Me again, asking for free mechanical advice . . .

[quaddriver]

btw I should mention....the circuit malfunction code also means it might be unplugged or burnt thru on the wires or the connector corroded etc. they usually go low/high or a bit sluggish on the crosscounts before they leave the scene entirely.

[dales]

Also known as "fuzzy logic".

[BoSoxGal]

So, I finally got Reva the Rav to the shop. I settled on taking her to the Toyota dealer, where the cost will be only minimally higher and the work is guaranteed.

The O2 sensor needing replacement is part of the exhaust system, at the manifold. The part is $232, plus labor to install. The installation could be relatively easy or fairly difficult, depending on whether the threads are stripped. Sevice manager told me worst case scenario it would run me around $600-$800 (including the part).

Now, I'm not really willing to consider anything but a repair at this time - I have no desire for a monthly car payment and the additional insurance costs, given how little I have an actual 'need' for a vehicle. The service manager agreed with me that at 129k miles, I probably can expect another 100k miles out of the vehicle with just routine maintenance and minor repairs, given the work that's already been done. (In the past two years, the car has had a new timing belt, new shocks/struts, new points/plugs. It has that very slow leak from power steering, but so long as I keep an eye on it, seems okay.)

This repair, plus brakes if I need them (he'll check when I bring it in upon arrival of the part, and they may just need turning), will run me around $1200 total. That's a $100/mo. expense for a vehicle which at my current rate of mileage accrual, would be with me potentially for another six years. Insurance currently runs me $30/mo., and when it's running right, I fill the gas tank once every two months (I live 5 blocks from work, 8 blocks from 'downtown', and walk whenever possible).

I'm open to other arguments about replacing the vehicle rather than repairing it. I'm just not really all that crazy about having shiny new vehicles - some are and I don't judge; I just would prefer to see how far I can run mine into the ground. There must be folks like me out there?

Thoughts? Push come to shove I could afford a new used car (I will never buy brand new, unless I hit the lottery and money is no issue), but I'd rather put the money toward travel.

[Liberty1]

As the dealer told me about my 4Runner when I took it in for the gas pedal recall at 110K miles, "it just getting broken in". In my opinion, as long as you trust your Rav, keep it and save up in advance for a new vehicle. I would only replace it when you believe it will leave you stranded somewhere.

[BoSoxGal]

Leaving me stranded someplace would be my only issue, and really, I could easily rent a newer vehicle when I want to take a longer weekend trip in-state, to Billings or Missoula.

The furthest I go in this vehicle is to Great Falls (150 miles) every 4-6 months, and a few times a month to the mountains which are about 15-30 miles south of my home (depending which part I'm visiting).

[dales]

WOW, car repairs sure are expensive!


Better than car payments which go on forever and a day.

[Jarlaxle]

JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH! Take it someplace else! $232 for an O2 sensor is highway robbery! Dealer labor is probably close to twice what an independent shop will charge, so are parts.

[Guinevere]

Brakes wear out, so that's normal maintenance and shouldn't even go into the calculation. And there is nothing that indicates the car is unreliable. If you're still happy with it, keep driving it, you've barely scratched the surface yet.

Before my Volvo, I drove my cars 225K+ and 175K+. I'd still be driving the Volvo, at well over 150K by now if Mother Nature hadn't had different plans.

[Jarlaxle]

Agreed. 129K isn't that much...heck, I recently BOUGHT a Jeep with more miles than that. But geez, the dealer prices are obscene.

[BoSoxGal]

Where would you suggest I could get the part cheaper? It's a factory part, last one I replaced I ordered through the dealer and my BF installed it.

I wouldn't use an aftermarket part, even if available. I went through hell with two sets of 'premium' after market plugs/wires that left me side of the road repeatedly, only to have ZERO issues after paying 40% more for a Toyota factory set.

Some things aren't worth being cheap about.

[Jarlaxle]

An O2 sensor is an O2 sensor. As I posted on Christmas:

O2 sensor 101: there are really only two basic types (regular & heated, I suspect yours uses a heated sensor), ALL are one or the other. Prices vary wildly, from $20 or so to $200+. They all do the same thing, most have the same thread size, the only difference is type (note: one can replace a nonheated sensor with a heated one by simply not connecting the heater wiring), wire color, and cost. A sensor can usually be gotten cheap off eBay or one of the online part shops, rather than forking over three times the coin at NAPA (or ten times the coin at a dealer). The only downside being: the installer might have to, rather than plugging it in, cut and splice a couple of wires (a ten-minute job).

As for where to get it cheaper thyan a dealer? Just about anywhere!

[BoSoxGal]

Okay, Jarl, I'd forgotten that post.

Well, last time my BF, a mechanic who was all about eBay, told me to order the part from the Toyota dealer, then he'd install it.

Given my above post/experience, I'll let myself be lulled into false sense of security by overpaying on the part. I don't have a friend like you around to take my car to.

[BoSoxGal]

$283 total cost, part + installation.

[BoSoxGal]

So I finally got around to taking Reva in for that brake job; as I'm dropping her off the technician says, what does it need? And I say, probably everything, it's been 4 years since I got the brakes replaced and they've been squeaking on and off for months.

Half hour later they call and say, your brakes are fine; still 75%. We aren't doing anything to her, come pick her up.

Cool, huh? The squeak, they said, was dust. We do have a lot of dust in Montana! I guess I did okay buying the high end parts last time.

[BoSoxGal]

On another note, the check engine light came on again the other day, although it's running fine. Just had that O2 sensor replaced a few months back, so I'm guessing it might be another one.

Did I mention it's really dusty out here?

I'll run by the parts store in the morning to have them pull the code.

[Jarlaxle]

Write the code down!

Could be worse...I just had the A/C in my Jeep fixed. (Bad evaporator core, requiring the entire dash to come apart.) Over $900, $700 of it labor. (The $200 was for replacing the bad evap core, seeping heater core, and badly-corroded blower switch resistor.) OUCH! !

But the A/C works now.

[BoSoxGal]

P0141, another O2 sensor

Guy at the auto parts store said this one affects the heating of the engine, so won't be an issue until cold weather. I'll get it fixed just before I leave later this month, as I know I can trust this Toyota dealership not to gouge me too awful much.

[BoSoxGal]

Reva needs new tires. I want all weather.

The local chain is Tire Rama: http://www.tirerama.com/

Reva is a '99 4dr 4x4


Thoughts on which I should choose?

(Jarl, basically this question is for you. )

[Jarlaxle]

Two possible sizes: 215/70R16 or 235/60R16. What size do you have?

Assuming it's the more-common 215/70...I have a very hard time recommending against the Kumho Solus. Good price for a good tire. It has a stunning 85,000 mile treadlife warranty. Unfortunately, it's made in China..

Check sites like tirerack.com, discounttiredirect.com, and others...even with shipping, it's often cheaper than buying locally. Some stores will match online prices.