Hi, we've had a 2005 GX470 with 83,000 miles since 2007. Recently, the dashboard lights have all been coming on temporarily then going off before we could get it to the dealer. We finally made it in and their (Lexus dealership) diagnostics read a "P0420 and P0430 failure with AF sensors, O2 sensors, and catalyst system efficiency below threshold (Bank 1) (Bank 2)". They, of course, recommended replacing all sensors and convertors at an estimated cost of $3869.13 - before labor and tax! They incidentally identified a small leak in the radiator and again recommended replacing with an estimated cost of $1179.21 before labor and tax. They gave my wife a quote of $6500, which she admits almost made her cry considering she went in for an oil change. I'm not much of a mechanic but this seems like a typical dealership !Removed!.
Question 1. Any suggestions on where to go to have someone other than the dealership (i.e., national chains) check the exhaust and confirm that these sensors and cats need replaced? Also, woudl you recommend using someone other than the dealer to do jobs like these? I read a conversation on this board (Man777 I think) about using either Toyota parts or other aftermarket parts to replace at a cheaper cost. Any suggestions as we do plan to keep the vehicle for a good while?
Question 2. I assumed that most radiator leaks could be fixed rather than require they be replaced entirely? Any suggestions on who, besides the dealer, could fix the radiator if indeed it can be fixed rather than replaced?
Thanks in advance for any help.
