evaporator system flush?

We recently took our '05 Matrix to the dealer for it's 20k class A
service. As usual, my wife received a mid afternoon phone call from
the service department saying that they found something else that
needed to be done. Apparently they found some debris in the AC system
that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130. Our A/C was working
fine and draining properly prior to the service. She hesitantly agreed
to have the service performed, not knowing what they were talking
about. I feel like we were taken for a ride. Our car is only a year
old, we don't park outside so we don't have a bunch leaves, etc falling
on our car to clog up the vents and I personally have never my A/C
drain clog on any car. Can anyone give me a better explanation of why I
would need an evaporator system flush and is there a way for me to do
this myself? I have a hard time believing that all of a sudden I need
to spend $130/yr to flush something I've never had a problem with.

Thanks

"Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> We recently took our '05 Matrix to the dealer for it's 20k class A
> service. As usual, my wife received a mid afternoon phone call from
> the service department saying that they found something else that
> needed to be done. Apparently they found some debris in the AC system
> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130. Our A/C was working
> fine and draining properly prior to the service. She hesitantly agreed
> to have the service performed, not knowing what they were talking
> about. I feel like we were taken for a ride. Our car is only a year
> old, we don't park outside so we don't have a bunch leaves, etc falling
> on our car to clog up the vents and I personally have never my A/C
> drain clog on any car. Can anyone give me a better explanation of why I
> would need an evaporator system flush and is there a way for me to do
> this myself? I have a hard time believing that all of a sudden I need
> to spend $130/yr to flush something I've never had a problem with.
>
> Thanks
>[/color]

My '95 Prizm (215,000 miles) has never been to the dealer for any service.
Why? "As usual, my wife received a midafternoon phone call....." says it
all.

"Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Apparently they found some debris in the AC system[color=blue]
> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130.[/color]

Actually what they found was that the dealer's boat payment was almost due,
or that the parts counterman deserved a raise.
This 'problem' sounds like BS on a year old car with 20,000 miles that
is operating well. But what do I know?

"mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com> wrote in message
news:12binr4f6hcdi83@corp.supernews.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
> Apparently they found some debris in the AC system[color=green]
>> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
>> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130.[/color]
>
> Actually what they found was that the dealer's boat payment was almost
> due, or that the parts counterman deserved a raise.
> This 'problem' sounds like BS on a year old car with 20,000 miles that
> is operating well. But what do I know?
>[/color]

You have to wonder how dealership "service advisors" are able to sleep at
night.

"Truckdude" <notmyemail@cox.net> wrote in message
news:MUdug.968$RV.796@trnddc08...[color=blue]
>
> "mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com> wrote in message
> news:12binr4f6hcdi83@corp.supernews.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
>> Apparently they found some debris in the AC system[color=darkred]
>>> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
>>> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130.[/color]
>>
>> Actually what they found was that the dealer's boat payment was almost
>> due, or that the parts counterman deserved a raise.
>> This 'problem' sounds like BS on a year old car with 20,000 miles that
>> is operating well. But what do I know?
>>[/color]
>
> You have to wonder how dealership "service advisors" are able to sleep at
> night.[/color]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh they probably sleep quite well, between silk sheets!

They work on commission. Most techs also get the "book" time for
their labor so they also in effect get paid more hours than they put
in if they're pretty good (or fast anyhow)

Just look at the book time to change a cabin filter. Dealer wanted
59.95 and I did it in 10 minutes for 25 with their parts. And I've
had 2 strokes and am 68!

You really need to be strong at the "dealer recommended" 30-60-90
thousand mile services - compare what they push vs what manual calls
for.

Ron

"Truckdude" <notmyemail@cox.net> wrote in message
news:Drcug.964$RV.726@trnddc08...[color=blue]
>
> "Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> We recently took our '05 Matrix to the dealer for it's 20k class A
>> service. As usual, my wife received a mid afternoon phone call from
>> the service department saying that they found something else that
>> needed to be done. Apparently they found some debris in the AC system
>> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
>> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130. Our A/C was working
>> fine and draining properly prior to the service. She hesitantly agreed
>> to have the service performed, not knowing what they were talking
>> about. I feel like we were taken for a ride. Our car is only a year
>> old, we don't park outside so we don't have a bunch leaves, etc falling
>> on our car to clog up the vents and I personally have never my A/C
>> drain clog on any car. Can anyone give me a better explanation of why I
>> would need an evaporator system flush and is there a way for me to do
>> this myself? I have a hard time believing that all of a sudden I need
>> to spend $130/yr to flush something I've never had a problem with.
>>
>> Thanks
>>[/color]
>
> My '95 Prizm (215,000 miles) has never been to the dealer for any service.
> Why? "As usual, my wife received a midafternoon phone call....." says
> it all.[/color]


Sweet, which prism is yours? The 1.6 or 1.8. I have the 95' 1.8 that I just
bought about 2 months ago at 135K miles. I'm hoping to see another 100K out
of it before I put it out of it's misery. Actually it runs great right now
and I've babied it since I got it.

"Reasoned Insanity" <mintclovers@@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hWhug.10365$PO.6011@dukeread03...[color=blue]
>
> "Truckdude" <notmyemail@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:Drcug.964$RV.726@trnddc08...[color=green]
>>
>> "Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>> We recently took our '05 Matrix to the dealer for it's 20k class A
>>> service. As usual, my wife received a mid afternoon phone call from
>>> the service department saying that they found something else that
>>> needed to be done. Apparently they found some debris in the AC system
>>> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
>>> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130. Our A/C was working
>>> fine and draining properly prior to the service. She hesitantly agreed
>>> to have the service performed, not knowing what they were talking
>>> about. I feel like we were taken for a ride. Our car is only a year
>>> old, we don't park outside so we don't have a bunch leaves, etc falling
>>> on our car to clog up the vents and I personally have never my A/C
>>> drain clog on any car. Can anyone give me a better explanation of why I
>>> would need an evaporator system flush and is there a way for me to do
>>> this myself? I have a hard time believing that all of a sudden I need
>>> to spend $130/yr to flush something I've never had a problem with.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>[/color]
>>
>> My '95 Prizm (215,000 miles) has never been to the dealer for any
>> service. Why? "As usual, my wife received a midafternoon phone
>> call....." says it all.[/color]
>
>
> Sweet, which prism is yours? The 1.6 or 1.8. I have the 95' 1.8 that I
> just bought about 2 months ago at 135K miles. I'm hoping to see another
> 100K out of it before I put it out of it's misery. Actually it runs great
> right now and I've babied it since I got it.
>[/color]

I have the 1.8 LSi. It has been an excellent car. In these 10 years it has
only needed an EGR component, a starter, and an A/C expansion valve. All
the rest has been routine maintenance.

Thanks for the input. We'll be ready for them next time. Better yet,
I think I'll find a new service garage. It's amazing how when you tell
people you've been taken for a ride you find out about other people's
trial and error at finding a better garage.

ron wrote:[color=blue]
> They work on commission. Most techs also get the "book" time for
> their labor so they also in effect get paid more hours than they put
> in if they're pretty good (or fast anyhow)
>
> Just look at the book time to change a cabin filter. Dealer wanted
> 59.95 and I did it in 10 minutes for 25 with their parts. And I've
> had 2 strokes and am 68!
>
> You really need to be strong at the "dealer recommended" 30-60-90
> thousand mile services - compare what they push vs what manual calls
> for.
>
> Ron[/color]

On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 11:05:07 -0500, "Reasoned Insanity"
<mintclovers@@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Truckdude" <notmyemail@cox.net> wrote in message
>news:Kxkug.5220$Ss2.168@trnddc01...[color=green]
>>
>> "Reasoned Insanity" <mintclovers@@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:hWhug.10365$PO.6011@dukeread03...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Truckdude" <notmyemail@cox.net> wrote in message
>>> news:Drcug.964$RV.726@trnddc08...
>>>>
>>>> "Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
>>>>> We recently took our '05 Matrix to the dealer for it's 20k class A
>>>>> service. As usual, my wife received a mid afternoon phone call from
>>>>> the service department saying that they found something else that
>>>>> needed to be done. Apparently they found some debris in the AC system
>>>>> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
>>>>> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130. Our A/C was working
>>>>> fine and draining properly prior to the service. She hesitantly agreed
>>>>> to have the service performed, not knowing what they were talking
>>>>> about. I feel like we were taken for a ride. Our car is only a year
>>>>> old, we don't park outside so we don't have a bunch leaves, etc falling
>>>>> on our car to clog up the vents and I personally have never my A/C
>>>>> drain clog on any car. Can anyone give me a better explanation of why I
>>>>> would need an evaporator system flush and is there a way for me to do
>>>>> this myself? I have a hard time believing that all of a sudden I need
>>>>> to spend $130/yr to flush something I've never had a problem with.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> My '95 Prizm (215,000 miles) has never been to the dealer for any
>>>> service. Why? "As usual, my wife received a midafternoon phone
>>>> call....." says it all.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sweet, which prism is yours? The 1.6 or 1.8. I have the 95' 1.8 that I
>>> just bought about 2 months ago at 135K miles. I'm hoping to see another
>>> 100K out of it before I put it out of it's misery. Actually it runs great
>>> right now and I've babied it since I got it.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> I have the 1.8 LSi. It has been an excellent car. In these 10 years it
>> has only needed an EGR component, a starter, and an A/C expansion valve.
>> All the rest has been routine maintenance.[/color]
>
>
>Cool, that's what I have myself. As soon as I got it I started getting the
>maintenance updated on it so I would know exactly where I was on it. I also
>upgraded it a little bit by getting the windows tinted and having a cruise
>control installed.
>[/color]

What cruise control did they install ? I have a 96 1.6 prizm with 138K
on it now. Runs great, but I am getting some vibrations. Thinking the
motormounts are going south. I am in a hot climate so they're probably
dried out. Other than that, still runs like new almost. Have flushed
every possible fluid in it when I got it. Trans also shifts like new.
The only thing I miss on it is cruise control. I was thinking to
install one.

"RT" <noyabusiness@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:k682c2tgkn31kpil3k9lghjihehr7pc66k@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 11:05:07 -0500, "Reasoned Insanity"
> <mintclovers@@yahoo.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"Truckdude" <notmyemail@cox.net> wrote in message
>>news:Kxkug.5220$Ss2.168@trnddc01...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Reasoned Insanity" <mintclovers@@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:hWhug.10365$PO.6011@dukeread03...
>>>>
>>>> "Truckdude" <notmyemail@cox.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:Drcug.964$RV.726@trnddc08...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Mell...Maryland" <rmellon8@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:1152983437.350050.177400@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
>>>>>> We recently took our '05 Matrix to the dealer for it's 20k class A
>>>>>> service. As usual, my wife received a mid afternoon phone call from
>>>>>> the service department saying that they found something else that
>>>>>> needed to be done. Apparently they found some debris in the AC
>>>>>> system
>>>>>> that could potentially lead to a clogging of the A/C drain and
>>>>>> recommeded a "evaporator system fush" for $130. Our A/C was working
>>>>>> fine and draining properly prior to the service. She hesitantly
>>>>>> agreed
>>>>>> to have the service performed, not knowing what they were talking
>>>>>> about. I feel like we were taken for a ride. Our car is only a year
>>>>>> old, we don't park outside so we don't have a bunch leaves, etc
>>>>>> falling
>>>>>> on our car to clog up the vents and I personally have never my A/C
>>>>>> drain clog on any car. Can anyone give me a better explanation of why
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> would need an evaporator system flush and is there a way for me to do
>>>>>> this myself? I have a hard time believing that all of a sudden I
>>>>>> need
>>>>>> to spend $130/yr to flush something I've never had a problem with.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> My '95 Prizm (215,000 miles) has never been to the dealer for any
>>>>> service. Why? "As usual, my wife received a midafternoon phone
>>>>> call....." says it all.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sweet, which prism is yours? The 1.6 or 1.8. I have the 95' 1.8 that I
>>>> just bought about 2 months ago at 135K miles. I'm hoping to see another
>>>> 100K out of it before I put it out of it's misery. Actually it runs
>>>> great
>>>> right now and I've babied it since I got it.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I have the 1.8 LSi. It has been an excellent car. In these 10 years it
>>> has only needed an EGR component, a starter, and an A/C expansion valve.
>>> All the rest has been routine maintenance.[/color]
>>
>>
>>Cool, that's what I have myself. As soon as I got it I started getting the
>>maintenance updated on it so I would know exactly where I was on it. I
>>also
>>upgraded it a little bit by getting the windows tinted and having a cruise
>>control installed.
>>[/color]
>
> What cruise control did they install ? I have a 96 1.6 prizm with 138K
> on it now. Runs great, but I am getting some vibrations. Thinking the
> motormounts are going south. I am in a hot climate so they're probably
> dried out. Other than that, still runs like new almost. Have flushed
> every possible fluid in it when I got it. Trans also shifts like new.
> The only thing I miss on it is cruise control. I was thinking to
> install one.[/color]


Can't really tell ya on that one. I just took it to the best vehicle
electric place in town and they installed the only cruise they carry. Seems
to work great, heck I can cruise at 5MPH if I want.

On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:58:24 -0500, "Reasoned Insanity"
<mintclovers@@yahoo.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Can't really tell ya on that one. I just took it to the best vehicle
>electric place in town and they installed the only cruise they carry. Seems
>to work great, heck I can cruise at 5MPH if I want.
>[/color]

Must be the system all the old folks in Florida have....and they drive
at 5mph in the left lane...


--

Scott in Florida