How often to service throttle body?

[Eug]

Wife's car, taken in to get regular service and a fix for the cabin light, and wiper changes. Toyota Yaris 2007 with less than 70000 km.

Wife tells me the invoice was over $600. I'm like WTF?!? I had figured that with the tune up and minor replacement parts including bulb and wiper etc. it would be a couple of hundred bux.

So I look over the quote just as they're about to start the service, and cancel:

1) Brake cleaning
2) Fuel injector flush
3) Throttle body service

Looking things up the only thing that makes any sense to me is the throttle body service, but I'm sure she's had all of this stuff done before anyway whe I haven't had a chance to look over her invoice.

How often do you guys get your car's throttle body serviced?

P.S. I'm sure the dealer is going to tell her to get new brake pads but I've told her to ask how much is left. I remember the last time they told me that for my car I had 5 mm left, and I'm in a Prius which wears brake pads much slower than other cars (because of the regenerative braking).

 

[pauldun170]

Wife's car, taken in to get regular service and a fix for the cabin light, and wiper changes. Toyota Yaris 2007 with less than 70000 km.

Wife tells me the invoice was over $600. I'm like WTF?!? I had figured that with the tune up and minor replacement parts including bulb and wiper etc. it would be a couple of hundred bux.

So I look over the quote just as they're about to start the service, and cancel:

1) Brake cleaning
2) Fuel injector flush
3) Throttle body service

Looking things up the only thing that makes any sense to me is the throttle body service, but I'm sure she's had all of this stuff done before anyway whe I haven't had a chance to look over her invoice.

How often do you guys get your car's throttle body serviced?

P.S. I'm sure the dealer is going to tell her to get new brake pads but I've told her to ask how much is left. I remember the last time they told me that for my car I had 5 mm left, and I'm in a Prius which wears brake pads much slower than other cars (because of the regenerative braking).

Somebody got marked as a sucker and fell for it.

Having said that, I just cleaned the throttle body on both may cars recently, each with around 70K-80K on them.
10 minutes some carb cleaner and rag and toothbrush. Especially on a Yaris.
I did it on my Camry and Mazda6 for specific reasons. Generally I don't bother with cleaning the throttle body on any of my car unless there is a specific issue.

 

[Eug]

Somebody got marked as a sucker and fell for it.

Having said that, I just cleaned the throttle body on both may cars recently, each with around 70K-80K on them.
10 minutes some carb cleaner and rag and toothbrush. Especially on a Yaris.
I did it on my Camry and Mazda6 for specific reasons. Generally I don't bother with cleaning the throttle body on any of my car unless there is a specific issue.

70-80 k miles or km? My wife's car has under 70000 km so probably around 43000 miles.

I do figure it's reasonable to get it done prophylactically eventually but then she's probably not due for a while because she's probably had it done already. However, even if she hasn't, then perhaps at 60000 miles (or 100000 km).

 

[shabby]

What does your owner manual say? The services the dealer offers are usually there to make money first. Need your blinker fluid topped up? They'll do it.

 

[LTC8K6]

Wife's car, taken in to get regular service and a fix for the cabin light, and wiper changes. Toyota Yaris 2007 with less than 70000 km.

Wife tells me the invoice was over $600. I'm like WTF?!? I had figured that with the tune up and minor replacement parts including bulb and wiper etc. it would be a couple of hundred bux.

So I look over the quote just as they're about to start the service, and cancel:

1) Brake cleaning
2) Fuel injector flush
3) Throttle body service

Looking things up the only thing that makes any sense to me is the throttle body service, but I'm sure she's had all of this stuff done before anyway whe I haven't had a chance to look over her invoice.

How often do you guys get your car's throttle body serviced?

P.S. I'm sure the dealer is going to tell her to get new brake pads but I've told her to ask how much is left. I remember the last time they told me that for my car I had 5 mm left, and I'm in a Prius which wears brake pads much slower than other cars (because of the regenerative braking).

The only one of those that might remotely be necessary is the throttle body cleaning, however, I would never do it unless I had indications that it was necessary.

2007 Yaris maintenance guide:

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms/07ToyMS_MS0010/pdf/07omsour/2007/07toysmt/7132smt.pdf

 

[pauldun170]

70-80 k miles or km? My wife's car has under 70000 km so probably around 43000 miles.

I do figure it's reasonable to get it done prophylactically eventually but then she's probably not due for a while because she's probably had it done already. However, even if she hasn't, then perhaps at 60000 miles (or 100000 km).

Miles

 

[Jimzz]

I recommend them every 30k, same time as a trans service for most auto trans (drain/fill). Very easy to do and does not take long on most cars.

 

[Pacfanweb]

There's really not much reason to clean throttle bodies or injectors on most cars these days.

It used to be a needed and useful service, but not anymore.

Certain models can still benefit from a throttle body cleaning.

Injector cleaning is darn near worthless now.

And "fuel system" cleaning....in all the dealerships I've seen (and I'm a vendor for about 15) a fuel system flush doesn't even clean the injectors anyway. They just hook a nozzle in the intake tube that sprays cleaner that cleans out the intake (useless) and *might* clean some carbon off the valves/combustion chamber. Or it might not.

Trans flushes, go with whatever your owner's manual says. A flush is better than just a drain/refill, but either is fine.

 

[tortillasoup]

There are a lot of factors that determine whether or not injector cleaning, or throttle body cleaning matter. From what I know and have experienced, off car cleaning of injectors is the only way to really get them cleaned properly as as for throttle body cleaning, I kinda lean towards cleaning it only when it's necessary like if the car has idle issues. On a Toyota Tacoma 1st generation, it's actually a bad idea to clean the throttle body due to a design defect that basically requires the gunk that accumulates in there in order for the car to idle properly.

 

[Pacfanweb]

There are a lot of factors that determine whether or not injector cleaning, or throttle body cleaning matter. From what I know and have experienced, off car cleaning of injectors is the only way to really get them cleaned properly as as for throttle body cleaning, I kinda lean towards cleaning it only when it's necessary like if the car has idle issues. On a Toyota Tacoma 1st generation, it's actually a bad idea to clean the throttle body due to a design defect that basically requires the gunk that accumulates in there in order for the car to idle properly.

The point about newer injectors is, they really don't get dirty in the first place. They have self-cleaning pintles.

I've seen many flow tests before/after where the cleaning made no difference.

With older (90's and earlier) injectors, there was a definite benefit. But they have engineered the need for cleaning out of them, for the most part.

Same with throttle bodies. I remember back in the late 80's, early 90's, you could have a car that had say, 40k on it, and the battery died. When you'd replace the batttery, it'd have idling issues because the throttle body was dirty, and the PCM had adapted to the dirt along the way...and changing the battery set it back to "new", and it wouldn't idle right. You had to clean the throttle body to get it to idle. Imagine trying to convince people that you weren't trying to screw them with THAT story.

Doesn't really happen like that today, though.

 

[tortillasoup]

The point about newer injectors is, they really don't get dirty in the first place. They have self-cleaning pintles.

I've seen many flow tests before/after where the cleaning made no difference.

With older (90's and earlier) injectors, there was a definite benefit. But they have engineered the need for cleaning out of them, for the most part.

Same with throttle bodies. I remember back in the late 80's, early 90's, you could have a car that had say, 40k on it, and the battery died. When you'd replace the batttery, it'd have idling issues because the throttle body was dirty, and the PCM had adapted to the dirt along the way...and changing the battery set it back to "new", and it wouldn't idle right. You had to clean the throttle body to get it to idle. Imagine trying to convince people that you weren't trying to screw them with THAT story.

Doesn't really happen like that today, though.

Again it depends because I can name a handful of vehicles with injector and throttlebody problems made in the last decade. A lot of european vehicles can benefit from throttlebody cleaning if it's needed. I think the issue with partially clogged injectors is understated as I've seen newish vehicles even from Lexus in the last 10 years having extended cranking times and higher idle fuel consumption due to some injectors not spraying a good/perfect pattern.

 

[desy]

Those dealership services are such crap
Even my independent station has taken to the 'service schedule' when I take my cars in.
so I always get it quoted as to exactly what they are going to do then I tell them to take off the stuff I don't think I need or will do myself. I can buy an air filter at the local parts store for half and pop the two clips holding it in and change it thanks

 

[Eug]

OK, I got the quote back after their initial look.

New work:

Front brake pads and rotor: I OK'd it because the pads were below 3 mm. The rotor was "rusted" which is meaningless to me since they're always rusted (car is parked outside), but I figured I may as replace them anyway. They haven't been done since 2009, about 47000 km or so ago.

Tail light bulb replacement: OK

Brake fluid flush: I said OK. Never been done on the car. I'd have to check but I don't think Toyota actually lists this as a maintenance item. However, I figured it's about time.

Replace leaking water pump and timing belt: I cancelled this. Sounded a bit bogus. I asked him if it was critical and he said no, and I asked how they could tell. They said there was a little bit of fluid near it. Well, I've never seen a fluid puddle underneath the car. Granted, my driveway is interlock brick so it might be harder to see such puddles, but still, it sounded bogus.

I wish I had the time to go there and inspect things myself with them.

 

[Ferzerp]

Timing belt in vehicle with a timing chain?

 

[Eug]

Timing belt in vehicle with a timing chain?

Doh! Or whatever belt that was. Fan belt? (Didn't have the quote in front of me. Just verbal. I guess I just assumed timing belt.)

 

[railer]

OK, I got the quote back after their initial look.

New work:

Front brake pads and rotor: I OK'd it because the pads were below 3 mm. The rotor was "rusted" which is meaningless to me since they're always rusted (car is parked outside), but I figured I may as replace them anyway. They haven't been done since 2009, about 47000 km or so ago.

Tail light bulb replacement: OK

Brake fluid flush: I said OK. Never been done on the car. I'd have to check but I don't think Toyota actually lists this as a maintenance item. However, I figured it's about time.

Replace leaking water pump and timing belt: I cancelled this. Sounded a bit bogus. I asked him if it was critical and he said no, and I asked how they could tell. They said there was a little bit of fluid near it. Well, I've never seen a fluid puddle underneath the car. Granted, my driveway is interlock brick so it might be harder to see such puddles, but still, it sounded bogus.

I wish I had the time to go there and inspect things myself with them.

Well...if it was me....

Everything in your OP was an absolutely worthless service. That dealership should be charged with larceny.

As to your updated list: Pads and broken bulb are obvious needs. Rotors? They really should last a very long time (unless I'm driving), and should have been fine if not warped. Should be relatively cheap I hope. And you're right...brand new rotors can "rust" after only a couple of days in the elements - meaningless.

Brake fluid flush - why? What's wrong with the brakes? Are they spongy? Did your wife boil of the brake fluid running laps at the track? Should be good longer than the rotors. Your leaking pump also sounds like it's not really leaking and will be 100% fine.
I'd only do the belt if it happened to be at the recommended change interval per your manual.

Sounds like you did pretty good overall whittling that list down. What was the updated total?

 

[Eug]

Honestly I was skeptical about the rotors and the brake fluid replacement, but the rotors did kinda make sense to me (without me seeing them in person), and there are conflicting comments out there about the brake fluid after 70000 km.

However, my wife said the front brake wasn't as strong as before. I drove it and didn't notice anything but then again I rarely drive that car. But it's her car so what the hey.

Like I said I'd prefer to actually have them point things out to me in person, but I didn't have time for that.

FWIW, it's mostly stop-and-go traffic, in the city. We live in Toronto, and traffic here is horrible. I figured rotors after 50000-70000 km isn't completely unreasonable.

Price is expensive for that work. Over CAD$800 (which is about US$670).

 

[dtgoodwin]

On my Prius, Toyota does have a recommended throttle body service interval. I suspect this is primarily because it's an Atkinson Cycle and some of the air/fuel gets pushed back out the intake valve and deposits a lot more on the throttle plate than other vehicles. I've only cleaned the throttle plate on my other vehicles when they would stumble at throttle tip in.

I would highly recommend getting you brake fluid changed. Brake fluid attracts moisture like crazy. In addition to being able to boil and create vapor and a spongy pedal (not in normal driving), the moisture will attack some potentially expensive components in your braking system. I just had to replace the brake actuator on my Prius (unique component to it) that is extraordinarily expensive to purchase and to replace.

I agree with everyone else that they are selling you services that you don't need.

 

[Eug]

Heh. Picked up my wife's car, and dropped off my Prius 2004.

The service guy volunteered that I didn't need that $40 nitrogen tire fill-up. I guess based on the previous whittling down of the quote, he figured I wouldn't go for something that obvious.

P.S. It's over $300 for a broken foglight. The light actually works, but the front cover glass is cracked, but they can't/won't replace just the front glass. Since it works, I didn't bother.

 

[nerp]

You can probably find the lens/unit for $50 at RockAuto or something. Probably would be a quick fix over a weekend. SOmething to do on the weekend if you feel like doing a favor for your wife. The Yaris is a very easy car to work on (I owned one) so I recommend taking it upon yourself.

 

[Eug]

The fog lamp is on my Prius.

 

[Jimzz]

The fog lamp is on my Prius.

Foglight housing at rockauto is $35 plus shipping for 04-09 Prius.

 

[pauldun170]

OK, I got the quote back after their initial look.

New work:

Front brake pads and rotor: I OK'd it because the pads were below 3 mm. The rotor was "rusted" which is meaningless to me since they're always rusted (car is parked outside), but I figured I may as replace them anyway. They haven't been done since 2009, about 47000 km or so ago.

Tail light bulb replacement: OK

Brake fluid flush: I said OK. Never been done on the car. I'd have to check but I don't think Toyota actually lists this as a maintenance item. However, I figured it's about time.

Replace leaking water pump and timing belt: I cancelled this. Sounded a bit bogus. I asked him if it was critical and he said no, and I asked how they could tell. They said there was a little bit of fluid near it. Well, I've never seen a fluid puddle underneath the car. Granted, my driveway is interlock brick so it might be harder to see such puddles, but still, it sounded bogus.

I wish I had the time to go there and inspect things myself with them.

You need to find somewhere else to get your car serviced.
Pronto

 

[bwbob]

one thing I've found helpful is cleaning the MAF - on toyota's is easy to take out (1 or 2 screws), spray it off with yes... MAF cleaner, same type of can but it's different than carb cleaner and made just for electronics. I do mine when I change the air filter, takes less than 5 minutes