Hi Everyone,
Just bought a forklift for the small warehouse business I am trying to start.
I don`t know much about forklifts. I showed it to a forklift mechanic and he gave me an estimate of $1200+!! So I want to get some opinions here if possible. Not sure if the mechanic is telling the truth or trying to stiff me. So any help is highly appreciated.
Here is the forklift details:
Toyota 7FGU25
Serial No: 69309
I believe it is 2002, works with propane.
Around 7200 hours on it.
Basically, when I purchased it from the business that was selling it, it didn`t start right away, they said it must be the battery - it worked just fine with a jumpstart.
When I sent my delivery truck and it was delivered, I was expecting this so I jumpstarted it - it started but when I was lifting the forks or with a slight side shift, the engine died immediately, like it doesn`t have power to lift forklift.
I bought a battery charger from wal-mart, charged battery at 8 amp. By morning, it was fully charged, but then it drained charge again, because it didn`t start couple hours later.
So I decided to call a local forklift tech that I found locally. I figured he could change battery and also lube, take a look around and everything. I thought it would be all fine once the battery is changed.
Forklift tech charged me $209 for the battery plus his labor.
And he tells me, the starter and fuel regulator also needs to be changed! And this can cost me at least $1400!
He first called me and said that the fuel regulator for this specific model costs $600 and the starter costs $165.
I couldn`t believe that a fuel regulator costs that much.
So, he texts me few hours later and asks if I see a light "TWC" (three way cat) when I turn key on but not start it.
I said yes, I see a TWC along with battery and a down arrow light on left side of it when I turn the key but not start it. He said, in that case, the fuel regulator will be cheaper at $525.
He said $525 for fuel regulator, $165 for starter and he can fix it in 2.5 hours at $90 / hr.
I called a local forklift parts center. They said, if it has a Japanese fuel regulator (which it has, according to my mechanic, because I didn`t see any donut shaped impco brand regulator or anything like that in the engine) it can be converted to American Impco and conversion kit is only $300.
I told about this to the mechanic. He said that it could be converted to American fuel regulator, but it is more work (more labor) and the lights on the dashboard would start lighting up.
So, I am not sure what I need to do.
The problem is not gone after changing to new battery.
It does not start - keep clanking - like it is almost about to start but does not start. Sometimes it starts. Once it is up and running, you can drive it around, but once you try and raise the forks it dies (if you can give a good gas, it will not die, but when it hits the very top, it dies instantly) Also, soon as you do a side shift, it will die.
I have been told by other people who worked with this mechanic that, he is very money oriented. So, I don`t want to be stiffed in this situation. At the same time, I am not sure if he could be telling the truth.
I would appreciate it if anyone can help me with this as I am clueless about how to fix my first and beloved forklift.
Showing items 1 - 7 of 7 results.
Mel,
No you can not change from solid to cushion. The trucks are designed differently to accommodate cushion and doing so changes the spec's of the truck affecting capacity and stability.
Thanks very much everyone. Actually, the problem with the forklift is resolved! I literally saved $1K.
Basically, the person from whom I bought the forklift sent his mechanic to take a look at it as a courtesy. The mechanic tells me "One of the hoses that goes to the hydraulics was loose. What kind of a mechanic did take a look at this? How did he not notice it" So, I asked him if there are any issues with the fuel regulator, he says no. He said he also did some other adjustments. I think the forklift is a little louder (maybe works on a higher rpm) but regardless, it works and it is a pride of ownership for me, more beautiful than a $50K Mercedes in my eyes. Next thing, I will be painting it when I have time.
Now, one problem is, this forklift has solid tires (I don`t know the correct definition) that are obviously meant for outside use. It doesn`t have the cushion type tires. So, this causes the forklift to turn at larger angles and not as nimble as the cushion tires. It is like a clumsy monster in my warehouse (I already messed up a dry wall)
Quick Question: Can the two smaller tires in the back changed to those cushion type tires?
Thanks much everyone.
if you feel a parts correspondent is better suited to diagnose and repair your forklift that's your decision to make.
can a fuel regulator cause poor engine performance? Yes.
Thanks for your message.
However, few things bother me. Such as, he charged me $90 for 1 hour of his labor to change batter --- He didn`t spend more than half hour to change battery and inspect around -- He was on the phone with another customer for 30 minutes -- I was charged for 1 hour of his labor.
Still, as long as he can fix my forklift. I would not have any problem.
Also, I wanted to ask. When I called a big local parts center and explained the same issues over the phone, I was told that: If the forklift is running / traveling just fine (without engine skipping / coming to a halt or dieing, etc) It can not be a fuel regulator problem!
(of cours, it dies once you start using fork controls or backing up..whenever more power is needed)
Do you agree with this?
Thanks much!!
sounds like a good mechanic to me.
starters can spin slow like your describing when the motor starts grounding out. if left the starter will eventually fail and if it takes long enough for the starter to completely fail you can damage the ring gear as well which is very costly.
Stay on good terms and keep him around, your being looked after properly. All the parts you list I replace frequently.
If he was bad an alternator would have been thrown in the mix too. this tells me he actually diagnosed your problems.
Thanks for your response. Yes, the prices for the parts appear to be about right everywhere. But not sure if I need them.
Here are the answers to your questions:
Describe a little better how it runs. When you get it started, does it rev right up if in neutral ok?
* Once I get it started after cranking, as long as I don`t touch the fork controls, it work just fine. I am able to rev it up just fine, real loud and etc.
When you drive it and not use the hydrauics, does it pick up speed and travel ok?
* It speeds up and travels just fine. I am able to slow down and pick up speed, no problems. U can rev it up real good. (But whenever I back up, if I am slightly on a ramp, I have to rev up otherwise it feels like it is going to die)
Does the motor seem to be skipping?
* The engine doesn`t seem to be skipping. Once you get it started and rev it up a little, it will work just fine.
When you have trouble starting it does the starter spin away and the motor is turning normally but it won't start?
* I don`t understand what you mean by if the starter spins away - Basically. I start it just like a car starter would, it turns and starts cranking (no weird feeling like the starter is broken or anything) cranks at least 4-5 times (if I am not mistaken, the fan starts turning while cranking) then it finally starts. Once it starts, revs up and you can drive it just fine.
Why a starter, does it turn ok while trying to start?
* Exactly, this is what I am questioning also. Key turns just fine in the starter, it cranks cranks (like it gets faster and faster, and then it picks up and starts sort of thing..)
I am thinking, the mechanic want to put in new starter along with fuel regulator and the battery (which is already in) so he doesn`t miss out on anything. But not sure if he was able to pinpoint to the problem. But first and foremost thing he advised on changing is fuel regulator, which I believe is one thing I can not get away from?
Thank you so much for your helps!
Describe a little better how it runs. When you get it started, does it rev right up if in neutral ok? When you drive it and not use the hydrauics, does it pick up speed and travel ok? Does the motor seem to be skipping? When you have trouble starting it does the starter spin away and the motor is turning normally but it won't start? The prices for parts seem about right but first it would be nice to see if you need them. Why a starter, does it turn ok while trying to start? If it is skipping, a compression test would be in order. Also a voltage test on the battery while running would be good too.
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