18 replies to this topic

[StephenSLR]

A mechanic I have been taking my car to says he prefers to do tune ups every 10,000 kms.

Is this about right or does he just want to see more business?

s

[surfmaster]

Steve,

Have a look at an owners manual for your particular vehicle. GMH service intervals in the 70's (disco, oh yeah) were at 10,000 intervals (kms). I am pretty sure we did plugs points and condensor every 10,000 as well.

The GMH services were A,B,C,D with various items needing looking at at each one. If you have a later electronic setup, (no points, unleaded fuel and bigger spark plug gaps) you could go a lot longer between tune-ups. This is also dependant on how you drive the vehicle, (city or country type driving). An older engine will also need more frequent attention due to possibly burning oil).

If you have faith in your automotive technical specialist (mechanic) follow his advice - if you get reliable motoring as a result you are getting reliable advice IMHO.

[Litre8]

Whats sort of car? The more modern ones are all electronic with plugs that last 50-60000 kms. A tune up on these (apart from the usual oil and filters every 10,000kms) usually comprises as can of injector cleaner added to the fuel and giving the MAF and throttle body internals a spray with carb cleaner.

For an older car (carb, points ignition), the points are usually past their prime after 10,000kms so they need replacing and the timing reset too.

[rodomo]

Use bosch plugs, set gap to lowest recommended.
Use bosch points and condenser, gap points at highest recommended gap.
Adjust timing, mixture and idle.
After a weeks running re-adjust points. Recheck timing.
After 10k check points and timing, Adjust mixture and idle if needed.
Tune should last 20k without parts.
Plug gap increases with use, point gap reduces and alters timing.
Every 20k replace the lot and check your leads with an ohm meter and replace as nessecary.
Been my rule of thumb for ever and never had a drama.
RACV MAN

[rodomo]

I had a customer that supplied Mobil 1 when he brought his diesel Landcruiser to me for service. Problem was when he topped it up between service he used what ever mineral oil from what ever servo. By the third service the sump had to come off as the oil wouldn't run out of the plug.
RACV MAN

[ToRunYa]

knocks <-- needs oil
Runs hot <-- needs water
Pings/sluggish <-- do timing
Gets real lumpy <-- new plugs
Runs crapy <-- new filters
Dont go <-- might be an idea to check all these and the battery lol
joking!... i do a service bout every 8 months or so, or when she tells me

[StephenSLR]

thanks for the replies.

I have a VL 308 motor with electronic ignition and carby in the Torana.

I change the oil every 5,000 kms or so (the speedo is out so it is probably every 7000). I don't drive it that much so it can be up to a year between oil changes.

I assumed the spark plugs would last longer than 10 000kms (I know in the old days they didn't change them that much just clean them and re-gap them).

I will get the full tune up anyway, it is time for an oil change too.

Yes oil does break down, if you drive your car for less than 20 minutes you get a lot of carbon build up (I think) in the oil that doesn't burn off properly, the more short trips the faster the oil contaminates. I tend to drive for at least half an hour each time.

s