Catalytic converter bad after fuel induction cleaning

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dslim88, Jan 10, 2010.

  1. dslim88

    dslim88 New Member

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    I have a 2004 Prius with 130k. I needed an oil change and I've been driving my car lots of miles for work recently so I decided to have the dealership do a fuel induction cleaning as thats the only service I haven't had done yet. The next day after getting it serviced the check engine light came on...first time ever. I took it back to the dealer and they cleared the code and said they couldn't get the light to come back on maybe it was just a clich in the system, but that if the light came back on I would need a new catalytic converter...quoted at almost $2000. That same night the light came back on. Something seems a little fishy to me...like the dealership screwed up... Is is possible to kill a catalytic converter by doing one of these cleanings?
     
    #1 dslim88, Jan 10, 2010
  2. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Yep. Its been noted before that if they don't do it right it can degrade the catalytic converter, although I think it usually it takes a while after the cleaning before the damage is noticed.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...70-what-services-you-need-what-you-don-t.html

     
    #2 dogfriend, Jan 10, 2010
  3. dslim88

    dslim88 New Member

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    Yeah I read that post and thats what made me even more thinking it was the dealers fault. Hopefully I can convince them to replace it....otherwise I'll be doing it myself.
     
    #3 dslim88, Jan 10, 2010
  4. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Good luck. Its a hell of a coincidence that it failed right after the fuel injector cleaning. Too much of a coincidence, I think.
     
    #4 dogfriend, Jan 10, 2010
  5. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Save big money on induction service and fixing screwups by using E10 fuel. It cleans the injectors and valves continuously. Problem avoided.
     
    #5 richard schumacher, Jan 11, 2010
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  6. dslim88

    dslim88 New Member

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    So the dealer offered to pay all labor costs and 1/3 the price for the catalytic converter....sounds great right? No, the quote was still $1300. So I'll be doing it myself for $275. Just got done ordering the part.

    DON'T GET FUEL INJECTOR/INDUCTION CLEANING DONE...IT'S NOT WORTH IT.
     
    #6 dslim88, Jan 13, 2010
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  7. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    Wth how much does a catalytic converter cost?
     
    #7 Bob64, Jan 13, 2010
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    $1,455 MSRP, looks like you could buy it for $1,106 plus shipping.
    Champion ToyotaWorld
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Jan 13, 2010
  9. ooblick

    ooblick Junior Member

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    Has anyone else had this issue? Co-worker just was duped into a fuel induction cleaning and the check engine light came on while leaving the establishment.
     
    #9 ooblick, Jul 25, 2014
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    well he should bring it back to the establishment
     
    #10 JC91006, Jul 25, 2014
  11. ooblick

    ooblick Junior Member

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    She did. I'm just wondering how often something like this happens. Her dealership told her that cleaning the fuel induction system was "not recommended."

    Thanks!
     
    #11 ooblick, Jul 25, 2014
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You did a service that's not really recommended, so it doesn't matter how often this happens. It happened to you! No other statistic matters at this point
     
    #12 JC91006, Jul 25, 2014
  13. drmanny3

    drmanny3 Member

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    Well here is the thing. If the dealer is offering to cover a big part of the cost, then you should contact Toyota and ask them to good will the rest. It is worth a try. They may even come back on the dealer and tell them to pay the whole thing. Check to see if your emission warranty is still in force. The gas that is sold by tier one suppliers is sufficient to clean out any deposits that would otherwise affect your engine. The rest is an attempt to make money on service. I would encourage you to pursue this one.
    Manny
     
    #13 drmanny3, Jul 25, 2014
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  14. ooblick

    ooblick Junior Member

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    Heh, it was really my co-worker and not me. I am the obnoxious person who asks lots of questions. She didn't find out until later that it was "not recommended." The establishment will pay in full for the repairs and refund her what they charged her for the cleaning. My little green guy is running great. He could use new tires but is great otherwise.
     
    #14 ooblick, Jul 25, 2014
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