Valve spring recall - where did you get it done? satisfied with the work?
 

Since we have to get the recall done (otherwise no registration renewal), post where you got it done and if they did a good job?



I've been to one particular dealership (for something unrelated) that was just an absolutely terrible experience, so I'm a bit hesitant taking my car in for something this involved.


Hopefully some good recommendations can come out of this.

Yeah I've been trying to read up about this in NorCal as well. I'm not fond of dealerships, especially after having minor issues with my other car.

The guys in SoCal have been having hit or miss situations where some dealers would only work on a complete stock car.

My car is scheduled to have the work done on the 2nd of Feb. at Toyota of Santa Cruz. Not looking forward to driving a rental, but what can you do?

I got mine done. Free rental, everything runs great, no leaks

Out of curiosity, what was your rental?

2019 Corolla iX hatchback

I think the OP is looking for reputable dealers not people telling him that it's been done.

Got mine done at One Toyota Oakland. Car seems fine.

Did you get that DMV form?

No DMV form to get.

I'd go back and get one.


From the bulletin:


NOTE (Customers who live in the state of California)


The state of California requires the completion of Safety Recalls / Service Campaigns on emission related parts prior to vehicle registration renewal. In addition, the State requires that every vehicle must pass an emission test (SMOG Check) every two years and before it is sold. Without the completion of this FREE Safety Recall, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will not allow your vehicle to be registered. State of California Regulations require Toyota to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with a record of all vehicles that have not had the Safety Recall completed.

Your Toyota dealer will provide you with a Vehicle Emissions Recall Proof of Correction Form after the campaign has been completed. Please ensure you retain this form, because the DMV may require that you supply proof that the campaign has been completed during your vehicle registration renewal process.

I'll ask them. I think that's just an arm twist to get people to come in.

I’m on the wait list at Subaru Marin. They do 2 a week and said I’m about 2 months away. They also require a stock motor

Any idea if it includes the stock "noise maker" tube?

no idea, im guessing they wont care about that

Does anyone know what we should do if the dealership has a long wait list and our registration is due before then?

I don't believe it affects your registration, the state just wants your $$$.

The recall is one of those occurrences where the manufacture decided there is a part flaw, and by law has to notify owners. In the end, it's up to the owners to get it done.

Not according to the recall letter. You still have to pay your reg and the state still gets your money. Im guessing you just dont get your tags like if you dont smog when it's due

Pay your registration as normal. Your car will be in 'pending' mode at the DMV until they receive the recall receipt. You and/or your dealership will be responsible for submitting the recall receipt. 'Pending' mode at the DMV is as good as a valid registration - they still got your money.

I had my E46 in 'pending' mode for almost a year because it could not pass smog. Pulled over 3x for tags.

Good to know. I thought you couldn't drive during that time.

I had mine done at Melody Toyota in San Bruno.


I took the car in just before Christmas when the recall was officially launched. Took a couple weeks for them to get all the parts/specialty tools from Toyota.


I was given a rental for the time my car was with them.
The car was finally finished on the 11th this month. I arrived at the dealer just in time for the first start up. I met the technician who did the work and my car was the second he had worked on for this campaign. The tech seemed very competent and experienced. We chatted while he let my car run and check for leaks.


The car was ready to go within an hour.


All I paid was $100 for new plugs since my car was right around the change interval.


Really happy with the work. Also, my engine now has new valve cover gaskets and various other o-rings and seals that were removed and replaced during the procedure.

Please keep us updated as you log a few hundred miles on the car.

I booked Stevens Creek Subaru for May 29th. Earliest they had I was told.

I took my FRS to Vallejo Toyota 1/14, got it back 1/21 because I emphasized I needed it for school commute and I'm not old enough for a rental. I was afraid that they'd rush it and break things, but everything seems a-okay ~150mi later. Also had tob and spark plugs replaced while engine was out. (tob was making noises, techs recommended spark plugs since I would have needed them soon? *30k mi on a 2013*)

The ONLY things I could possibly complain about: All my electronics stuffs got reset because they had to disconnect the battery.

Other than that, I got some fresh 0w-20 oil and new coolant, free of charge. Idk how I feel about the oil part since I JUST put 5w-30 in early November 2018, but I didn't want my old oil back after they drained it. :iono:

I brought mine in to Fremont Subaru. Got a POS Altima from Hertz. I think the SA said it takes about a week. I did call in ahead of time but it was only a week prior to dropping it off. I ordered a clutch/pressure plate/TOB and have them swap that in as well since they do it by dropping the entire engine/tranny.

Anybody taken their car in to Concord Toyota for the recall?

Got my car back from Fremont, charged me $100 for installing the clutch/cover/TOB, changed out my spark plugs, too. I got the parts ahead of time via a buddy who works at Toyota.

I've got about 1100 miles on it so far. No issues to speak of.


I've got enough confidence in it to take it to the track this weekend.

Did the dealer mention if there is a "break in" period with the new spring valves?

Mine didn't.

I will find out this weekend with some autocross.

They told me the break in required is about 150 miles.


I had a track day at Thunderhill the next day after I got my car back which is about 180 miles from where I live. I decided not to go, though, since my car had just been so majorly disassembled. Thought I'd play it safe for a little while and make sure things were copacetic.

Besides the valve springs, does anyone have a list of what maintenance parts they had the dealer do while the engine was dropped?

.

The recall procedure actually includes quite a few maintenance items in addition to the valve springs.



Valve cover gaskets
DFI pump hard line
Exh manifold to head nuts
Cowl brace bolts/nuts(for some inexplicable reason)

Spark plug tube gaskets
Crank shaft oil seal
Exh manifold to head gaskets
Oil drain plug gasket
Crank shaft pulley o-ring

Timing cover o-rings
Dipstick o-ring
Chain tensioner o-ring
DFI pump o-ring

Fuel injector seals
Fuel injector grommet
Fuel injector o-rings
A/C discharge hose o-ring
Throttle body gasket
Radiator drain seal


For auto trans you get everything mentioned above PLUS:
Front sway bar endlinks(for some inexplicable reason)

Vacuum pump o-ring





Don't ask me where I got that list. :thumbup:

Wow — end of May. Guess I should wander over there and make an appointment. Looking forward to hearing feedback on how Stevens Creek Subaru does with this recall job.


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It took a week and everything is good to go.

Try Fremont Subaru

I want to San Francisco Toyota, Geary location.

The car has a JRSC and other bits. Around $800 was the charge for doing it with the supercharger on the car.

The work was done very well. Had the car back in three days.

i wish i could take my brz to a toyota dealership, they seem to have there shot together

Avoid Stockton Toyota. So far a local has got a new short block and now his radiator broke and they found a pen in the system. Yes, a pen as in a writing instrument. Their initial response is that they wont cover claiming it wasn't them lol