150 Series Petrol 50k Service - Fuel Injectors check & clean ????

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

Hi Guys,
I just dropped my 150 Series (2010 Kakadu) in for 50,000 km service this morning.
Short after I left I got a call from toyota service saying that since the car is 2 years old and 50,000kms they recommend that the fuel injectors and other areas be cleaned & checked - make sure they are spraying correctly, no carbon build up etc. They say it will improve perfomance etc etc.
Cost $175
Does this sound correct? Or is it really a grab for cash ...ie A way to get around fixed price servicing and increasing revenue?
How would I know if is has even been performed?

I told them to leave it and I will think about for next service.

Any thoughts / experience out there????

Thanks & Rgds
ML

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

Is this by a Southern Sydney dealer?
I got asked the same thing when I dropped mine in for it's 30 and 40 thou services, and I expect the same question again shortly when it's due for the 50 thou.
I asked my regular service people ( not a dealer ) whether this was neccessary, he said no, it's just an add on for the dealer.

Cheers,

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Do you mind naming the dealer?

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

Dobbo, Yowie,
Thanks for quick replies.
Chatswood Toyota (in Sydney)

As an aside - I did a 25k trip around Oz last year over 4-5 months pulling a 2t camper trailer....mostly n W.A. and right through the guts of the Kimberley - stock standard car no add-ons other than tow bar and second battery. On return to Sydney and next service I asked them to check the suspension (no reason other than I thought it might be a good idea after the tough roads and corrugatins etc etc). They advised indeed there was a dodgy rear shocker and so replaced both rear at no cost.

In some regards they seem very good (the shocks) - in other ways not so good....eg They don't recognise the mudflap issue that is well documented on PP.

So I'm just never sure what to believe and suspect that this injector job is jsut an "earner" for them. I even wonder if in fact the work would even be done....how would know?

Rgds
ML

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

In some regards they seem very good (the shocks) - in other ways not so good....eg They don't recognise the mudflap issue that is well documented on PP.

The new mudflaps suck anyway. I've just lost another one this week, in 'normal' driving.

[barryswanson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barryswanson]

They probably just pour injector cleaner in tank and charge you $175.

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

Well, I said no to the injector clean at $175.....but they still found a way to get some extra cash out of me.
They just called to say the rear brake pads need changing as only 1.5mm left....replacing them is $242.
The final insult is that they don't have them in stock and will take a few days....extraodinary.... I would expect that brake pads to be in stock at all times. Now need to pressure them for urgent replacement as we are going away on the weekend and don't want to take any risks.

ML

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

Well, I said no to the injector clean at $175.....but they still found a way to get some extra cash out of me.
They just called to say the rear brake pads need changing as only 1.5mm left....replacing them is $242.
The final insult is that they don't have them in stock and will take a few days....extraodinary.... I would expect that brake pads to be in stock at all times. Now need to pressure them for urgent replacement as we are going away on the weekend and don't want to take any risks.

ML

Strange. Why would the rears need replacing at 50K. It's generally the fronts that need replacing first and at 48k on the clock, mine are still about half worn.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Yeah strange one Dobbo. Definately would expect the front ones first. Not sure what the hand brake set up is on the prado but would imagine it uses its own brake shoes (drum set up) ?? so disc pads shouldnt have worn quicker then the front. Hey there ML. id be at least asking why would the rear wear before the front ?? Extremely strange in my experience. Ask if they can show you while its up on the hoist..........Sounds suss...........Cheers steve

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

Steve,
Good idea but it all happened at last minute so no chance to see it on the hoist. I should have asked them to keep the old ones so I could at least inspect them. I agree should be the front ones should go first....I did about 25,000kms towing a 2 ton camper trailer around Australia last year with a lot of off road. Whenever towing I set the suspension to "sport" mode as I found this greatly improved the handling with the extra weight behind. I don't think it makes sense - but would the towing cause the back pads to wear first?? I though the exact opposite. Note that I also use engine braking a lot as it also greatly improves handling when braking downhill or round bends etc.
ML

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

Sorry guys - I lost the plot with the last post.
I have to take it back on Friday to get the pads replaced - and I'm waiting whilst they do it - so will ask to see and take the old ones away. Will let you know the outcome.
Rgds
ML (Michael)

[stewy Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close stewy]

A dealer asking at service intervals for an injector clean isn't that uncommon.
With many of the petrol vehicles I've had over the years (EFI ones) its offered generally every 50k or so.
Completely up to the individual as to whether you take 'em up on the offer, and the performance and fuel economy is noticable straight after the clean. $175 sounds a little steep though.

50k out of your pads seems a little quick though.
I got 110,000 out of my front pads, and I made them change them due to an up and coming trip and didn't want any brake hassels.
Was told they'd probably last till 120,000 when I asked at every service interval after 90,000.
I must admit,...the service guys were quite suprised how much little wear due to the mileage on the car.
To this date the car is approaching 120,000 and the original rear pads are still on the car, but I know they are getting close.
Spose,... who needs brakes when you have a manual Prado. lol

cheers

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Na ML cant see towing (even with the different modes available in the kakadu) causing the rear shoes to wear quicker and especially at those klms. If it was a european car then could be a differnet situation, I ve seen holden astra's wear front pads and rotors in 40 thou but still not the rears. And my guess knowing a bloke like you (only from your posts and vehicle), the van is probably fitted with brakes anyway ?? so depending on set up electric brakes are going to reduce brake wear if set up correctly and even if there just standard over ride brakes its still going to help alot when braking. My prado has just over 100 thou now and still has the original rear brake pads in the rear, the front have been done (this is going by service records) no mention of rear pad replacement, not 100% sure as I havnt had the vehicle since new. Either way if its booked in for friday if possible I would be asking to see the rear pads prior to been replaced, would take them 5 mins to run up on hoist and remove rear wheels. You can see the pads without removing them, well I can on my's anyway. maybe some can verify this here on PP so if they spin you any crap you can let them know. To be honest if you are mechanically minded you could probably have a glance yourself in the day light possibly without removing the wheel. If you line it up write you may be able to see the pad through the gaps in the alloy rims ?? You might be able to see at night with a torch but think daylight would be much better.........Cheers Steve

[VeeZeeSS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VeeZeeSS]

A dealer asking at service intervals for an injector clean isn't that uncommon.
With many of the petrol vehicles I've had over the years (EFI ones) its offered generally every 50k or so.
Completely up to the individual as to whether you take 'em up on the offer, and the performance and fuel economy is noticable straight after the clean. $175 sounds a little steep though.

50k out of your pads seems a little quick though.
I got 110,000 out of my front pads, and I made them change them due to an up and coming trip and didn't want any brake hassels.
Was told they'd probably last till 120,000 when I asked at every service interval after 90,000.
I must admit,...the service guys were quite suprised how much little wear due to the mileage on the car.
To this date the car is approaching 120,000 and the original rear pads are still on the car, but I know they are getting close.
Spose,... who needs brakes when you have a manual Prado. lol

cheers

I have 130k on my 2009 and haven't replaced the front or rear pads yet. Just had it serviced this week and was expecting a call.

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

Thanks Steve, good points.
You are correct the trailer (Complete Campsite kakadu...can you believe my car and camper are ther same name!) has electric brakes which I think are pretty well set up. I test them each time I hitch it on the back and adjust according to driving conditions.
The more I think about it the more I'm doubting the need to replace the rear pads. I'll also ask for a comparison to the front pads.
Anyway I'll see what they say and ask to compare to a new set prior to fitting.
I'm just wondering if the service coordinator has told me rear pads - where as the actual mechanic might have said front.
Hopefully it'll become clearer on Friday.
Thanks everyone for the input - justifed my concerns and I'll report back once I know more
Rgds
Michael