Toyota Repair: Engine Idle, toyota camery, good luck jack

Question
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Followup To
Question -
1998 Toyota Camery:  When the engine is cold in the morning, I start the car and the engine "turns over" fine, but the idle won't hold and the engine dies.  If I gently race the engine for about 20 seconds, the idle finally holds.  This problem came up a couple of years ago and was repaired.  I was told at that time the choke valve was "gummed up".  Same problem, two years later.  I took it to a repair shop yesterday and was told they couldn't "diagnose" the problem unless I left the car overnight and sent me away.  If it IS a "gummed up" choke valve, is there anything I can do myself or some over-the-counter product I can try to "un-gum" it before I try again to have it repaired?  The first time around cost me a small fortune.  

Thanks for your help!

Judith
Answer -
Your problem is most likely the idle air control.  It allows more air into the engine when it's cold (this acts like a choke) and raises the idle when the a/c is on.
They get dirty for a number of reasons.  They can be cleaned and most dealers do it.  The only problem is if it can be cleaned with it still on the engine or does it need to come off to be cleaned. Either operation is pretty simple but taking it off is more involved.
I would not go back to where you left it since a simple test would have told them the idle control was sticking, a Toyota dealer is your best bet for this repair.
Good luck
Jack

Thank you for your expertise, Jack.  I agree that a Toyota dealer is my best bet as the dealership was able to repair it when this happened two years ago.  Here's the rest of the story, though.  When I took it in, I had no alternate transportation, so I had to wait 3 hrs. in a customer waiting room.  When I received the bill, I was charged for 3 hrs. of labor. I asked to speak to a supervisor and explained to him that from the customer waiting room, I could see my car parked waiting for service for the first 1 1/2 hrs. that I was being charged for "labor".  He looked embarrassed as he stammered and groped for an explanation, but couldn't come up with much.  From my perspective, it was a deliberate attempt to rip-off a customer.  Didn't leave a good feeling about Toyota dealerships.  I know they can do the work, but at what price?  Think I should go back?

Judith

Answer
Sorry for your treatment.
The best way to know what the charges should be is to know what needs to be done when you go in. In this case the cleaning charge should be no more than 1 hour labor.  It really only takes 15 minutes if they don't have to remove it and the hour if they do take it off.
Somehow they equated the cost of a new part, which is not needed, with the labor charges.
Try this approach this time.
Good luck
jack