Bummer! Took my truck in for service

Bummer! So I took it into the Toyota dealership for the $25 oil change special and the 3 safety recalls. I requested they do a full inspection (which was free) they advised me the 30,000 mile service was denied by previous owner so the power steering viscosity is water, and needing flush as well as the diff housing and transmission fluids also coming up on their 2nd revolution. The tech said I have 5% fuel pressure when 9% is needed and they traced it to over carbon buildup in the throttle body and also injectors starting to get damaged due to that. Also informed me the spark plugs need replacement and that the alignment was off.

Question 1: can I just clean my throttle body and replace some spark plugs?

I told them not to mess with anything as I'm sure I could do most of that stuff cheaper by myself.

Let me know your opinions.

 

Post your current mileage... that sounds like a little bit too much....

 

Sounds like you got a bit of the old "scare tactics"! Spark plugs, throttle body cleaning, diff fluids, all easy DIY's. I think i would loose my job if i told my customers that kind of crap!!!

 

Change the fluids yourself...and don't worry about the other crap imo.

 

Plus, where did this "tech" even get his numbers from? This is how it reads in the repair manual:

m) Measure the fuel pressure.
Standard:
281 to 287 kPa (2.87 to 2.93 kgf/cm2, 40.8 to 41.7 psi)

5%-9%??????????????????

I think i would be looking for a new shop, if it were me.

 

Get the tune up in a bottle sort of stuff

 

Someone care to explain to me how carbon buildup in the throttle body could possibly lead to reduced fuel pressure and injector damage?

 

IF the fuel going to the throttle body was impeded...then the fuel pressure would go UP, not down. basic engineering.

i would ask them to explain this. like putting your thumb over a garden hose..the hose will stiffen up from the increased pressure. and "%" is not a unit of pressure. i call BS. find another shop.

 

If you're up for it, here's how to clean the throttle body:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/94203-how-throttle-body-cleaning-2005-v6.html

I'm guessing you're at 60k miles since you said spark plugs are coming up on their second cycle so you should change the spark plugs and diff fluid if you haven't done so yet. Spark plugs are relatively easy to swap out with basic tools and a little time. You don't need a flush for diff, just a drain and refill. Your call on the transmission fluid, but a drain and refill would probably suffice depending on your mileage. Some stealerships have actually told people not to change their tranny fluid (I'm not buying it personally but it's been said). Power steering fluid, if it's not making any weird noises and seems to function fine, tell them to go fly a kite.

FWIW, I changed plugs, differentials and X-fer case fluid at 30k miles. Also, check your air filter and change your cabin air filter. I plan on changing the transmission fluid for the first time at 60k miles.

Also, why was your truck on the alignment rack? I have a hard time believing they would put it on the alignment rack if you had no intention of getting the truck aligned.

 

Some places you would lose your job if you didn't.......

 

Lol how would you have carbon build up in the throttle body and injectors? Sounds like bs. Start a new one up at the dealer and see if yours idles a lot differently. Did they do any sampling too to determine that your oils were crap? But the diff you can easily do in your garage.

 

I know, but not around here, i wouldnt want to work for a shop that made it's techs do that kind of crap, i have always said, "if i wouldnt sell it to my mom, i wont sell it to you!"

My dealer believes strongly in techs talking to customers, but if they caught me scaring a customer, i would truely be in some shit, thats our rep, its why we have return business. You know that.

 

YEUP

 

+1 for you

 

Yea, I'm right at 60,000 miles. They printed a big list of to do's. It sounded off to me as well, I told them to pound sound. Local Toyota dealership. It's 6 speed with ZERO problems. My gas mileage is roughly 16mpg in the city and roughly 18 highway.

I appreciate the responses! And REALLY appreciate the DIY hyperlink. I'll spend some quality time with the white taco this weekend.

 

There is no fuel going to the throttle body on these engines, Toyota trucks never did have TBI, and certainly not now.

I suspect the fuel % numbers from the "tech" are duty cycle numbers for the injectors rather than pressure, higher % of duty cycle = more fuel being injected into the manifold. If the % is higher than normal for the RPM and load, it would be an indicator running rich possibly due to poor tune condition and poor fuel milage. But the CATs, not the injectors, would be the first item to suffer from the lack of maintenance, other than fuel milage.

Service it up, tune it up (plugs, clean TB, clean MAF sensor with MAF cleaner, change the PCV valve or clean it, and go on your merry way.

 

My 2 cents.

 

Thanks! This is some good solid helpful info/insight. Unbelievable that dealerships are scamming folks! Luckily I am a decent do it myself type.

Again, thank you to all & I hope this may help someone else along the line too.

 

Dealerships are hit and miss man... some are good, some are junk. In massachusetts, I wanted to strangle the service manager. Here in Roseville, I plan on puttin in a good word to the owners for the service tech and reps jobs in my recent debockle.

 

My old standby on 4x4 maintenance is a five gallon bucket of gear lube with a pump lid...change all your gear box fluids in hour. Get a can of intake manifold cleaner and some techtron for the gas. No worries mon.

Power steering fluid should be low viscosity.

Howard