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Loose gas cap costs me $130

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by davidsullivan317, Nov 24, 2009.

  1. davidsullivan317

    davidsullivan317 Junior Member

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    I have a 2010 Prius and today the check engine light came on. It's 3 months old, so fully under warranty so I brought it to the dealer. Long story short - it to them 90 minutes to "run the diagnostics" and determine it was a loose gas cap.

    They charged me $130 because it was "user error." Did I get screwed? Does it really take that long to figure that out? Anyone else had a similar experience?

    -David
     
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I've not ever taken my car in for a check engine light due to a loose gas cap, but 90 minutes sounds like way too long for labor. It shouldn't take them more than a few minutes to pull the DTCs.

    Not that this helps, but ScanGaugeII - Trip Computers + Digital Gauges + Scan Tool are sometimes on sale for $140 and you could pull codes to your heart's content + get lots of other info (but is pricey if you're looking for an OBD-2 code reader).

    I've seen some non-Toyotas (Fords?) w/a separate warning light for a loose gas cap.
     
  3. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

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    I sure would have a serious chat with the Service Manager - or higher. Be courteous but explain the situation. And what they base the atrocious charge on. Many folks know the first thing to check after a CE light is the gas cap - a Toyota technician - or the Service Writer when calling for the appointment should have caught that in 1 minute.

    This sure sounds like a typical case of Cha-Ching dealership. And one that should be taken to task with this.... Did you buy your Prius there? If so even more leverage for a refund. Lastly - tell them you're a member of this Forum with thousands of members. Not a good thing for a dealer to have a bad rating here.....
     
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Hind sight is a wonderful thing.
    In over 2 years on Prius Chat I don't reall anyone suggesting to check the gas cap is tight, but my memory is pretty ordinary.
     
  5. blk2010

    blk2010 New Member

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    Same thing happened to me, had to wait 3hr but did not get charged.
     
  6. ibmindless

    ibmindless Member

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    In 2001, I picked up my brand new Sequoia at the dealer. They had made sure it was clean & shiny; even filled up the gas tank. About 25 miles later the Check Engine light came on. I called, they said bring it in, and of course, it was a loose gas cap.

    I should have charged them for "dealer error."
     
  7. Earman

    Earman CDN Prius III Technology Blue

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    I am not sure whether or not I am allowed to post this as I don't want to advertise on this board and I had no intent to even bring up this subject! However, in view of the above postings I can possibly help someone read their OBD codes at a decent price.

    I do have a ScanGauge II which I am keeping but I also have a ScanGauge I in perfect condition that I can sell at very reasonable price if someone needs it. Email me if interested. The main difference, to my knowledge, between the I and the II is the size of the box (the I is much larger). The II also has a detachable cord and it has L/100Km fuel consumption that the I is missing, otherwise both read the codes the same way.

    Please delete this posting if it violates the forum rules! Thanks!
     
  8. higuys

    higuys New Member

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    The scan gauge II rocks I have one in my truck. You can pull codes. Run injector buzz tests among other things. Read just about an programmed PID in your ECM as well
     
  9. dalton2

    dalton2 New Member

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    most local auto part stores will check the codes for free
    loose gas caps are more often than not the cause of evap leaks
    I never charge customers for somthing like that.
     
  10. higuys

    higuys New Member

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    90 minutes is a little high to diag that though. There is no specific loose gas cap code in the PCM. What comes up is an evaporative emissions code. Although once that code is seen the first thing a competent tech checks is the gas cap.

    Most dealers charge an hour labor to hook up to the scanner. Anything beyond that was book time to diag the loose cap
     
  11. dalton2

    dalton2 New Member

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    also it shouldnt take any where near an hour to find a loose gas cap
    that the first thing that should be checked when an evap code is pulled
    but most shops have a one hour min. for diagnoises for check engine lights.
     
  12. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    There's no way a reputable dealer - especiaily one interested in your repeat business - should have charged you for that, or taken so long to figure it out.

    Note to Earman: Send me a PM! I may be interested, and shipping would be cheap. :)
     
  13. zonie911

    zonie911 Member

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    Hence, the reason for the fine print on the gas cap that reads: "turn the cap until it clicks one time"

    Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. :D
     
  14. ALS

    ALS Active Member

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    Any competent tech knows the very first thing you do on a check engine light is make sure the gas cap is tight. Then you pull the codes. Twice I saw a local use car lot bring a car up to my Indy mechanic for a check engine light. The very first thing he checked was the gas cap on tight. Once it was the cap and the other time it involved pulling the codes and tracking down the problem.

    In July my moms Buick threw a check engine light. I plugged in my scan gauge and pulled the code. The first thing I checked was make sure the gas cap was tight and reset the code.

    Checked on line and knew right away what it was.
    Miss on number four cylinder.

    Threw in a bottle of Techron and went out on I-75 for a four hour 70 mph drive. Came back and put in some fresh gas. See it is a 1999 Park Avenue with less than 13K miles. Old stale gas was the problem.
     
  15. brianric

    brianric Junior Member

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    Can't fill up your car yourself in New Jersey.
     
  16. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    But there's no law that says you can't screw on your own gas cap. When you're in the left seat you're responsible for the fueling. Get out of the car and stand by the fender. You'll either keep a small problem from turning into a big problem or stop a small problem from happening.
     
  17. charlieh

    charlieh Junior Member

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    I had a check engine light on my 2003 Gen I Prius and my dealer (Keyes in Van Vuys, CA) did not charge anything and the diagnostics only took a few minutes. I would think in the interest of keeping customers around, there would have been no charge or at worst some nominal charge.
     
  18. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    Pull over after having it filled and "recheck" yourself to be sure..;)
     
  19. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    hmmm... interesting.
     
  20. davidsullivan317

    davidsullivan317 Junior Member

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    Thanks all for the comments.

    I have to confess that after I got quite frustrated with the service manager he cut the bill in half. Still, a very miserable experience and I'm looking to find another dealer for routine/warranted maintenance.

    The dealer is Walser Toyota in MN by the way.

    -David
     
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