There is so much incompetence, can't stand this shit anymore.

I need some help figuring out a situation with my son's 2013 Tundra. After a recent front-end collision with a deer, I took it to a Toyota body shop in Lubbock for repairs. Despite being a Toyota shop, they managed to royally mess up the repair, which was valued at $7,200 based on the insurance claim. Now, I’m trying to pinpoint who’s responsible for the issues and potentially hold them accountable for the extra costs. Brace yourself for a lot of incompetence - it’s honestly frustrating.

My son came home for spring break from Lubbock to Houston and today I took the truck to Fort Bend Toyota near me for routine maintenance. Everything went smoothly until the tech called to say the radiator coolant overflow tank was leaking and needed to be replaced. I asked him to show me where it was leaking, but he couldn’t pinpoint the source. He mentioned some coolant stains around a hose near the back of the tank. I asked if he’d done a pressure test, and when I inquired about why the overflow tank was empty, he couldn’t explain.

I quickly realized the empty overflow tank was a major issue. As I was checking it, I found a small hose hanging loose at the bottom of the tank. Looking closely, I saw a small plastic nipple that had broken off from the bottom of the overflow tank.

Now, going back to the repair in Lubbock - when they fixed the front end, they replaced the radiator, but I guess they never replaced the overflow tank. I’m wondering if the hose nipple broke during the accident, or if it happened during the repair. It’s puzzling because my son drove the truck for 500 miles like this, and he could have damaged the engine. If the overflow tank was empty the whole time, is that even possible? I’m trying to figure out if the issue was overlooked during the repair or if it just happened recently, just my bad luck. I’m also frustrated that the shop didn’t proactively replace the overflow tank during the repair, especially since they replaced the radiator. Stuff is brittle around the radiator, just replace the darn thing. They also reused the old radiator hoses, which is another issue.

At this point, I have zero trust in how the repair was done, and I’m considering taking the truck to a third-party shop for a full assessment.

To make matters worse, when I picked up the truck from Fort Bend Toyota after they replaced the overflow tank ($578), the tires were shaking badly. It was clear they didn’t do a proper rotation and balance. All the tires were off by almost 5 oz, and the weights were applied incorrectly. And they lost one of the rim cover internal ring so the rim cover won't hold anymore. I had to take it to Discount Tire, where I got the KO2’s, to fix it. They are smooth as butter now.

So, that was my day—two Toyota shops (one in Lubbock and one in Fort Bend/Houston) that just didn’t seem to know what the FUCK they were doing.

I need help figuring this out brothers. The whole overflow tank saga is puzzling to me and my apology as I don't know enough about trucks and mechanics.

 

Were the tires done at the dealership? Was it off when you were taking it to the dealership?

 

Rockauto shows the whole fan shroud and coolant reservoir at $74, not sure about the shipping cost.
The important thing is how much coolant was still in the radiator when you found the problem?

 

I have no idea how much coolant was still in the radiator. Temp on clock was OK and the engine running smooth, no check engine light. And he drove almost 500 miles like this I think. Is that possible?

 

Tires were done at Discount Tire but since I had the maintenance done I said lets rotate and balance the tires while there at the Toyota service shop.

The tires were running perfect before I got into the shop.

 

The overflow tank doesn’t scare me. As long as there was and is coolant in the radiator, there is no reason to be alarmed. Yes it sucks, but replace the tank and you’ll be fine.

 

The overflow tank is an expansion tank and is there to capture hot coolant when the engine is shut off and then flow it back into the radiator through the normal vacuum of the cooling system. Yes, you could probably drive 500 miles with a leaking coolant reservoir and not hurt the engine if the radiator was full initially. I doubt the coolant was that far down in the radiator during this time of year, but I would make to keep a check on it. Did they completely drain the system and then refill 50/50 with Toyota coolant? You should get a simple coolant tester or get it checked.

 

One suggestion I would have for anyone is to remove the wheel center caps before taking to a tire shop. There aren't many who will take the proper care of things like that.

 

Look at the inside of your center cap. The Jack Wad thought he was working on a Tesla.

 

I think the radiator was indeed full because my son didn't drive the truck that much after the repair. Again no heating, check engine light, they replaced the tank and full pressure test the colling system, I am told, but who knows what these Toyota morons are doing.

Yes the redone the entire coolant as per Toyota specs so it should be good, I hope. Pressure test as well.

 

If you look at the red lines in the image, is this where they put the wheel weights as this is where the machine is recommending the weights be placed. Most will only put the weights in one location. Some will not clean properly. The best method is to wire brush, clean with solvent, apply weights, then use really sticky silver/gray duct tape pressed into them and the rim thoroughly. I'm pretty sure if you took the same balanced wheel/tire to a different shop, the different machine would probably be off some. There are many factors, and some shops don't recalibrate their machines.

 

When the nipple broke off the coolant bottle it simply drain the antifreeze out. The coolant in the rad would have been up so nothing to worry about. I would worry about what you paid to have it changed though.

 

I already declined the charges on the entire collision job, $7200. I am so glad I paid by credit card for exactly this reason. The insurance sent me the check separately and not to them. Bank just returned my money and I need to submit the paperworks now. Let them fight me for their money. I am taking it to another shop to do a 3rd party independent assessment and if they say all good, I will give them the money back minus the $587 I paid for this fuck up today.

 

Did you talk to your insurance company about diminishing value because to the accident? As far as finding a competent repair facility if can be tough. Talk to other that have had accident repairs done. Google reviews can be helpful and check with the BBB.

 

Owned a tire/repair shop for 13 years before becoming a Toyota pro tech. The screen showing the weight placement is where the weights need to be placed to achieve a dynamic balance. If the total weight is only place in one location, that’s a static balance which can cause a wheel shake is some cases. Never used duct tape or seen anyone do that. Stick on weights will hold just fine on a clean rim. You are correct that most shops will not calibrate their tire balance and would only do so after they received a few complaints about a poor balance. We calibrated once a month.

 

Diminishing value? Is such a thing? Would that get me more money from insurance? I had no idea

 

No, it's bullshit. Don't waste your time.

As for that overflow tank, it's attached to the fan shroud and the fan shroud is attached to the radiator. They replaced the rad because of damage, they should have replaced the shroud as well.

 

When you have your truck repaired the accident is recorded and when you go to sell you will take a hit on the trade in value. One of the reasons places like Carvana asks if you had any accidents when assessing your trade in value. My insurance company offers diminish value protection which I didn’t pay any extra fees. Check with your insurance company.

I bought a new 2024 Maverick last year and have protection that if the vehicle is in an accident, that I will get a new Maverick and I’m covered for the next three years. The Maverick is a hybrid and the battery pack, if damaged is very expensive and can write the vehicle off.

 

Exactly. I called them on that and they said it was not damaged and the insurance would've not approve it. I asked them if they submitted to the insurance and they said now. So then I said well, shit, that's on you then. It doesn't take a fucking rocket scientist to determine what needs to be replaced. If there was active damage in that area I would think that anything that is plastic and part of the cooling system should be replaced? It was right on the radiator.

 

Thanks. To be honest I plan to keep this until the wheels fall off LOL. Is paid off and it has been good to me and I took good care of it.

 

I thought gap insurance paid off the loan if the payoff was greater than the assessed value should your vehicle be deemed a total loss. i.e., You total your Tundra as you are driving it off the lot after financial 100% of the OTD cost and your insurance company only pays offers you 90% of that price.

 

Yeah if your planning on running the wheels off of it no point in in any kind of diminished value insurance.

 

Diminished value is for people who are upside down in their note.

Your insurance company knows what that vehicle is worth and they will know how much debt you are carrying on the note. They will encourage the DV rider to be included in your coverage if you are drastically upside down.

They may have traded their previous ride in before it was paid off and the dealer rolled what they owed into the new payment or they had a string of bad luck expensive vehicle repairs. I get that.

I like to think Toyota owners are more savvy than most, as I often hear about peeps owning the truck for 10+ years or driving it until the wheels come off. I like reading those quotes.

Vehicles are money losing investments. If you it drive 7-10 years after it's paid off, then you are actually getting closer to breaking even.

Toyota owners are already paying a bit more money than domestic vehicles for the same optioned vehicle.

I really have to wonder when people trade in or sell a 2 year old vehicle for a new one.

They either have serious "fuck you" money or are just stupid as hell. In either case, diminished value isn't going to apply. You gave up the extra value by moving on to another ride.

 

GAP is for when you are upside down on your note.

Diminished Value is for when the value of the vehicle is significantly degraded by the accident record on the Carfax (and other similar reporting systems).

Normally you go after the other insurance company for DV, and that’s only if your state actually recognizes it (not all states do). We’ve used it when someone pulled out in front of my daughter and smashed up the front end of our new car - $17k in repair costs and then an $8k DV award.

In the case of hitting a deer, I’m not sure I’d be trying to talk to my own insurance company about a DV claim. I’m fairly certain it requires there to be an “at fault” party.

 

Exactly.

Where I live, Ontario Canada, we have no fault insurance so the coverage is useful for every accident. My insurance company offered it at not extra cost and they were the best price after I did some shopping.

 

What Casey said. The amount financed has no impact on a DV claim.

 

This is the way. All my cars are paid fully in cash at purchase after heavy negotiation and making sure the stars align perfectly. When you have time and money the cards are in your hand. My last purchase was Nov 2023 for $38K on a 2021 Tundra with 100 miles on it. I always try to put or keep money in my pocket from the get go. So far it worked for me on all my purchases. And in addition to that I don't sale or trade them, I keep them until the wheels falls off and if they're solid cars I feel like you're getting your money worth. Or at least it makes me fee good about my $$$.

 

If you really want to depress yourself, add up what you paid for the truck, what you pay for insurance and tags and or repairs/mods, then divide that number by miles driven.

The number is gonna make you sad.

 

True but this ain't Europe You need a car to get around. And if you have the money might as well ride in style. For me, I can afford it but that's not the case for everyone so you're spot on with the numbers making some folks sad.

 

I do the exact same thing. Paid cash for last three vehicles. Bought my 17 Tundra in 2020 for cash, bought my wife’s 2018 Lexus for cash and bought my 2001 Sequoia in 2003 for cash. The Sequoia is my daily driver. I’ll never have a car loan again. Short of having your mortgage paid off, it’s the best feeling in the world.