The Dealership in Laconia

[garysanfran]

Brought my truck in for an oil change and was told the "throttle barrel" needed to be cleaned for $135 because of the varnish buildup. So I paid it and drove off.

Next oil change the dealership informed that the "throttle barrel" was varnished and needed to be cleaned. I asked them how often this should be done. They said about every 20-30,000. I told them to look in their own records and notice that they "supposedly" cleaned it less than 5,000 ago.

They couldn't explain it, but cleaned it for "free" this time. Everyone got involved including the manager, in explaining to me how this could happen...I have no idea what any of them said. I still go there because it's convenient. But, now, any suggested work beyond the oil change, is getting another opinion and should I discover any attempt to take advantage, will be getting a swift and unpleasant response.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Brought my truck in for an oil change and was told the "throttle barrel" needed to be cleaned for $135 because of the varnish buildup. So I paid it and drove off.

Next oil change the dealership informed that the "throttle barrel" was varnished and needed to be cleaned. I asked them how often this should be done. They said about every 20-30,000. I told them to look in their own records and notice that they "supposedly" cleaned it less than 5,000 ago.

They couldn't explain it, but cleaned it for "free" this time. Everyone got involved including the manager, in explaining to me how this could happen...I have no idea what any of them said. I still go there because it's convenient. But, now, any suggested work beyond the oil change, is getting another opinion and should I discover any attempt to take advantage, will be getting a swift and unpleasant response.

It's a throttle body and it takes all of 5 minutes to clean, just so you know next time.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Biggd

It's a throttle body and it takes all of 5 minutes to clean, just so you know next time.

Within the "throttle body" there is a throttle barrel valve, this is what they probably told him that had to be cleaned.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Within the "throttle body" there is a throttle barrel valve, this is what they probably told him that had to be cleaned.

It's all one in the same. You open the throttle and clean the inside with throttle body cleaner and a rag. If you have electric throttle then you need someone inside stepping on the gas pedal with the key on. I have done this hundreds of times. It's not rocket science and it's takes 5 minutes. I guess I'm going to have to start charging more. When we do a tune up this service is included.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Brought my truck in for an oil change and was told the "throttle barrel" needed to be cleaned for $135 because of the varnish buildup. So I paid it and drove off.

Next oil change the dealership informed that the "throttle barrel" was varnished and needed to be cleaned. I asked them how often this should be done. They said about every 20-30,000. I told them to look in their own records and notice that they "supposedly" cleaned it less than 5,000 ago.

They couldn't explain it, but cleaned it for "free" this time. Everyone got involved including the manager, in explaining to me how this could happen...I have no idea what any of them said. I still go there because it's convenient. But, now, any suggested work beyond the oil change, is getting another opinion and should I discover any attempt to take advantage, will be getting a swift and unpleasant response.

To clean a "throttle barrel" (throttle body) that hasn't been cleaned for a long period of time it would probably take an hour or more. The reason is because to do it properly the throttle body needs to be taken off and cleaned thoroughly. Just getting to the throttle body takes time because of everything you have to remove to get to it.
Therefore the $135 you paid the first time was not unreasonable.
Why they had to clean it again after only 5,000 miles is questionable.