Sad Day for My Solara

[vairdasol]

Well. 2 wks ago, I paid 400 dollars at Hamer Toyota for:
- 2 new engine mounts (Warranty covered it, $100 Deductible)
- Change front brake pads and resurface the rotors
- 100% Brake fluid Exchange.

I took it in today because I had a start up problem. Turned out to be the starter. It cost me $100 for the parts and labor (warranty covered it). Now. They also found a leak in the high pressure Power steering Hose. Warranty DOES NOT cover this. $400 for parts and labor, I denied this service. Keep in mind I am a starving college student.

Now... a few questions...
- It is urgent to get it fixed? What if I hold off for a bit, what will happen?
- Are they charging me too much?
- Whats the average price for this to be done?

It seems my solara has been going downhill. A bit of good news. I found out in my car history report, my timing belt and water pump were changed out 1k prior to me purchasing the car, so good times

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated,
Dave-O

[Solorange]

How is your car under warrenty still? Did you purchase a warrenty plan for the car when you bought it?

[vairdasol]

How is your car under warrenty still? Did you purchase a warrenty plan for the car when you bought it?

Extended GE Auto Warranty

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Well, I don't know what'll happen if you let it drag on for too long, but you might just lose power steering until you get it fixed(unless there's more to the equation; I'm no expert). Besides, don't you have a cred. card, or is it all max'd out?

[GenerationOne]

high pressure Power steering Hose..... What if I hold off for a bit, what will happen?

I think you can prolly imagine what's going to happen...
that's about all I can contribute I haven't had any of these problems or at least so far.

Good luck.

[vairdasol]

Well, I don't know what'll happen if you let it drag on for too long, but you might just lose power steering until you get it fixed(unless there's more to the equation; I'm no expert). Besides, don't you have a cred. card, or is it all max'd out?

I have a CC, but are they charging me too much?

[Mandarinsolara]

get a car that isnt a piece

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

H/pressure ps hoses are like 40-45 dollar part at autozone. Get a mehnanic and tell him to replace it. I'm guessing even w. labor it shouldn't cost you more than 100 (with parts) to get it replaced at a local store. Dealerships at times are called stealerships for a reason.

When i discoved a leak on my celica: i first used a liquid that sealed up cracks on the h/pressure hoses for the powersteering..it was a powersteering fluid with some selant additive. That thing lasted year to 16 months..but then the problem recurred. Thats when i replaced my hose. But if your pressed for cash...depending on how bad the cracks on the hose are you may be able to make it last till next year with that ps fluid.

[SC V6]

Id try to replace it myself if I were in your shoes

[Solorange]

Yeah I would just replace the hose myself too if I am in your situation. Oh wait I am hehe. I dont think it could be that hard to do it. After all its just swaping out a hose.

[quikz]

just try doing it yourself it shouldn't be hard to do.

[JMSinMaryland]

Back in 03 I had the same issue with the high pressure power steering hose on my 99 Camry. It was at 49k and replaced under warranty. Jon.

[vairdasol]

get a car that isnt a piece

damn you must hate your car...

[CASTRO]

^
i looked in the toyota TSBs or whatever its called, and the hose is a known problem. My car is a 97 and its been leaking for 2-3 years. Fix is always a nice bottle of stop leak crap that cost me like 5 bucks. Only leaks about 1-2 times a year. other than that, its not much of a problem besides the mess it makes. Just make sure to keep it full all the time, once i let it get low and my p/s would sometimes work and on corners start getting heavy. Drove to the nearest Kragen in panic and refilled that mother.