Should a Transmission Fix for Toyota Hiace Diesel Take Four Weeks?

LJohn555930 on 09/09/2021 - 17:13
Last edited 09/09/2021 - 19:52 by 1 other user

Hey people!
Just a question I’ve got and wanting some second opinions.

I have an automatic Diesel Toyota Hiace, found out my transmission needs replacing and have booked it in to get fixed.
However the mechanic told me over the phone the fix usually takes 4 weeks. He said he can’t order parts before the booking and has told me it will take average around 4 weeks to get fixed.

Is this normal? He’s told me the converter needs taking out and sent off to get looked at and I just agreed and took his word for it. Just seems a bit extensive for a fix to take that long?

What do you guys think?

• 

  brendanm on 09/09/2021 - 17:16

  What is the actual issue? Why does it need repairing?

  • 

    John555930 on 09/09/2021 - 17:39

    Transmission slips when driving and can hear a really loud knocking noise in the back when driving. Took it to the mechanic he had a look at it and told me the whole gearbox is pretty damaged, very worn down and torn to shit.

    • 

      brendanm on 09/09/2021 - 17:46

      Seems a bit odd. You could always get a used transmission and just put it in, would be zero delay that way. As far as I know, there weren't any common failures of the HiAce auto, but I could be wrong.

      • 

        John555930 on 09/09/2021 - 17:59

        Yeah that’s true, I’ve heard from a few people that the gearbox tends to be a common problem with the Hiace, not sure if that’s true but that’s from what I heard. I was also told a rebuild would be cheaper rather than sourcing a second hand gearbox. But it’s always worth asking, cheers mate!

• 

  pharkurnell on 09/09/2021 - 17:21

  -3

  John555930
  Member Since 1 hour 14 min ago

  How busy is he? My mechanic cant get me in for 3 weeks at moment just for a service.
  how busy is the gearbox builder?
  Does gearbox builder have the parts in stock?
  How busy is the machine shop that does the machining?
  How busy is courier?
  How many are closed due to Covid?
  Would you be pissed if he quoted 1 week and it took 4?
  Where are you?

  • 

    jv on 09/09/2021 - 17:42

    So many questions…
    So few answers…

  • 

    John555930 on 09/09/2021 - 17:55

    +1

    Hey pharkurnell,
    member since 2019
    Didn’t know that’s how we greet each other on these forums but no worries, I’m all for it!

    I’ve been booked in for the 28th so around 3 weeks aswell. I’d say he is pretty busy but he’s booked me in for a time where he can allocate all his attention to my vehicle.

    He’s a transmission specialist so he does the gearbox rebuilds himself.

    Parts have to be shipped in, not sure from where or who and how long that would usually take but my guess it doesn’t take extremely long.

    No I would not be pissed, if it takes 4 weeks it takes 4 weeks, my only question was asking why it would take that long.

    I’m based on the Sunshine Coast.

• 

  Collies80 on 09/09/2021 - 20:14

  if he is rebuilding the current gearbox that is in your car that is probably quite reasonable. Swapping in a second hand gearbox or a rebuilt one in would be a 1-2 day job depending on the garage size and mechanics ability. But if he is running a workshop whilst rebuilding your gearbox that sounds pretty reasonable considering current wait time on parts for shipping even from local suppliers.

  • 

    Chandler on 10/09/2021 - 08:37

    If the mechanic has looked at it, knows what the issue is and what parts they will need, why can't they get all the parts in, then get the car in for the rebuild - in which case OP can't see the rebuild (with all parts in hand) taking 4 weeks, hence the question. (well that's my take on it, at least)

    If the issue is not wanting to pay for the parts without having the car as leverage, they could have asked OP to pay for the parts upfront…?

    • 

      Collies80 on 10/09/2021 - 11:34

      because some rebuilds don't replace all the parts depending on what the actual issue is. Sometimes things break and you need to reorder things. Especially with rebuilding a pretty labor intensive job such as a gearbox or engine rebuild you'd always want to overestimate the time it takes rather than tell a customer it will take 1 week and then be disappointed when it takes them 4 weeks to do it.

      Don't know many places that make you pay for the parts up front, he doesn't mention how old the hiace is so if its really new there may not be many 3rd party options and special orders through Toyota may have to be made to get parts and that does take time to ship them from a factory. And again the OP could just buy a whole new gearbox from Toyota and swap it right in and it will be an 8hr job but it probably costs about the same or a lot more than a rebuild

• 

  Euphemistic on 10/09/2021 - 12:13

  2nd hand gearbox, or better still reconditioned gearbox. One day and done.

  If it still drives OK, buy a wrecker transmission and have it overhauled prior to installation. That way 4 weeks is while you still have a vehicle.