EFI Cleaning? 2004 V8

[rsimpson]

Recently had my 4Runner in for 55k service (oil change) and the service manager recommended that they do an EFI cleaning and wanted $160 for it. They said "there is some carbon build-up and your throttle is sticking."

I purchased the truck with 45k miles on it and will assume it has never been done before, but is it really necessary that I do it? Is $160 the going rate for this?

I do notice there is some slight hesitation at low speed, low rpms and I'm averaging about 16.5 mpg (a lot of city driving). I also notice that the ignition has to turn over couple more times to fire up compared to when I got it a few months ago...

By the way, my dealer also wanted $70 to replace the cabin air filter -- Hence my hesitation to move forward with any additional service that isnt standard procedure...

Your opinions are appreciated!

Ryan

 

[GMZ]

Ask for an itemized invoice of the work to be done if you think he is bs-ing. I have always wondered myself what exactly the EFI cleaning is all about.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Recently had my 4Runner in for 55k service (oil change) and the service manager recommended that they do an EFI cleaning and wanted $160 for it. They said "there is some carbon build-up and your throttle is sticking."

I purchased the truck with 45k miles on it and will assume it has never been done before, but is it really necessary that I do it? Is $160 the going rate for this?

I do notice there is some slight hesitation at low speed, low rpms and I'm averaging about 16.5 mpg (a lot of city driving). I also notice that the ignition has to turn over couple more times to fire up compared to when I got it a few months ago...

By the way, my dealer also wanted $70 to replace the cabin air filter -- Hence my hesitation to move forward with any additional service that isnt standard procedure...

Your opinions are appreciated!

Ryan

I hope you DIY'd the cabin air filter and told them to take a hike!:moon:


Get an itemized explanation of what the EFI cleaning involves. You may need a throttle body cleaning but some places don't do that. They hookup a machine and do an injector cleaning that doesn't do the throttle body. Others just do the throttle body.

Make sure you know what your paying for...
:cheers:

 

[J.A.]

How does the vehicle run? At your mileage I would do the TB cleaning myself, and pour a bottle of Techron cleaner in the gas tank. Also do the home depot cabin filter mod yourself. And stay away from a stealer that charges $70 for cabin filter replacement.

 

[dreadog]

Yeah, when I worked at a Toyota dealer their idea of efi cleaning was taking the intake hose off spayin some carb cleaner in the throttle body and giving it a quick scrub with a toothbrush! I say keep yer money get a haynes service manual or similar for $12 and do it your self!

 

[paraordnance]

$70 for cabin filter? that is plain robbery. Takes about 5 minutes to pull it out, clean it and put back in (procedure outlined in manual). If its really bad, replace it

 

[chaz]

i totally agree with these guys, tell the service manager to take a hike. clean the filter & TB yourself , pour a bottle of techron in.

 

[scottm]

Yeah, when I worked at a Toyota dealer their idea of efi cleaning was taking the intake hose off spayin some carb cleaner in the throttle body and giving it a quick scrub with a toothbrush! I say keep yer money get a haynes service manual or similar for $12 and do it your self!

The butterfly valve can get cruddy and stick closed or not close all the way, it's a good maintenance item. But never use carb cleaner, use throttle-body cleaner, or you might damage some expensive sensors. I've run injectors over 200k without a cleaning, but they apparently do gum up on some cars. Most fuels have injector cleaner in them these days.