Did I get Cheated? Valve Cover and Now Spark Plugs?

I’ve now been to this shop twice (with this truck). This shop was good. They had a good rep, but I don’t think the same person runs it anymore. And now I’m suspicious.

I had a Crankshaft Position Sensor done there. It cleared the code. The guy quoted $325 cash, but says I’ve got an issue with the valve cover. Not the gasket, but because of the massive oil leak…that it is a warped valve cover that needs to be replaced for $425. And that was probably causing misfires. Now I’m having misfire issues. What is the fix? $600 to do a “tune up and replace spark plugs and coil packs.”

I can’t shake this feeling that he did something. Like he messed with something. The truck did *NOT* start out with power loss issues. It would occasionally put the check engine light on, cut off traction control, cut off cruise control, and was throwing a P0335 code. It did have a fairly bad oil leak near the valve cover causing a smoky smell. I initially thought that was related to the crankshaft position sensor (because I read it can cause an almost burning oil smell).

What do Yall think? Did I get scammed? I won’t go back to that shop, but i need some advice.

 

600 for "tune up" and coil packs is outrageous. Sounds like this guy is just firing the parts cannon.

I don't know a ton about your 4cyl but I don't recall warped covers being particularly common (I've never heard of it actually). A gasket and reseal maybe, but not warped. I know some Toyota plants have weeps in various corners that get sealant in addition to the gaskets, and it may be the case that you simply need a gasket job.

 

that is what it seems like. I’m doing to do my own plugs and coils today. See if that fixes it

 

"Show me"

Are the 2 words you always need to use when someone tells you something needs to be fixed for some cost.

Don't worry about offending that person or breaking social norms. Always make them show you proof it needs to be fixed.

 

Definitely a parts cannon shop, sell stuff unnecessary. Find another one.

What area do you live? Perhaps someone can make a recommendation.

 

If your valve cover was leaking then there was likely oil down in the spark plug tubes. That would soak the coils with oil and warrant replacement. He probably tried to do just the valve cover and re-use the old coils but the rubber was all squishy and now they're leaking spark. It sucks but he didn't cause that damage. The coils were damaged long before he got his hands on it.

Good quality coils can easily be $100 each, so four of them and some spark plugs makes it get up around $600

 

I am trying to justify the price. The thing that gets me is that he had everything off to do the valve cover? That means it would have taken him a very short time to do the rest. All up for plugs and coil packs I spent $250. It took me an hour to learn and replace all 4 coil packs and spark plugs. $600? I don’t buy that.

 

You must have used aftermarket coil packs to get that price. Although you may think you saved some money, you're (very) likely to find that aftermarket coil packs - especially inexpensive ones - don't last long at all. I highly recommend OEM coil packs for just that reason.

 

Everything I read from here in Tacomaworld seemed to suggest Denso. That’s what I went with. Good price. Plugs were denso also. We shall see how it holds up. Good news is? It was stupidly easy to change. That labor wasn’t worth the cost. Especially when considering that he everything removed already.

 

You will be fine with Denso.