Blended Squirrel

[n8lusk]

Definately not been a good week for me. This past Sunday I found out the hard way that a squirrel had a liter in the AC housing of my Tundra. Six months old and only 2000 miles.

Nice huh?

I took it to the dealership since the truck is fairly new (2011). They said they handled it, took my $650 and sent me on my way. OH NO, not fixed so I took it back. They called and said the new bill would be $6,232.11!!!

So, if there is anyone out there knowledgeable about repair work on Tundras, could you tell me if this is excessive.

Here is the breakdown:
PARTS
Box Assembly (1,215.35), Evaporator core (282.63), Evaporator expansion valve (84.82), Airbox blower motor housing (567.64), 12 piece AC Duct work (753.02).
Total: $3,195.71

LABOR
Complete dash removal and re installation 30 hours
Total: $3,036.40


The upside...I have been shooting everyday since

 

[n8lusk]

Re: Blended Squirrel

OK one more since I'm trying to see the lighter side of it

 

[Maggot]

Re: Blended Squirrel

Sorry to hear yor truck got stolen, tonight, and ended up a total loss in the local quarry. The insurance should cover it.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Blended Squirrel

I can only tell you on ANY car it's a PITA.

I started on my old VW Scirocco and changed my mind halfway in...lucky I could get the vacuum in that far at that time.

For a new truck, that does NOT seem unreasonable at all.

Ducting looks high but those parts are dealer part prices...

Nah, think you did OK...doesn't look like mama or her babies made it..

 

[168BTHPM]

Re: Blended Squirrel

N8, PM sent. Call your insurance company.

 

[treebasher]

Re: Blended Squirrel

First thing that came to mind was "That sucks!", then I laughed my ass off after I saw the Caddy Shack references...

For some reason this song keeps going through my mind now:

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v8RIDvLiSDQ"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v8RIDvLiSDQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Blended Squirrel

While I can't speak for the "tear-down and re-install", do the parts actually need to be replaced or could they be addressed in the old-fashioned and out-of-date ancient-Chinese-secret way?

With a bucket of warm water and some dish-soap?

And for anything really really 'icky' (technician's view, and I'd never call them a "mechanic") maybe even a floor-brush or the like. With some bleach?

I mean seriously. Nowadays, it just seems like if the part is touched, it needs to be replaced. This must be why U-Joints don't have grease nipples on them anymore. Gets stuff too 'icky' I guess.

c'mon really, who's going to argue with that line of reasoning?

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Blended Squirrel

That is a load of BS. As Sean has stated. None of those parts need replacing other than maybe a HEPA filter. All the parts just need a good cleaning in Bleach and water.

I have torn down many a GM truck and SUV for things like mold etc. in the HVAC system. It does NOT take 30 hours. First things first. If they took your money telling you it will be fixed and handed you the keys only to say it will be another $3K that is a load of krap. Tell them you want your money back. Small claims and I garantee you would win.

It is a very competetive market out there right now. you should get that money back and start shopping. Call local HVAC shops and other Toyota dealers and tell them you need the entire HVAC system ductwork, EVAP core, and housing removed cleaned and reinstalled and what it would run. I would say about a grand. You are already in $650 so when you get that money back it would only bee an extra $350. While they have it out have them run a little of that small opening chicken wire screen stuff on the fresh air intake to keep it from happening again.

 

[n8lusk]

Re: Blended Squirrel

Thanks for the replies guys. I have been in touch with my insurance company and they are taking care of me. I just felt like the dealership was ripping me off and needed someone else to say 30 hours to remove and replace a dash was insane, especially if they were adding new parts. I have no mechanical ability and think I could tear it up in less time than that (if it weren't a new truck I would be that guy sitting there with extra pieces and a stupid look on his face).

I am going to the insurance company tomorrow and make sure they check it out. Also, if the insurance company has them repair it, I'm going to tell them to provide all the replace parts to see if they were necessary.

As for the squirrels, I have been kicking their asses. I found if you shoot to wound you can sometimes get two... MAN DOWN!!!

 

[1911fan]

Re: Blended Squirrel

Friday was my last day in the car business, the last ten years as service writer for a Toyota dealership. From my perspective, I don't see how they can tell you which parts you NEED to replace before disassembly and inspection. Also, dash R&I is 8-10 hours maximum, possibly plus 1.4 hours to evacuate and recharge your system. Unless their labor rate is $300/hour you are getting ripped off. (Of course, if the labor rate IS $300/hour, you're getting ripped off, too.)
We charged about 1.5 hours to pull the HVAC fan, vacuum out as much as we could, apply disinfectant, and install a new cabin filter and reassemble. IMHO, you got ripped off for over $500 on your last visit.


1911fan

 

[DirtyDave]

Re: Blended Squirrel

is that why they call them "squirrel cage" fans?

 

[okrebel92]

Re: Blended Squirrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: N8Lusk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Definately not been a good week for me. This past Sunday I found out the hard way that a squirrel had a liter in the AC housing of my Tundra. Six months old and only 2000 miles.

Nice huh?

I took it to the dealership since the truck is fairly new (2011). They said they handled it, took my $650 and sent me on my way. OH NO, not fixed so I took it back. They called and said the new bill would be $6,232.11!!!

So, if there is anyone out there knowledgeable about repair work on Tundras, could you tell me if this is excessive.

Here is the breakdown:
PARTS
Box Assembly (1,215.35), Evaporator core (282.63), Evaporator expansion valve (84.82), Airbox blower motor housing (567.64), 12 piece AC Duct work (753.02).
Total: $3,195.71

LABOR
Complete dash removal and re installation 30 hours
Total: $3,036.40


The upside...I have been shooting everyday since

</div></div>

Seriously?? What is the need for the new expansion valve? Did it get torn up? Bulb sucked in? How far does it swing?How in the hell does the *XV get fucked up because of a squirrel in a squirell cage? (and ya, thats what its called lol) 30 hours to pop a dash out and pop a dash back in?? Are they stuck with using a one armed midget that has to move the ladder everytime he needs to pop out another tab? And if it needs a new evap and TXV, why didnt they quote for a new filter drier?!?!?!?! This estimate sounds like horse shit to me.... Just sayin...

 

[Alderleet]

Re: Blended Squirrel

Please post this on Toyota Nation. the guys would get one hell of a kick out of it.