Trans flush is where it gets hairy. If they drain the WHOLE thing - run away. That will shock the trans and ruin it forever. Drop the pan, take off the 3-4 bolts that hold the filter on. Put new filter in. Clean the hell out of everything, clean the magnets completely, apply new seal to pan, bolt up to trans and only fill the servicable amount. It will mix with old fluid and slowwlllyyyyyy introduce freshness. AISIN (the manufacturer of the transmission) says to drain two - fill two, drive 500 miles and repeat until its clean.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

Be SURE to use ONLY Genuine Toyota tranny fluid.

Also, time can be money. Think about time vs cost (and trouble). Spread your costs over your expected years of ownership.

saleenssc

Yes. those prices included parts

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Price is acceptable. Some of that may not be necessary service and or easily done if you have basic DIY motivation.

brake fluid flush
transmission drain and fill
oil and filter change
replace air filter and cabin filter
replace rear differential fluid
These materials would be $100 or less to DIY.

replace pcv valve -if the car is in good running order PCV valves are simple almost seldom fail units. The rubber grommet is a concern at high miles-age etc due to breakage and having the bits fall into the head assembly.