I have a 2014 Toyota Camry with just over 75k miles on it, 2.5 inline 4, automatic tranny, and SE trim.
I was at the Toyota dealership on Saturday (February 27) for an oil change and tire rotation. Towards the end, the service advisor gives me a sheet saying that I need $1100 worth of work.
- Valve brake fluid exchange for $125.
- Fuel induction service with a note saying there’s carbon build up for $120.
- Fuel injection service/cleaning which they always try to sell for $97.
- Front axle assembly on the driver’s side saying that its leaking grease for $675. I go back with the service advisor to see what he’s talking about with this. I only see one smudge of oil or grease on the rubber part/covering where shaft hooks up to the wheel. I’ve checked where I park the last few days on no grease is on the ground.
I’m a bit suspect on this work.
Most of those things you can judge for yourself
Valve brake fluid exchange for $125.
@75k miles? No. Does the car still stop ok?
- Fuel induction service with a note saying there’s carbon build up for $120.
look inside the throttle body. Do you see a LOT of carbon?
- Fuel injection service/cleaning which they always try to sell for $97.
Car runs ok? Yes? you don't need any stupid cleaning
- Front axle assembly on the driver’s side saying that its leaking grease
So do half the vehicles on the road
1. Car breaks work and stop the car normally.
2. I don't know what the throttle body is but the car runs fine.
If you know where the engine air filter is, the throttle body is the next component downstream of that. It's usually super easy to inspect. You just loosen the clamp and slide the duct off. I'm sure there are plenty of Youtube videos about it.
all the dealerships push stuff that you probably dont need immediately
surprised that they didnt tell you that you need wiper blades
If the rubber boot is torn, grease will slowly escape. Look at it closely after wiping the smudge off. If it is torn, you can continue driving it until you hear it start clicking. When you do replace it, I would shop around. I think you can get it replaced for half that.
Thanks for the info. They did put it up on the lift so i could see what they were talking about. From what i could see initially, there wasnt any wear and tear.
I also spoke with one of our in house mechanics at my UPS package operation job. He says the cv axle assembly doesn't wear out at around 75k millage - usually not until 200 something. He did also talk about a clicking nose when they wear out. My car isn't doing that when it turned, etc. He went to suggest watching some YouTube cv axel videos on how to take a closer look.
Inspect it as best you can, if you find a year in the boot just be aware that you will eventually have to replace the axle. Drive with the window down and radio off every now and then and listen for it clicking. They can get tears much sooner than 200k, rubber dries out and objects from the road can cause rips. If the boots stay intact, the axles can last a very long time.
Tear, not year
Unfortunately my car has low ground clearance. It's like that from the factory. I'm not a big guy but there's no way I can get under there. I don't have any ramps or jacks.
I would take your Camry in the future to an independent, honest mechanic to service. Never go to the dealership esp. out of warranty - they sometimes call them stealerships for a reason.
Find a good independent Japanese car mechanic. I used to run into the same crap at my local Toyota dealer until I decided enough was enough and found myself a good independent shop. You really cannot trust what dealership service advisors tell you anymore - they're just trying to sell you stuff and they present it to you in a way that might make it tempting.
you have to understand that car sales have taken a huge hit. Dealers are hurting for money right now. Unnecessary services are one way they are trying to make it. It seems that "customer first" Toyota is no exception.
Your ride sounds nice. Valve brake fluid exchange for $125. Here is a video from Scotty with a brake fluid tester (neat)
Definitely worth considering. If the brake fluid is dark, then no test needed beacause dark fluid is a sign the fluid needs to be replaced.
About Fuel induction service with a note saying there’s carbon build up for $120.
-Questionable, did the mechanic put in a camera to inspect? Also the engine is traditional fuel injection, meaning petrol is introduced with the air before the intake valve (compared to GDI) and that will keep the intake clean (relatively speaking).
About the Fuel injection service/cleaning which they always try to sell for $97
-Questionable, please see above
About Suspect - Front axle assembly on the driver’s side saying that its leaking grease for $675.
-Agree with oldandy, the grease will escape from a torn rubber boot. Look for the grease being "flung" off, traces of grease on parts around the boot. $675 seems awfully high compared to the other services ($97 to replace the brake fluid seems low). Great to go back to the shop for details. Asking questions is learning and will give a better feel of the shop. There is nothing wrong with spending your money if it feels right, key word feels right. Trust yourself, and if it doesnt feel right, it most likely isnt.
Jabbaba, that is why some people call them stealerships.
Man do as much of the easy stuff as you can yourself. If you really want to keep your car another 10 plus years, ya gotta get rid of old fluids. Throttle body should be relatively clean if you have been changing your air filter every 30-40k. CV boot yes could be torn. I would get underneath and poke around the boot with your finger. If its torn, find a good indy and replace with a "new" axle assembly as many rebuilts can be crap for long service life. If you love your car, it will love you back.
