I love how impartial this channel is. Giving Toyota its praises but still laments it’s faults.

I did this job about 2 years ago and nearly went crazy. It took me 16-18 hours. Just about everything that could go wrong did. This job is not for the faint of heart.

This is the most mellow attitude I've ever seen or heard about from a mechanic complaining about engineering. Seriously. No swearing, no throwing tools, no big angry vein popping out of the forehead...you know how it usually is.

A great example for all the folks that complained about the starter being under the intake manifold, "be careful what you wish for" :) Great video!

Calling out these design choices is incredibly valuable! I hope Toyota is watching and learning. There are so many things on my Toyotas like this, and this channel calling it out and shining light on it is worth its weight in gold. Nice work, sir!

Must have been an Audi engineer that designed that part.

You weren’t a little agitated were you? And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Nice, calm rant though. Good to take a break in that situation and film it for all of us. Keep up the great work!

Did this job on my tundra a year ago. Starter went out in the parking lot at work and instead of towing it 50 miles home I decided to go get my tools and come back. Took me roughly 4 hours. Total nightmare. I was able to do the job without removing any of the exhaust and I mangled the heat shields so much that I never put them back in even though I wish I was able to. Toyotas usually aren’t bad to work on but I had some very choice words for their engineers when doing it. I tried explaining to my Chevy friends how hard this job was and they couldn’t understand. I’ll refer them to this video if it ever comes up again. Great video keep up the good work.

I will have to pray hard for my starter in my V-8 Tundra!!! My friend was a mechanic on the old B-52 bomber and said there’s a hydraulic pump that’s a nightmare to replace. He said, “It’s like they built the plane around that pump!!”

I did this job on my ls460l. Which is even tighter and more painful. I completely agree with you TCCN! Removing intake manifolds are extremely simple and people tend to overlook that and get flustered.

This is another demonstration of your dedication to customer service paired with your deep understanding of the Importance of reviewing the best way to approach a job, before attempting repairs

I used to be a copier technician and I used to do all my own auto maintenance and found that as manufacturers look for less expenses way of doing things along with being more compact they can create some near impossible jobs. I used tell people all the time the engineer that design these products don't have to maintain them so they really don't care about the mess they create.

AMD, Every time I see an expensive and complex repair on an expensive and complex V8 engine, I am more and more satisfied with my humble 126 hp 1ZZ-FE engine. 😁

I couldn’t agree more. I did this exact same job plus water pump & alternator. I under quoted & got burned by the starter. Wasn’t fun but got it done. 💪

Hi AMD, when you warn that it’s a nightmare then I know it’s going to be bad because you’re such a highly skilled and knowledgeable Master Technician! I will not attempt to do this job even if I had a hoist at home. And yes, it’s a bad engineering design-not good for mechanics. A friend and coworker of mine was once a Honda and Toyota technician at the dealer and said that engines are assembled out of the car or truck and than installed into the car/truck at the manufacturer. Please continue making these videos on these difficult jobs because it’s very educational, which helps hone my skill and knowledge as a DIY mechanic. Have a great day!

AMD, I just had my starter replaced on our 2011 Sequoia (5.7). Our Toyota Tech had the same frustration! Behind the exhaust manifold! Thanks for all the hard work!!

From a super mechanic with a great sense of humor. Thank you for the heads up.

This is a lesson GM could give Toyota...small block V8s and the lil V8 based V6 engines all had the starter that came out way easy. Two bolts, 2 electrical connections, a wee lil wiggling and she's out in minutes.

I have to agree, it is a pain. I just did one on a 2012 tundra with 300k+ miles on it. I got lucky, not one fastener broke or rounded off or anything. I got super lucky.

bin there, done that, once on a tundra, i tryed option “B” move as less of parts as possible, with an open key, moving 1/8 of an inch on some bolts, i sympathise with you, from Toyota Montreal east

Thank you for your videos I am a very big fan.Ordered a new 2023 Camry XSE v6 thank you for making my choice so easy .God bless your family keep up the great work.

You are best Toyota specialist on whole KZfaq. Thank you for your advice about pricings and workings hour's. I work for myself and I don’t know how to set an adequate price for the work, explain it to the client and constantly earn little. You teach me how to properly work with clients, evaluate the amount of work and price. thank you very much. I would like to work with a specialist like you.

Good morning AMD! I hope you have a great day! Much love and blessing to you and your family!

I really love your videos and how you explain the topics in a perfect order. One gripe I have though is that it is difficult to notice the things you point out which are deeper in - the focus of the camera is always off, so it's always a blurry mess

I'd love to see a video on a timing cover leak and/or coolant valley plate leak. Apparently common, along with cam tower seals on the 4.6L engines (GX460 here)

I don’t even own the V8, but had to watch this because your videos are amazing! Keep them up. I appreciate you sharing all your knowledge. Saved me thousands on my Toyota

I wish that the customer would have listen to you AMD. He would of saved himself a lot of money. Thank you for advising all mechanics of the difficulty of the starter job. 😎😎👍👍

That top bolt reminds me of a top bolt on a hydraulic pack on a B52 bomber where there is no way to reach it with a wrench or socket when the pack is in the aircraft. We made our own tool just for that one bolt. We cut a box end wrench off, ground down the head of the wrench to make it as small as possible and rivet it to the end of a steel T-rod so we could send that box end into the crevice to reach that one bolt. I just bought a 2003 4Runner with the 4.7L V8 and I thought that starter under the intake manifold was silly but I guess I was wrong. My other vehicle is a 2002 Chevy Express van with a 5.0L V8 and that starter change took about 15 minutes in my GF's driveway! If I wasn't in California, I'd swap a Chevy crate motor into that 4Runner!

Great video, AMD! I have replaced a few starters in my life. My first car was a 5 year old Corvair. After that many GM products. It never took more than a few hours for even an amateur to complete the job. That changed when I started driving Honda’s, however I knew a great mechanic and $100 later it was done plus $80 for a new aftermarket starter. I started driving Honda’s in 1996, only replaced that 1 starter in 13 years. If my 2017 Toyota RAV4 needs a starter, who cares! Thanks, again! Jim

A couple months ago, I took my 2007 Sienna V6 to change the sparkplugs at the dealership and I told them replace the three ignition cols in the rear bank that was hidden behind the intake manifold. The service advisor said why do you want to replace those three working coils, is it misfired?. I said "Nope, but I don't want to hear that it went south a couple months after we replaced the sparkplugs!". I normally, would replace 'unbroken' parts if it is in the same location where they have to be taken out in order to replace something broken in that same location...I supposed to save labor cost as labor is normally the most expensive part of the repair. I don't know if that is the right or wrong approach but that is just me, I supposed. Thanks for sharing such an informative automotive repair videos :).

This reminds me of the cracked exhaust manifold replacement on the VVT-i 2UZ-FE.... especially in the 4th gen 4Runner and GX470. The heat shield is always in the way forcing you to remove a bunch of other stuff. Plus there is barely any room to work.

That’s what I admire about you, transparancy and honesty calling a spade a spade.

New to your channel and your content is top quality! Would love to see a breakdown review on Lexus IS F v GS F v IS 500 🙏

Great video as always. Changed mine last month on my 2008 tundra.. It's not a job for everybody. It took me quite a few hours, epecially working on my back. I'm someone who loves wrenching on my vehicles. Saved myself close to a. $1000. It is a very difficult job. If I had to do it again,I probably would.

Did my first one of these jobs on an outside bay in South Carolina in 90 degree heat after a tundra came in clicking every other start up. I guess I got lucky and had the job done in about 2 hours or less. I’m a smaller guy and I guess my smaller hands helped me this time.

Thank you AMD, I’m most impressed by your honest assessment of Toyota’s poor choice of location for this starter. A man is only as good as his word and I have trust in yours.

So much respect for your incredible skill set working on Toyotas!!! Thx for sharing!

AMD! You have reinforced my enduring love for my '77 FJ-40, may it rest in peace.

Great video Ahmed, keep up the good work.

up here in the rust land, changing the starter usually means dropping the engine, because removing the exhaust manifold without snapping bolts or breaking bolts is nearly impossible.

much appreciated. Glad to see someone actually express facts and feels about working on a vehicles parts

I wish every car mechanic took the care and attention that you do, to do the job right first time every time.

Love your videos. So informative

Did this on my 2wd Toyota Tundra, took 6 hours in my driveway with a friend. I hear the 4wd tundra is harder too.

I used to rebuild starters for a living many many years ago and I can say there are always a few vehicles that were a total pain. You just wish you had a crystal ball and taken that day off work!

Hello thanks for sharing your experience. I did two. Tundras year 2007 the first time took me about 5 hours the second about 3 hour on the floor Is not fun at all.

the biggest issue having is the round bolt on heat shield and the exhaust manifold. and sometime you can see the starter look easy but how to get it out is another challenge.

It appears they hired a Ford engineer to fix the problem of the old location. So frustrating.

When I think of broken exhaust studs and bolts on name comes to mind. "FORD"!

Lmao,I'm a top level B tech and I had this car in for a starter. Luckily it only took me a better part of a day,luckily bolts weren't that rusty and came out,no broken anything,lol. But yes very difficult.

Hey Car Care Nut, love your Toyota videos man, I'm learning all the time! I wonder about your thoughts on Toyota's outside air temperature sensor. I have one on my car that I have replaced but the temp. outside still reads wrong all the time. Does Toyota have a RESET for these? Thanks and keep making the helpful videos!

One of my favourite Car Nut videos. Speaks to the realities of auto care: some jobs are just not fun!

Really like your videos. Wee little suggestion here. Get a laser pointer. Easier for you to tell which is which and easier for us to see which is which as well.

You need to be a consultant to Toyota. Every once in a while something like this nightmare comes along and is a misery to everyone who has to deal with it. Thank you for your honesty.

Removing the starter motor on a GS300 is also a pain. You have to loosen the driver-side exhaust manifold and engine mount then jack up the engine on the driver side, before you can remove it. A real pain.

We did one on a Tundra that had this same design. I think it may be double the book time from this Lexus according to the estimate guide. Luckily we didn't have to remove the exhaust manifold, but it was a major pain. Somehow the starter went bad and was drawing current the whole time. Melted the battery cable end. I quoted a little less since the manifold wasn't removed, but I think next time I'll at least quote the full price. It's one of those jobs that just takes incredible patience.

AMD it’s a compliment to you the owner wants to change the starter while your available to him. If I were him I would find things for you to replace👍💕

I'm with u on that bad engineering it took me two days to remove and replace starter on a 2015 Tundra

Thanks for all of this, these are the kind of videos that really deliver.

What surprises me is how small those brake rotors are... they don't look any larger than the ones on my Camry.

Wow, thank you, great video as usual! Could you imagine having to do this on your back in the parking lot of an auto parts store!!!

basically replace the heatshield bolts by studs and nuts, and push a long hose over the studs and put them through the holes on the heatshield so you can fit the shield over the studs without too much fiddling.

My local starter rebuilder says that Denso uses heavy duty parts inside those Tundra/Lexus starters. If you need to replace your starter, use a Toyota remanufactured starter.

AMD, another great video. Please tell us what model year Highlander is impacted by that bearing/transfer case issue. Thanks

Hello thank you for heads up not to long ago i have purchased a 2019 Tundra Great video thanks for sharing.

Good video, I notice you'll quote the time, but not so much the cost/labor! I assume it's because those watching are from different states and cities. It may cost different in PA compared to Illinois, I saw Mississippi paid the most on average for labor ($152.63), where the most common repair was to replace ignition coils and spark plugs! Again thanks for enlightening us on the nature of auto repairs and maintenances!

My 2006 Ford Escape has an alternator above the right axle and behind the block above power steering pump. Same frustration ratio because the body only allows for a mere 0.5 inch of space around it to be pulled out of the axle area. Took me 5 hours on jack stands on my back to remove. What a pain. I hear your frustration in your voice. Thanks for the great videos.

Wow, thank you for making me feel better about my two 1UZ vehicles. So far, not had to replace the starter on either, but was dreading it. No longer.

I used to work on C130s. There's a bolt everyone called the "helen keller" bolt. PITA! Those type situations like this starter is why most mechanics have high blood pressure lol

Hi can you please show which V8 Toyota that you would own, ease of maintenance and reliability. Thank You 🙏 and God Bless!! Love Your Videos!!!

AMD … great video esp the heads up about sienna transfer case … it is of value for viewers to see .. sometimes there are challenges that even stump the best of the best professionals … as always helpful and informative should I ever find myself owning a Toyota v8

A brilliant and very informative video!

AMD, this is the best subtitle work I've seen on this platform. Toyota quality film work, I must say.

try working on Volkswagen Audi!!

WOW, thats crazy, glad I have my 1985 Toyota 4runner SR5 5 speed with the 22re engine. and solid axles front and rear. Thank you for the heads up on this fiasco on these types of vehicles.

As a former Lexus tech I remember someone doing this on a ISF (2UR-GSE) took him all day 😅

Love you videos, I do have a question: what us the safe operating temperature for 2019 tundra 5.7 v8 6 speed transmission? Thx jon

Thank you AMD for another great video. Just one suggestion since you switched over to this new video camera. Please try to take a clear picture when the lens is out of focus. It seems happened a lot when you try to shot some close look. You usually post a picture in the old video which I like very much but not in the last few videos. I knew I might ask too much but it help some newbie (like me) to understand which one you are talking about. Have a wonderful holiday season!

I wish you were in Mississippi Brother! Great Job and Quality Work! keep Going! OORAH

Thanks for the heads up! You are a Super Pro!!

Can you make a video explaining how to change the timing chain tensioner on the 1ZZ-FE engine. Some people say rotate the engine counterclockwise first after installing the new tensioner. Some say only rotate clockwise

GodSpeed to you and Mrs Car N.Keep up the GOOD work l am a ASE Cry tech and l never seen a shop Like yours l and my fellows mc give you the or our BEST.Thank.

you are a great Mechanic. Thank you. for a well done video and great explanation.

Similar issue with changing spark plugs on a 2017 Highlander Hybrid….ridiculously expensive to have dealer perform this service.

I changed the thermostat on my Honda j35 v6 yesterday. You would think that there is nothing to it, 15 minute job, 3 bolts, swap the housing with the thermostat built into it, connect the hoses, done! Just top up the fluid. NOPE. TO be able to reach the bolts, you need to at least remove: Battery, battery tray, entire intake system up to the throttle body. This takes for ever because all the hoses are so tight, that you need pliers to pull them off, you will cut yourself a lot. This only lets you reach the bolts if you have angled socket extensions or tiny hands. Even then, its a pain in the ass and you will get coolant all over the electronics (so put a plastic bag under the housing. But, if you have big hands, or don't have top of the line tools, you also need to remove: Throttle body, intake manifold/plenum that sits on the engine, and all the related wiring in the area which at this point, is a bunch of hardened and rotten plastic. This 15 minute job just turned into 2 hours at least. Then! After you put it all together and swapped it out and started the car, the car freaks out, thinks the security system has failed, traction control failed, abs failed, it goes into full freak out mode and revs to 3000 RPM on its own for no reason. Then you turn it off, disconnect the battery for 15 minutes, reconnect it, and then the car works fine. All I learned in my entire life, is that no matter how HARD a toyota job is, even v8's, its NEVER harder than an equivalent car from ANY other manufacturer. You think Honda's are easy to work on? Try removing literally ANY piece of plastic. If you brake even ONE clip, you will never be able to find one online because they don't have an official parts store like toyota, they don't have easily available diagrams or part numbers either, and the dealer will always sell you the wrong clip, and when you do get the right one, its like 15$ EACH.

Brilliant commentary, 03 runner under intake for us…Personally , I like the design of it on top due to four wheeling or over landing, nothing really bad can get to it. Don’t want to be stuck out in Gods county with no starter. Thanks for all the great videos, l have learned so much. 👍🏻👍🏻

Yes, I did have to replace my starter; did it myself, also the installed starter was bigger than the replacement. What a pain to do this job, unbelievable! By far the worst job I had ever done on any car. I do love my Tundra, and I will hopefully recover mentally before the next time I need to do this. Thank you for great pointers, love this channel. My starter lasted 14 years on my 2007 Tundra.

Thank you sooo much for your videos. After watching quite a number of them I wanted to ask you a question. If one wanted to buy a new Toyota and is a reliability nut like I am. Which Toyota's would you buy that you think would last 300,000 miles with minimal repairs and expense out of the new or newer models? I have a 2002 Sienna with 268,000 and runs perfectly but am looking at getting a new Toyota.

Thanks for all the insights! Which model years sienna awd has the issue?

Hi @TheCarCareNut AMD What are your thoughts on warming up the engine before driving? 4Runner 5th Gen. Thanks!

I love the Channel, New sub here. Just curious about your work light... what brand is it and is it rechargeable? It looks so minimalistic and functional!!

I’ve been told it’s a problem on tundras too . I love watching your content give me ideals on stuff to replace etc just to keep things at bay . Replaced our Highlander oil cooler tube parts on order per your video . Replaced the Highlander sparks plugs per your video you make this easy tho it’s not lol

AMD! Big fan, former SW burbs neighbor.. love your videos and insight. Please teach your apprentice how to properly focus on things with the camera. 😂

toyota tech from australia here. the 1vd-ftv 4.5 diesel v8 has it in the v also. replacing it requires removal of the 2 common rails, 10 fuel lines, intercooler, intake manifold(5 separate pieces), egr pipes, egr valves and egr cooler and all of the turbo inlet/outlet pipes. very expensive part wise and very labour intensive.

AMD, while we're on the topic of horrible designs I'd love it if you gave a shoutout to the 1st-Gen Tacoma's oh-so-lovely balljoint design. - signed, a 1st-Gen owner

Would love to see you review a Previa. I’m wondering how difficult repairs are with that mid engine design.

Why why why don't people listen to expert mechanics, why must they be proactive about things that SHOULD NOT BE done proactively? Some surely have more money than sense! Another great video!

Great video, AMD! Thanks.

Love the honesty here because nothing is perfect even Toyota's . I'm planning on keeping my ancient 4runner a LONG time, god willing. Nice vid Amd ! I look forward to your videos.

Hot V's for the win. Also an idea for the shield, why not adjust the shield with the new starter on the bench and when puting it back together install the top bolt first then the bottom two that are easier.