Has anybody heard of this "necessary" service??

[prplrain68]

I just recently had my 75K service performed and thought everything was ok. To date, my Prius has not given me any problems (other than her aux battery dying and needing a minor replacement). Well, the service manager needed to talk to me, after completing my maintenance. He said my car was in need of a EFI W/Throttle body service (210$) and service Mass Air Flow Sensor (115$). These prices are a bit steep for me and I don't know how necessary they really are. Naturally, I don't know much that actually happens (under the hood) nor which maintenance is truly necessary or not. The manager did advise me to complete these immediately. He said the sensor was clogged/dirty and it could deem both items inoperable. He said if the sensor BREAKS, it will cost 600$ to replace! Of course, if this is all true, I don't want it to get to that point. I asked him when I need to come up with money and when it absolutely has to be done. He shrugged his shoulders and told me: "eh, as long as it's before your next maintenance you should be fine". EEK!
My question to all you beautiful Prii owners is if you've not only heard of this scenario, but if it's truly all "necessarY" (as he states it is). Please let me know asap. Thank you for all your support!!

[efusco]

It may be...but you may be able to do it yourself. Don't know what an EFI is though...
100K maint - 2

[alanh]

Originally Posted by efusco

It may be...but you may be able to do it yourself. Don't know what an EFI is though...
100K maint - 2

EFI is electronic fuel injection. I strongly suspect the $210 service is pouring a $15 bottle of injector cleaner into the tank.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by alanh

EFI is electronic fuel injection. I strongly suspect the $210 service is pouring a $15 bottle of injector cleaner into the tank.

Oh, I bet you're right. I'd definately skip that unless they can prove the injectors are bad/dirty/clogged. From Hobbit's link I provided above:

It's even more ironic as I am not aware of *any* substantiated Prius forum reports of bad or dirty injectors genuinely requiring replacement

[JimboPalmer]

Throttle body problems on the 2001 to 2003 Classic Gen I Prius were common, they seem less common on 2004 to 2009 iconic Gen II Prius.

Here is a page showing how to do exactly what your dealer wants $210 for. The example car is a Gen I but the Gen II is similar.

Cleaning Prius Throttle

Edit: efusco has gen II pictures, perhaps looking at both will help

I think the $210 dollar service in what I am linking on a Gen I, and the $115 is the part is efusco's link where they pop out and clean the air flow sensor.

[toyotechwv]

Originally Posted by prplrain68

a EFI W/Throttle body service (210$)

If they're doing it properly they should be cleaning the throttle body as well as using a can of Toyota fuel injector cleaner which they will hook directly to your fuel rail and the car will run on this solution until the can is empty. If this is not what you're getting for that price then do not have it done.

[prplrain68]

Thank you everyone for your help!! I am gonna take a look under the hood and see if it makes sense (after seeing the step by step pictures). If I do try and perform these steps..do you think i risk any chance of harming my dear prius? What about voiding my extended warranty? Just curious. Again..thank you.

[SageBrush]

How about dumping a can of fuel injector cleaner into the fuel tank on the next fill-up and calling it a day for the fuel injector ? Cleaning the air throttle looks straightforward from BWilson's pictures.

[galaxee]

avoid EFI services unless your engine is misfiring.

[richard schumacher]

If you buy gas with ethanol in it (and in San Pedro it would be hard not to) your car is getting all the injector cleaner it needs.

The sensor and throttle plate may indeed need cleaning, especially if the oil is chronically overfilled. Do you ever check the oil level yourself? What is it now?