1999 Camry - dealer's quote on issues he found

Hi,

Would appreciate any feedback on the following:

Background: '99 Camry with 71k miles. Runs very good but the AC stopped working last fall. (Car was purchased used and has been in the NY area since purchase.) List of issues and the cost as quoted by the dealer this morning:

  1. Replace AC condenser - 0
  2. Change Waterpump and fix fluid leaking - 0
  3. Replace timing belt - 0
  4. Fix oil pan that seems to be leaking - 0

Total $1900 + taxes. I am bit shocked that the estimate is nearly 1/3 of the current market value of the car.

Do the above #s look correct?

Thanks!

Reply to
KPR
Loading thread data ...

Geez, find a local independant trustworthy mech shop and get a quote there.

Reply to
Bob H

The car's off warranty and dealerships usually run higher than independent shops. I'd ask around for recommendations.

Reply to
Hopkins

My 99 Camry LE experienced the same AC failure (due to leaking condenser) at approximately the same mileage. Quote from dealer service dept. was approx. the same as what you got.

I agree with your comment on repair cost vs. market value. I decided to just roll down the windows on hot days.

99 Camrys seem to suffer chronically from the same problems ---- AC condenser leaking/needs replaced, water pump fails and takes out timing belt, valve stem seals go bad/cloud of smoke at startup, etc.
Reply to
Justa Lurker
  1. Replace AC condenser - 0
  2. Change Waterpump and fix fluid leaking - 0
  3. Replace timing belt - 0
  4. Fix oil pan that seems to be leaking - 0

  1. Dont know, sorry.

  1. What fluid? A water pump is less than 0 if done at the same time as the timing belt.
  2. They should do ALL the oil seals on that side of the engine when they do the belt for 0.
  3. Thats a little vague..it could be a seal from behind the timing covers that is leaking.
Reply to
Rob

I just bought a 99 Camry. 3 weeks later the water pump seized and ruined the timing belt. The dealer quoted me 625 to replace WP and TB. I found a small shop that did it for 368.

Reply to
nunya

Join the club :-(

99 was definitely not a good year for Camrys.
Reply to
Justa Lurker

Bullshit. Never had any problems with mine..so far.

Reply to
Sharx35

Thank you everyone for taking the trouble to post a feedback. Sincerely appreciate it.

(Sharx35 - I tend to agree with Nunya w.r.t 99 Camry's having troubles. I spent $700 last year to replace the entire front brakes and this is on top of the regular maintenance. And now this. Plus, there were a few postings earlier that many 98 and 99 Camry's are experiencing similar problems.)

I have a ASE certified mechanic quote for the AC for $750 (including taxes). But he has not exmained the car for the other issues.

However, I am inclined to just sell it before spending more money because the car is running great otherwise. Better exit when it looks and feels good.

Thanks again everyone.

Reply to
KPR

For those who say they do the water pump and the timing belt at the same time, so it should be cheaper, obviously you don't know the world of Toyota.

It was a couple of years ago that this was discussed on here. Bottomline, at least from the several suckers of us that responded to the post, was that if a Toyota dealer is asked to replace the timing belt and water pump at the same time, it is billed as two distinct and separate operations.

Meaning you are charged twice for much of the labor, even though it is only done once. Somewhat shady, yes. Common at Toy dealers, yes.

Reply to
timbirr

i'll admit toy dealers have a bit of a rep, but mine didn't double bill me for the labor.

Reply to
Hopkins

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.