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High cost of 72mths 120,000km service for 2013 Prius V, reason?

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by codenamem27, May 23, 2020.

  1. codenamem27

    codenamem27 New Member

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    Hi everyone,

    I am living in Australia. My 2013 Prius V is due for its 72mths/120k service (odometer only has 78k). I noticed the 120k service cost is significantly higher than any previous service. The suggested prices from Toyota dealers are between $1,000 to $1,300, while my local mechanics are quoting $850-$1,100. I went to Toyota’s website and did a comparison of replaceable items between 48mths/80k(the previous major service) and 72mths/120k service, the extra items from 120k service are:

    - Air conditioner filter
    - Fuel Filter (including the in-tank filter)

    In terms of cost, 80k service is only $400, which is a third of 120k’s. Does anyone know what the reason for nearly tripling the cost of 120k service is? I know the air conditioner filter can be DIYed for $40. Is it just because of the fuel filter plus in-tank filter, which involves a lot of labour works? Given my car has done 78,000km so far, can I skip this part until it reaches 120k?


    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The fuel filter is the very likely culprit. It's in the gas tank, and access is not easy.

    Australia is the one place I've heard where Toyota recommends periodic replacement of the fuel filter. Maybe the only place.

    Yeah I'd ask the service manager for an opinion, seems draconian. Seems like one service that could be by miles only??

    My 2 cents: where they recommend replacement, they should revise the filter style, to be readily accesible, external to the gas tank.

    Attached is an excerpt from 3rd gen Prius Repair Manual, detailing fuel pump replacement. I think the complexity to access/replace the filter on a v is basically the same.

    These are Australian dollar prices I assume? That's 0.65 of US dollar, 0.92 of CDN dollar, just for reference.

    Addendum:

    Just happen to notice this, not sure if you're affected:

    Press Release - TOYOTA AUSTRALIA TO RECALL VEHICLES DUE TO FUEL SUCTION PLATE
     

    Attached Files:

    #2 Mendel Leisk, May 24, 2020
    Last edited: May 24, 2020
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I agree with the above about the fuel filter but if the car is not under warranty I am not sure I would worry about it. I would ask the dealer and the third party mechanic exactly what they were quoting. It is pretty common for dealers to "suggest" services that are not required at that time. Some of the more expensive maintenance items include changing spark plugs (windshield wiper assembly must be removed), changing brake fluid (requires a scanner procedure), changing coolant and inverter coolant, changing the cvt oil, cleaning the egr (a big job) etc. However none of these are required at your mileage/month and some are never "required". The spark plugs and coolants are on the schedule but at much higher mileage/months than yours.

    Examples of the US schedule at your mileage/months (converted from km).
    72 months 75k miles.jpg
     
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  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Don't guess.
    ASK the people doing the work.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    is the petrol sketchy there? i've never heard of replacing the fuel filter. i wonder what it involves?

    you definitely need some aussie opinions on this, because at 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
    we have nothing but tire rotation and inspections
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyota Australia does recommend periodic fuel filter replacement. On the front cover of just-downloaded Toyota Australia Prius v Warranty and Service booklet, is this stamp:

    upload_2020-5-24_9-12-23.png

    Which I think overrules this, further in:

    upload_2020-5-24_9-14-57.png

    Again, a compromise might be to go by the km's only, ie: delay till 120K kms, regardless of months??

    Source for manuals:
    Toyota Service Information & Repair Manuals
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is there an access port, or do they have to drop the tank?
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    See my attachment. The back seat bottom comes out, then you need to carefully pry off a lid installed with some kind of Form-In-Place gasket.. Then the fun begins...

    Again, my 2 cents: Toyota should revise the fuel filter, at least in markets where periodic fuel filter replacement is spec'd, to be external to the tank, readily accessible. Ease of maintenance. Instead, we have "What, me worry?".
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds better than dropping the tank i guess. will be interesting to hear how many hours toyota allows for it.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    video on Corolla, similar maybe. Just the removal and install, not dissemble to get to the filter:



    Guy's maybe getting Parkinson's?
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, May 24, 2020
    Last edited: May 24, 2020
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  11. codenamem27

    codenamem27 New Member

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    Thanks everyone for the detailed information.

    I can confirm with Mendel Leisk that there is a sticker on my logbook's cover mentioning about fuel filter replacement's extension. I guess I will postpone this change until my car has reached 120,000km then. Don't think it is necessary with the current mileage.
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i tried to watch it, but the music put me to sleep :p
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ask the service manager for an opinion too, doesn't hurt.

    It's an absurd amount of effort, pulling the backseat off, gas dripping everywhere, dealing with the fragile innards of the pump (I've seen another video on extracting the filter, not simple either.).
     
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    One of the secrets in doing the fuel pump job is start with a low gas tank level;).

    And have a basin right next to the area you will be moving the pump assembly to:).

    Then you don't end up smelling the job you did for several weeks(y).
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah that video: the guy picks it up, full off gas, and you can almost hear his thoughts: "now what...".
     
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  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Yeah poor planning:cool:.

    Here's some pics when @The Critic and I replaced the fuel pump on our old 2010;):

    What did you do to ur Gen III Prius today????

    One less thing the new owner had to worry about(y).