Dealership recommended service

[KSC 2019 XLT]

Anyone have the fuel service done on their Expy? It was recommended by our local Ford dealership. See snapshot. 3 pack fuel service for $420. Is it worth it? It includes fuel injection service, engine decarb/emission service, throttle body and IAC valve service. Don't know what IAC means.

My Expy: 2019 XLT, 4WD, 71k miles.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

If you are using Top Tier rated fuel, and your vehicle is running normally, you probably don't need this. If you are still concerned about needing more, go to your local auto parts store and buy a can of Techron Fuel Injector Cleaner and add it to a full tank of gas.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Anyone have the fuel service done on their Expy? It was recommended by our local Ford dealership. See snapshot. 3 pack fuel service for $420. Is it worth it? It includes fuel injection service, engine decarb/emission service, throttle body and IAC valve service. Don't know what IAC means.

My Expy: 2019 XLT, 4WD, 71k miles.

lookie here:

Symptoms of a Bad Idle Air Control Valve - AutoZone

Find out how to recognize symptoms of a faulty idle air control valve (IAC valve), diagnose the issue, and replace it effectively with AutoZone.

www.autozone.com

If you are using Tier 2 rated fuel, and your vehicle is running normally, you probably don't need this. If you are still concerned about needing more, go to your local auto parts store and buy a can of Techron Fuel Injector Cleaner and add it to a full tank of gas.

If your vehicle is running well, this about all that the stealership will do, as well as spray $1.03 worth of cleaner on your throttle body assembly, and MAYBE replace the IAC valve, which is at most a $30-40 part + 15 mins of labor (doubtful, unless you specifically ask for it to be replaced)

All for the measly price of $420...nope, nottta, no way, 'Jose !

You can also run a tank of 93 gas every 5-7K miles to help clean out some gunk too...I've been doing this for many years for all 5 of my vehicles, seems to keep 'em running real smooth

 

[Fastcar]

Just another money grab by ford

 

[SyndicateZ]

You can also run a tank of 93 gas every 5-7K miles to help clean out some gunk too..

Tell me more.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Tell me more.

Well if you normally run 88 or 89 octane gas (or flex fuel), which is fine for everyday uses, running a tank of 93 high octane once in a while can help with keeping the insides of the engine a little cleaner, which should improve performance & mpg a little, as well as prolong the life of the engine, plugs & valves...

Is that what you are asking, or something else ?

 

[bb37]

On the 2nd gen 3.5 Ecoboost that's in 4th gen Expeditions, Ford added port fuel injection in addition to the direct fuel injection that 1st gen 3.5 Ecoboosts have. The addition of port fuel injection was allegedly to help with the carbon build-up on the intake valves that direct injection is known for.

The danger here is that mechanics and service writers who are familiar with direct injection and it's issues may try to sell you services that shouldn't be necessary on a port fuel injected engine.

That said, check out this video from Ford Tech Makuloco where he questions whether or not the addition of port fuel injection really helps: https://youtu.be/sNzF7rm8OzY?si=oAAkJfOy-SnBGYvm

 

[Mr Big]

As mentioned, a tank of high test and an additive every so often will keep things clean. I use Seafoam and have for years. It does a great job and does not harm turbos. I've also had great luck with Liqui Moly. Good for 02 sensors as well.

 

[Rednecked]

Drive it like you stole it. Give it the beans.

 

[Ugh_J]

Tell me more.

We do something similar in ours, but usually closer to every 1500 miles. Shell super has a very good additive package. Perhaps not as aggressive as "fuel system cleaners" but we've never had to have fuel injectors cleaned by mouth-breathers that charge $200/hour, either.

 

[sixstring]

Your dealer is trying to rip you off with unnecessary work.

If that was my dealership, I would never let them service my vehicle again and never buy a vehicle from them again.

All gas sold in the usa has enough detergents in them to keep your system clean. There are also EPA laws that these detergents be there.

 

[bb37]

All gas sold in the usa has enough detergents in them to keep your system clean.

Which is fine for the parts of your car that gasoline touches.

In a direct injection engine, like the 3.5 Ecoboost, there is no gasoline in the intake runners as the gasoline is injected directly into the cylinders. When the intake valve opens at the top of the exhaust stroke, unburned fuel can revert past the intake valve and form carbon deposits on the back of the valve and in the intake port. Also, exhaust gas recirculation can introduce unburned fuel into the intake runners which forms carbon deposits in the runners and on the intake valve.

The 2nd gen 3.5 Ecoboost tries to address this by adding a port injector to spray gasoline on the back of the intake valve, but apparently this port injector runs very little of the time. The result is still carbon build-up in the intake runners and on the intake valves.

I agree that a lot of the cleaning services sold by dealerships are snake oil and way overpriced. If all they are doing is pouring something into the gas tank, you can do that at home with something like Chevron Techron. But, if they are using a system that injects a solvent into the intake tract, it might be worth it (though, I'm skeptical). Still, I think we are talking about a $25.00 (retail) can of solvent and a half hour of a technician's labor.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Which is fine for the parts of your car that gasoline touches.

In a direct injection engine, like the 3.5 Ecoboost, there is no gasoline in the intake runners as the gasoline is injected directly into the cylinders. When the intake valve opens at the top of the exhaust stroke, unburned fuel can revert past the intake valve and form carbon deposits on the back of the valve and in the intake port. Also, exhaust gas recirculation can introduce unburned fuel into the intake runners which forms carbon deposits in the runners and on the intake valve.

The 2nd gen 3.5 Ecoboost tries to address this by adding a port injector to spray gasoline on the back of the intake valve, but apparently this port injector runs very little of the time. The result is still carbon build-up in the intake runners and on the intake valves.

I agree that a lot of the cleaning services sold by dealerships are snake oil and way overpriced. If all they are doing is pouring something into the gas tank, you can do that at home with something like Chevron Techron. But, if they are using a system that injects a solvent into the intake tract, it might be worth it (though, I'm skeptical). Still, I think we are talking about a $25.00 (retail) can of solvent and a half hour of a technician's labor.

and plus you can blame the dealership if something went wrong with the vehicle from/after the service.

If u do it yourself and something goes wonky after your screwed

 

[Woodwolf]

Your dealer is trying to rip you off with unnecessary work.

If that was my dealership, I would never let them service my vehicle again and never buy a vehicle from them again.

All gas sold in the usa has enough detergents in them to keep your system clean. There are also EPA laws that these detergents be there.

What then differentiates Tier 1 gasoline if all gas has sufficient detergents?
I err on the high end gasoline side, always!

 

[bb37]

Actually, the term is "Top Tier". It's a trademarked term for fuel standards and is sponsored by the major automobile manufacturers world-wide (Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz, Navistar, Stellantis, Subaru of America, Toyota, VW). From the list on Top Tier's website, just about every brand of gasoline sold in the U.S. is Top Tier. Their standards document can be found here: https://www.toptiergas.com/wp-conte...asoline_Performance_Standard_revF_2019-12.pdf

 

[Broncoholic]

From the list on Top Tier's website, just about every brand of gasoline sold in the U.S. is Top Tier.

Not even close according to their "station finder". When I searched my zip code for "all brands" within a 100 mile radius, there are 149 hits - Arco 2 times, "76" 2 times, and Chevron 145 times. Looks suspect to me.

 

[bb37]

The database of stations may not be accurate. The list of brands probably is. For example, if one Arco station in your area is listed, all Arco stations in the area probably have Top Tier gasoline.

 

[wpaul]

Unless the decarb engine service includes walnut blasting of the intake port and valves it’s not worth it.

 

[armoredsaint]

Service just padding their numbers.

 

[Samantha1]

Top Tier gas will also have the Top Tier logo affixed to the pumps.
Samantha