Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The worst one I have seen was the Cadillac with Northstar engine (1993-2011). The engineers decided to place the starter in the valley beneath the intake manifold. That means removing the top end to replace the starter.
I saw a video showing how the late model Toyota Highlander has a maintenance bomb. That is, when you replace the spark plugs on that transverse mounted V-6, the back three are inaccessible without doing major disassembly. Dealer wanted $1600 for the job. Someone buying a used Highlander might want to know that!
My cars are older (90 GMC and 08 CR-V) and don't have a of potential expenses like a CVT transmission, or maybe a turbocharger.
Any more maintenance bombs out there?......... What has gone wrong with yours that really surprised you?
dealer is being a jerk. 'bout $400 here dealer quote, mebbe a little more cuz they charge about $25 a plug which are available for far less on the outside. I have the same motor in a 2019 and about to do them.
From what I've observed, many European vehicles have "coolant hoses" that are made from two pieces of molded plastic that are "ultrasonically welded" together. These hoses have a propensity for failing at the most inopportune moment, and the engines that they're used on, are VERY sensitive to damage from overheating.....
Furthermore, in order to replace these "hoses" if you were inclined to do it as a preventive maintenance item, it's fairly expensive, as a lot of disassembly is required, in order to get at them.
Ford explorer with the internal water pump, multi thousands to change a water pump that has a habit of going bad and wrecking the entire motor...
The same Ford Duratec engine in the Mazda CX-9 mated to Aisin transmission. Changing the water pump requires removing the engine and transmission from the car. 22 hour book labor.
I saw a video showing how the late model Toyota Highlander has a maintenance bomb. That is, when you replace the spark plugs on that transverse mounted V-6, the back three are inaccessible without doing major disassembly. Dealer wanted $1600 for the job. Someone buying a used Highlander might want to know that!
My cars are older (90 GMC and 08 CR-V) and don't have a of potential expenses like a CVT transmission, or maybe a turbocharger.
Any more maintenance bombs out there?......... What has gone wrong with yours that really surprised you?
I saw a video showing how the late model Toyota Highlander has a maintenance bomb. That is, when you replace the spark plugs on that transverse mounted V-6, the back three are inaccessible without doing major disassembly. Dealer wanted $1600 for the job. Someone buying a used Highlander might want to know that!
My cars are older (90 GMC and 08 CR-V) and don't have a of potential expenses like a CVT transmission, or maybe a turbocharger.
Any more maintenance bombs out there?......... What has gone wrong with yours that really surprised you?
It is not anywhere near as bad as this You-Tuber says. Labor guide shows 2-3 hours and we haven't had a problem doing it for that book time at my shop.
A lot of times the official shop manual way and the actual way are different. I knew a guy who worked as a dealer mechanic for a while, he told me a couple of these - there was one car - I believe GM - where camshaft replacement was supposed to be a pull-the-engine job but all the mechanics knew where to use a hole saw to cut a hole in the firewall and pull it out that way - then cut a patch and pop rivet it in place with sealer. Took a multi hour job down to an hour or something like that. Real life and You Tuba aren't always the same thing.
The Ford 5.4 V8 with its spark plug issue that brake off.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
