What should I service first?

J

JLMXD

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Just went to my local dealer for an oil change. Normally they say everything is fine and your good to go. Today I was told i needed 1. Air conditioning evaporator core cleaning. (i have no idea what if this is just a scam to scare me because summer is rolling around or not. 2. I need brake fluid change and 3 power steering fluid change.
Is any of this an immediate issue. I don't know much past the oil change stuff. the Brake fluid i could believe but I'm not sure about the other stuff.

what are you thoughts on the legitimacy of this?

2003 v6 125000 miles

any insight would be helpful

thanks
 
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JLMXD said:
Just went to my local dealer for an oil change. Normally they say everything is fine and your good to go. Today I was told i needed 1. Air conditioning evaporator core cleaning. (i have no idea what if this is just a scam to scare me because summer is rolling around or not. 2. I need brake fluid change and 3 power steering fluid change.
Is any of this an immediate issue. I don't know much past the oil change stuff. the Brake fluid i could believe but I'm not sure about the other stuff.

what are you thoughts on the legitimacy of this?

2003 v6 125000 miles

any insight would be helpful

thanks
Click to expand...

With the miles you've got there could be some merit to any of those, but I wouldn't pay them to do them except MAYBE the air conditioning evaporator core cleaning since I've never done one. As far as brake fluid change and power steering fluid change, those are easy to do yourself. Spend a little bit of time searching through 4th gen specific threads (use search bar) and you'll come up with some decent walk throughs--read through a number of them and you'll soon have a really good idea of how to do it yourself and get just as good of results. I just recently (as in last 3 weeks) did my own brakes and power steering fluid change and there's really not much to it. Just read through the process, grab a friend to help bleed the brakes and you probably won't have any trouble. If you aren't comfortable doing these things yourself after you've looked into it a bit, then you might reconsider having your local dealer do them.
If you aren't experiencing any lost cooling ability, spongy brake feel or relative difficulty turning the steering wheel I would say any of those systems are probably in fine health and don't really need to be bothered. FWIW, I was at 195,000 when I did mine and didn't notice drastic improvement from the prior state, but it does give peace of mind knowing it's been done. That's just my two cents.
The internet and this forum are wonderful tools for those willing to spend the time to learn for themselves, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! :tea:
 
The power steering and brake fluid probably, mine both look gunky after 110k, especially the power steering fluid. Brake fluid is a little better because I put extended lines on the back so I at least flushed my rear lines when I did that. Need to flush my power steering at some point.
 
Was there a problem with your A/C? if not where did they find your A/C needed the service?
Myself if your A/C is keeping you cool in the summers heat, it's not needing any uncalled for service.

I have never been back to my Toyota stealership, since 2008 when i bought my 4Runner, not even for any free oil changes they offered me.
 
I would do the brake fluid and power steering fluid in that order.

Both should be serviced. You can see both fluids through the reservoirs.

Judging by your comments I would assume you would pay the dealership to do the jobs.

Before you go into the service bay, take pictures of your 4 brake calipers from the back side... take pictures of the power steering reservoir and the brake fluid reservoir.

Take the same pictures after you pick it up.

Compare the pictures to ensure they actually did the jobs they charged you for...


I would not worry about the AC cleaning... As long as its blowing cold you're good. If not it should be charged. Never heard of cleaning it...
 
First, why don't you tell us what the problem is that you notice. do you notice a bad smell when you turn the A/C on? you have to remember, the evaporator accumulates water and the water stays there and mildew and mold can form and can cause health issues for you. if you are healthy and not experiencing health problems, then maybe your evaporator is okay. if you have the time, you can clean it yourself by spraying some disinfectant there. also, if you are mechanically inclined, have your power steering and brake fluid replaced.

JLMXD said:
Just went to my local dealer for an oil change. Normally they say everything is fine and your good to go. Today I was told i needed 1. Air conditioning evaporator core cleaning. (i have no idea what if this is just a scam to scare me because summer is rolling around or not. 2. I need brake fluid change and 3 power steering fluid change.
Is any of this an immediate issue. I don't know much past the oil change stuff. the Brake fluid i could believe but I'm not sure about the other stuff.

what are you thoughts on the legitimacy of this?

2003 v6 125000 miles

any insight would be helpful

thanks
Click to expand...
 
KaseyMcc said:
With the miles you've got there could be some merit to any of those, but I wouldn't pay them to do them except MAYBE the air conditioning evaporator core cleaning since I've never done one. As far as brake fluid change and power steering fluid change, those are easy to do yourself. Spend a little bit of time searching through 4th gen specific threads (use search bar) and you'll come up with some decent walk throughs--read through a number of them and you'll soon have a really good idea of how to do it yourself and get just as good of results. I just recently (as in last 3 weeks) did my own brakes and power steering fluid change and there's really not much to it. Just read through the process, grab a friend to help bleed the brakes and you probably won't have any trouble. If you aren't comfortable doing these things yourself after you've looked into it a bit, then you might reconsider having your local dealer do them.
If you aren't experiencing any lost cooling ability, spongy brake feel or relative difficulty turning the steering wheel I would say any of those systems are probably in fine health and don't really need to be bothered. FWIW, I was at 195,000 when I did mine and didn't notice drastic improvement from the prior state, but it does give peace of mind knowing it's been done. That's just my two cents.
The internet and this forum are wonderful tools for those willing to spend the time to learn for themselves, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! :tea:
Click to expand...
yeah im not experiencing any issues with the brakes and steering. THe ac works fine and i use it every day now since my temps are in the upper 90s now. i appreciate the info.
 
Drunner97 said:
The power steering and brake fluid probably, mine both look gunky after 110k, especially the power steering fluid. Brake fluid is a little better because I put extended lines on the back so I at least flushed my rear lines when I did that. Need to flush my power steering at some point.
Click to expand...

what color should the power steering be? mine is black. if i recall the brake fluid is clear.
 
ben550 said:
I would do the brake fluid and power steering fluid in that order.

Both should be serviced. You can see both fluids through the reservoirs.

Judging by your comments I would assume you would pay the dealership to do the jobs.

Before you go into the service bay, take pictures of your 4 brake calipers from the back side... take pictures of the power steering reservoir and the brake fluid reservoir.

Take the same pictures after you pick it up.

Compare the pictures to ensure they actually did the jobs they charged you for...


I would not worry about the AC cleaning... As long as its blowing cold you're good. If not it should be charged. Never heard of cleaning it...
Click to expand...

ill make a note of this, thanks
 
Drunner97 said:
I want to say red? I think it's essentially the same as transmission fluid. I just know brown/black is the wrong color. heh.
Click to expand...

Indeed it is the same as transmission fluid and should be red. You can replace it with Dexron II or III or any other brand's equivalent you prefer.
 
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