Tune Up Price Quote?

[illstylez]

Okay so I took my car in after hearing a strange noise sounding like it was coming from one of the belts early in the morning. Of course once we dropped it off the noise had stopped.

This place is usually pretty good, but they did and inspection and said I needed to get a tune up (amongst other things ) the price he quoted was $290 P&L ( Plugs and wires )I was like okay why do I need to pay you 290 for a Tune up?! He said becuz the plugs in the back are diff. to access. But im wondering if i can just do it myself or search for a cheaper place. That seems a bit steep.

I have seen people on here who have replaced thier own. What do you guys suggest. Not much of a grease monkey but not afraid to get dirty IF i can save some dough.

Toyotal Solara SE V6

[LatinDragonXJC]

Yeah they all say that about the back plugs. Some on here have changed their own plugs. I personally didn't have the extra tools or time to do it myself.

for $300, I got the plugs, wires, belts, and water pump done.

[Chinky420]

if you have an hour and a six pack of cheap domestic beer, then it's definitely do-able (well, that is if you have used a socket wrench in a tight place before).

you're going to need to use the search function here to find the spark plug DIY. a complete write up was done on it before.

but basically, it's as follows:

three on front, under those black square clips that are screwed on to the top of the block. three on the back. two can be accessed from the driver side, and the last one is gotten from the passenger side.

because of the tight squeeze between the firewall and the engine, the best way to get at them is a 3" socket wrench extension + 6" wrench extension (you'd need the 6" anyway for the front bank of plugs). the reason you need two extensions is because the 6" by itself will not angle it's way into the rear spark plug holes. you need to drop the smaller one in first, and then lock it down (while it's inside the hole).

oh yeah, and there are only three plug wires to deal with. so don't worry when you open your box of plug wires and only see 3.

oh yeah, it helps if you have smaller hands. otherwise be prepared to curse and cut your hands as your maneuver through the rear side of your engine bay.


and despite all that, it really isn't as bad as it sounds. i say an hour, if it's your first time. right now, if i had to do it, i could get it done in about 30 minutes, maybe less. it's all about knowing what you're doing, and then not getting frustrated with the cramped working conditions.

oh, and as a tip on getting the rear plugs out of the engine (after unscrewing), i put a bit of electrical tape on the inside of the socket wrench bolt, so the socket would snugly go around the spark plug. this allowed me to pull out the socket with the plug on it, easy cheesey.

GL.....290 just seems like too much to pay for an hourlong job. my plugs cost me like, 50 dollars, and the wires cost me another 50ish. so that means i came out 190 cheaper, but also was able to put the parts i wanted into my car (rather than allowing someone else to put whatever they want to use in the car).

[LatinDragonXJC]

Here's the thread on how to do it. The pictures have died since.


http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

[dan99solara]

dude they are not that hard to change. please do not pay 300 to change your plugs unless you have money to throw around.

[illstylez]

thanks guys thats what i thought!! im gonna go for it.

Chinky420 I agree I like doing my own thing cuz I know whats in there versus the alternative.

Let you guys know how it goes. Will prolle do it next weekend.

[krook]

i would STRONGLY suggest getting a Haynes manual for removal of the intake plenum. the plugs are cake once you get to them, but removal/reinstallation can be tricky if you've never done that sort of thing before.

[dan99solara]

you dont have to take off the intake plenum to get to the plugs. sure it will be easier to get to them but its more work in the long run i think. i didnt have to take it off.

[aleki2424]

more here. not hard at all. i was able to get plugs for 50 dollars and rent a socket adapter for free from autozone , and the wires, even magnecore do not go past $100 either so do the math.
You only need to reach a little tighter in the back, but it was well worth the effort for me.
Good luck

[illstylez]

WHEW!! Got it done guys thanks for all the advice. I had the hardest time with the one closest to the passenger side. So a few arm and hand scratches later I finally got it out. I wish I had thought about that 3" extension while I was trying to use just the 6". Anyhoo. The rest was a peice of cake. Replaed the wires too.

290 was waay too much for a job like this. Now that I know what to do will never pay that kinda dough man. INSANE.

On another note. I gave in an bought a box for my subs man! See my last post at:

http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

Cuz the subs just kept cutting and the amp overheating and I couldnt get to the bottom of it to save my life. Ill post pics of the box l8ter. Lot more BOOOM and no problems as of yet. Keepin my fingers crossed. NO MORE MODS UNTIL NEXT SUMMER!!!! Peace out!

[dan99solara]

sweet! glad to hear you did it yourself and saved that money!