What can or should a local shop do for a tune-up on these late model trucks (I have the 5.4L)? There is no distributor cap/rotor like the old days, right? Can the timing be adjusted? or do they just swap out plugs and charge $150?

 

I think if you took your truck to a local shop and just asked for a 'tuneup' they would probably just replace your spark plugs and wires. As a part of a tuneup, you may want to replace your coil aswell depending on your milage. There is no reason to adjust your timing since it is controlled by the computer. If you are at 100,000 miles, there verywell may be other maintenance that needs to be performed, but as far as your iginition goes atleast, plugs, wires, and the coil is about all you need to worry about.

 

According to a friend of mine that works at a National tuneup chain, here is what you get for your hard earned cash:

"A full diagnostic tuneup including"!!!:

- Replace plugs (At least the ones they can get to easily)

- "Check" coolant.

- "Check" belts.

- "Check" plug wires and replace as needed.

- "Check timing" Really not applicable to late model computer controlled versions. There is nothing to adjust.

- "Check" air filter

- "Check" fluids, oil, brake, washer

- Check and adjust tire pressure as needed.

- Check battery level (If battery is not sealed)

So for that big check, for the most part you get a lot of little "checks" and a set of plugs. Wooo!

 

Well "(At least the ones they can get to easily)"

 

I don't think the standard mechanic in a box tune-up is going to get new wires. You get a set of shiny new plugs a $15 each and a little labor. If your real lucky, they'll use the correct plugs and not strip the threads in the head.

I haven't had a shop tune-up in almost 20 years. But then I've only kept one vehicle more the 100kmi. Shop tune-ups are a rip unless the plug change is a huge challenge on your specific vehicle.

 

Plugs

Wires (if equipped)

Oil

Oil Filter

Air Filter

Gas Filter

tire rotation

Lube joints

While checking all fluid levels.

 

A tune up used to be just that. You would adjust everything back to spec. If adjustment was not possible then the part(s) was(were) replaced. It consisted of checking all the fluids, adjusting/replacing the distributor points, adjusting the valve lash, adjusting the timing, adjusting the carb, new plugs and wires if needed. Would you believe that there were machines that cleaned plugs so they could be regapped and reinstalled? Today all that needs to be replaced is the plugs and wires if you have them.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

That's true, not much to a tune-up today. I think they are a waste of money because most of it is very easy, simple and cheap to do yourself.