The 2004 LS430 with 276,000 miles recently had the starter die. After having it towed to the dealer, I had them replace the starter. They recommended several other things. I approved for them to replace the Heater Control Valve which was leaking and flush the cooling system. They also recommended: A. Replacing the brake fluid. I don't know when the last time it was done, B. Replace power steering fluid, C. Complete a fuel induction service, which I have never done because it sound like a hustle, but now I am starting to wonder, D. AC evaporator service - the AC runs fine, and E. Replace the transmission fluid - they said it looked dark.

Anyone care to share thoughts / insight / advice on the recommended services? I plan on keeping this car as long as possible and have always maintained it (e.g., replacing timing belt every 90,000, etc.)

 

I think power steering is a good idea if never done. carcarenut video showed the plastic reservoir encrusted filter that killed a power steering rack. Not sure fluid will clean that out, or do that separately. I did mine first time ever about 2 years ago. Brake fluid is specified in manual I believe every 3 years and is excellent preventive maintenance! Recommend every 3-4 years.
My car has 160k miles and I've never touched fuel system as a general cleaning. Or cleaned throttle body. Did have a new cat (singular) about 6 years ago, and I use top-tier gas 99% of time. You are more likely to need to fix sensors (o2, maf etc.) if they go bad.

2004 LS has sealed trans... how did they check? There are whole separate threads on that. No answer with a car that old. I've never serviced A/C and not really sure what you can do. My parents' ls400 had their A/C go after 15 years./175k miles, but mine seems fine on my 19 year old car.

 

Yes, replace the brake fluid if you don't know the last time it was done. Yes replace the sterring fluid. Pass on fuel injection service, if you want you can dump a can a Sea Foam into your next fuel fillup. If the AC works fine, then great. The evaporator service is more than likely a chemical cleaning to hopefully clean out gunk from evaporator fins, etc. If you park outside, under trees, etc. then inquire about it a little more. Yes, they can check the fluid and so can you, it's just not 1 minute process on your year model. The fluid is likely two decades old. Some people will say you have two many miles at this point and you could end up fixing something that isn't broken. My take on it is if they are going to drain, filter services, and refill then yes I'd do it.

 

Thanks folks! Before I drive the car back to GA and then on to NC, I will at a minimum replace the brake and steering fluid (after I check previous repair bills to make sure there is no duplication).

 

try to look through the car's service history and see if the transmission fluid was replaced before. if not, (i.e. if the trans fluid has never been changed) you are probably better off not messing with it. there is a lot of clutch material suspended in the fluid and changing the trans fluid at that mileage would probably lead to more problems