Front engine mount and dogbone

[tha...@gmail.com]

1999 Camry
V4
134k miles

My car would not start today. The battery is only 2 months old. I
heard some click noise in the fuse and relay area. After doing
research checked the wiring from the batter to the starter and gave
couple of taps. Now car started. Took it to the mechanic to check for
the wiring. He checked and cleaned the battery connectors and put the
new positive connector. Charged me $29.00 for doing this. Anyway you
learn something like this very hard.

Now come to the actual discussion, i also asked for quote for timing
belt and water pump. He gave a quote of $395. which sounds reasonable.
He also said the Front Engine Mount and the DogBone needs replacement.
He showed me how the engined jerked when he accellerated and
immediately applied break. He also showed me the dogbone crack and he
said he replaced these atleast twice on camrys and it is a known
issue. He said if I don't care of this then it might hurt the
transmission, radiator and etc etc. He gave me a quote of $350 (part &
labor). But I don't feel anything abnormal while accelrating from
complete stop. Do you think I need to replace these and spend $395 for
timing belt/waterpump (which is due) and $350 for mount and dogbone?

Any suggestion is high appreciated.

Thanks,
RT

[Leftie]

We have the previous generation Camry but it's the same drivetrain
(I-4, not V-4) and they are known for motor mounts that need to be
replaced sooner than you'd expect. We've had all of ours done. The
'dogbone' (engine brace?) didn't crack, but I could see that happening
if a bad mount was left unfixed for a long time. Does your car shake
while hot-idling in Drive? That's a good indication of worn engine mounts.

[Daniel]

thar...@gmail.com wrote:
> 1999 Camry
> V4
> 134k miles

I don't feel anything abnormal while accelrating from

> complete stop. Do you think I need to replace these and spend $395 for
> timing belt/waterpump (which is due) and $350 for mount and dogbone?

========
The mechanic is correct.
If you get genuine Toyota replacement parts, I beliieve you'll find a
revised part number on the fluid filled front engine mount.
I replaced the front engine mount and "dog bone" engine moving control
rod, than shortly thereafter replaced the rear engine mount. The front
was totally shot. The engine won't fall out of the car, but it was no
longer held firmly in position. I noticed the problem because the dog
bone mount was pulled forward.
Now I just replaced the radiator also, cracked upper tank. Wouldn't be
surprised if the engine mounts contributed.
Not sure how the transmission is affected though.

[ransley]

The part wouldnt be there if it wasnt needed

[john...@hotmail.com]

There is no such thing as a V4 engine, either inline-4 or V-6. I think
yours is a 4-cyl?

1. Starter clicking:
Probably the solenoid contacts in the starter needs to be replaced.
Easy stuff for the mechanically inclined, $20 in parts. See:
http://www.team-integra.net/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=15&TopicID=123037

2. Timing belt and water pump:
Those are good deals. Make sure you use a good pump (Toyota/Aisin if
you're not sure). Make sure you use Toyota Red coolant with distilled
water. I'd actually replace a few more items:

(older www.rockauto.com prices for 3/5SFE)
GATES TCK199 (kit of timing belt with two pulleys and instruction)
$84.79
GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.32
GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.12
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $4.11
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $6.04
BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $2.71
AISIN (Toyota #16110-79185) water pump $58.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94

3. Engine mounts:
If the engine jerks like you describe, I'd change them. Been there,
done that. Old mounts do need to be replaced. Also inspect
transmission mounts. Otherwise old mounts can take out your halfshaft
boots too ($$).

Front mount is $65-$100 plus shipping from rockauto.com. Dogbone is
about $50. But he needs to make a few dollars on parts. So I guess
this is in the ballpark.

I'd ask for a discount changing all the above parts.

[tha...@gmail.com]

Thanks for all your reply. I really appreciate your help in this
regard.

I took it to the mechanic to do both the services (timing belt/water
pump and engine mount/dog bone. Unfortunately after he started the
service he found that my car needs a tensioner which costs $101, he
also found a leak in the valve cover gasket so it needs to be replaced
including camshaft seal and cramshaft oil seal . So he added around
$300 more to the estimate. The total camme to $1100. I wanted to keep
this car for atlesat 1-2 years. So i thought i would go ahead do it. I
asked him to keep the old parts. Any info regarding these seals and
tensioner. I am going ahead with the service but want to make sure
whether he is trying to rip off at the last minute or not.

Thanks,
RT

On Oct 28, 9:58 pm, johngd...@hotmail.com wrote:
> There is no such thing as a V4 engine, either inline-4 or V-6. I think
> yours is a 4-cyl?
>
> 1. Starter clicking:
> Probably the solenoid contacts in the starter needs to be replaced.

> Easy stuff for the mechanically inclined, $20 in parts. See:http://www.team-integra.net/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=1...

>
> 2. Timing belt and water pump:
> Those are good deals. Make sure you use a good pump (Toyota/Aisin if
> you're not sure). Make sure you use Toyota Red coolant with distilled
> water. I'd actually replace a few more items:
>

> (olderwww.rockauto.comprices for 3/5SFE)

> > RT- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Leftie]

tha...@gmail.com wrote:
> Thanks for all your reply. I really appreciate your help in this
> regard.
>
> I took it to the mechanic to do both the services (timing belt/water
> pump and engine mount/dog bone. Unfortunately after he started the
> service he found that my car needs a tensioner which costs $101, he
> also found a leak in the valve cover gasket so it needs to be replaced
> including camshaft seal and cramshaft oil seal . So he added around
> $300 more to the estimate. The total camme to $1100. I wanted to keep
> this car for atlesat 1-2 years. So i thought i would go ahead do it. I
> asked him to keep the old parts. Any info regarding these seals and
> tensioner. I am going ahead with the service but want to make sure
> whether he is trying to rip off at the last minute or not.
>
> Thanks,
> RT

Timing belt tensioners do sometimes need replacement, but that part
cost seems awfully high. One of the techs here should be able to give
you a better answer, but my *guess* is that the mechanic was padding the
bill.

[tha...@gmail.com]

I got the car today and i can see very good difference with my ride.
Here is the link to my invoice: <a href="http://www.picoodle.com/
view.php?img=/3/10/31/f_camryservicm_3218816.jpg&srv=img29"
target="_blank"><img src="http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/3/10/31/
t_camryservicm_3218816.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by
Picoodle.com" /></a><a href="http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/
3/10/31/f_camryservicm_3218816.jpg&srv=img29" target="_blank"><img
src="http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/3/10/31/
t_camryservicm_3218816.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by
Picoodle.com" /></a>
I feel that the auto shop padded a lot. I compared the price of the
parts against the toyota calog and it is way off. Also the labor cost
is $75/hr for all the jobs except for value cover gasket where he
charge $60 for 1/2 hr job. Not sure whether this requires any
addtional skill set.

The car now rides smooth. I used to hear some noise from timing belt
area and now it is gone. i used to notice small jerk during
acceleration and breaking and i don't feel it now. So it looks like he
has done a good job.

Any comment is highly appreciated. If this is usual norm then it is ok
otherwise I would like to question the mechanic about the cost of the
parts.

Thanks,
RT

On Oct 31, 8:12 pm, Leftie <N...@Thanks.net> wrote:

> >> (olderwww.rockauto.compricesfor 3/5SFE)

> >> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[tha...@gmail.com]

Link to the invoice: http://i37.tinypic.com/2yn1c9v.jpg

[Leftie]

I have two comments: this is a bit too high, especially for labor,
and it's also very typical. IOW I wouldn't pursue it, but would keep
looking for a mechanic. It's worth noting that this one apparently did
the job well, at least, and this alone may be worth the extra money if
you can afford it. Too many of them overcharge for poor work. THREE
comments. ;-)

[tha...@gmail.com]

Hi Leftie,

Thanks for your comments. Apparently he gave me a low quote and he
added some stuff after I asked him to do the work. But this is a good
lesson. Will keep looking also for another mechanic since I have two
cars (99 camry; 2002 carolla) which needs regular service.

-RT

> comments.  ;-)- Hide quoted text -

[mrda...@gmail.com]

Yep, I second the comment about finding another mechanic.

Ask your friends who they'd recommend.

A $1,000 repair bill 4 years ago is the main reason I started learning
more about DIY car repair. Sometimes though you can't do it
yourself. So find a good mechanic (not just the dealership).

Best wishes,

Michael

[Fat Moe]

Think of it as the cost to get a mile down the road. A good mechanic
may cost more but it will be less costly in the long run. Good parts,
and quality work don't come cheap.

[tha...@gmail.com]

Thanks for all your responses. I really appreciate it.

On Nov 4, 8:17 am, Fat Moe <Fat...@BubbleWorld.Com> wrote:

[john...@hotmail.com]

Unfortunately, this type of practice is all too common, and it gives
the entire car service industry a bad name. That's why besides finding
a good, honest mechanic (not easy I might add), it also helps to get a
package price listing all the commonly replaced items.

All mechanics get discounts from local parts stores or dealers. But
padding them over suggested "retail" price is a bit much.

[RT]

My car would not start again yesterday morning. It started after just
checking the battery terminal cables. So I took it to the mechanic.
he checked the starter and tried to pull the negative cable to see
whether it it loose or not. Everything looked good. He refused to
change anything since he was not able to reproduce the problem.

I also asked him about the parts price i.e. why he charged way more
than the dealer price example for front engine mount. He carged $186
where as the dealer list price is $156 and discounted price is $126.
After making a call to the dealer he said it is the warranty dealer
provides on top of the part so that if the part is defective then he
would replace it for free including the labor. I have not heard such
thing like this before. But the mechanic guarantees the parts and
labor for 12k miles. So not sure that means hiking the parts price.

He challenged me that the toyota service would not do the service for
the same cost and asked to look at the whole price rather than just
the parts.

Link to the invoice: http://i37.tinypic.com/2yn1c9v.jpg

-RT