1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Vancouver Island Dealerships

Discussion in 'Canada' started by Ninjalicious1985, Jan 31, 2015.

  1. Jan 31, 2015 at 12:47 PM
    #1
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    Hello everyone,

    I have a 2012 2.7L AC 4x4 5 speed that I originally leased from Metro Lexus Toyota in Victoria. Apart from having one scheduled service done in Los Angeles during a road trip, Metro Lexus is the only place that I have been getting my maintenance done.

    Here is a brief history on my truck:

    - In December 2013 (~25000 km on the clock), I had to get my entire clutch assembly replaced under warranty because it started slipping in high gear. I had to visit the dealership and fight with them 3-4 times. After getting the service manager involved, the parts were ordered and they replaced everything under warranty.

    - Now (~45000 km on the clock). Just as I release the clutch pedal and add gas in 1st gear from a stop, I get this vibration/shudder in the steering wheel combined with a metallic grinding noise. This also happens when I stop and attempt to reverse. Not sure how long this has been going on for, but I have noticed it getting louder. I took the truck to Metro Lexus last week. Of course, they found nothing wrong. I insisted on taking a technician for a test drive myself and booked an appointment to do this (which was supposed to happen today). However, when I went in this morning for the appointment, this is what the service adviser told me: "sorry, we don't have any technicians to spare today. You can always leave it with us again next week, and we can take another look." Gee...thanks for the BS slick.

    I don't want to go to this dealership anymore. My blood is boiling as I am typing this. I have better things to do than chase my own tail.

    I have considered going to a transmission specialist to get a second opinion. Do you guys and gals know any other Toyota service centers on Vancouver Island that take better care of their customers? I am looking for first hand experience here.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Jan 31, 2015 at 12:50 PM
    #2
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    From reading the forums here, I have some ideas on what the problem might be:
    - Carrier bearing
    - Driveshaft
    - Input/Output shaft bearings in the transmission
    - Counter-shaft bearings in the transmission

    I will gladly give you more details on my problems with the truck. Any advice or theories on the problem would be more than welcome :)
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2015
  3. Feb 6, 2015 at 5:37 PM
    #3
    neverstuck

    neverstuck Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2009
    Member:
    #22406
    Messages:
    2,593
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    13 DCLB sport
    slide-in camper, OME Nitros w 884's and Dakars, Michelin A/T2, Pro EFX heated towing mirrors, Timbren HD bumpstops, KB VooDoo bed rails and tailgate cap, ImMrYo rvm bracket, G-Tek Fab door sill protectors, Ultragauge, window visors, hood deflector, Wet Okole seatcovers, in-vehicle safe.
    It's still their problem, no? Warranty?

    Make another appointment. In the meantime tell the manager how unhappy you are that you haven't had this fixed yet and demand that it be diagnosed and fixed quickly. Walking away because they give you the runaround is just doing exactly what they probably want. Don't give them an easy win.
     
  4. Feb 11, 2015 at 1:03 PM
    #4
    xsteinbachx

    xsteinbachx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    Member:
    #140524
    Messages:
    123
    Gender:
    Male
    Victoria, BC
    Vehicle:
    2017 White TRD Sport DCLB 4x4
    I'm coming up for my first oil change on my 2015. I bought off Toyota Duncan, but live in Victoria, and was going to go to Metro Lexus Toyota Dealership, but now you're making me think twice. Other than your issues did you have good service? I'm wondering If I should just go and take it up island where I bought the truck.
     
  5. Feb 11, 2015 at 1:54 PM
    #5
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2009
    Member:
    #27584
    Messages:
    50,399
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    I've had my truck serviced at the Toyota dealership in Duncan and have no complaints
     
  6. Feb 12, 2015 at 12:09 PM
    #6
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    xsteinbachx,

    I did not have good service. Based on all the stuff I have been through at the Metro-Lexus dealership, I am starting to wonder what other maintenance they have charged me for but neglected to do.

    My Dad has a 2006 Tundra and went to a Jim Pattison-owned dealership in New Brunswick a while ago to have some diagnostics done when his check engine light came on. They tried to charge him several hundred dollars to fix the problem, and the light came back on when he got the truck back. He did not pay for the service because he caught them in their lie. He went to an independent shop and got the problem fixed.

    Based on my experience and my dad's experience, I would avoid any dealership that has Jim Pattison's name on it.
     
  7. Feb 12, 2015 at 12:21 PM
    #7
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    Here is an update on my issue so far:

    I have not gone back to the Metro-Lexus dealership. Instead, I took the truck to Action Transmission in Victoria for a second opinion. The shop owner there by the name of Scott immediately noticed the noise and told me that something is not right. Without doing any wrenching, Scott suspected a bad clutch release bearing. Seeing as the noises happen when the clutch is engaged, I have not ruled out a bad pilot bearing or input shaft bearing.

    So today, I sent the following e-mail to the service manager at the Nanaimo Toyota dealership:

    "Hello,

    The reason why I am writing to you is because I am currently having driveline problems with the 2012 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 4x4 5 speed manual that I leased from Metro-Lexus Toyota in Victoria. Since I no longer wish to do business with the Metro-Lexus dealership, I am hoping that you and your team could help me. After doing some research, I found that customers had nothing but good things to say about your dealership and your employees. I feel that making a two hour drive to your shop is worth it if it means getting good service.

    The current problem that I am experiencing can best be described as a hollow grinding sound coming from the engine bay or transmission at low speeds/low rpm during acceleration. I noticed this noise after the first few months of driving the truck, but assumed it was a normal drive train noise. After having to get a defective clutch assembly replaced at 24000km, the noise went away temporarily. Now at 47000 km, the noise has slowly returned and has gotten louder. Below are the circumstances in which the symptoms occur:

    Truck has been driven for at least 20-30 minutes and is warmed up.
    Happens when starting from a stop on level ground. However the volume of the noise increases when going up a hill, or the engine is put under any kind of heavy load.
    Happens in reverse, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. The noise does not happen in 4th or 5th gear.
    When stopped and the transmission is in neutral, there is a whirring sound when the clutch is engaged. The sound goes away when I push the clutch pedal down.
    If I am stopped at a traffic light and have the shifter in neutral, and the clutch engaged (foot completely off the clutch pedal), the noise is noticeable.
    The symptoms occur ONLY when the clutch is engaged.
    If I am accelerating from a stop, the noise persists until 1500 when on level ground. If I am on a hill accelerating slowly, the noise goes away at 2000 rpm.

    At this point I was very concerned, so I took the truck into Metro-Lexus Toyota service department three weeks ago to diagnose the issue. The service department claimed that they took the truck for a "long test drive" and found everything to be normal. I was not convinced that the noise was normal, so I insisted on taking a technician for a test drive myself to replicate the problem. I booked an appointment to see the technician on Saturday of that same week. When I arrived at the service department on Saturday morning, the service writer said that there were no technicians available to take me for a test drive. I was very upset and left the dealership.

    On February 10, 2015, I took the truck to an independent shop called Action Transmission in Victoria, BC for a second opinion. After describing the symptoms to the owner, I sat in the passenger seat while the shop owner test drove the truck. The shop owner immediately noticed the noise, and told me that the noise is not normal. The shop owner suspected a bad release bearing in the clutch assembly. In addition to the issue that I have outlined above, I also have the following issues which the Metro-Lexus dealership has not fixed:

    When putting only light pressure on the clutch pedal, the pedal has about half an inch of play from side to side. I have told the Metro-Lexus Toyota service department about this problem several times, but they refuse to fix it.
    You might be wondering if operator error or lack of maintenance is the root cause of these problems. I have received extensive training and evaluation by three driving instructors, including Ian Weighton and Steve Wallace in Victoria. Both of these instructors have taught and evaluated drivers for the Class 1 license in the past and are highly regarded in Victoria. Both of them told me that my clutch control and driving skills are good. In addition, I have not done any off-roading or towing with this truck, even though the truck has these capabilities. When it comes to maintenance, I have been meticulous with keeping the truck clean and doing the scheduled maintenance intervals since day one. Based on this, I think that operator error and neglect can be ruled out.

    Before leasing this truck, I had heard nothing but great things about Toyota's quality and reliability. I really thought that I would enjoy this truck and keep it for a long time. However, all of the problems that I have been experiencing with this truck within the last two years combined with the bad treatment from the Metro-Lexus dealership has caused me a lot of frustration and has taken all the fun I had out of driving. This will likely be the last Toyota product that I ever purchase or lease. I would really appreciate your help in resolving these issues.

    Thank you!"


    By the way, I had to fight with Metro-Lexus 3 times before I got the defective clutch assembly fixed under warranty. So if all this doesn't convince you not to go to Metro-Lexus, I don't know what will lol

    Lets see how things play out with the Nanaimo dealership.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2015
  8. Feb 12, 2015 at 12:29 PM
    #8
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2009
    Member:
    #27584
    Messages:
    50,399
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi

    Good luck with that , he owns every Toyota dealership in BC
     
  9. Feb 12, 2015 at 12:41 PM
    #9
    Sterdog

    Sterdog Offline

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2013
    Member:
    #113290
    Messages:
    18,199
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    I am Groot
    People's Democratic Republic of Canuckistan
    Vehicle:
    15 FoST
    Really? How the F could Toyota allow that to happen. Every time I've seen a company do that the service goes down the shitter because everything gets lost in "the big picture". Dealers are supposed to be where the small issues get picked up and fixed, not run over by "the big picture" mentality.
     
  10. Feb 12, 2015 at 12:44 PM
    #10
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2009
    Member:
    #27584
    Messages:
    50,399
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi

    " every " was a bit of an exaggeration but not by much , in fact he owns most car dealerships in BC , not just Toyota
     
  11. Feb 12, 2015 at 12:45 PM
    #11
    Sterdog

    Sterdog Offline

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2013
    Member:
    #113290
    Messages:
    18,199
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    I am Groot
    People's Democratic Republic of Canuckistan
    Vehicle:
    15 FoST
    Okay. I know I hear his name in the media all the time but I have no clue who he his. I don't pay attention to that enough sometimes. Good luck OP. Hopefully you can get your issues sorted out.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2015
  12. Feb 12, 2015 at 2:01 PM
    #12
    xsteinbachx

    xsteinbachx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    Member:
    #140524
    Messages:
    123
    Gender:
    Male
    Victoria, BC
    Vehicle:
    2017 White TRD Sport DCLB 4x4
    Keep us updated OP
     
  13. Feb 12, 2015 at 11:59 PM
    #13
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    I looked at this website before picking the dealer to get my service done at: http://www.jpautogroup.com/dealership/directions.htm. The Nanaimo dealership was not listed on that page. This is why I picked Nanaimo to do the work.

    Now a little update for you all. After sending that e-mail, the service manager called me half and hour later. He agreed that the issue sounded like a bad release bearing. However, I politely mentioned to him that he should not rule out the input shaft bearing or pilot bearing either (based on the fact that the sound only happens when the clutch is ENGAGED).

    The conversation eventually turned to the new clutch assembly that I had installed under warranty at 25000km. He wanted to see the replacement part numbers that were ordered by Metro-Lexus before doing this warranty work. After getting off work, I forwarded these part numbers, the VIN, and my current odometer reading (~47000km):

    31210-35291: Clutch cover (x1)
    31250-60500: Clutch disc (x1)
    90949-03132: Compression spring (x1)
    13405-75060: Flywheel (x1)
    90910-02116: Bolt (x10)
    90363-12020: Bearing
    31230-35071: Release bearing

    Since I am going to be making a two hour drive up to Nanaimo, the senior technician will be doing a tear down of the transmission to see what is going on. The service manager told me that he doesn't want me to drive all the way up there without doing a thorough check of the driveline.

    Fingers crossed :pray:
     
  14. Feb 27, 2015 at 4:39 PM
    #14
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    So here is an update:

    I talked to the Nanaimo service manager this morning. After I set a date for the appointment, all the parts needed for fixing my truck will be ordered. When I asked the service manager if it will be covered under warranty, he said yes! YAYYY!!!

    So yeah...I was pretty happy to hear that. Now its just a matter of talking to my boss at work and trying to get the time off to drive up there lol

    The service manager mentioned inspecting the throw-out bearing and replacing that and the pressure plate if needed. When I call them back to set the date of the appointment, I will see if they can replace the friction disk and everything else as well. I also want to keep the old parts so I can inspect them later. Is it reasonable to get them to replace everything since the transmission is going to be out anyways?
     
  15. Apr 3, 2015 at 8:55 PM
    #15
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    So here is an update to my situation:

    So after spending the day up in Nanaimo, the following was done:

    - Took the shop foreman for a test drive to replicate the noise.
    - Took the service manager for a half-hour test drive. Midway through the trip, we switched places, and he drove for a bit.
    - After getting back to the dealership, we put the truck up on the hoist and went over everything underneath the truck. I asked about the grease marks on the undercarriage adjacent to the u-joints and was told that was normal. I also asked about the 1/2" of play in the drive shaft by the center support bearing. I was told that was normal as well.
    - I was told that to get rid of the noise, I need to wind the engine out more and keep the engine above 2000 rpm to keep it happy.

    The only good thing that came out of this trip was that I was not charged anything for inspecting the drive-line. However, I told the service manager that unless the transmission and clutch was taken apart for an inspection, I was not convinced that the noises were normal.

    So from now on, I am going to just drive the snot of my truck and try not to worry too much about the drive-line.

    Worst case scenario: Something breaks before the lease is up. If this happens, I am not using any more of my vacation time from work. I'm heading straight for CAMVAP.

    Best case scenario: Give the truck back at the end of the lease instead of buying it. If this happens, I am not sure what I will get as a replacement.
     
  16. Apr 4, 2015 at 2:01 AM
    #16
    neverstuck

    neverstuck Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2009
    Member:
    #22406
    Messages:
    2,593
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    13 DCLB sport
    slide-in camper, OME Nitros w 884's and Dakars, Michelin A/T2, Pro EFX heated towing mirrors, Timbren HD bumpstops, KB VooDoo bed rails and tailgate cap, ImMrYo rvm bracket, G-Tek Fab door sill protectors, Ultragauge, window visors, hood deflector, Wet Okole seatcovers, in-vehicle safe.
    Man if its a lease vehicle run it and return it and don't lose sleep or go out of pocket on it any more than you have to. Those guys at Nanaimo Toyota are as bad as anyone else. While I was in there a few days ago they charged an old (80ish) lady a $135 fee to diagnose the problem with her car as they do with every case apparently. This was in addition to the replacement part and labour and a bunch of other shit she probably didn't need. She said well the back window wouldn't work, I told you what was wrong with it. He said, yeah but we needed to find out why it wouldn't work. She said, It was the motor. He said yeah but we needed to check to make sure. The little shit. Probably spent 4 minutes confirming the diagnostic and charged her 135. Criminal.
     
  17. Apr 4, 2015 at 4:38 PM
    #17
    Ninjalicious1985

    Ninjalicious1985 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Member:
    #116992
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    Vancouver Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma 2.7L 5 Speed Manual
    I feel sorry for that woman. What a horrible experience! That pretty much proves that it doesn't matter if Jim Pattison owns the dealership or not. At the end of the day, they are all crooked. I really wonder how these people sleep at night or live with themselves how they do business like this.

    Unfortunately, I am going to have to put up with this truck for two more years. What I decided to do was perform as much of the maintenance myself as possible and only do what is required...nothing else. Since I am still under the power train warranty, I have to play this game of only using genuine Toyota parts. This way if something breaks, they can't blame the problem on me because I used aftermarket stuff.

    As far as I'm concerned, I have taken good care of this truck and have done my due diligence. After going to two dealerships, Toyota had their chance to make things right. If something major breaks before the lease is up, I have all the invoices to cover my ass.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2015

Products Discussed in

To Top