Was the stealership trying to rip me off? Throttle body cleaning...

Hi all,

I got my 30K service done at a Toyota Dealership a few months ago, same one I generally go to, and while I was there they recommended a "Throttle body cleaning" for my 2020 Tundra, and honestly as a girl, I had no idea what that does or is etc, or if it was needed so I of course said, no thanks. They wanted 115.00 for it. My Tundra is a pavement princess, and I never use it to tow, I do live I the Northeast so it does see some snow and salt.

Anywho, I did look it up after and seems like that something that doesn't need to be done for another 30K? The truck is running and driving fine, no issues, nor did I tell them of any issues. Were they just trying to rip me off, or is it something I should have let them do?


Thanks

 

Of course they're trying to pull the rug over your eyes...even 60K is far too soon for most autos I've owned. They can go 150K or more before it is Truely necessary. The symptom will be a very low idle, almost to the point it vibrates with the A/C on, doubt your 2020 does that.

Oh and don't fall for the Nitrogen in the tires bit....

 

I recently cleaned my throttle body on my '21 with 53k kms on it. It was spotless. Wasn't needed. Simple enough to do yourself as well. Look it up on YouTube.

 

LOL, I have no interest in doing mechanical type stuff, nor am I good at it. I tried once to change my shower diverter thing, which looked super easy to do when I watched the how too Youtube video, needless to say it was after a 36 hour shift, I just wanted a hot shower, I ended up calling a guy friend, in tears from frustration and exhaustion, and thankfully he came and did it. Chances are high, that if I attempted this the same would happen, and my truck would never be the same! Alas, I will continue to pay someone else to do it, but only when it is actually needed! Thanks for the responses!

 

Not necessary at such low mileage. Save your money. They were trying to make some easy cash.

 

The stealership, as will most other places, will almost always try to up sell ppl on unnecessary services/products. Always second guess their recommendations and a reputable shop will have no problem with you waiting to get a second opinion.

 

Yes they are. My local dealership wanted to charge me over $1000.00 to put on new tie rod ends and a 4 wheel alignment.

 

Takes about 15mins to do. Most definitely not needed at your mileage if ever. Done a few cleanings on different vehicles between a 100-200k miles and zero difference noticed.

 

So went to Stealership to replace parking sensors... the fragile plastic rings on the front of the sensors were broken.... on the driver side the broke the retainer clip. tech never told the service rep, so he said. got home and found their BS fix... called them on it. they will order the replacement clip... ugh.. so f...ed up... I wonder how they will get all the RTV off without damaging the sensor....currently works fine.

 

Wow. I would be pissed. That is pathetic.

 

Dude loves RTV as much as @Incoleherent140

 

Would've looked better had they used duct tape

 

Sounds like their problem.

 

NO, I am surprised that is the only unnecessary service they tried to sell you. Also, don't let them sell you air filters with a big markup. Even the ones with no mechanical skills can replace an air filter.

 

Add cabin filters to that

 

Good for you for not going for the "add on" services just to do it. +1 on not paying them to replace your cabin filter or engine air filter as they're REALLY simple to replace.

Only time I ever saw a throttle body that actually needed cleaned in 14 years of running a service department, was on a vehicle that had some other issues that were contributing to a problem. Even on older vehicles, if you drive it so slowly that you're practically just off idle all the time it may need some attention, but even then it's a stretch. Maybe why I wasn't the greatest asset to the dealership, I wouldn't try to upsell stuff that the vehicle just didn't need.

And the pic above with the RTV reminded me of a quick one, young lady brought an Eagle Talon in for an oil leak that started after she had the car serviced somewhere else. She had taken it back, they said they fixed it but it kept leaking. I popped the hood as there was a pretty strong oil burning smell and saw that the entire intake was covered in lines of the goopy sealer shown above, looked like a roadmap. Evidently they had over-torqued the piece and it cracked and then cracked some more. I documented it in 100 different ways, called the other shop for her, told them I was her father, sent pictures, and recommended they credit her back every dollar that she spent and I'd send them the bill from having someone actually fix it. Didn't work initially with the jackwagon that was answering the phones, but after tracking down the owner, we came to an understanding. Car repair facilities, dealerships in general, have earned their crappy reputations.

 

I would raise hell with corporate...that looks like crap. I would be embarrassed as a service tech to let it leave the shop like that. It looks worse than the hack job relay install that they are doing for the headlights.

 

Also never let them touch your cabin filter. This is a 10 dollar part and 5 minute job you can find guides on youtube even for the least mechanically inclined. Dealers tend to want to try to charge 50-75 dollars for this if they can get away with it.

 

Yeah stuff and situations like this are largely why I learned to do everything I know now myself. I'm a lot more invested in getting the job done right, being the vehicles owner, than some random guy. Haven't found a trustworthy mechanic where I'm at

 

All money grabs-throttle body cleaning, fuel injection cleaning, brake fluid flush with low mile vehicles, transmission flush, etc. When in doubt, say no.

 

Trans flushes post-100k miles are legit but I wouldn't let any quick lube place do it.

 

30k service I believe is the engine air filter, cabin airfilter, vehicle inspection, oil change and chassis lube, for 300 bucks

Replace the engine and cabin filters yourself. (5 min job each) Get a standard oil change w/ chassis lube + tire rotation for under 100.

 

For your knowledge the throttle body is a metal butterfly value that controls air coming into the engine intake. As you hit the gas the butterfly value opens up to let more air into the engine.

They do get dirty but it takes a long time. Cleaning them helps airflow into the engine and is literally a 10 minute job.

My 2007 has 220k miles on it and the throttle body is still very clean, I never cleaned it.

Typical price gouging behavior by dealerships. All they care about is making money off you.

 

I just had my 35k miles oil change done and dealership was trying to sell me the same crap with brake fluid flush also. I laughed and said no to both of these.

 

I borrowed my Mom's pickup when I was waiting for replacement catalytic converters. It's a 2001 F-150 with 235,000 miles on it. To my knowledge, the throttle body has never been cleaned. My Dad kept an eye on things, changed the air filter when needed, and ran a decent brand of gasoline.

My older daughter called and asked about the engine and cabin air filters. She was quoted a ridiculous price for changing them. I showed her how to do it herself and she's taken care of it ever since. Her car, a 2012 Corolla S, hasn't had a throttle body cleaning either and GiGi (she names her cars) runs just fine.

Check around and see if there's a local independent Toyota specialist. Check their reviews that were written by women. If they're honest, other women will let you know. If they're dishonest, other women will loudly let you know.

 

Chassis lube? There are no zerks on mine.

 

I thought that's what it said when I looked it up. I'm probably wrong.

 

When your intake looks like this, you're way past throttle body cleaning

FYI, that was a VW TDI that didn't get enough of the good ol' Italian Tune-Up

 

Was it a NH Dealer?

 

This is typical for ALL stealerships especially if you're a female. At the time when my now wife and I were just dating she took her Acura TL to the dealership for an oil change at 30k miles. When I drove her to pick it up later that day they had performed a myriad of unnecessary services, without so much as a phone call, including a complete coolant system flush at the tune of $389. I of course went in and called BS on everything but the oil change and told them I would be exposing their shenanigans to the local news fraud investigation team. They wiped the whole bill and apologized with tails tucked and heads hung low. Find a local, reputable independent shop in your area if you can and never go back to the dealership even for warranty work.