Tune Up Quote?

[hospitalbuilder]

I think I have my stalling and slow cranking problem fixed on my 99Q by replacing the ECM Relay. The shop also wanted me to replace the knock sensor for $700, and a tune up (plugs, wires, cap and rotor), for over $500. The knock sensor is something I may do although with 180K miles, I have my doubts. And on the drive from the shop to work, about 25 miles, everything ran well. I do not really know what to look for to know if I really need to replace that sensor or not. Any thoughts?

Also, I did a quick search for the tune up parts, and using NGK plugs and wires, and other parts my total is around $150. Hmmmm, $150 vs $500... This is a job I have been planning to do myself for some time now, and my research on this site tells me that it should not be too difficult (I think I even have the spark plug tools to get at number 6 ). Any tips beyond, remove and replace for this project?

Thanks for your help.

[sixty4]

I wanted to bump this up, I need to do the same thing.

[K03sport]

Hmmmm, $150 vs $500... This is a job I have been planning to do myself for some time now, and my research on this site tells me that it should not be too difficult (I think I even have the spark plug tools to get at number 6 ). Any tips beyond, remove and replace for this project? Thanks for your help.

Nope. Just do one at a time so you can get everything back in the same place or use masking tape and a Sharpie (R) to mark where everything goes.

As far as the knock sensor, check page 314 of the serivce manual and beyond for info on the knock sensor. It appears to be attached to the block and not real easy to get to. So you might want to test it before diving in.

[ganesh21]

You can do the tune up your self.

I am not sure about the Knock Sensor. I think if you check search the forum a few members have change it themselves.

[Densetsu]

Would this be your first time changing the plugs and wires? If so, go for it. It'll probably take you a couple of hours, but it's time well invested in learning a *very* useful life skill.

Tips for spark plugs? After taking the boot off a plug, blow some compressed air in there before unscrewing the plug to get the dirt out of there; don't want stuff falling into the cylinder. Remove old plug, gap the new plug, apply anti-sieze to the threads, put plug back in, torque to spec, put wire on. Do each cylinder one at a time, so you don't accidentally mix up the wires.

Oh, and make sure you have the right tools! A spark plug socket goes a *long* way in preventing frustration, as does that spark plug tool your gen of Pathys has. A couple beers help calm the mind too.

[W O T]

Not to thread jack, but you said you had a stalling/long cranking problem. I have the same problem right now. Like sometimes the car takes 5+ seconds to start, sometimes just cranks longer than it would normally, and it has been stalling on me randomly mostly going around turns and on hard stops. Resemble your problem at all? And all you changed was the relay?

BTW- plugs/wires/cap are a breeze and i would definetely do myself even if it was my first time, we can talk you through anything, and you do save a good bit of money, a rotor swap inside the distributor can cause you some headaches if you dont know what your looking at though, research and be confident before doing that, ignition pieces are finnicky

As for the knock sensor, I definetely would not be replacing that until it needed to be, and if you did by some chance get a knock sensor error, it is also a very easy sensor to swap by yourself. But I wouldnt bother with that one at this point

[hospitalbuilder]

My starting problem was more like a minute or two, not seconds, but the shop replaced the ECM relay and cleaned the battery posts. Beyond that I am not sure what they did. I probably could have done that myself for very little money, but it took them several hours to uncover the problem (which they offer for free), so I figured I ought to let them do something. The knock sensor description they provided was odd, he explained that they had to manipulate the throttle several different ways to get it to act up. Honestly, I cannot tell anything in the performance of the engine now that it cranks, and it's not like it's a performance car or anything. Unless I start noticing a problem, I will probably leave it as is.

I have changed plugs before, but it was on my yard tools and my 67 mustang I had in high school (young, stupid, totaled it, damn would I love to have that now!). Of course I could have crawled into the engine bay of that car with room to spare. My main concern is how to get # 6 threaded back in. I have the tool, but understand it is blind, so I worry about cross threading or missing the mark. Other than that I think it should be pretty doable.