Why does a tune-up for my Toyota Sienna cost over $600?
Without knowing just what is going to be done on this undefined tuneup there is no way to answer your question . Always when in doubt get a second opinion besides we have no idea where you are or if this a dealer service.
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Tune-up is kind of a misnomer on modern cars. A maintenance service might be a better phrase.
To me anyway, a maintenance service would include spark plug replacement, compression test, air and fuel filters as necessary, and a valve lash inspection.
You did not state what was to be done but the valve lash check could certainly run it up to 600 dollars.
I’m also aware that many may not run a compression test with the spark plugs out but I always do. I like to know if there’s an impending top end issue hiding out or not.
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I believe the 2011 Sienna’s engine doesn’t have adjustable valves
And we still don’t know what op means when they say “tune up”
Nor do we know the mileage
A while back I asked my mechanic for an estimate for spark plug replacement on a 2006 Sienna. To get to the rear plugs the intake manifold has to be removed. The estimate was in the $450-500 range and I thought it was reasonable for the amount of work involved.
Ed B.
I use to own a 2011 Sienna. As I remember, the spark plug replacement interval is every 120,000 miles. The “tune-up” probably includes spark plugs, air filter, coolant change, and probably transmission fluid change. If all this work is.being done for $600, or even a good portion of it, the price is reasonable. Servicing a Toyota Sienna involves a lot of labor. I had to have the water pump replaced on my 2011 Sienna and the cost at the Toyota dealer was $975. The engine had to be raised and rotated. I thought that charge was not out of line.
I don’t think the valves are adjustable on the Sienna.
One trade-off for the cost of maintenance on the Sienna is that my experience with the Sienna is that the Sienna is reliable. We sold the 2011 to our son a couple of years ago and I replaced it with a 2017 Sienna which is essentially the same vehicle.
The days of easy maintenance are long gone. On my previous vehicles, I changed the spark plugs, replaced the fuel pump and water pump, replaced shock absorbers, as well as changing the oil and coolant. I don’t do any of that stuff today. Yet, I would bet that the cost per mile adjusted for inflation to own the Sienna is.probably no more than what it cost me to run my 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass where I did my own maintenance and a much of my own repair work.
Tuneup should be spelled “tuneup” - implying that its meaning is ill-defined, and can vary widely depending on who’s saying it.
Nearly 4 hours labor charge to replace the spark plugs on the transverse V6. So if that’s the engine you got, that’s why. Think of it as a performance fee. It’s less than an hour labor charge on the 4 banger.
Yes, this van does have the 2GR-FE transverse V6
Spark plugs do require removing the upper intake
And I can personally attest that replacing the water pump is quite a chore
The engine does indeed have to raised sky high to get the water pump out
Another repair that is just about as bad as the water pump is the alternator. Also very inaccessible