Service recommendations legit or not?

[Leadfootgirl]

Hi,

I never posted on this forum before (just on the EX forum) but this looked like a more appropriate place to ask my questions.

I recently went to an Infiniti dealership to get my 2008 EX35 oil changed. They did their usual inspections and recommended additional service (I wasn't pressured to do it though). Anyway, their inspection recommendations were:

1. Perform power steering system fluid exchange service (found power steering fluid to be dirty/contaminated) - $175.
2. Perform throttle body cleaning service (found throttle intake dirty) - $130
3. Perform fuel injector cleaning service (found throttle intake dirty) - $130

My car only has 20,000 miles on it and I recently had the fuel injector cleaning done at 15,000 miles so I really don't trust the third recommendation (unless the previous dealership charged me for the service without actually doing anything). According to the service rep, he said since my throttle intake is dirty, it'll affect the engine performance lowering mileage, etc.

Would appreciate it if anyone can suggest whether these sound legit or they're just trying to make money off me. Thanks.

[Infinitiguy19]

Do you mind working on the car yourself?

If not then you could replace most of the Power Steering fluid yourself using a turkey baster.

The Throttle Body service is also something you might be able to do yourself provided the service manual has a way to reset the motor that actuate the throttle body. But depending on how crammed together that engine is it might be worth giving them the money for the service.

If the Fuel Injectors were cleaned at a Infiniti dealer it would be in the service history which they look up. Either way make sure its in the service history because it makes you look good.

[Q451990]

At 20K, I would think the only legitimate issue is the power steering fluid. I would get a fluid extractor at a parts store ($5 or so) and do that yourself if you're up to it. Basically you're sucking the fluid out of the reservior and putting new in. Nissan products usually use standard Dexron II transmission fluid in their power steering systems - but check your owner's manual first to make sure you're getting the correct fluid. I do this every time I change my oil in lieu of a full flush once a year with a machine.

Good luck!

Heath

[Leadfootgirl]

Thanks guys! I'm going to try extracting the power steering fluid myself. I'll wait a bit more miles before getting the other two services done.

[SteveTheTech]

I recently went to an Infiniti dealership to get my 2008 EX35 oil changed. They did their usual inspections and recommended additional service (I wasn't pressured to do it though). Anyway, their inspection recommendations were:

1. Perform power steering system fluid exchange service (found power steering fluid to be dirty/contaminated) - $175.
2. Perform throttle body cleaning service (found throttle intake dirty) - $130
3. Perform fuel injector cleaning service (found throttle intake dirty) - $130

Hi there,

This topic tends to come up every once and a while. A little more so within the actual dealers among the service According to the service and owners manuals there is never a need to replace the power steering fluid and clean the injectors...why would you continue to use premium.

If you ask them they will most likely be fairly forthcoming in telling you that Infiniti does not recommend any type of fuel additive (it is right in the book). Chemicals like this that are used to clean one part of an engine tend to be burned and collect on the catalyst material in the converters. There is no point at which anyone should touch any of the electronic throttle plates on any 03+ Infiniti, if the position switch inside is knocked out of line it will render the device inoperative. It makes sense when you think about the finite control needed to operate an electronic throttle. I know I'd really like the most narrow or margin of error.

Personally I do not recommend the services you have been pitched. These are addons that each dealer is allowed to try to sell you. If someone really needs a cleaning or service the $260 (combined throttle and injector cleaning) should cover a senior tech to remove the plenum and clean it without risking premature damage to your catalyst material. Which would technically not be warranty due to the fact that it is not due to a defect in (original) workmanship or parts.

Nothing should need cleaning at <30k. If you bought a service like that once and they are trying to sell you another I would probably be speaking with someone higher up in that dealer. They are not looking at the history and that type of shady sales tactics make all of us look dirty. The folks who sell these fluids to the dealers have the best of intentions and there is a place where these fluids and service will actually keep older cars running for longer. With the new oversight from the computers, it would tell you if there was a problem or something clogged well before a service was ever needed.

Do you mind working on the car yourself?

If not then you could replace most of the Power Steering fluid yourself using a turkey baster.

The Throttle Body service is also something you might be able to do yourself provided the service manual has a way to reset the motor that actuate the throttle body. But depending on how crammed together that engine is it might be worth giving them the money for the service.

If the Fuel Injectors were cleaned at a Infiniti dealer it would be in the service history which they look up. Either way make sure its in the service history because it makes you look good.

The hole in the reservior on an EX is much smaller than a standard sized turkey baster. It would be mostly a waste of time, and most likely a mess. Then where would you dispose of the used fluid?

As I mentioned above a new throttle control motor should never be cleaned. You can spray it from a distance but the likelihood of component failure incrases greatly the second you touch the butterfly.

Fuel injector cleaners don't really work that well if you are already running clean fuel. It's more risky to alter the computers fuel plan by dumping random chemicals into the intake stream. You'd get better results driving a few miles in second gear.