Quote:
Originally Posted by pauldz
Actually closer to $1400, to be precise it was $1386.95. Based on google searches, it seems that "fuel injector/top end cleaning" simply means putting an additive into the fuel.
I do understand that it is difficult and expensive ($700) to change the spark plugs in an FRS but it still seems like a lot.
So many questions...
1) If the fuel was not bad, why wouldn't my car start? The inspector said he gets at least 10 calls when there is bad gas and this time no other complaints about this station were made. I will ask him to check the sample I received from Toyota.
2) Can the shop truly detect bad gas, bad spark plugs, etc., or were they just guessing?
3) Even assuming it was necessary to raise the engine and fuel tank to change the plugs and clean the top end/fuel injector, how long does that take? Is $1121.85 for labor reasonable?
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Well, now, pauldz, I have a feeling that you are thrashing this after action report a bit too much. Or, to put it another way, doing an autopsy on the autopsy.
Yes, that sample you have could be analyzed (torn apart) by GC (gas chromatography) or HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) ...... IF the chemist had an idea of what they were looking for (like water or diesel).
Like @
Trollhart mentioned, a mass spectrometer could tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the sample.
However, the first problem with the results of that an extensive of analysis might just reflect errors in the sampling technique (not representative) or the maintaining of the sample after it was taken.
It wouldn't hurt to ask the station rep to have your sample analyzed, although I doubt they will do it (since they didn't take the sample).
How can the dealership detect "bad gas". Well, unless they have a lab in their back room, they probably just did a visual and sniff test. A simple test kit can test for alcohol or water in the gasoline ....... maybe they used one of those ..??
As far as the fuel system "cleaning", usually they just inject some cleaner into the fuel system, just before the injectors and dump the rest of it in the gas tank.
My point is that what is done is done. I would suggest that you just chalk it up to an "experience" and move forward and enjoy driving your car ......
humfrz