Would Toyota Dealer log valve clearance measurements?

OOOPS - still wrong forum... Posting for the older models, but still haven't seen how to delete posts. Uh, sorry - it's been while! (actually, I guess this is in the right place now - perhaps an admin moved it? But my identical post in this section does have a good answer so far... so, uh, ignore this?)

Would a Toyota Dealer log valve clearance measurements if at 75,000 miles they had to do a valve adjustment? I think it unlikely the valves needed adjustment (I have an okay ear for hearing valves-too-lose or valves-too-tight) and from what I've gleaned, it wouldn't be likely. And in the end there is no mention of their adjusting the valves, only inspecting.

So yes I think the dealership did unnecessary work as the work order only says "valve clearance inspection" - to the tune of close to $600. I approved it because on the phone the guy made it sound imperative.

Thanks for anyone's take on this.

ra

 

Patrick - Yup, good advice, and my usual way to roll. But I'm not a cell phone person and there I was in the middle of the produce section of a supermarket when the call came. I was doing my best to ask why they thought it so important to do this work (which I figured was a valve adjustment at that price) and when I couldn't get a straight answer (did the mechanic hear anything) he said it was a Toyota recommendation. I said "no," but then he followed with saying I had better bring it back before the next 5,000 mile service, then. Leaving for a backpacking trip a few days later that made me worry something was - well, did I mention I was in the middle of a supermarket on a cell phone? Bad excuse, but I do chalk up some of how I let myself get talked into unnecessary work to the situation.

When I got the car and found the valves had not been adjusted - and after walking back to the dealer was finding lots of good info from people about how at 75,000 miles no way could/would the valves need adjusting - that was when I felt ripped off. A "valve clearance check" should be just an audio thing. To do any type of measurement or visual check involves all that work to get to them, and yes, just what it would take to do the adjustment.

My letter/calls to them don't have an answer yet...

 

Mendel - It is a 2006, so 2nd gen, and yes, my avatar is as clueless as I feel sometimes! This thread that I edited to start with Oooops was in the forum for new Prius's, so I did the "Oooops" edit, but then an admin put it in the right place. I'm embarrassed to admit that I actually did computer programming for a living!! I do have some car experience, and I was really trying to find out from the guy on the phone why they felt a need to get into the actual valves. To my ear there had been no indication of loose or tight valves at all.

I will update this (originally misplaced "oooops") post and my other one with what I hear back when/if I do. I'm guessing, "Here's your money back. We really did kind of swindle you, but we needed to because of this giant new facility we just completed on our site and moved into."