rimpainter.com

As some of you may know, my clutch is toast on my "new" 4Runner. It appears that the previous owner rode it pretty good, hence the reason my clutch is shot at 68K miles.

Anyway, upon calling the dealer, I also learned my truck is eligible for the head gasket recall and rear coil spring recall.

So here is what I am getting done at Tempe Toyota (all discounted at 20% because my friend works for Toyota):

1. Full clutch job
2. Head gasket(s)
3. Rear coil replacement
4. Timing belt
5. Water pump
6. All drive belts

Out the door, I am paying $1189 for all this. Considering the recalls are free, and I have a loaner car, I dont think this is such a bad deal. Yeah, it sucks that I have to do it, but such is life. We have the money. They gave me a Corolla S for a rental car, I think the "S" stands for slow, not sure though.

What do you guys think?

richeyma

I think that's a good deal. When I was having problems with the head gaskets (before the 2nd Gen recall), I was quoted a price of $1200 to get the work done...and that was back in '95!

Getting all of the stuff done together definitely reduces the cost because, as you know, most of the cost is for labor. It's a big chunk o' change, but it's better than paying for some of the work now and then having to fork out additional cash down the line.

Matt

rimpainter.com

I never knew the 3.4 even had a headgasket or rear coil problem. I guess the headgasket on the 3.4 is an "external" problem, vs the "internal" problem on the 3.0 (cyl #6)

They tell me there is a "staple" design flaw that interferes with the coolant jacket inside the head on the passenger side.

Hmmm. Good thing I called!

FattyCBR

Sounds to me like you're paying $1200 for this:
1. Clutch Change
4. Timing belt
5. Water pump
6. All drive belts

The belts had to be removed anyway to remove the heads so you're just paying for the new ones and the water pump maybe takes 1 hour of labor (at most) plus the cost of the pump. So I guess it's a good deal depending on what your estimate for just the clutch job was. You might want to see what they're selling the clutch for to see if you can get a better clutch for the same or cheaper.

SLC Punk

96 4Runner
What clutch did you end up getting; OEM or TRD?

1996-early 1997's had the head gasket recall, luckly mine was a late 1997 model so it wasn't affected.

Runner4

I just took my truck in yesterday and I am paying $530 for Timing belt and water pump replacement, thermostat replacement, and all drive belts replaced.

rimpainter.com

I am getting the OEM clutch. The cost for the complete clutch job, out the door is $850 (my price).

So for $340 additional I am getting the timing belt, water pump, and drive belts replaced.

I got the OEM clutch because the Centerforce was $600, and $730 for the Dual Friction (are you kidding me!)

All in all, I think I got a good deal. I really didnt feel like using floor jacks to do my clutch, and the foreman is doing all the work. That makes me feel better.

justinh

i would suggest looking for coupons for the timing belt job i get them all the time from my toyota dealership for like $199 or something...

rimpainter.com

They are only charging me $100 for the timing belt R&R (They need to remove the crank pulley, that is why there is a small labor charge, the belt itself is $45)

With the coupon its $225 here.

FattyCBR

Removal of the crank pulley is not required for timing belt replacement. Besides, even if it was the timing belt needs to be removed for the heads to come off so they shouldn't be charging you any labor for any belt replacement. Also how much are they charging you for the water pump? $345 for the belts and pump seems steep.

dhancali

For the recall, is it for all the 3rd genereation 3.4L V6 engines? Can you elaborate on this.
Thanks
David

rimpainter.com

Hmmm...I think they charged me 1/2 hour on labor for the timing belt. They said the crank pulley has to come off, and a couple other things.

rimpainter.com

96 and early 97 3.4 engines were effected by the recall. Just call the dealer and give them your VIN, they will let you know from there.

In the unlikely event that the recall effects you, you should get a rental and everything would be free.

HBoss

I'm interested to know too, I thought there was only a 2nd gen. head gasket recall.

This page:

Link

only shows recalls for 97 and newer, but I don't see a head gasket recall anywhere.

Al

rimpainter.com

I know, I thought the same thing, and was very surprised when the service advisor brought this up. Heck, I am not going to argue with them!

They looked up my VIN, and noticed that the headgaskets were replaced in September of 97, which is 3 months before the "new" and redesigned gaskets came out. So that makes me eligible for the recall. And the coils have to do with a rear-end sag problem. Huh? I thought that was a 2nd gen problem too? Well, my rear doesnt sag, but I will take new coil springs anytime for free!

Again, they claim its not as serious as the 3.0 recall, but it needs to be done regardless.

HBoss

Agreed.

I had the coil spring TSB done, I'll call in w/my VIN # to find out about the head gasket, but I'm sure it's fine. I think they would have brought it up when I did the coil spring TSB last year..? Maybe, better to be safe than sorry.

HBoss

Just called it in. Apparently mine has already been done. I'd forgotten I checked on that before already. Yeesh, I'm such a forgetful dolt sometimes...