A complete, effective tune-up?

[J30Guy612]

Hey everyone, I was wondering what you guys do for a complete, effective tune-up?

Obviously:

Spark Plugs (NGK Platinum right?)Air Filter (OEM)Fuel Filter (OEM)

What else?

I'm looking to spend around $200 or so, and change things which are actually EFFECTIVE in making the car perform better.

I know there a ton of fuel additives, etc. but I've never actually purchased one and noticed any difference at all in how the car was running...

Just looking for tips to make her perform better, without spending $200+

Thanks!

[driverdriver]

Right on for sparkplugs and fuel filter-stick to OEM!!

As for air filter, personla preference is K&N, but one that isn't well oiled. The K&N oil can get on the MAF and screw things up till its cleaned off.

If you haven't already, get your transmission and coolant replaced also.

A lot of those additives that you add to either your fuel tank or crankcase don't work. Stick to synthetic oil and premium gasoline.

[J30Guy612]

I have 140K miles on my J30, and I've always used Mobil mineral oil, and a Bosch filter. Change every 2500 miles.

Would you reccomend changing at this point and time, after running mineral oil for 14 years religously to synthetic?

Just ordered the gasket and filter so I can change the transmission fluid, what type do you use driverdriver?

And any old coolant is fine, correct? I'll do a complete flush at the shop, and just the standard coolant if there isn't anyone that is better.

Thanks!
Modified by J30Guy612 at 3:14 PM 12/18/2006

[DominickJ30]

As far as tune up goes, I would do the following:

New spark plugsdielectirc grease the bootschange fuel filterchange air filterchange trans oilclean throttle bodiesperforme an intake system cleaning (via bg intake cleaner)change differential oilgrease throttle cable and springs

change oil after engine cleaning to mobil 1 5w30 with mobil filter

As far as switching from dyno oil to synthetic you can do it as often as you like. You can switch back and forth, mix any quantities and you will not have a problem as long as its the same weight (5w30) etc.

[J30Guy612]

Thanks alot Dominick,

Any reccomendation on trans fluid?

How do you usually go about cleaning the intake system? Is this something you just spray in while running?

Thanks a ton for the info!

[DominickJ30]

Trans oil, I would go with mobil 1 synthetic, but that can get quite expensive, close to 100 dollars just for the fluid. The J take about 9 quarts so...

Cleaning the intake system is performed with a fluid cleaner(BG intake cleaner) and a reservoir with a valve and hose on it.

If you get the BG intake kit, make sure to get the reservoir. It comes in handy even after you do your own car.

Now to explain it a little.

You fill the reservoir, then with the valve closed connect the hose(with atomizing tip) to any of the vacuum lines on the intake manifold. You want to do this with the car running FULLY warmed up. The hotter the engine the more you will clean.

Now slowly start opening the valve to allow a very slow flow of fluid. I usually do it enough to hear the enigne hesitate a little and back off a bit.

Wait until all the liquid is gone and go out for a nice drive on the highway. Now beat the hell out of the car, like redline starts etc. You will see all the carbon buildup smoke out of the tailpipe.

Then back to your garage and change the oil.

You would be surprised how much this helps with rough idle rough accel etc. You should be plesantly surprised.

[J30Guy612]

http://www.bgprod.com/products/fuelair.html

From this page, can you pick ouy the part numbers I need for the complete setup?

[Gerardjg]

You fill the reservoir, then with the valve closed connect the hose(with atomizing tip) to any of the vacuum lines on the intake manifold. You want to do this with the car running FULLY warmed up. The hotter the engine the more you will clean.

Now slowly start opening the valve to allow a very slow flow of fluid. I usually do it enough to hear the enigne hesitate a little and back off a bit.

Wait until all the liquid is gone and go out for a nice drive on the highway. Now beat the hell out of the car, like redline starts etc. You will see all the carbon buildup smoke out of the tailpipe.

Then back to your garage and change the oil.

You would be surprised how much this helps with rough idle rough accel etc. You should be plesantly surprised.

I would not change the plugs either untill you complete the above procedureI fouled out a brand new set doing the cleaning. Also clean the MAF there are instructions for this over at Q45.org

[J30Guy612]

Thanks for the heads up guys!

Looks like this is the complete list, foy any other J30 owners who find this thread:

NGK Platinum Spark PlugsOEM Air FilterOEM Fuel FilterClean Throttle BodiesClean MAFClean Intake System (BG Intake Cleaner)Grease Throttle Cable and Springs

If they haven't been done recently, other things to consider:

Coolant (Flush/Replace)Transmission Fluid (Mobil 1 Synthetic is best but $$$)Differential Fluid

[itsnever2fast]

Dont forget to use Mobile 1 engine oil as well.

[DominickJ30]

BG Air Intake System Cleaner, and BG 44k Fuel system cleaner.

Plus you need something that looks like that apparatus but is plastic and cheap.

[Defiant]

If you haven't already, get your transmission and coolant replaced also.

Wow. A transmission replacement during tune-up. Some of you guys are hardcore.

[J30Guy612]

Haha