I apologize if this topic has been covered before:

The service department at the dealership where I purchased my 2012 Legacy just told me that there is carbon buildup on the fuel injectors, and they can clean them for $150.
My Legacy only has 15,000 miles on it.  Is this legitimate?
I've read that the carbon buildup is normal, but should it need to be cleaned with such low miles on the car?

Can I get the same results if I put SeaFoam in the gas tank?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

If it has 12k miles and needs service done, shouldn't it be free under warranty?

I don't know how they can tell if it has carbon build up without removing them, sounds like you need to hammer on the gas more to keep everything clean 

Is there a driveability concern that prompted you to take the car to the dealer?

Or did you just take it in for a regular service visit?

This is a typical upsell service that many dealers and now some independent shops try to push on their customers. Sometimes it actually helps with driveability issues (such as rough idle or poor fuel economy), but at 15k miles, its a compete waste of money. There's not enough buildup at that mileage to make a difference in power or fuel economy.

 

You can do preventative fuel system maintenance yourself for the $5 cost of a bottle of Lucas fuel system cleaner from the local parts store. One bottle in the fuel tank every 4-6 months will keep the injectors clean and help remove any varnish in the injectors or other parts of the system.

There must be something in the Subaru dealer manual that tells them to do this. They tried the same scam six months after I purchased my new Loyale in 1994.

 

Like another poster said, if it carbons up at 15K miles, the warranty should cover it. Is it throwing a code? Did they take the injector out to inspect it? I suspect it is just upsell.  My Loyale is 20 years old and I have not had a single injector problem. I used good gas like Chevron with Techron in it. Don't buy the cheap ARCO gas, it is crap and will lead to things like injector cleanings and such.

Unless it is having driveability issues, just get a can of Lucas or Techron and put it in at your next fill up.

Edited May 29, 201312 yr by MR_Loyale

It's also known as a fuel system induction service, just different wording. Most manufactures say that it'll help with longevity of the vehicle and this can be true, especially on older vehicles. Since the gasoline in the US runs at least a 10% ethanol most places, it can eat the fuel lines as its corrosive to the system. Depending on what kind of stuff they're using, it'll either help in the long run or it's crap and won't do anything. On something that new, it'll be a waste of money.

If it has 12k miles and needs service done, shouldn't it be free under warranty?

I don't know how they can tell if it has carbon build up without removing them, sounds like you need to hammer on the gas more to keep everything clean 

Re: the warranty - I agree, although I think they were suggesting it as routine maintenance.  There wasn't an issue - just had it in for an oil change. 

Re: the gas pedal - don't worry: that is well taken care of!  my passengers will attest to the fact that it is nearly impossible for anything to sit in the fuel injection system for long enough to build-up! 

Is there a driveability concern that prompted you to take the car to the dealer?

Or did you just take it in for a regular service visit?

This is a typical upsell service that many dealers and now some independent shops try to push on their customers. Sometimes it actually helps with driveability issues (such as rough idle or poor fuel economy), but at 15k miles, its a compete waste of money. There's not enough buildup at that mileage to make a difference in power or fuel economy.

 

You can do preventative fuel system maintenance yourself for the $5 cost of a bottle of Lucas fuel system cleaner from the local parts store. One bottle in the fuel tank every 4-6 months will keep the injectors clean and help remove any varnish in the injectors or other parts of the system.

Thank you for the advice!  No problems - just had it in for an oil change.  I figured it was probably an upsell - thank you!

Will pick up some Lucas and next time I think I'm going to ask them to take a picture of any "issues" they find.  Thanks again!

There must be something in the Subaru dealer manual that tells them to do this. They tried the same scam six months after I purchased my new Loyale in 1994.

 

Like another poster said, if it carbons up at 15K miles, the warranty should cover it. Is it throwing a code? Did they take the injector out to inspect it? I suspect it is just upsell.  My Loyale is 20 years old and I have not had a single injector problem. I used good gas like Chevron with Techron in it. Don't buy the cheap ARCO gas, it is crap and will lead to things like injector cleanings and such.

Unless it is having driveability issues, just get a can of Lucas or Techron and put it in at your next fill up.

Have to agree with you and the other posters:  they are looking for someone who doesn't bother to ask questions - just hands them a credit card!

At the expense of making myself sound dumb, what is ARCO gas?  I am in PA, and have never heard of that brand.

Thanks for the suggestion of the cleaner - am going to try that and save myself $140!

It's also known as a fuel system induction service, just different wording. Most manufactures say that it'll help with longevity of the vehicle and this can be true, especially on older vehicles. Since the gasoline in the US runs at least a 10% ethanol most places, it can eat the fuel lines as its corrosive to the system. Depending on what kind of stuff they're using, it'll either help in the long run or it's crap and won't do anything. On something that new, it'll be a waste of money.

Thanks!  I greatly appreciate the advice! 

Have to agree with you and the other posters:  they are looking for someone who doesn't bother to ask questions - just hands them a credit card!

At the expense of making myself sound dumb, what is ARCO gas?  I am in PA, and have never heard of that brand.

Thanks for the suggestion of the cleaner - am going to try that and save myself $140!

Atlantic Richfield Corporation, currently a division of BP (British Petroleum) that brought you the Gulf of Mexico well blowout a while back.  They are cut-rate gas on the West Coast, and one of the first to incorporate ethanol.  They are maligned by people who enjoy maligning (and others that have had bad experiences).  

 

Where I live, all of the gasoline comes out of the same tankers from the same refinery.  I have a different view of brand differences... 

 Ha ha, definitely do not listen to or buy any of their "services".  Service department has a very large marketing and sales component to it, so tread carefully unless you don't mind paying for more than you need.

Asking here first is a great idea.

 

Read the owners manual service requirements and ask here. 

You don't really need anything but oil and air filters until 30k or more.

 

Never pay for a "30,000 mile service"....always pay for exactly what you need like "Oil change and air filter".  The "service" packages are fattened products driven by marketing and sales.

Cabon on injectors I call bull have never seen carbon on a subaru injector how whould it even get there the injectors tips are isolated and dont get near combustion dealer trying to sell you stuff you dont need. Mabee some lucas injector cleaner but stay away from chemicals

If it was my car, I would change the brake fluid and cabin air filer every 15k miles, oil changes every 3k miles, diffs every 30k and since it's new enough, coolant doesn't need to be done until 100k miles (super long life OEM is blue).

+1 cabin air fill those get gross