Cwaterboy1

iTrader: (3)

I have a 91 Firebird 305 TBI and having to pay for a tune-up which consists of spark plugs changed, cap and rotor changed, spark plug wires changed, fuel filter changed, timing and oil change. This is only labor as I supplied the parts except for the oil. It is around $300.00. Is this normally what it cost for this type of work?

built91Z28

Probably average for a shop charging $100 an hour.

That stuff is so easy though, why pay someone?

Cwaterboy1

iTrader: (3)

I have no garage and the plugs and wires are a booger to replace while car is on the ground. I don't have the right tools and no experience at timing. I have done other minor repairs myself and I like doing it but a lift sure would be dandy for this car.

camaronewbie

It's easy on a TBI car - plugs are all easy to get to, don't have to do any timing anything, just replace the wires one at a time and won't have any issues. I could do that full tune up on my car in 45 minutes, including jack time to get to the fuel filter!

$300 is a rip off for 45 minutes of work!

Cwaterboy1

iTrader: (3)

It is the V8 and I couldn't get to the back plugs from the top so it had to be lifted and gotten to from the bottom. I don't have a way of lifting the car. It was really running rough and now it seems to be smoother. But still has an issue I can't put my finger on.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Buy a set of ramps,you can get to the plugs,change the oil,grease your fittings and have excess to the whole front under carriage. back up on the ramps you can change your fuel filter,etc.etc.

Cwaterboy1

iTrader: (3)

I tried to drive up some ramps but the ground effects will not allow me to drive up them. My jack would not raise high enough to slide the ramps or jack stands under. Also I am not a small guy, so that doesn't help. LOL.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Listen, $300 is absolutely ridiculous for the scope of work you're suggesting.

You say you don't have the tools, but apparently you have the $300 - So go buy some tools that will save you $$$$$$$ over time!

A decent jack at any auto parts store will be between $40-$100. It all depends on the design - Some lift higher; some are lower to begin with to get under the car. I just use a 2x6 scrap and drive the front wheel up on... it gets the front end high enough to get my jack under the K-member (or anywhere else I need). BTW: I paid like $65 for my 3.5 ton jack and will lift up my 4x4 truck (to give an idea of how high it can go).

Jack stands are cheap, too.

The basic hand tools needed to remove the spark plugs are available in most any $25 tool set, again; Available most anywhere.

The fuel filter is another easy one... I just use a crescent wrench and a 5/8 wrench to get the lines loose - You'll most like have to jack the car up, but I just jack under the axle and left the whole rear end up for things like that.

The cap and rotor requires nothing more than a screw driver.

You gain nothing but a lighter wallet and some extra time by paying someone else to do this work. You gain knowledge, experience and confidence by doing it yourself.

My $.02.

[edit] I had to jack up my Formula today - I jacked under the control arm (spring perch) and it worked fine and I didn't need to drive up on the 2x6 I usually do.

zraffz

Spend the money on the tools instead of the labor.
$300 is absolutely ridiculous. Hell, for a mom & pop shop to charge you $100/hour is insane enough. My mechanic did my idler and pitman arm for $75 in labor in a K2500 over the winter. He charges $150 to do upper and low ball joints on both sides; takes way more time then a tune up.

86T/A_Ram_Air

the shop around the corner from me will do a tune up for 90 if you bring them everything

rosco88ta

iTrader: (3)

I would have to agree with built91, labor would be at least 2 to 3 hours by the book time. However 300 is a tad bit high but not excessive.

eseibel67

45 minutes for all that? No way. A rippin' sloppy job with a lift? Maybe. But not on a car that hasn't been worked on in a while.

It's all easyfor us that have been doing it for years. But I can understand a newbie being nervous about it. Even so, I would still think you should try it yourself, just don't do it all at once. Do the wires first, one at a time.

If you do decide to go ahead on your own though, make sure you get a good jack and jackstands, and learn how to use them safely for your safety, and your car's.

And although $300 sounds high, it's not outrageous. The guy is just trying to make up some of the profit he is losing on the parts.

TreeFiddy

Stick a couple of pavers on the ground in front of the ramps, and drive up those first. Thats what I do, gets the nose to clear the ramps.

dabird07

iTrader: (10)

well for the jack not lifting high enough get a piece of broken cynder block and put it under the jack then the car will lift high enough for u to slide it under there

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I don't have any problem with my ramps,I have the black fiber or plastic type ramps.

james.gould150

never a fan of ramps just my opinion i feel like i can get the car higher up and have more room under the car (probably not true) but i like it anyway i agree that 300 for a tune up is a bit pricey i had my heads machined(over heated n warped) with new valves installed for under that...but at least he cares enough about his car to spend money to keep it running healthy