should i just get it from the dealer or have a local repair shop do it? if i got a hanyes manual, is it hard to do it myself? I only got typical tools such as ratchet wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers. What things involve in a tune-up? I kno these are newbie questions but please bare with me. Thanks~! and i got 153k on my car, if that matters.

 

If you are willing, by all means do it youself!

Things I would do for a tune-up (hopefully, I don't forget anything)
Inspect/replace spark plugs if worn.
Check/top-off all fluid levels if low.
Inspect/replace air filter if dirty.
Inspect/clean Throttle body (info should be found in FAQ about this)
Replace fuel filter if it's old. (haynes manual and owners manual should list filter replacement intervals)
Inspect/Clean battery teminals if dirty. (you should be able to get a battery terminal cleaning tool at any auto parts store... they're cheap)

Your Haynes manual should be an excellent resource for you as well. It should list what things to do for a tune-up and how to do them.

Good luck.

D

 

thanx buddy...it doesn't sound that hard...i think i'll do it myself.

 

Dealership-700 bucks and up
Do it yourself- much less

done by yourself, priceless

dont do anything w/the dealership; such rip offs

 

http://web.archive.org/web/200111091...k_service.html

 

well i was thinking dealership cuz they got genuine parts and 100% guarantee that they know wat they're doing.

Local repair shop cuz i kno dealership is expensive but they mite miss something or not know what they're doing.

myself, i kno it's the cheapest but i didn't kno how hard it was, or if i mess up then that's very bad on my part. Many risks i'll be taking if i did it myself, basically, i don't trust myself.

 

nice link, but it looks kinda hard now looking at the instructions. I think i'm gonna have a friend to walk me through.

 

How about checking the ignition timing with a timing light. I realize that the VQ30DE's ignition timing is not adjustable but at least you'll know when its not within specs which can point to faulty driveability or emissions components (a service manual is an invaluable tool to guide you). This is probably a good way to avoid ghost codes from the ECU as well.

I have to do this to mine too since I've done everything else but this.

 

Do it yourself but use dealer parts or better, stay away from cheap air and oil filters especially as they will ruin your engine, nissan parts are good quality, probably better out there but I have never researched it that far. There is a good study somewher on filters and oil, heres one opinion on why to use factory on another site http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/515

 

the hayanse or however you spell it manual sucks going with one f the other ones........

 

u kno wat...instead of a "tune-up", I actually need everything in my car checked. Ever since I've gotten my car (2000), it had 90k miles on it and now I have 153k and have never ever had a maintenence check. I only had major repairs done to it when something was obviously wrong and needed immediate fixing. But other than that, I dunno if things are worn out in my car or things need replacing so the car can run at it's full potential. For all I kno, I mite be driving the car that has problems but wouldn't know because it's been there for 60k miles. So knowing that, dealer the best place to take the car?

 

Click the how to link in my sig. Then go to 60k service. Those should help you.

 

For me I liked the job the dealer did. In my spare time I like home improvement and lawn and garden, so if I work on the car I can't work on home stuff. I don't like the so called "inspect" types of service by the dealer, but the 60k is a big service including plugs. Plugs alone are at least $60 I believe, and I paid $320 I think for the service. I have no clue where that other dude said $700. That included fuel filter (I don't like dealing with fuel or fuel lines), plugs, air filter (took out K&N before they did it), new gear oil, new coolant, pcv valve, so on. That could take all day so I'd rather pay the $320 less parts is what they're really charging for labor. Only thing is I had a 20% off coupon which I haven't seen in a long time. Stuff like brakes where it's easy and straightforward, yeah, I'll do it myself. But all these items in a 60k service I'll pay and then I'll get to use my power tools on stuff around the house.

If you can locate a coupon from the dealer, you will reduce the rip-off factor to something that is tolerable. Good luck!

 

where'd u find your coupon? Newspaper?

 

Do it yourself:
- Oil change http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/511
- Plugs (NGK copper or plats) http://www.vqpower.com/v2/modules.ph...howpage&pid=33 (All you're doing is disconnecting & removing the coil packs, then removing & installing the plugs, then putting the coil packs back. The directions are long since they're very detailed )
- PCV valve and fuel filter http://web.archive.org/web/200111091...k_service.html
- Clean TB (since you're removing everything for the fuel filter) http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/517
- Coolant (don't bother with the 2 plugs) http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/502

If you want Nissan parts, buy it online with the 25% off discount. The plugs took me an hour and the PCV valve took me 2 minutes. Oil change takes like 15-20 minutes since you have to let it drain. Haven't changed the coolant yet.

Pep Boys had a 50 piece (or something like that) socket set on sale for $10 that came with the socket wrench and the spark plug socket. I bought the socket extensions (10" and 6") from AutoZone. I also have a 14mm wrench for the oil plug.

Total cost for tools will be around $25-$30. Parts will depend on which plugs you buy. It's easy to do and you'll feel better after you do it yourself

 

Maintenance is the key to longivity...... try it yourself, if you mess something up you can always get the dealership to fix it for ya! ;-)

We had a tune-up at the dealership and it was around the $350 mark, but totally worth it....especially having the TB cleaned. After that the totally shameful stalls at red lights ceased....