Just got an estimate for the labor on a starter replacement for my Lexus LS400 from a local independent shop which I've worked with before. They quoted me $430 for the labor. Does that sound reasonable? Thanks!

 

Yup that sounds just about right, an arm and a leg for a new starter and labor... The starters in a hard place to get which means taking of the intake manifold and such.

 

normally it will take 5-6 hours. You can do it yourself and save bunch of money. It quite simple.

 

How simple is it? Do you just take apart the intake and manifold and it should be right under that? Or more things are needed to take off. If it's that easy i would do it to save on labor.

 

In August, we went over this.

Read here and here

Good luck.

 

THERE YOU GO

I can post the procedures is you want to try it yourself.

 

Its time consuming but not hard.

 

WOW That's a lot of reading there... Thanks for the thread , ill read up on it.

 

Try a few Lexus dealerships in your area because I got wide range of prices from 450 to 800 but i do live in Chicago.

 

my local mechanic shop did my GS400 (same procedure) for $600 and that's including a brand new starter from lexus so labor was about $300 ($50/hr). Shop around and you'll eventually find a good price, but $430 is reasonable.

 

You have to replace a lot of seals as well.. I would reccomend fixing the rear main seal while you are there and having the EGR pipe inspected. Both of these items are issues that you might have or will have in the future. So you might as well have it done then since they are charging you for labor accessing that area.