Dealer didn't replace AHC fluid? (1 Viewer)

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Did you ever pull any fluid samples to show us?
 
I could but I don't know what new fluid looks like to compare

New fluid is reddish-pink, used fluid is black. Very clear difference,

In the rear, passenger-side wheel well is an access panel that can me used to have a peek at the reservoir. Panel is held in place with a single 10mm-head bolt, and you don't need to touch anything else to remove it. Pull the panel and have a look at the reservoir. I'd guess they topped up the reservoir, or replaced the fluid in it, without actually flushing the lines, thus you'll still have old fluid "where it matters."
 
What should they look like?
If those rubber cover were taken off, the dirt would have came off or sign of it. Same with the 8mm bleeders, they don't show any sign of wrench touchin them. Also I expect fluid residue on it after they have been bled. These looks like they were all untouched.
 
So i raised this concern to the Lexus service advisor and below is his response.

"Thank you for your follow email with your concerns. The procedure that is done during the Factory recommended service is a fluid replacement. So, it is done through the reservoir. I confirmed the procedure method with my shop foreman/diagnostic specialist. He validated that the procedure was done properly and that it is not a “flush” per the Lexus manual when the service is performed. I hope that this information is useful. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you. "

Thoughts?
 
it's possible, but no point in doing this if you aren't going to flush the accumulators. Pulling a sample from the bleeders won't help, so you'll have to check the reservoir. Shine a bright light into the res and you should see a hint of pink/red fluid. Otherwise, more lies.


 
So i raised this concern to the Lexus service advisor and below is his response.

"Thank you for your follow email with your concerns. The procedure that is done during the Factory recommended service is a fluid replacement. So, it is done through the reservoir. I confirmed the procedure method with my shop foreman/diagnostic specialist. He validated that the procedure was done properly and that it is not a “flush” per the Lexus manual when the service is performed. I hope that this information is useful. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you. "

Thoughts?

Bullsh*t and ignorance. Ignorance and bullsh*t.

The AHC system does not recirculate fluid, the fluid merely moves back and fourth. This means that their approach of "doing it through the reservoir" left old fluid in the lines. Take a sample from any bleeder and you'll see old, black fluid coming out. Even after their play-on-words (flush vs replacement), you can easily argue that this old fluid indicates the fluid was NOT fully replaced. Put a video camera/phone on a tripod, and film yourself taking a sample of the fluid, and the fluid itself.
 
it's possible, but no point in doing this if you aren't going to flush the accumulators. Pulling a sample from the bleeders won't help, so you'll have to check the reservoir. Shine a bright light into the res and you should see a hint of pink/red fluid. Otherwise, more lies.


I just checked the fluid in the reservoir and looks like they did put new/pink fluid in there.
 
Bullsh*t and ignorance. Ignorance and bullsh*t.

The AHC system does not recirculate fluid, the fluid merely moves back and fourth. This means that their approach of "doing it through the reservoir" left old fluid in the lines. Take a sample from any bleeder and you'll see old, black fluid coming out. Even after their play-on-words (flush vs replacement), you can easily argue that this old fluid indicates the fluid was NOT fully replaced. Put a video camera/phone on a tripod, and film yourself taking a sample of the fluid, and the fluid itself.

I'm surprised that the "Factory Recommended" procedure doesn't involve bleeding out from the bleeder valves. They're there for a purpose. Either that or the dealer is lying.
 
If that’s what the factory service describes then it’s not bull****. It may not be up to our standard, but the dealer isn’t at fault if that’s all that lexus requires per the book.
 
If that’s what the factory service describes then it’s not bulls***. It may not be up to our standard, but the dealer isn’t at fault if that’s all that lexus requires per the book.

the FSM clearly describes the process to bleed all 4 corners.
 
the FSM clearly describes the process to bleed all 4 corners.
Would you be able to share the FSM to show that procedure? I have the PDFs but i can't seem to find the part about AHC fluid.
 
the FSM clearly describes the process to bleed all 4 corners.
Then if the SA or techs aren’t lying, it could come down to a difference in terminology. Does the FSM list a procedure that is simply a fluid exchange? What, exactly, does the maintenance schedule list is required at 60k?
 
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So what is listed in the maintenance schedule as required? If it’s just fluid change the dealer might have done exactly what they thought you wanted.

Also through normal height adjustments eventually the fluid within the rest of the system will be mixed with that in the reservoir. I don’t know the volume of the whole system vs the res but it’s safe to say some significant portion of the fluid is fresh.

Filling fresh then bleeding is the only way to get the vast majority of the fluid to be new, but lexus may not deem that necessary on the 60k schedule.

Keep in mind they probably did studies on how far the fluid goes, and that any time you do unnecessary work and mess with a mechanical system you introduce a chance for a mistake. Hypothetically from that perspective if the fluid is good for 90k before ALL needs changed, repeated partials every 60 without opening any more of the system isn’t a bad strategy.

These are questions a good service advisor should be able to answer (lexus version of fluid change vs your expectation of ALL the fluid being changed) as well as provide you with a copy of the procedure they followed.
 
So what is listed in the maintenance schedule as required? If it’s just fluid change the dealer might have done exactly what they thought you wanted.

Also through normal height adjustments eventually the fluid within the rest of the system will be mixed with that in the reservoir. I don’t know the volume of the whole system vs the res but it’s safe to say some significant portion of the fluid is fresh.

Filling fresh then bleeding is the only way to get the vast majority of the fluid to be new, but lexus may not deem that necessary on the 60k schedule.

Keep in mind they probably did studies on how far the fluid goes, and that any time you do unnecessary work and mess with a mechanical system you introduce a chance for a mistake. Hypothetically from that perspective if the fluid is good for 90k before ALL needs changed, repeated partials every 60 without opening any more of the system isn’t a bad strategy.

These are questions a good service advisor should be able to answer (lexus version of fluid change vs your expectation of ALL the fluid being changed) as well as provide you with a copy of the procedure they followed.

LX570, 60k mile service:

1uOsImG.png


Note that the manual uses the word "replace" for every fluid exchange, even ones that would be frequently described as "flush" (ie. brake fluid flush).

I still say the dealer is cutting corners and BSing the customer.
 
LX570, 60k mile service:

1uOsImG.png


Note that the manual uses the word "replace" for every fluid exchange, even ones that would be frequently described as "flush" (ie. brake fluid flush).

I still say the dealer is cutting corners and BSing the customer.
In which case the SA should provide OP a copy of the procedure they used. If it is titled “AHC fluid replacement” or similar..
Again, this wouldn’t be up to my standard. But then I wouldn’t be letting the dealer touch my cruiser either.
 
LX570, 60k mile service:

1uOsImG.png


Note that the manual uses the word "replace" for every fluid exchange, even ones that would be frequently described as "flush" (ie. brake fluid flush).

I still say the dealer is cutting corners and BSing the customer.

I would call Lexus and Voice a complaint ask for a regional representative to contact you they’re lying
 
Dealer BS. Ive seen it at the Toyota and Land Rover and BMW, etc. dealers down here. Gross incompetence and a general understanding that most people wont ck behind them and dont know what to look for - so they keep doing it.

Replace is replace - not change the reservoir.
 

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