how a cheaper tuneup cost $500 to fix.

[frankm80]

This is the story of how a cheaper tuneup cost me $500 to fix

*please note* (i know nothing about cars but plan to learn as much as I can to avoid something like this happening in the future)

A year ago My 06 civic ex hit 50,000 miles so I got a tuneup for at pepboys because it was cheaper.

Last week my car's check engine light comes on and the car starts to tremble whenever it idles (feels like the car's idle speed is to low). The car has 63k+ miles but I have honda care and am covered for 7yrs or 100k miles. I dont know much about cars but I was hoping that everything would be covered by warranty so I took it to the dealership service center.

As it turns out, they had to replace an ignition coil and it wasnt covered under warranty because they said that the crappy bosch spark plugs that were installed by pepboys were the cause of the problem. They charged me like $270 for parts and labor for replacing the ignition coil. They didnt have any spark plugs but quoted me at around $130 for parts and labor for replacing the spark plugs. They're also talking about making a valve adjustment....

[WhiteFrog]

Wow broseph.

When they gave you the diagnosis and how they wanted to fix it you should have come on here and posted up. I don't know about how much ignition coils are but 130 bucks to R&R spark plugs is straight up rape. The spark plugs i'm used to are like 2.50 a piece so that's like 10 bucks and 15 minutes to replace.

[quickfit]

lol. shoudl of done some research.
coil costs $60 list price, $43 online.
part number 30520-RNA-A01

spark plugs are $18 list, $13 online
part number 9807B-561BW

BTW, a bad spark plug does not casue your coil pack to go bad.
question your dealer. thats not correct. also, ask to see this mysterious bad spark plug.

is also takes 30 minutes to change spark plugs and the coil pack must be removed to change them... so dont get double charge for that.

valve adjustment is your choice, but based on what eh dealer is charging you (rippign you off), take it back, change the plugs and coil yourself. get eh valve adjsutment at a differnt dealer if you choose to.

http://www.bernardiparts.com/SearchOptions.aspx

[humboldt1498]

Hmm...I am not sure how that would work. A bad spark plug killing an ignition coil

[20strong]

Your dealer is pooching you man.

[quickfit]

change thread title to:
"how a mechanically uneducated person gets ripped off at a dealership"?

[ProZach626]

You got taken for a ride. The coil pack going out was probably nothing more than coincidence.

Your car didn't need a 'tune up' in the first place. Basically all pep boys probably did was change your plugs and oil. The OEM plugs put in vehicles anymore last for over 100k miles, anyway.

[w00t692]

^^ what he said.

[quickfit]

didnt even think of that.

only maintnace to do under 100k is oil changes and tranny fluid change.
and of course brakes if they are shot.

[mnrivera210]

LOL reminds me when the dealership said I had to do a 15,000 mile "tune-up" which they check the wiring, brake pads, and fluids all for 89.99. I wanted to burst out and laugh, they are ridiculous.

[actionjeans]

Iridium plugs cost more; from $7 to $12 depending, and and the ignition coil should be around $80, so $130 sounds about normal to me; maybe a touch high, but it's the dealer, so that's expected.


edit: oh yeah, and you didn't need a tune up anyway - bad idle could be many things; you ever replaced the air filter? Dirty MAF, failing O2 sensor, etc...

[BostonDuce]

Originally Posted by frankm80

dealership service center.

They don't call them 'stealerships' for nuttin.

BD

[wilbert recinos]

Originally Posted by BostonDuce

They don't call them 'stealerships' for nuttin.

BD

lolzz

[taffy07si]

They aren't tune ups. Stealerships call them that so it sounds more important. They simply test your battery, check your plugs, oil/tranny fluid change, check radiator fluid, check brake pads, tread wear and your belts. Notice how it's all "check" only!!

i was quoted at $380 for my EP3 and almost $500 for my FA5...I simply wanted to flip the sales advisor the bird! But I smiled and walked away saying no thanks.

[volvo9]

Cars don't need "tune ups" anymore, they did in the 80's when every 30k points had to be cleaned, timing adjusted, distributor cap and rotor replaced, plugs replaced, and so on. Now new cars are basically SET for 100k miles. No more points, carbs, distributors, adjustments etc. Basically just engine oil and trans fluid till 100k.

[si83]

maybe pep boys mixed up the sequence of your spark plug wires thats why your ignition coil broke. correct me if im wrong

[SteveOFG2]

Originally Posted by si83

maybe pep boys mixed up the sequence of your spark plug wires thats why your ignition coil broke. correct me if im wrong

no wires on out cars, coil on plug......and if you have an r18 ya should have done it yourself buddy just pop the hood its all there. and like everyone else is says sp cant ever effect your coil just the other way around