Avensis service, what should I expect

the corpo

My 2004 Avensis is due for a service in the next few weeks.
I know that on top of the service it needs a few things doing, am hoping to get an idea what sort of $$ fright I'll get before the garage lands me with a quote.

Last time I got it serviced, they warned I'd probably need new brake discs on the next service.
I got new tyres put on a few months ago, and the mechanic doing it reckoned my gear box was starting to go, gave it another 6 months.
Also, I'm hoping it's just wheel alignment, which is included in the service, but the car has started to very slightly veer. What could that be, worst case scenario?

So, quite possibly I'll need new brake discs and possibly a new gearbox. What should I expect that to run to?

Henry Ford III

Only the garage can quote you accurately, but it'll be heavy by the sounds of it.

p.s. See if you can source a good used gearbox.

the corpo

the corpo wrote: »

............
So, quite possibly I'll need new brake discs and possibly a new gearbox. What should I expect that to run to?

Gearbox specialist would be worth a visit

the corpo

jaysis, have the fear now!

starting to mull over whether or not it's time to trade it in, at it's age are things going to get progressively worse and costlier to run?

turbodiesel

the corpo wrote: »

jaysis, have the fear now!

starting to mull over whether or not it's time to trade it in, at it's age are things going to get progressively worse and costlier to run?

I wouldn't be expecting any change from a grand as a minimum....

What makes you think the gearbox is on the way. Do you notice anything like it is hard to get into certain gears/jumping out of certain gears/making any funny noises. If you don't have any probs with the gears i doubt in needs any serious attention, just maybe an oil change....which in that case is probably about 100 - 150 for branded gearbox oil.

the corpo

turbodiesel wrote: »

I wouldn't be expecting any change from a grand as a minimum....

What makes you think the gearbox is on the way. Do you notice anything like it is hard to get into certain gears/jumping out of certain gears/making any funny noises. .

after changing gear, unless i very gently accelerate, the car very easily over revs for a few seconds before settling down and properly biting

Avns1s

the corpo wrote: »

after changing gear, unless i very gently accelerate, the car very easily over revs for a few seconds before settling down and properly biting

Sounds more like the clutch than the gearbox!

What mileage?

turbodiesel

the corpo wrote: »

after changing gear, unless i very gently accelerate, the car very easily over revs for a few seconds before settling down and properly biting

I assume you mean as you change up (say from 2nd to 3rd) and this sounds like your clutch is slipping, not as expensive as a gearbox. I'm not a mechanic and don't own an anensis but if you could state the model(ie. 2002 1.6 petrol etc etc) then you've a better chance of getting a guide price on the cost on a new clutch.

the corpo

i had assumed it was the clutch, but the mechanic said it was the gearbox. lordy, it's probably both...

78k, 2004 1.8 petrol

Avns1s

Can't see how it would be the gearbox. Are you getting any strange noises / hums? Is it hopping out of gear or difficult to slot into a particular gear?

Sounds like the clutch and if it has lasted for the last 6 months like this, could possibly be more to do with the clutch activation mechanism.... slave and master cylinder, than the actual clutch itself. I think if the clutch was inclined to slip like that 6 months ago, it wouldn't have lasted more than a week or two, unless you barely take the car out.

I take it its mainly city driving.

As regards the brake disks, I am on original disks at 140K. There's a bit of a lip but otherwise fine. I know I changed pads at about 80K so maybe changing pads will be sufficient. If there isn't a shake in the steering as you touch the brake or they are not worn very excessively, I wouldn't be in any panic changing the disks at 78K.

The veering could be wheel alignment but might be worth swopping the wheels around (after ensuring that the tyre pressures are ok). I had this issue on my own car and turned out that it was a faulty tyre. The car would veer to the left when the wheel was on the left and vice versa when it was on the right.

the corpo

Mostly city driving, but I use it every day, prob add 20km on average. However, it was a taxi in it's previous life, so I could understand the wear and tear being greater than usual, especially on the brakes. No unusual noises or anything changing gears, just that slight slipping feeling. Occassionaly, the gear stick feels stuck, but that's been like that since I got the car.

Fingers crossed your theory about the clutch activation is right!

Interesting idea about the faulty tyre, can't say I noticed it before the tyre change.

I bought a service on citydeals, including a 3D wheel alignment, so hopefully that'll sort that.

the corpo

And thanks for the feedback, alternating between the fear and hope now!

bazz26

I'd get the problem properly diagnosed along with a detailed cost for the other bits and pieces before making any decision on what to do with it.

I Was VB

I just put my 03 1.8 Avensis in for a new gearbox, clutch, crank shaft oil seal yesterday, i'm looking at about €800 done which i think is quite reasonable, the gearbox itself is getting hard to put into gear and especally 3rd gear is getting very nochy. Cant complain too much the car has 361K on it now and asides form a wishbone and a coil pack its the only thing to cause trouble.

the corpo

sounds a good price, might have to get the details of you pending what the garage i'm going to says

the corpo

k, seems the clutch is definitely totally shafted. new one, inc labour, will cost me 350. seems reasonable.

was asked if there was anything else in the car i thought needed attention. mentioned how at the last service (with the dealers mechanic) i was told the brake discs were on the way out. mechanic today said they were in perfect nick.
feckin' charlatans!