A disturbing find while changing my spark plugs.....
02-07-2002, 08:26 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
A disturbing find while changing my spark plugs.....
Our Maxima has 128K miles, and it was 8K overdue for a tune up. I don't trust dealerships when it comes to this, so I like to do it myself, even though its a pain on two of the back cylinders.
While changing the plugs I noted that the front 3 appeared to have been there since the 60K service. Then when I pulled the back 3. I found, to my disgust, that whoever had done the 60K service neglected to change the back plugs. While operable, they looked terrible. The ground and center electrodes were very worn down!
I wish I knew which dealership did the service so that, even though its been a few years, I could chew their butts! Just an affirmation that I will continue to do certain services myself. The previous owner, a lady, was obviously misled.
The new plugs were worn down so much, even the fronts, the gap was a bit smaller on the new plugs, but within specs. They are supposed to be gapped from the factory, but I like to check. The gap guages aren't very accurate though.
On a brighter note, the Max is now running noticably better.
While changing the plugs I noted that the front 3 appeared to have been there since the 60K service. Then when I pulled the back 3. I found, to my disgust, that whoever had done the 60K service neglected to change the back plugs. While operable, they looked terrible. The ground and center electrodes were very worn down!
I wish I knew which dealership did the service so that, even though its been a few years, I could chew their butts! Just an affirmation that I will continue to do certain services myself. The previous owner, a lady, was obviously misled.
The new plugs were worn down so much, even the fronts, the gap was a bit smaller on the new plugs, but within specs. They are supposed to be gapped from the factory, but I like to check. The gap guages aren't very accurate though.
On a brighter note, the Max is now running noticably better.
02-07-2002, 08:44 PM
#2
I've never checked my plugs, I've had the car 31K miles (just rolled over 120K yesterday). I wonder what mine look like, after running at LEAST 30K with a bad 02 sensor (open loop mode). Yikes...I need to do that some time.
BTW, anyone notice the 2 quickest stock 4th gens were both over 110K when they ran their times???
BTW, anyone notice the 2 quickest stock 4th gens were both over 110K when they ran their times???
02-07-2002, 08:46 PM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,985
Re: A disturbing find while changing my spark plugs.....
Originally posted by VeeTec
Our Maxima has 128K miles, and it was 8K overdue for a tune up. I don't trust dealerships when it comes to this, so I like to do it myself, even though its a pain on two of the back cylinders.
While changing the plugs I noted that the front 3 appeared to have been there since the 60K service. Then when I pulled the back 3. I found, to my disgust, that whoever had done the 60K service neglected to change the back plugs. While operable, they looked terrible. The ground and center electrodes were very worn down!
I wish I knew which dealership did the service so that, even though its been a few years, I could chew their butts! Just an affirmation that I will continue to do certain services myself. The previous owner, a lady, was obviously misled.
The new plugs were worn down so much, even the fronts, the gap was a bit smaller on the new plugs, but within specs. They are supposed to be gapped from the factory, but I like to check. The gap guages aren't very accurate though.
On as brighter note, the Max is now running noticably better.
Our Maxima has 128K miles, and it was 8K overdue for a tune up. I don't trust dealerships when it comes to this, so I like to do it myself, even though its a pain on two of the back cylinders.
While changing the plugs I noted that the front 3 appeared to have been there since the 60K service. Then when I pulled the back 3. I found, to my disgust, that whoever had done the 60K service neglected to change the back plugs. While operable, they looked terrible. The ground and center electrodes were very worn down!
I wish I knew which dealership did the service so that, even though its been a few years, I could chew their butts! Just an affirmation that I will continue to do certain services myself. The previous owner, a lady, was obviously misled.
The new plugs were worn down so much, even the fronts, the gap was a bit smaller on the new plugs, but within specs. They are supposed to be gapped from the factory, but I like to check. The gap guages aren't very accurate though.
On as brighter note, the Max is now running noticably better.
Charge top dollar and don't even do the work.
I think this is alot more commom than people would like to think.
My mom has an altima and paid almost $400 for a "complete" tuneup. Seems like they changed the plugs and tranny and engine oil and air filter. Who knows if they actually changed the plugs.
02-07-2002, 10:07 PM
#5
Originally posted by d_98SE
Damn Veetec sorry about that and to think you were running 14.4's with those plug's.
.I must say that i expect nothing but 14.2's from you next time.
Damn Veetec sorry about that and to think you were running 14.4's with those plug's.
.I must say that i expect nothing but 14.2's from you next time.
Gone Fishin'--for compliments haha
02-07-2002, 10:14 PM
#6
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Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,756
Originally posted by Nealoc187
Hey fockers I ran 14.4s on my bad plugs too hehe.
Gone Fishin'--for compliments haha
Hey fockers I ran 14.4s on my bad plugs too hehe.
Gone Fishin'--for compliments haha
.
02-08-2002, 02:01 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,100
I paid $260 for these toothless hillbillies to do a full tune up on my Max when I first got it. It was idling rough and I wanted to take care of that. I dropped it off for plugs, wires, cap, rotor, the whole nine. Then, it started running horribly and I couldn't figure it out. Long story short I figure out a few months later that they didn't have the plugs gapped right and one of them was even in several pieces. Then, I get to lookin and realize that they didn't even change anything! Needless to say I now do all my own tune-ups!
I went back there to get my money back and they called the cops
. I'm researching now how to make small untraceable explosive devices!!! (j/k)
I went back there to get my money back and they called the cops
. I'm researching now how to make small untraceable explosive devices!!! (j/k)
02-08-2002, 04:52 AM
#9
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Originally posted by nismo1989
I paid $260 for these toothless hillbillies to do a full tune up on my Max when I first got it. It was idling rough and I wanted to take care of that. I dropped it off for plugs, wires, cap, rotor, the whole nine. Then, it started running horribly and I couldn't figure it out. Long story short I figure out a few months later that they didn't have the plugs gapped right and one of them was even in several pieces. Then, I get to lookin and realize that they didn't even change anything! Needless to say I now do all my own tune-ups!
I went back there to get my money back and they called the cops . I'm researching now how to make small untraceable explosive devices!!! (j/k)
I paid $260 for these toothless hillbillies to do a full tune up on my Max when I first got it. It was idling rough and I wanted to take care of that. I dropped it off for plugs, wires, cap, rotor, the whole nine. Then, it started running horribly and I couldn't figure it out. Long story short I figure out a few months later that they didn't have the plugs gapped right and one of them was even in several pieces. Then, I get to lookin and realize that they didn't even change anything! Needless to say I now do all my own tune-ups!
I went back there to get my money back and they called the cops
. I'm researching now how to make small untraceable explosive devices!!! (j/k)
A friend of ours, with a Toyota Camry, to her car to the dealship for a service, and asked for them to rotate the tires. She marked the tires so that she would know it had been done...hehehehe. Well, she got the car back and they hadn't been rotated. the shop manager tried to swear they had been done, until she showed him wear she marked the tires. She told him that they weren't going to fool this woman....bwhahahahahaa...idiots! That was hilarious!
02-08-2002, 07:32 AM
#11
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,100
Originally posted by deezo
I guess when it comes to plugs everyone should do them to make sure this doesn't happen. Changing the plugs aren't to bad of a job though.
I guess when it comes to plugs everyone should do them to make sure this doesn't happen. Changing the plugs aren't to bad of a job though.
02-08-2002, 10:20 AM
#12
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Location: Pineville (burb of Charlotte), NC
Posts: 574
Re: Re: A disturbing find while changing my spark plugs.....
Originally posted by theMax
F*cken dealers!
Charge top dollar and don't even do the work.
I think this is alot more commom than people would like to think.
F*cken dealers!
Charge top dollar and don't even do the work.
I think this is alot more commom than people would like to think.
02-08-2002, 10:33 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,985
Re: Re: Re: A disturbing find while changing my spark plugs.....
Originally posted by dvpatel99se
How do you make sure that those hillbillies do the job??? I dunno how to change the plugs. But now makes me think that I need to learn atleast how to make sure that they change 'em. BTW I only have 31K miles on my 99 so I have about 2 more years till I need new plugs though. Will taking it to a non-dealer service station help?
How do you make sure that those hillbillies do the job??? I dunno how to change the plugs. But now makes me think that I need to learn atleast how to make sure that they change 'em. BTW I only have 31K miles on my 99 so I have about 2 more years till I need new plugs though. Will taking it to a non-dealer service station help?
I always ask to have the old plugs (or parts) returned to me.
02-08-2002, 12:23 PM
#15
Originally posted by theblue
hmm... I got my car with 66K and I now have 92K. I have never check my plugs... I guess I should do that sometime.
hmm... I got my car with 66K and I now have 92K. I have never check my plugs... I guess I should do that sometime.
02-08-2002, 12:44 PM
#17
Originally posted by Nealoc187
Yet another quick maxima on old *** plugs. Coincidence? Hmmm...
Yet another quick maxima on old *** plugs. Coincidence? Hmmm...
02-08-2002, 01:13 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,530
Re: Re: Re: Re: A disturbing find while changing my spark plugs.....
Originally posted by theMax
you can ask to watch!
I always ask to have the old plugs (or parts) returned to me.
you can ask to watch!
I always ask to have the old plugs (or parts) returned to me.
SuDZ
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