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TacomaGeneral discussion forum for the 2005 and later Toyota Tacoma.
This is a discussion thread titled "Took Truck to Dealer", within the Tacoma forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
Well I took my truck to the dealer to get the brakes changed since they were squeaking. I get a call an hour later saying that 50 % was still left on the brakes. Tyhen they tell me I have carbon build up on the fuel injection. They charge 179.99 to change the brakes. So they guy asked if I wanted to chage the pricing to "service the fuel system". Now what they said is that there is carbon build up right? How much and what needs to be done to get rid of that? Would it be 179.99 to do that? Is this guy trying to pull a fast one?
Well I took my truck to the dealer to get the brakes changed since they were squeaking. I get a call an hour later saying that 50 % was still left on the brakes. Tyhen they tell me I have carbon build up on the fuel injection. They charge 179.99 to change the brakes. So they guy asked if I wanted to chage the pricing to "service the fuel system". Now what they said is that there is carbon build up right? How much and what needs to be done to get rid of that? Would it be 179.99 to do that? Is this guy trying to pull a fast one?
On a 2003? How many miles? That seems a bit fishy... get you some fuel additive to clean the injectors... will be much cheaper. Only then, if you observe probs with the injectors, you might take it in for cleaning.
Maybe I'm clueless, but why would they take the time to look at the fuel injectors if they were supposed to be working on the brakes? Seems like a scam to me.
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Win or Lose, but Finish the Game
I have a 96 GMC 1/2 ton with v-6 motor and 104000 miles and the injectors have never been cleaned. Still runs as good as the day i got it. If your truck is running good, strong and mileage has not decreased then I thinks something up. Ask the service writer for an explanation. On the breaks I have done front discs on several types of cars and trucks from Chevy to Volvo and there are pretty much the same. I have not done a Toyota or a 4wd they may be harder, do you have a buddy with some tools that could help you. it could save you some bucks and at the same time you would learn something about your truck. How many miles on this truck? If the pads or at 50% you have some time to figure out if you want to do it yourself. GOOD LUCK!! Let us know if you need more help.
Ok. This is what happene and I dont know if allof this should have been paid under warranty since Ive had the truck only since last July. They said they changed my rotors and brakes since they felt pulsating ont he brakes. That was under warranty. Then they said they would charge 140 to do a 3-step cleaning of the fuel injection. 39.99 for intake kit and efi cleaner. 100 for the labor. Now should this have been under warranty since it was carbon build up that has nothing to do with me? I have the print out of what was done. Maybe you guys could tell me if i was ripped. This is my first car so Im new at what to really look for. I know I should read my warranty papers. Thanks!
Oh yeah. Bought it last July and I have about 21700 miles on it now. Why they were looking for carbon build up is because my truck did have that pinging/clanking noises that everyone here says may be carbon build up. I never told them about it. SO maybe they heard it too. So that surprised me.
[quote=tacoma2.4] Then they said they would charge 140 to do a 3-step cleaning of the fuel injection. [quote]
Step1)Open fuel filler door.....Step2)remove cap from bottle of fuel injector cleaner.....Step3)pour cleaner into fuel tank.
No need to pay the dealer 40 bucks to clean your injectors, you can do it yourself. It's readily avalable at your local Autozone, Advance Auto, Pep boys, and Walmart to name a few. Add a bottle to a full tank of gas with every oil change and you should be set to go.
Additionally, you can search some of the threads on this site for 'Throttle Body cleaning'. It's another process that is a very simple DIY.
yep, that "three step cleaning" sounds like a bit of a hook...dunno the process for cleaning the tb on a taco, but it's gotta be easier than doing it on a 4" lifted tundra with larger tires and a huuuge bumper...i gotta use a step stool to see in there, at least i can stand on the bumper . if nobody has posted the process for a 2.4L taco yet, diy and post up. the tundra is really easy to clean, i suspect the taco is just as easy.
cleaning the tb yourself will cost about 5 bucks for some lint-free cloths, a stiff bristle toothbrush, and a can of throttle body cleaner. the carbon buildup is completely normal, getting rid of it is about the same as blowing your truck's nose once in a while. it's because the crankcase ventilation valve vents in front of the butterfly...gunk builds up there over time, particularly with short hop driving as hot vapor from the engine hits the colder butterfly and condenses, i think was how it was explained a while back.
as for dumping stuff in the tank, do a search for "primrose" fuel injector cleaner, or send a pm to...uh...i think "georgeseq", primrose is good stuff, and ships out of columbus for about 30 bucks for a half dozen, i think, and you do a bottle every other oil change or so.
r&r made easy .
might want to avoid that dealership in the future.
Jeeze. Well that sucks. Since I bought the truck there I thought it would be the best to take it there instead of a hole in the wall place where you would think they would overcharge. Thanks guys
You can continue to service the vehicle there if you like, but you need to be careful and observant. First, you are not required to pay for work they did that you did not authorize. If you authorized the fuel system cleaning then you are stuck with the bill. Next time say no and do your research -- you can always go back for the service later if you determine you need it.
Keep in mind that most Toyota service centers send out a satisfaction survey and you should be sure to be honest with it.
~ Fred
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"Beware he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master."
get to know your service advisor, and get to know the techs that service your truck. getting to know the techs can be extremely beneficial...you can ask 'em stuff whenever, bs, hook 'em up with a brew when theyve just tackled a really obnoxious job on your truck, that sorta stuff. the money is between you and the service advisor, the service is between you and the mechanic--that means you shouldnt ever have to get on your mechanic's case at the dealership. also means if the mechanic sees something that needs fixing, occasionally he'll do it without charging you if its quick, or charge you time instead of book (since a good wrench can usually get a job done below book hours), or suggest alternate fixes to oem problems (usually only happens when your mechanic knows his aftermarket parts and your truck really well) as a friend of mine found when she had an accident and later found a cracked leaf spring--insurance paid for it, but rather than install a new oem leaf pack, the mechanic took care of ordering and installing a nwor lift kit (came with new leaves). really good idea to know your mechanic, and have a good business relationship with your service advisor. switch dealerships if you have to, in order to find the right sort of people.
The efi service that gets performed at most toyota dealers involves. cleaning the throttle body with carb clean and a small wire brush (or a shop towel if buildup is light), adding a cleaning additive to the gas tank and cleaning the injectors directly by hooking up a special regulator to the fuel line and running the engine off of the cleaner. This direct cleaning really works well. It is what does the most good. The tank additive is not as effective. it takes a long time and is dilluted when it reaches the injectors. That is the 3 step process . It takes about 20 minutes to complete. I cant say if you needed it or not but 139 seems a little high. My dealer charges 99 bucks for that service and i think thats parts included. Dont quote me on that because as the earlier post said service advisors deal with the money my job is to diagnose and repair your vehicle.
Ok. This is what happene and I dont know if allof this should have been paid under warranty since Ive had the truck only since last July. They said they changed my rotors and brakes since they felt pulsating ont he brakes. That was under warranty. Then they said they would charge 140 to do a 3-step cleaning of the fuel injection. 39.99 for intake kit and efi cleaner. 100 for the labor. Now should this have been under warranty since it was carbon build up that has nothing to do with me? I have the print out of what was done. Maybe you guys could tell me if i was ripped. This is my first car so Im new at what to really look for. I know I should read my warranty papers. Thanks!
Oh yeah. Bought it last July and I have about 21700 miles on it now. Why they were looking for carbon build up is because my truck did have that pinging/clanking noises that everyone here says may be carbon build up. I never told them about it. SO maybe they heard it too. So that surprised me.
That 3 step process is a Berryman Fuel System Cleaning Kit. It is 30 bucks at Car Quest. It is really hardcore, and it does the job if your injectors are pretty clogged. If not, a can in the tank will work fine.
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Andy Gibson
2000 Tundra, 82K, K&N Drop-in, Spintech Truck/RV Muffler, Hellwig, 2005 Sequoia Center Console Installed and looking awesome!
1999 UZJ100 Land Cruiser, 202K, new carpet, no major Mods planned; it's the wifeys
1987 FJ60 Land Cruiser, 207K, K&N Drop-in, Jacobs Ignition, Jacobs Wires, Dynomax Muffler and Hi-Flow Cat, Electric Fuel Pump Conversion, Someday...A Lift
Yes it does still have that noise. I forgot my grandfather bought the same truck months before me. We had to borrow it because my dads s-10 had to be serviced. When I listened to his truck that only has less than 10,000 miles it sounded the same as mine so I didnt feel so bad. Maybe I was just tripping beacuse I know Toyota is supposed to be quality and would be disappointed and pissed if anything else was wrong with the engine.
The engine's computer controls include the knock sensor and other parts that will never permit preignition, ping, spark knock, or whatever you call it if all the parts are working. What you're hearing is something else.
Agreed, built up carbon on the piston crowns and in the combustion chamber will have hot spots that cause preignition. The controls retard the spark, and power and fuel mileage suffer.
Better quality gasoline (not higher octane) will help keep things clean. A bottle or two of the good fuel system cleaners works very well. Chevron Techron Concentrate, Berryman B-12 Chemtool, Amsoil P.I., Redline all work very well.
You now know that this dealership is more interested in lining their pockets with your money than they are in taking care of you. Be very wary in your future dealings with them.
Ken
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Not what you expect.
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TRD/Eaton Limited Slip Differential
Gibson exhaust system
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Sylvania Xenarc H.I.D. X1010 Auxiliary Low Beam Driving Lights
Schaeffer Engine Oil, ATF, Differential Oil
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Towing a 21' Bigfoot trailer using a Hensley Arrow hitch, Jordan brake controller, McKesh mirrors
Took Truck to Dealer
. if nobody has posted the process for a 2.4L taco yet, diy and post up. the tundra is really easy to clean, i suspect the taco is just as easy.
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