Dealer used a second-hand coolant pump? What should I do?

The dealer never changed the part. You could have had a bad electrical connection, broken wire etc. Rebuilt parts are repainted.

 

Even with warranty work there's an invoice. I would go back and ask them for it.

 

^ I agree. I have been three different times for warranty work and have received a service report with full description of parts used, etc. I would definitely ask for the service report and review it with the service manager.

I just picked up my car yesterday after having the front and rear brake TSB completed. The service report included all of the parts used along with part numbers.

 

I don't know how the inside of the pump looks but if it works by way of bearings like a computer fan does (think Yate Loon or Scythe 120mm fan for an example) then I've seen bearings get old enough that the friction is right on the edge of the motors ability to spin the hub/blades. When that happens a slight surge in power will start it spinning or a gust of air or a bump that gives it just enough of a nudge in the right direction. But eventually the friction becomes too great and it'll stop spinning again.

Also it always takes more power to start than it does to maintain speed. Often to the tune of twice the power to start vs running at the slowest speed that would overcome friction.

In short a failing part can work some times and not others as it's part of a larger system.

Best thing to do is just replace it.

 

Boy! You'd almost think some auto dealers are not honest.

 

Sorry to hear about your experience. Your experience makes my recent brake TSB experience seem like a minor issue. At least my SA did not lie to me and was honest and up front about his mistakes.

This does not bode well for Toyota dealers. I am sure there are many more good, honest dealers than they are less than satisfactory ones but we keep hearing more and more stories on PC. It seems like Toyota needs to do more on dealer service quality than just send out surveys.

 

This is an odd one. From my experience with other types of factory dealerships the factory reimburses the dealer the labor and parts. The dealership has to produce the recalled or warranty replaced parts and the paperwork supporting that they did in fact do the work. I am wondering what would be their motive to lie to you? I would contact Toyota about this experience. I would not have these hillbillies do or pretend to do any work on your car though.

 

Really ashame. Another "unethical" dealership service experience. It's not just Toyota, it's not just Prius, it happens throughout the industry. But as cars become more and more "dealer" specific with their needed service, I just hate to hear these stories.

Any work done or not done, and exactly what was done or not done should be told to the customer...honestly.

I think unfortunately it's incumbent upon US as owners to demand paperwork and receipts. Things have deteriated to the point where you simply can't trust a handshake and a statement. .....and that's sad. Of course a receipt or even paperwork can be faked...but at least it gives you grounds when you go home and notice your "new" part looks like it was brought up from a sunken ship.

I'm wondering if given the disaster and tragedy in Japan if Toyota isn't encouraging dealerships to order less new parts? Don't know how robust their supply chain is at the moment.

That's not an excuse for what happened, but it could explain the attempt to avoid putting in a new part or obtaining a new part.

 

Let's see, tech pulls car into bay and then goes to lunch, writer see car sitting there with hood closed and pulls it out. "Here you go, no charge".

 

I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! ...

 

In my profession we often use anti-sabatoge inspection lacquer, a.k.a. Torque Seal to let us know if something has been tampered with or if it loosens of its own accord. OPCO - Inspection Seal Lacquer
You could put this on the hardware securing parts or from part to part so you can tell if it was worked on or not. It is a good piece of mind for a couple of dollars or less per tube. A tube should last you quite a while.

torque seal - Google Search

F-900 “TORQUE SEAL†<br>YELLOW COLOR from Aircraft Spruce

 

uart, I'm really sorry you've had such a s__t experience. Hope there is a better dealer where you live.

 

I just use left over touch up paint.

 

So the other dealer did it for free again? That's amazing. Presumably they agree that the first dealer actually skipped the job? Have you talked to Toyota about this?

 

No one did any work at the first dealer. So the second dealer couldn't do it "again".

The most disturbing part of this to me was that you (uart) could have fried your inverter if (when) the pump failed, especially because you would have believed that the repair had already been done and was not a likely cause of inverter overheating.

You should consider reporting this to Toyota Customer Service (or the Australian equivalent) if for no other reason to protect other customers from the first dealer.