DIY Tune-up Help

[jackboot]

Hi car pros

I just went with my friend to have her car looked over by a mechanic for a long list of problems that need to be addressed.

One of the items on the list is:

Tune Up (Spark Plugs, Distributor Cap and Rotor, Spark Plug Wires) - $416 (1990 Toyota Corolla)

How difficult would this be to do myself (sounds pretty easy)?

Roughly how much money should those parts cost (they seem like they might be relatively cheap?)

Thanks in advance!!!

[mau108]

very easy id either check your local library for repair book or buy one from CT.

[stevethewheel]

Whoops double post instead of edt. See below

[stevethewheel]

Parts would cost $200 or less including taxes.

It's a pretty easy job to replace all those parts but if you haven't done spark plugs before you should buy one of the $19.99 Corolla manuals from CanTire.

You will also need a 'gapping tool' to set the spark plug gap properly to the gap distance specified in the book. The tool costs under $5.

You might need a special socket for the spark plugs because you need a deep one and you don't want to break off the ceramic part of the plug. If so you can by a combo ratchet that has a knuckle built into it (also handy) with 2 size spark plug sockets as a kit from CT for about $20.

Also make sure you get a small tube or packet of silicone compound to put on both the spark plug terminals and the distributor cap terminals before you put the wires on. If you ask when you buy the parts they will probably throw one in for free, if not a tiny tube costs like $3. The stuff looks like vaseline and a little dab will help ignition in damp weather.

[jackboot]

Thanks so much for the info guys

Looks like I'll tackle this small project myself:)

[Whitedart]

I just went with my friend to have her car looked over by a mechanic for a long list of problems that need to be addressed.

One of the items on the list is:
Tune Up (Spark Plugs, Distributor Cap and Rotor, Spark Plug Wires) - $416 (1990 Toyota Corolla)

How difficult would this be to do myself (sounds pretty easy)?

Roughly how much money should those parts cost (they seem like they might be relatively cheap?)


If you have any mechanical skills, these parts are not difficult to change. The most difficult would be the spark plugs, as some cars have very tight access to the plugs, so they can be difficult to remove, and need to carefully threaded back in. Wires snap into place on the spark plugs, and othe end on the distributor cap. The cap will have 2 snaps or 2 screws holding it in place, The rotor may also snap on, or be held in place with 2 screws.

Cost should be well under $100 at Can Tire for that group of parts.

If you are not able to do the work yourself, get another price quote from another mechanic shop. Someone I know with no mechanical skills just had his Caddy Deville tuned up with similar items, and the cost was under $400 for an 8 cylinder motor.

If you plan to do it yourself, do some reading about removing the plugs, gap setting, and installing new plugs. And have the proper tools handy (correct size spark plug socket, ratchet, extensions), it will be much easier.

[D-3vil]

don't forget to also change the PCV valve, I didn't see it listed in your description. The part should be around $10 - $15.

[162]

The list of parts you supplied you shouldn't be paying more than $60

[stevethewheel]

The list of parts you supplied you shouldn't be paying more than $60


Make sure you go to Toyota to buy your wires. Maybe get the distributor cap there too. The "Genuine" wires will work great. There are some good aftermarket sets, but there are a lot of crappy aftermarket sets and you can't always tell by the price.

[bob0]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=processModel&Parameters=005

here is a link for a repair manual for your 90 corolla.

under -->General Information & Maintenance--> Routine Maintenance And Tune-up

u'll find step-by-step info on changing the sparkplug and sp wires.... it's very easy on this car IMO....i've done it in about 15mins...compared with my v6 grand am which took a couple hours just cuz of the location of the plugs

under --> engine electrical

u'll find the instructions for the distributor....never done this before but it looks ok...shouldnt be too hard


$150-200 is my estimation for the cost of the parts...not including tools...hopefully you can borrow someones

[cwb27]

Typical tune ups replace
-Air Filter
-Fuel Filter
-Spark Plug wires
-Replace or clean the spark plugs (usually depends if the copper or platinum)
-Distributer cap (if one exists)
-PCV
-Cabin air filter (Depends on the vehicle/maintenance schedule)

[162]

Make sure you go to Toyota to buy your wires. Maybe get the distributor cap there too. The "Genuine" wires will work great. There are some good aftermarket sets, but there are a lot of crappy aftermarket sets and you can't always tell by the price.

I don't think that's good advice for a 1990 Corolla.

[stevethewheel]

I don't think that's good advice for a 1990 Corolla.

The price difference is not much at all. The quality difference can be huge. I'm saying the Toyota wires are 100% going to work, if you buy another brand when you don't have experience you might pick the wrong one and get crappy wires. For a few bucks it is not worth the chance. I'm speaking from experience.

[jackboot]

A late THANK YOU to all that contributed here.

I did the tuneup myself and I couldn't believe how easy it was. Took half an hour. Parts were about $100. The shop wanted $416 for the same thing!

[sshe11]

A late THANK YOU to all that contributed here.

I did the tuneup myself and I couldn't believe how easy it was. Took half an hour. Parts were about $100. The shop wanted $416 for the same thing!

congrats !! :) now go out and help your friends who are in a similar situation

[jackboot]

congrats !! :) now go out and help your friends who are in a similar situation

Actually the tuneup *was* for a friend's car:cheesygri

[Azxster]

NGK Wires - $75
NGK Spark Plugs (Platinum) - $35
Distributor Cap/Rotor = $60-70


Sooo how is this <$60? Oh I know... are you using Bosch? :lol:

[plymouthhater]

I actually did the same tune up on my 1990 Corolla a couple of months ago:

My mechanic suggested it was a relatively easy DIY job.
He also suggested that I go with a Toyota OEM replacement distributor cap as generic replacements were not as durable. (considering the original cap and wires lasted 16 yrs - I'd say they were reliable).

Toyota parts department sells the plug wire and distributor cap as a set - i.e. they are one piece. $125 + taxes.

Bosh Platinum plugs were $5 ea at Crappy Tire.

Toyota OEM rotor was $7 (or so).

It took me all of 20 minutes to do the tune up.