Throttle Body/Fuel Injector Cleaning & Brake Flush - Upsell?

[HBhawk]

I've got a 2006 Toyota 4runner Limited 4X4 with the V8 motor. I went in for my 60,000 major service and the service technician is advising that I have my throttle body and fuel injectors cleaned, as well as have the brake system flushed. He says that the throttle body showed signs of being dirty and that the brake fluid looked a bit discolored.

In the past few years, and with several different makes of cars, I have had technicians suggest throttle body/fuel injector cleanings, starting at about 30,000 miles. I have a hard time believing that such a service is necessary on such a relatively new car. Am I wrong here?

As far as the brake system goes, 60,000 miles also seems premature to be flushing the system.

I'd be interested to hear all of your thoughts.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I've got a 2006 Toyota 4runner Limited 4X4 with the V8 motor. I went in for my 60,000 major service and the service technician is advising that I have my throttle body and fuel injectors cleaned, as well as have the brake system flushed. He says that the throttle body showed signs of being dirty and that the brake fluid looked a bit discolored.

In the past few years, and with several different makes of cars, I have had technicians suggest throttle body/fuel injector cleanings, starting at about 30,000 miles. I have a hard time believing that such a service is necessary on such a relatively new car. Am I wrong here?

As far as the brake system goes, 60,000 miles also seems premature to be flushing the system.

I'd be interested to hear all of your thoughts.

I did my t-body at 70k or so, it was dirty. Is it necessary to clean it? Probably not but it won't hurt either. The injectors are fine as they are IMHO, again it won't hurt anything.

I would do the brakes. The master-cylinder, brake pump ABS thingy is like $2k installed. Fresh fluid keeps those parts corrosion free and in tip-top shape. I would do the brakes. To me it's more about the 4years old rather than the 60k. Brake fluid absorbs water like crazy!
:cheers:

 

[Maximillian]

They recommended the throtle body cleaning to me at around 50K. I did it even though I only use premium gas and the Toyota EFI cleaner every 6 months (btw anyone else used this?). I can't say if it helped, but it seems that my MPG is slowly improving ever since.

To be honest I may babysit this truck a bit more than necessary, but I got it with 42K on it and I don't know how the previous owner dealed with it. (It seemed well-cared for anyway).

 

[buch75]

Premium Gas?

premium gas is not recommended for 4Runners. the engines are designed to burn 87-89 octane. premium gas can gunk injectors if the engine was not designed to burn it. its not a "cleaner" gas.

 

[Jed]

premium gas is not recommended for 4Runners. the engines are designed to burn 87-89 octane. premium gas can gunk injectors if the engine was not designed to burn it. its not a "cleaner" gas.

Actually, according to Toyota my 2004 4Runner has a recommended fuel octane of 91, which is considered "premium" fuel in most parts of the country. We can safely run a lower octane, however.

And it is true that premium isn't a "cleaner" gas....it just has a higher octane rating and doesn't ignite as readily as lower octane gas. But to say that premium gas can "gunk" injectors is completely wrong. The octane rating has no effect at all on whether or not a fuel injector gets clogged up or restricted in any way.

 

[Jed]

As far as the brake system goes, 60,000 miles also seems premature to be flushing the system.

Time is more important than miles when it comes to brake fluid. It's moisture that is the enemy here....and brake fluid tends to absorb it rather quickly.

When the brake fluid starts to absorb a lot of moisture, it gets darker in color...almost a golden honey color. And moisture in the brake fluid can cause corrosion to the metal components in the braking system.

 

[810moto]

I've got a 2006 Toyota 4runner Limited 4X4 with the V8 motor. I went in for my 60,000 major service and the service technician is advising that I have my throttle body and fuel injectors cleaned, as well as have the brake system flushed. He says that the throttle body showed signs of being dirty and that the brake fluid looked a bit discolored.

In the past few years, and with several different makes of cars, I have had technicians suggest throttle body/fuel injector cleanings, starting at about 30,000 miles. I have a hard time believing that such a service is necessary on such a relatively new car. Am I wrong here?

As far as the brake system goes, 60,000 miles also seems premature to be flushing the system.

I'd be interested to hear all of your thoughts.

try this for the throttle body. it worked for me and it pretty easy to do.
How-to Clean Mass Air Flow Sensor on Vimeo