BajaNomad

Toyota Taco question

Marie-Rose - 6-1-2007 at 09:12 PM

So... the daughter is looking to buy a Toyota Tacoma for her trip to Baja in Oct. She has found one here on Vanc. Island. A 2000 that needs a bit of work done.
My question to you taco owners... she has been told that the truck needs work on the
a/c pump. The fellow who is selling it says it needs new bearings. When she inquired
the dealership re: cost of this repair, they told her it would be at least $300. for labor just to get in and take a look.
Anyhone had any experience with this? The fellow selling also did not know if it was the condensor or the evaporator.
I know this is not "dircectly" related to Baja but from reading prev posts I was able to at least insist that she ask about tires and suspension!!!!

bajaguy - 6-1-2007 at 09:16 PM

Have her take it to an independent A/C shop for a second opinion /test

Marie-Rose - 6-2-2007 at 09:26 AM

Yes, did think that would be what she would have to do, but, it is in a small community so just wanted to check if anyone had had any experience with this kind of repair.

Oso - 6-2-2007 at 11:42 AM

Mine's an '04. No problems YET, but the warranty just expired.

I concur. Dealers are expensive. That goes for any make or model. You go to them while the vehicle is still under warranty or you need a part you can't find anywhere else. Otherwise try an independent first. Try the Magliozzi Bros. list of reputable mechanics. www.cartalk.com

805gregg - 6-11-2007 at 11:29 AM

Try and find one with no problems.

Cap - 6-11-2007 at 04:37 PM

Dealer visits should only be for warranty and other ness. things. Something like A/C I would ask your frinds in the area where they take their cars I would bet there is a specialist that is much cheaper.

Pappy Jon - 6-17-2007 at 08:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marie-Rose
My question to you taco owners... she has been told that the truck needs work on the a/c pump. The fellow who is selling it says it needs new bearings. When she inquired
the dealership re: cost of this repair, they told her it would be at least $300. for labor just to get in and take a look.
Anyhone had any experience with this? The fellow selling also did not know if it was the condensor or the evaporator.
I know this is not "dircectly" related to Baja but from reading prev posts I was able to at least insist that she ask about tires and suspension!!!!


While all of the parts in bold are AC parts, the last two don't have bearings. My guess is the guy doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. I guess the question is what is it doing, or not doing?

Take it to an AC shop and others have suggested.

Pappy Jon - 6-17-2007 at 08:56 AM

Also, if it's the compressor (aka AC pump) they run +\-$445 list, and $334 from a discount dealer. Of course, you will need somebody to install it.

bufeo - 6-18-2007 at 12:40 PM

Marie-Rose,

We have a '94 Toy SR-5 4X4 that has been bullet-proof. This model was the immediate predecessor of the Tacoma model, introduced in '95.

For all my questions concerning the Toy I consult the TTORA web site at http://www.ttora.com/. IMHO it has the most and best information re: Toyotas.

[Edited on 6-18-2007 by bufeo]