Dealer Recommended Action Plan (Maintenance)

Last week I took my tacoma for a routine oil change and asked them to do a thorough inspection; below is what they found and what it would cost me if done with them.

1. Alternator Replacement (Noise) - $523.94
2. Spark Plug Replacement (Mileage) - $142.40
3. TEC package, clean throttle body, induction cleaner, tank additive (Found throttle body dirty) - $95.00
4. Toyota fuel injector cleaning (Found vehicle due for fuel system service) - $95.20
5. Brake system fluid exchange (Found brake fluid is excessively discolored) - $133
6. Water Pump Replacement (Found engine coolant leak) - $520.23
7. Air Filter replacement ( Found air filter excessively dirty) - $24.00
8. Replace positive battery terminal end (Excessively corroded) - $72.65
9. Replace rear differential fluid (Dirty/contaminated) - $116.35
10. Replace serpentine belt (Found belt worn/cracked) - $105.94

This adds up to a estimate total of $2,084.47 after tax and shop supplies!

I'm not very knowledgable with all this suggestions and/or have the skills to perform certain tasks myself.

I would like to know your opinions about these items and if there's a more affordable approach to this and recommendations on which products to buy for reliability/performance.

My tacoma is a 06 DCSB V6 4.0 with 105,000 miles.

Thanks in advanced, I'm open to suggestions.

 

Wow
There is a DIY for the spark plugs here.
The air filter, man, just order one online, swap it out.
The battery is easy, a brush from an auto parts store. 5 minutes to clean that up.
That is over $300 saved right there.
There is also some other DIY or check the regional threads & maybe there is a mod day. Some TW folks would give you a hand to learn.
I would also take that list to a reputable shop. I am sure there are plenty of mechanic recommendations from the Charleston, SC members here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-gossip-thread.411211/page-798#post-12153931

That is super crazy that cost!
Good luck Christian @ChristianNIC

 

2,7,8,9 are all very basic items that you could do yourself with very limited tools and experience. Good write-ups here for all of them.

 

If you want to have it ALL done by someone, finding a good local shop would be your best, more affordable option.

Depending on what you're comfortable doing...

1. Air filter replacement can be done without tools. It'll take you 5 minutes if you go slow.
2. Rear diff fluid change is straight forward as well. If you can change the engine oil, you can change the diff oil.
3. I'm not sure what they really do for the TEC package and fuel injector cleaning, but the latter may be the same as running some SeaFoam in the gas tank.

 

Everything except #4 is probably necessary, given the mileage. Problem is you are paying dealer parts prices which are often twice as high as aftermarket. If you don't feel confident with DIY using the guides here on Tacomaworld, take it to a reputable independent shop.

 

If you have the inclination to learn, find a local group of Tacoma fans and join them for a 'tech day', or host your own. All that stuff can be done in a driveway. #6 and #10 take a bit of experience, the others take minimal experience. But experience helps with all of them.

If you have no interest in getting dirty, find an independent mechanic who is honest. He'll do the work for about 1/2 - 2/3 the labor cost, you may save some on parts as well.

 

Is there only 1 tensioner pulley on the 4.0L for the serpentine belt? I would think that one is fairly easy if you can find the belt diagram to show you how it goes back on.

 

#3 "TEC pkg" looks to be spraying down the MAF sensor and throttle body in the intake with MAF cleaner, then dumping a bottle of STP in the tank. $10 in consumables if you DIY, but of course it's $95 if you pay dealer shop labor rate...

 

You don't have to be very experienced to do most of the work yourself. I've included some links that should help you decide what you can do, and what you want to have someone else do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1NvtUwfRJc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG3qwjiCWQE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyNlteE7vW0
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-spark-plug-change-1-gr-fe.30479/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/changing-differential-fluid-a-step-by-step-how-to.24545/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nator-replacement.384165/page-2#post-11961648
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-total-n00b-changes-his-serpentine-belt-with-pictures.238492/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-throttle-body-cleaning-2005-v6.94203/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pcv-valve-replacement.234196/

If you had water in your rear diff, you may also want to consider this mod:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-diff-vent-behind-the-tail-light-mod.286097/

 

Just one.

 

Thank you all for the prompt responses and the resources provided, this feedback is very much appreciated!

Are there any particular products you guys would recommend on purchasing and if so where? I don't mind spending on good quality products if its necessary.

Also, it looks like most of the things can be done right after each other since some areas will be accesible.

 

Just go to your local auto parts store and ask for the parts and ask for the top of the line for everything
You could easily do all of it yourself with a little set of tools.
Only thing difficult for you might be the water pump but just look of on YouTube how to change it.

 

I agree with you, if you take each item you listed above and research it here and ask questions. You will find yourself very capable to most of these things on your list. Plus you will gain confidence and save money. Its not rocket science, it requires a little effort and the will to learn a new skill that you will always be able to use. Now if I could just find someone to wash my truck I would be in fat city.

 

Alternator and waterpump really need to be replaced at 100k? Is this normal?

 

Most of that is covered in 30, 60, 90k services so why wasn't it done? I made sure and got the platinum warranty with my truck as it covers all of these services.

 

I am not sure the extended Platinum warranty covers services just break downs?
Maybe you meant The Toyota Extra Care Warranty? The pre-pay services beyond the first 25k?
I bought that what a joke!
My local Toyota service department only follows the regular maintenance schedule, not special operating conditions.
It did cover the spark plugs at 30k but that took an act of congress showing them my warranty book (it fell under regular maintenance).
It doesn't cover diff changes etc. Those are friggin extra!!

 

I got the platinum Toyota care warranty as well as the the Toyota auto care prepaid services and good at any dealership in the U.S. They even broke the services down to show what they covered. Thats why i took it. But like anything else it's probably all a joke.

 

Do I dare ask how much the prepaid services cost?

 

All of the warranties together were like 3400. 1400 for the autocare services.

 

3&4 are standard recommendations for fluff services that take 2 mins that they will strongly recommend to anyone who comes through the door, regardless of time or mileage. Skip them, you only *might* need those if you have a driveability problem that #2 and #7, and a whole host of other things, won't fix. The service advisor gets paid a lot for selling them to you, though.

1, 6, & 10, the alternator, water pump, and serpentine belt could be serious in that those parts failing will leave you stranded so I wouldn't ignore them, but they can probably be addressed elsewhere for less. The water pump could be leaking badly, which needs fixed ASAP, and is not uncommon at that age/mileage, or it could just be weeping a bit, in which case you have a bit of time, but keep an eye on it - don't rely on the temp gauge, by the time it reacts you are well on your way to overheating.

If money permits, do 1, 6, 10 together as you'll need to pull the belt anyway, so you may be able to save a bit on labor versus doing the water pump or alternator separately.