# 2 VVT solenoids on 1999 Lexus ES300

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** es300, lexus\
**Created:** [January 25, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677 "2018-01-25T19:18:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![melott](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/melott/32/10827_2.png) [@melott](https://community.cartalk.com/u/melott)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677/1 "2018-01-25T19:18:07Z")

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VVT replacement job with oil change. $700. Sounds too steep to me.  
Comments?

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677/2 "2018-01-25T19:56:45Z")

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Doesn’t look too tough, give it a try!

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**Author:** ![melott](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/melott/32/10827_2.png) [@melott](https://community.cartalk.com/u/melott)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677/3 "2018-01-25T22:55:13Z")

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Not my question.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677/4 "2018-01-25T23:12:06Z")

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Because 99% of us have no idea what would be involved in this job, I thought the videos might help.

Sorry!!

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677/5 "2018-01-25T23:15:15Z")

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> [@melott](#):
>
> VVT replacement job with oil change. $700. Sounds too steep to me.
> 
> Comments?

Get several estimates .

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**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677/6 "2018-01-25T23:20:03Z")

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How is your 700 estimate totaled? 300 parts and 400 labor? 3 hrs labor? 4 hrs? Why would another shop says its 2 hrs? 2nd shop may says it’s 575 total?

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2-vvt-solenoids-on-1999-lexus-es300/111677/7 "2018-01-26T03:16:14Z")

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I’m seeing $100 each for the parts, and 1.2 hours labor to replace both variable valve timing actuators. So around $320 total, parts and labor. Plus whatever they charge for an oil change. If that’s all they’re doing, $700 does indeed sound pricey. What else could they be doing? hmmm … you could ask if they are also doing …

- sludge removal?
- VVT sensor replacements?
- PCM reprogramming?