Dealership is requiring a carbon cleaning?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by BlueMols, Jan 2, 2017.

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  1. BlueMols

    BlueMols New Member

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    Hey first post!

    So, my 2013 Prius C Three was sitting for two weeks after I drove it home and left it in the driveway with the empty light on. When I came back to the car wouldn't start, tried ignition button twice, sounded like it attempted to turn over and then after the second push of the button it only made a faint electrical buzzing sound.

    Called out two separate vehicle roadside assistance guys who both attempted to jump it and we even put 4 gallons of gas in, which as far as I know should be more than enough to get the empty light to turn off.

    Eventually had to tow it to the local Toyota dealership here in LA and now they are telling me I need a $300 carbon cleaning service which will not be covered by the certified preowned warranty. He said the car is drivable but attempted to scare me into buying the service by saying that if you don't purchase it it will be noted on your warranty...

    Keep in mind I purchased this car certified preowned with 16,000 miles on it two months ago, it now has ~18,500. The technician on the phone said it's not the injectors it is the line from the tank to the injectors and said that it is my fault for driving it on empty and therefore will not be covered.

    Anyone been through this before?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 BlueMols, Jan 2, 2017
  2. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    Smells scammy.

    I never heard of "carbon cleaning"
     
    #2 bat4255, Jan 2, 2017
  3. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    WOW. A new scam.

    A $15 can of Techron in a full tank of gas is all the "carbon cleaning" your engine should ever need.
    (Read the label; it probably won't even need a full can.)

    Given what happened to you.......what did they do to make it "dirveable" again ?
    If they did not replace the 12 V battery, you are likely to have trouble again soon.

    But yes, it is important to NOT run it completely out of gas......but that has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with carbon in the engine.......AND that is a low fuel light, not empty. It is highly likely that being low on fuel had NOTHING to do with the car not starting.
     
    #3 Sam Spade, Jan 2, 2017
  4. BlueMols

    BlueMols New Member

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    They looked up the codes and reset them as far as I know. And he told me this within two hours of it getting to the dealership so I doubt the disassembled anything so quickly to actually take a look.

    The technician on the phone said that because I drove it on empty it sucked whatever carbon build up was in the tank into the line...

    Going to try and get them to pay for it under the warranty tomm when I pick it up.
     
    #4 BlueMols, Jan 2, 2017
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    i think you had a discharged 12v. what dealer is this?
    all the best!(y)
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 2, 2017
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah the 2 weeks sitting, maybe with a borderline battery to begin with.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jan 2, 2017
  7. FF/Medic

    FF/Medic Member

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    Go ahead and insist your scammy dealer note you need "carbon cleaning" on your certified preowned warranty so other Toyota dealers can be amused.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 FF/Medic, Jan 2, 2017
  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Who would want dirty carbon? :LOL: :D
     
    #8 Prodigyplace, Jan 3, 2017
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  9. Sean Nelson

    Sean Nelson Active Member

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    Carbon is supposed to be dirty - it won't work right if it's clean!
     
    #9 Sean Nelson, Jan 3, 2017
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  10. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    Carbon cleaning at 18.5k mi?

    And it being done on a fuel line?

    I'm thinking it's time to name the guilty.

    (There are reasons to clean carbon on a Prius - the exhaust gas recirculation system can cause the intake tract to be clogged with soot - but that's not the fuel system, that's the intake system.)
     
    #10 bhtooefr, Jan 3, 2017
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  11. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Total BS. "Carbon" does not build up in the gas tank.
     
    #11 Sam Spade, Jan 4, 2017
  12. Deleted member 111882

    Deleted member 111882 Guest

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    I have, I had to have it done twice in two years on my old 4x4, and it hadn't even gone 10000 miles in between.
    VIP told me years ago to put Techron in with the fuel basically each time that I get the oil changed, well, let's just say every 5000 miles (with that car). Since then, that's what I've been doing.

    Leaving your car sitting for two weeks does not cause that kind of carbon buildup.
     
    #12 Deleted member 111882, Jan 4, 2017
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