Car shop Tuneup

[lupi]

If I were to take my vehicle into the shop for a tuneup, what would be the normal things done? Is it just changing out the plugs?

 

[Vette73]

Depends on how good the shop is.

Bad ones just change the plugs and tell you that your car needs $XXX service done as well.


A good one, and what I did when i had my shop, was CHECK the plugs, fuel filter, air filter, etc... and replace as needed. Many try to change things to early or way to late. Some want to change plugs that are good for 60-100k at 30k as thats how it has always been. My dad on the other hand kept driving his GMC truck well past 125k with the factory plugs, wires, etc... the whole time spark knocking as it went.


What i always asked when someone asked for a tuneup is why? Is the car running bad, doing something you think this will fix, etc...

So why do you think you need a tune up. Also first rule, what is your year, make, model, milage, engine, etc...

 

[lupi]

01 tundra 100k v8. Man problem is that the idle speed is a bit fubar every since I had a battery go out. It happens occasionally when air temperature is cold, but mostly on warm days where she will stall out at a light/stop sign or even when I'm coasting down the street at low speed about to pull up to the house.

 

[LTC8K6]

Coolant temp sensor?

Idle Air Control valve?

 

[Vette73]

I would remove the negative cable again to reset the computer. Could just be a bad learn, all be it not common.

Also spray soem carb cleaner into the throttle body and clean it out well. if you are handy remove the idle air valve and clean it as well. I have seen them get gunked up and cause your issue.

Now if you have 100k remove 2 plugs that are not beside each other and see if they need changing. They may still be good but will not know until you look.

 

[bruceb]

A good tuneup should include: Fuel Filter, clean (K&N type) or replace paper Air Filter, clean the Throttle Body (spray and rags), maybe run Fuel Injector cleaner, Spark Plugs on most cars can do 100K miles as will the wires. But I don't agree with just checking the plugs. You already have them OUT .. so what is a few extra bucks to put in New Ones and be sure they are good (after all, the labor is already done and paid) , also a good check of hoses and belts for signs of excess wear or almost ready to fail. A scanner should be connected to the OBD or CAN connector just to see if any codes are pending or stored, especially if the car is running bad or the Check Engine light as come on.

 

[Vette73]

^

Some cars/trucks plugs are very hard to get to. So removing 2 plugs not near each other that are easy to get to will show you how the car has been perfoming and the condition of the plugs.

There is not a good reason to replace something "cause its out....". I call that the jiffy lube theory. Well since you are here lets replace the... we are all setup and have the parts/fluids.

 

[lupi]

After it happened and I had a new battery in (cable ends got corroded and didn't transfer power well causing the first to die early) my mechanic friend told me to pull the cable again to reset the computer. Did that with no help in the situation.

Some of the things on this are a pain to get to (oil filter/o2 sensor), but the plugs are right up top in plain view.


I try not to use him too much for doing actual work in the event some big oh crap moment comes up and I need the big labor discount.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
There is not a good reason to replace something "cause its out....". I call that the jiffy lube theory. Well since you are here lets replace the... we are all setup and have the parts/fluids.

Sometimes it does make sense. Like often its worth replacing the water pump when you're doing a timing belt. The part is cheap enough and the labor to get to it is pricey enough that its worthwhile to do it.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
^

Some cars/trucks plugs are very hard to get to. So removing 2 plugs not near each other that are easy to get to will show you how the car has been perfoming and the condition of the plugs.

There is not a good reason to replace something "cause its out....". I call that the jiffy lube theory. Well since you are here lets replace the... we are all setup and have the parts/fluids.

Depends on what you're working on. If I've got the engine out of my MR2, I'm likely going to be replacing certain coolant hoses anyway!

 

[T2urtle]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
There is not a good reason to replace something "cause its out....". I call that the jiffy lube theory. Well since you are here lets replace the... we are all setup and have the parts/fluids.

Sometimes it does make sense. Like often its worth replacing the water pump when you're doing a timing belt. The part is cheap enough and the labor to get to it is pricey enough that its worthwhile to do it.

doing a timing belt and not doing a water pump is rather dumb in almost any case unless its new then i would still think about it.

same with a clutch and a throw out bearing.