How much do you pay for a tune-up?

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tjaisv

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Oct 7, 2002
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I have a 2001 Ford F-150 4.3L V6 (168K miles) and the local Ford dealership is quoting me $549 for a major tune-up. It includes:
air filter
fuel filter
fuel injection service
decarb service
spark plugs
and a complimentary oil-change

A google search seems to verify that this is what a Ford dealer will charge, ballpark for this make/model/year truck. It just seems kind of high to me but then again this is my first time getting a tune-up so i'm still learning. I'm sure i could get a somewhat lower price elsewhere but i'm not as trustworthy of having it done anywhere other than the dealership.
 
Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
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tjaisv said:
I have a 2001 Ford F-150 4.3L V6 (168K miles) and the local Ford dealership is quoting me $549 for a major tune-up. It includes:
air filter
fuel filter
fuel injection service
decarb service
spark plugs
and a complimentary oil-change
Click to expand...

So what you can buy at wal-mart and do yourself for $50, they want to charge you $549?

99% of the stuff done on my truck and wifes SUV, I do myself. 2 weeks ago I installed 2 new rotors, new brake disk, 2 new calipers, cleaned and repacked the wheel bearings. Total cost was around $225 for the parts and 3 hours of my labor - while a local shop wanted to charge over $500.

A lot of times I'll let someone change the oil in my truck, just so I do not have to deal with disposal. Its not that I can not change the oil, I just dont like to deal with it.

How much do my tune ups cost? Probably no more then $75 - $100, depending on what all I change out.
 
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BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,648
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tjaisv said:
I have a 2001 Ford F-150 4.3L V6 (168K miles) and the local Ford dealership is quoting me $549 for a major tune-up. It includes:
air filter
fuel filter
fuel injection service
decarb service
spark plugs
and a complimentary oil-change

A google search seems to verify that this is what a Ford dealer will charge, ballpark for this make/model/year truck. It just seems kind of high to me but then again this is my first time getting a tune-up so i'm still learning. I'm sure i could get a somewhat lower price elsewhere but i'm not as trustworthy of having it done anywhere other than the dealership.
Click to expand...

OUCH! Bend over...and bring your own K-Y. It doesn't look like that's included in the price...unless they're also throwing in a free lube job. :rolleyes:

MOST of that is easily done with only a few hand tools and a bit of reading. Cost (not including some tools) should be $50-$100 depending on the costs of the filters.
 
T

tjaisv

Banned
Oct 7, 2002
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Well I'm not really a do-it-yourselfer, and i hear changing the spark plugs/wires (or was it coils?) on my truck can be a real hastle.

It just seems like everywhere you go for any kind of professional service, whether it be for a car or your home or yourself, you will be charged a premium.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,648
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IMO, the advantage of having this done at the dealership is that you'll get "factory trained technicians" using factory parts.
Take it to Bob's Auto Service down the street, and while you'll save some $$$ up front, you just don't know what you're gonna get for parts...or quality of service.
HOWEVER, you'll definitely pay more for the parts and labor...by quite a bit.
You might try here:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/find.html
Search their database for qualified and recommended mechanics.

Around here, shop rates range from about $90/hr for the independent auto shops, to as much as $150/hr at the dealerships, depending on the shop.
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
tjaisv said:
Well I'm not really a do-it-yourselfer, and i hear changing the spark plugs/wires (or was it coils?) on my truck can be a real hastle.

It just seems like everywhere you go for any kind of professional service, whether it be for a car or your home or yourself, you will be charged a premium.
Click to expand...
Well, you gotta learn it sometime in your life.
Now you know.
 
M

Mxylplyx

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2007
4,197
101
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What exactly is decarb service on what I assume is a fuel injected vehicle?

Also, I'd bet the fuel injector service is nothing more than a bottle on injector cleaner dumped into your gas tank.
 
G

Gonad the Barbarian

Lifer
Oct 16, 1999
10,490
4
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Mxylplyx said:
What exactly is decarb service on what I assume is a fuel injected vehicle?
Click to expand...

Probably just carb cleaner sprayed in the throttle body.

You're getting bent over for less than $100 in materials and a short afternoon of work. The decarb and fuel injection service are just bill padding. Anyplace will do a cheap oil change. The dealership is the last place I would go for out of pocket work. A tune-up is pretty basic stuff and not a bad thing to know how to do yourself.
 
S

ShawnD1

Lifer
May 24, 2003
15,987
2
81
edro said:
I've heard of neckbeard service, but not decarb service.
Click to expand...

It probably means they take his truck to the race track and open throttle the bitch for an hour. That'll clean yer carbs out w00 doggy!

lol $500.
 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
I only pay for parts. I do the work myself instead of getting ripped off by stealerships.
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
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What do they mean by "fuel injection service"? Most likely I bet they're just dumping something in the gas tank. If they're actually removing the injectors and doing an off car cleaning that will be worth $200+. If they're just dumping some crap in the tank it's real cost is <$5.

As for independent mechanics using crap parts, you just need to find a good independent mechanic and/or bring your own parts. If you show up with quality parts, new in box, and the mechanic refuses to use them it's time to find a new mechanic.
 
Meghan54

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,684
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Mxylplyx said:
What exactly is decarb service on what I assume is a fuel injected vehicle?

Also, I'd bet the fuel injector service is nothing more than a bottle on injector cleaner dumped into your gas tank.
Click to expand...

What's being referred to has nothing to do with carburetors or fuel injection......

It does refer to decarbonizing the cylinders. Very common to have to do yearly on outboards, done to cars/trucks less commonly. (Just did my 70hp outboard yesterday with this: )
http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-spray.html

Removes the carbon buildup on pistons, rings, etc. and frees the rings up.

The dealer will have a fancy adapted tool that'll interface with one of the access ports on your fuel rails to introduce the decarb product. (Same way most places will introduce the injector cleaner.....not in the gas tank. Damn, I thought some of y'all were semi-versed on auto repair and techniques. Guess that assumption was incorrect.)

For us mere mortals, SeaFoam introduced via a major vacuum line accomplishes the same exact thing.

One warning, though....you may need new spark plugs installed afterward (I'd do it in any event----needed or not) and do it ONLY in a WELL VENTILATED area. The exhaust your engine will produce during the decarb procedure will resemble the thickest fog you've ever encountered....
 
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RockinZ28

RockinZ28

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2008
2,171
49
101
Yea learn how to do routine shit yourself. I bought a Trans Am last year and took it to a local mechanic. Let them change the oil for $25 and that gave them the incentive to look over the whole car for free to see what needed maintenance/replacement.

Total for all their recommended work was $700+. Took their list and did it all myself for a fraction of the cost, and I'd never done any of it myself before. Changed fuel filter, differential fluid and gasket, tranny fluid, clutch fluid, spark plugs/wires, engine coolant and clean k&n air filter.

They wanted $300 to change out the broken stock transmission mount. I did it in 20 minutes with a cost of $25 for a poly mount.

You feel awesome afterward too. Spending a few hours of my time and learning was definitely worth $500+.
 
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T

tjaisv

Banned
Oct 7, 2002
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I called a shop down the street and they said they would do the same stuff (without the oil-change) for $380 total.

I was thinking of doing what somebody in this thread recommended and buying the parts (factory-made) and having the mechanic shop install them for labor cost.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,648
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146
tjaisv said:
I called a shop down the street and they said they would do the same stuff (without the oil-change) for $380 total.

I was thinking of doing what somebody in this thread recommended and buying the parts (factory-made) and having the mechanic shop install them for labor cost.
Click to expand...

Most places won't let you bring your own parts. They make quite a bit of money on parts mark-up. (usually about 35&#37;)

People like the OP is why places like Geek Squad exist. Folks don't know squat about computers and over pay to have things done for them...
 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
BoomerD said:
Most places won't let you bring your own parts. They make quite a bit of money on parts mark-up. (usually about 35%)

People like the OP is why places like Geek Squad exist. Folks don't know squat about computers and over pay to have things done for them...
Click to expand...

And in the case of the geek squad, it isn't done right half the time either.
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
BoomerD said:
Most places won't let you bring your own parts. They make quite a bit of money on parts mark-up. (usually about 35%)

People like the OP is why places like Geek Squad exist. Folks don't know squat about computers and over pay to have things done for them...
Click to expand...

Every independent mechanic I've ever dealt with will let you bring your own stuff. Usually they said they wouldn't guarantee a part if they didn't purchase it but I've never had them refuse to put it on.
 
B

bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
Damn thats a ripoff. Especially this:

decarb service
Click to expand...

Thats a can of seafoam no?

Find a smaller guy if you aren't gonna do it yourself. I bet you can get er done for half that price.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
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I am a do-it-yourselfer... for nearly everything.
To get a tune-up on our 2004 Dodge Caravan it is roughly $500-$600.
The killer is the spark plugs. Specifically the back 3 (this is a sideways mount engine). To get to them is nearly impossible and the dealerships/garages know this.
 
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