1997 Camry Service Experience
 

Hi all,

I dont really know a lot about cars.. I own a 1997 toyota camry and I took it to toyota service to address engine over-heating issues. They said my radiator hoses were leaking and had to be replaced. I was charged $700 for this.. In 2 minutes after I drove the car out, I started seeing fumes and the engine started over-heating again. I brought it back to them to take a look. This time they said the heater core hose was leaking and had to be replaced and charged me another $940 for that. I feel like I was ripped off. They said everything looked fine in the initial diagnostics but it just broke loose. Does that make sense to any of you?? Please respond.

What engine type, V-6 or 4-cylinder?

Does the engine run OK now, no overheating?

These repair prices are seem very high. Did you get an itemized receipt listing all parts and repairs? If so post back with detailed info on both repairs.

Suggest whoever you take the car to next inspect all hoses. Once the radiator hoses fail, others can also as same age. Also check radiator cap to make sure it is relieving pressure at the correct PSI as printed on cap.

I agree with Joey. Those prices seem pretty high and I doubt they checked it over for leaks after they replaced the radiator hoses or they would have found the heater core hoses leaking. I would find another shop if I were you. Just my 2 cents.

Hi,

Thanks for the reponse. Its a 1997 4-cylinder LE model.

The first time service:
1. labor - $307.59
2. Hose, Water - $88.62
3. Gasket, water inlet - $9.38
4. Hose, Radiator, No.1 - $46.66
5. Thermostat - $31.77
6. Hose, water by-pass - $12.74
7. Hose, Water - $76.17
8. Hose, radiator, No.2 - $43.31
9. Anti-freeze Gallon - $25.38
10. Clip - $22.24
Total - $700


The 2nd time service (after less than 2 miles of driving):
1. Labor - $278.72
2. Unit Sub-assy, radiator - $529.80
3. Ring, O - $4.14
4. Pipe, water - $36.37
5. Pipe, water - $36.37
Replaced heater cores and hoses, and o-rings
Total - $940

Does this look right to you guys?

Wow, remind me not to buy a radiator from Toyota, $530! I hope that was not just for the heater core. Knowing that info though, does make more sense as to why it was over $900.
According to the first bill, they replaced 4 hoses. I always thought that there were just two hoses, inlet and outlet. Maybe I'm wrong or missing something. Are there part numbers listed next to these items? I would like to look them up and see where each one goes. I'm not saying they did anything wrong, but for $700 I would like to know exactly what was replaced.

This issue appears to the dealer is charging TOP dollar for parts!

Not having the part numbers don't know exactly what was replaced. The first repair seems in order. The second might comment on the heater core replacement, but don't know where the leak was. Labor seems OK on the second repair but not sure on first which should have been more straight forward in access parts.

For the first repairs.

An online discount Toyota dealer lists their prices as follows:

Thermostat $16.95. You paid $31.77 or almost twice.
Upper radiator hose $20.88. You seem to have paid much more.
Lower radiator hose $21.88. Ditto

For the second repair
Heater core. Also called heater radiator $350.31. You paid $529.80.

You might call another dealer and ask the full retail price on a thermostat, upper and lower radiator hoses and heater core for a 1997 Camry 4 cylinder. Then compare.

Note: Non-discount Toyota dealers can have varying prices lower then full retail. Meaning, you walk into a Toyota dealer, ask for part and pay without any inquires as to getting a discount. The price you pay can vary with dealer.

The dealer you went to seemed to be charging top dollar for parts.

In the future suggest having work done at a non-dealer where you should save a lot on parts. Suggest an independent shop, not a chain.