Dealer Service: TOP Fuel System Cleaning?

30K service interval, dealer service center recommend alignment and balance, as well as TOP (some kind of fuel system cleaning for $174).

See the bottom of the image attached.

Does anyone know what TOP is?

 

At first glance it looks like some BS instant money maker for them, perhaps someone here knows what it really is. For me it’s a hard pass.

 

I definitely got that feeling. My wife is the one at the dealer now and texted that image. I liked this service center before, shame if they're trying to take advantage of her.

 

Last time I was at a dealer EVERY female was told their battery was on its last legs and for $175 they could install a new one

 

I'm pretty sure they just pour $.50 cents worth of some generic fuel system cleaner in the tank and call it a day.

 

Total BS.
That proves again that dealers are scumbags.

TOP fuel cleaning?...

 

If it's dealer suggested anything, you can rest assured it's a scam.

 

More like they do nothing at all. Lying sacks of shit they are.

 

You can't say that man! Every business upsells. Do you want fries with that? How about a dessert?
Go buy a tool or appliance... sir, how about a two year protection plan?
Go buy shoes... sir, we have socks too!

Dealers doing it is just normal.

 

Usually this fuel injector service involves disconnecting the fuel and return lines and running the truck for 5-8 minutes on a heavy concentration of cleaner. I was a consultant in dealership service departments for 14 years until a career change last fall. I would rather run a bottle of in the tank cleaner myself every 4th tank or so, but this service isn’t complete snake oil. If there is significant injector issues sometimes this will clean it up. $175 sounds high, but not astronomical. I believe the tech gets paid half an hour of labor.

 

Dont our engines have a self cleaning system when at idle?
https://www.wardsauto.com/technology/toyota-advances-d4s-self-cleaning-feature-tacoma

 

When you see stuff like this on the service ticket, why not ask for a thorough explanation of what it really is?
- Alignment, most folks know what that should be.
- Bal4, sounds like balance all 4 wheels, got that.
- TOP, ??? WTF does that involve?

If you get a BS explanation from the service writer, find the service manager or the shop foreman.

Been going to the same dealer for over 40 years. I make it a point to get to know the key top people in parts & service. They know that I know some of the games, so it's not too hard to get a straight explanation. I've actually had occasions where they suggested NOT doing some of the occasional "Recommended Services."

 

add a bottle of Seafoam every 4-6 tanks

 

You are right, thats how it goes. But they gotta give you value for your money, they are liars unfortunately. I work on commission and i "upsell" services and my labor too, but i give people value and actually do proper work, people are happy afterwards.

Do you really think they are gonna clean anything? I dont, i had dealers lie straight to my face. This is where its not right.

 

Considering Ive worked every position in a dealership with the exception of finance and upper management, MOST of the add on services are snake oil. I use

$25 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.

BG 44K personally and I like Lucas top end lubricant for high mileage cars. Find out what brand products they use (bardahl, BG, and MOC are the most common) and you can research on the internet for yourself what those products do and decide if its worth your time/money.

 

If it’s what I think it is their is a procedure where they test emissions from
Your tail pipe and disconnect your fuel system to gook up their own - then run petroleum detergents until your below thresholds for Nox
And atomized hydrocarbons

 

Alot of shitty dealers out there. Alot of good ones too. Unfortunately the former usually outnumbers the latter.

 

Agreed.

I wish found that good dealer. My buddies and i had horrible experience, pretty much always.

I avoid these clowns like plague. Apologies to the good/honest dealers out there.

 

I have an exceptional dealer.

 

Really? You are a lucky guy man.

Maybe dealers in US of A are a bit better, i dont know. All of my buddies and I were lied to, not always but most of the time. They always give the impression that they simply do not care about you after you hand over that chq. Dude, i had to fight with my dealer for about 6 months so they fix the seat that they ripped. And guess what? They "fixed" it and it looks worse than it ever did, thanks guys.

I heard better stories from friends that owned luxury cars, not toyotas.

You pay for something to get done, and it doesnt get done, like greasing the zerks. I work hard for my money (a lot of others too) and just pisses me off when they dont do proper work, thats why i have such a strong opinion on this.

I would love for some good dealer to change that though.

But honestly if its something i cant do, i would rather take my truck to this awesome local shop here. They are honest guys, you can watch, they always check their work and charge a third of what "trained yota techs" charge. Super nice guys too.