My 81 yr old mom in Dallas area just called saying Toyota Dealer has diagnosed her 2011 Lexus ES350 automatic with 130,000 (no codes relayed to mom at time of posting) has an evaporator core leak and wants her first Katy, TX grandchild as payment. It took 3 attempts over 6 wks time to locate the leak using dye tests. Symptom of driver side vents not blowing cold air intermittently while passenger's side would remain cold, then both would blow cold. Blower is pushing air thru all vents normally. They had to do comparative thermometer test of two sides as they did not believe her on the first two visits. I know you were down here near me in Houston so rates may vary but how much would you estimate time, materials and total cost should be? Do you have anyone that I could refer her to for estimate of what parts and labor should run other than Dealer Book? Her car is in very good shape otherwise as she has all maintenance and repairs done by Lexus or Toyota dealers in Dallas area. Thanks. I've always enjoyed your tips and my mom follows you too.
Robert S.
Getting to the evaporator in that vehicle is major surgery. It's not going to be cheap no matter where you get it done, but the dealer is the most expensive option. You'll want to find a good independent AC shop to get an estimate.
Yes, I expect it will take whoever some time to pull the dash to get to the workspace but what I didn't also ask is are there other weak spots that may need to be checked and/or replaced preventatively while they are in there? She has been waiting for the vehicle prices to normalize but waited too long to trade so now she's going to get to repair this one rather than put that money towards a "newer used" model year or lower mileage trade up vehicle. She was hoping to make this next trade her last and this is the risk you take by waiting...