Houston, we have a problem.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on July 2, 2009 at 6:07pm

I was behind you on that trip and I don't remember anything bad enough to cause that. Did Eddie show you the leak. I would eyeball it closely. Maybe get a second opinion.

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Permalink Reply by DivnGirl on July 2, 2009 at 6:28pm

He showed me where it was dripping from.

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Permalink Reply by DWH on July 2, 2009 at 6:38pm

Often when a steel bumper is installed the AC lines are bent out of the way to make room for the bumper. Maybe the line was bent too far and cracked. Check to see where it is leaking. There should have been nothing on the El Dorado Trail that would have done that.

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Permalink Reply by jr vong on July 2, 2009 at 9:46pm

Clean under your truck first then try a different dealership.

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Permalink Reply by Vaughn on July 2, 2009 at 9:59pm

I agree with getting a second opinion try a neighborhood shop or 2. Dealer is good but you might save on labour elsewhere.
I'm not a mechanic but have encountered bad condensers on other vehicles in the past.Try a wrecking yard first, for a used replacement!
Or you might try having someone familiar with ac systems bleed the system of freon and repair if possible (some mighty putty,Jb weld or replace the hose/fitting/) then a full flush would help as well (rid any loose metal frags). , then recharge it.
Might save you some$$ maybe $300-800 instead!
Good luck keep us posted please!

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on July 2, 2009 at 11:06pm

You have all my sympathy. I would *never* pay that amount of money; get to some place that is not Toyota. It evidently cannot be a damage that has occurred on the trail, and even if it was? Is your car still under warranty? I highly suspect they think you do not know enough about technical details and just pay. I think showing up with some guy that has a mechanic background might persuade the dealership (maybe another one) to give a better quote or even replace it under warranty.

I have to say I lived with no AC until one year ago and the Bay Area is so chilly, I think I used AC few times in one year, almost always when I was in the Central Valley, but that is me, I noticed here people use AC to the point I feel really cold :)

A suggestion for the forum: can't we "locate" good mechanics (not dealerships of course) that can help with our problems? Having a kind of "NorCal approved" might be a win-win situation where the owner knows the mechanic is good and knowledgeable about FJs and the mechanic gets eventually work.

Bottom line, DivnGirl, don't give it up easily, go to more places, and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on July 3, 2009 at 12:03am

Bottom line The dealership has to prove that the damage was done while you were off road. there have been many cases that have not ended good for them when they try to pull this kind of stuff. I am not sure how it is worded but I know the burden is on them to prove how the damage happened.

Sorry to say this but they must have figured that they can pull one over on you. Was this that place you bought the truck from ?? I may know of a shop as well but I will have to find out if he can do this kind of work..

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Permalink Reply by Vaughn on July 3, 2009 at 12:12am

Okay so we get it! Dealer Stealer! any solid refs for divn? I got one trust MIDAS for a almost free 2nd opinion early shift tho. trust me!

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Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on July 3, 2009 at 10:53am

I am sorry to hear that Trish. I doubt bouncing along the trail caused the condenser to crack unless it was a weak part to begin with. I'd take it to another dealer and get them to look at it, if they refuse to fix it then I'd consider getting quotes at other shops to have it repaired.

I'll check with a friend of mine who owns a repair shop and get him to quote a condenser replacement for a FJC.

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Permalink Reply by DivnGirl on July 3, 2009 at 11:05am

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm meeting a friend today to help me locate the ac lines so I can check them out...and to point out things so when I try Fremont, they 'might' be less inclined to take advantage of my wallet. I do remember moving the ac lines out of the way when installing the bumper...but for the life of me, I can't remember where they are. I see no rocks, dings, scrapes of any sort on the condenser nor bumper. If you find someone I can take it to, pm me.

Thanks again guys!

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Permalink Reply by C4B_ROCKs on July 3, 2009 at 2:24pm

Trish you need to stop jumping your rig...lol I agree on looking at the condenser a bit more cause if a rock or some thing hit it you should be able to see some kind of scratch or dent. Good luck and let us know what happens to the next stealership.

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Permalink Reply by DivnGirl on July 6, 2009 at 9:35pm

Problem fixed...I went to Fremont Toyota and worked with Vener Padilla...really nice guy...even knows Mike Scully (Motordrive)! So he said he'd check it out and see what's going on...found that my ARB bumper was eating away at the AC line, cut a hole through it, causing the leakage. Had to get it replaced, bent to have more clearance and they slapped on some insulation around the new ac line. All fixed..$725...but, at least the condenser is working. If you have a front bumper or winch...check your AC line...mine cleared the bumper at installation...but I guess with driving, bumps, wiggles, twists and turns, it was just too close to the bumper. I later found a bunch of forum threads with this same warning.

I thought about just buying the part through cruiserdan, buying a recharger kit and doing the work without the dealer, but time got the better of me. I could have saved a few hundred, but needed this resolved asap.

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