Suggestion or explanation as to why I am quoted $600-700. for a tune up on this car. Even Pep boys quotes $500 to just change the plugs.
When and how do I know when it is needed?
1991 infiniti Q45 tune up??
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
You are forgetting that real time and billed time are different!A master tech better do 12 billable hours in 8 real hours or he's looking for a job. Shops not billing $150 per hour [parts and labor] don't stay in business long.
Getting paid 2.5 hours to replace $100 worth of parts is a loser.
3.5 hours would be acceptable.....say $350 for a plug change including cleaning out the plug wells, spraying/wiping down the coil boots, examining each connector for corrosion, looking at each plug and making notes about their condition by cylinder number..........not just tossing the old plugs.
When you get plugs changed always a good idea to get accurate compression tests done [beginning at 120k....that way you have base lines for future comparison].........takes another hour to do this correctly..........make sure the technican has a digital peak hold gauge......the mechanical ones go out of calibration with age.
No use doing tests unless they are accurate and repeatable!
Check the ignition timing to observe and record chain stretch and correct the 1-2 degrees error that creeps in.
The most important part of a "tune up" is cleaning the TB, plenum, egr, IAC, PCV!
Getting paid 2.5 hours to replace $100 worth of parts is a loser.
3.5 hours would be acceptable.....say $350 for a plug change including cleaning out the plug wells, spraying/wiping down the coil boots, examining each connector for corrosion, looking at each plug and making notes about their condition by cylinder number..........not just tossing the old plugs.
When you get plugs changed always a good idea to get accurate compression tests done [beginning at 120k....that way you have base lines for future comparison].........takes another hour to do this correctly..........make sure the technican has a digital peak hold gauge......the mechanical ones go out of calibration with age.
No use doing tests unless they are accurate and repeatable!
Check the ignition timing to observe and record chain stretch and correct the 1-2 degrees error that creeps in.
The most important part of a "tune up" is cleaning the TB, plenum, egr, IAC, PCV!