Opinions on First Time D-I-Y Tune-Up

[Thorn]

I have a 1997 Subaru Legacy with 174K that is overdue for a tune-up. Stealerships are getting well over $300 for a typical 30K mile service, so I am thinking about doing it myself.

I am not mechanically inclined; however I don't think I need to know how to split the atom in order to do a basic tune-up.

I was looking at an online Subaru parts dealer, and I can get an Air Filter, PCV Valve, Ignition Wires, Spark Plugs, and a Fuel Filter for just about $100.

Should I go for it and pocket the $200 difference, or am I getting in over my head? I believe the stealership may drain & fill the coolant and brake fluid with their service, but I can deal with that some other time. Any comments are welcome.

 

[Drew99GT]

Air filter, and PCV valve will be very easy. How's the access to the sparkplugs? Changing plugs for the 1st time can be a bear. I checked it out online and your vehicle uses gasket seat plugs which IMO are easier to install correctly. Just gently thread them in by hand; you should feel little to no resistance. If you do as it gets close to bottoming out, don't worry, it's most likely carbon in the threads nearest the combustion chambers. After they're hand tight, stick your ratchet on and give it a steady turn until you start feeling resistance; you know the gasket is nearly all the way crushed. Lightly cinch it tight. before you install them, use a small dap of anti-sieze on the bottom of the threads; it'll get spread evenly when you install the plugs. Looks like you have a DIS ignition instead of a dsitributor; wires will be a breeze. Fuel filter: that can sometimes be a mutha! I'd have a good look at it and see how it installs. Some are very easy while others can be a PITA. Buy a repair manual before you even start any of this. You can do it. Also, drain and fill of the cooling system is very easy. If you just drain and fill the radiator, remember to add premixed distilled water and coolent as around 40% of the coolent will remain in the engine block. If you get stuck part way through, just holla!

 

[Drew99GT]

By the way, I see in your profile your a budget analyst. I'm on my way to becoming a bean counter as well!

 

[oily boyd]

If you are still running the original spark plugs, I would have a mechanic do it. If not, I say go for it!

If I were in your shoes, I would buy the parts and then simply replace what I can. If you have to, you can still have someone finish.

I recommend that you buy a shop manual... they are great references, especially for spark plug torque and fuel filter replacement procedure.

The fuel filter probably scares people the most (high pressure and fear of leaks when done). Just review the procedure in the manual and decide if you can do it. Heed the manuals advice about replacing any washers with new

Let us know if you decide to do it.

 

[Drew99GT]

Here's another option. Forget the dealer for service. Try and find a local shop that specializes in Subs. Independent Subaru specialists seem to be a cut above the rest when it comes to auto repair facilities. And I garuntee you won't get as hosed on price. You could do the air filter and PCV with ease and just get the plugs/wires and fuel filter and coolent changed at a shop.

 

[Virtuoso]

quote:

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Originally posted by Drew99GT:
You could do the air filter and PCV with ease and just get the plugs/wires and fuel filter and coolent changed at a shop.

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This is a great idea as well. Review the procedures for the parts you need to change, and only do the ones you feel comfortable with.
Even if you have to pony up the cash for a fuel filter install, at least you wouldn't be paying for something (usually) simple like a PCV valve.

 

[Sparkman]

If it is a 2.2l, the plugs on a '97 (Phase I engine) are very easy. If it's a 2.5l (only in the Outback in '97) the plugs are a PITA, easier from underneath the car. The fuel filter should be mounted near the left front strut tower, easy to do. The PCV screws into the intake manifold on the right side near where the coil mounts, also very easy.

www.1stsubaruparts.com has the best prices.

 

[Thorn]

Thanks to all for the advice and encouragement. I have the 2.2L engine, and before I even considered whether I should attempt this myself, I opened the hood and took a good look around under there.

The plugs look easy to access. The PCV valve is right there on top of the engine, and the fuel filter is right where Sparkman said it is. I have already replaced the air filter in the past, so that's no big deal.

I saw on Amazon that I can get a Haynes Repair Manual for $15, so I may do that just to play it safe. I will let you know how it goes, although it will probably be another week or two until I get the parts and time to do it.

Drew99GT,

More important than becoming a bean counter, I see that you too are a trout fisherman.

 

[labman]

You can probably pick up a Haynes manual locally. Better yet, check Ebay. You could score a real shop manual for the price of the Haynes or even a more useless Chilton.

 

[robbobster]

Service manuals are great, because when you need one, you typically REALLY need it.

A large portion of many "tune-ups" consists of "check this" or "inspect that" and many times you can just look at these things yourself.

 

[Razl]

quote:

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Originally posted by Thorn:
I am not mechanically inclined; however I don't think I need to know how to split the atom in order to do a basic tune-up.

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I understand what you are saying but I would ague that you do need to be somewhat mechanically inclined. Is the motivation purely cost savings by DIY, or are you interested (if this project goes well) in becoming a regular auto DIYer?

If the latter, I'd say go for it

You'll probably have fun doing it, learn a few things, feel good about your accomplishment, and maybe even get into that "hey...what else can I replace?" kinda mood

But if you are just trying to save a few bucks, maybe a mechanic would be the cheaper route. Even a simple task like installing an air filter can get ugly. You don’t seat the filter properly (or put it in upside down) so air isn’t filtered as it should. You disconnect a hose or wire taking the air filter cover off.

Inevitable, there comes a time in every DIYs life, when he/she will get in over their heads, kick themselves (literally too at times) and wonder why they just didn't hire a professional in the first place.

But heck, I'm a DIY advocate and am able to many more things today without seeking professional help because I didn’t let myself get intimidated. And learned from my share of mistakes. Now only if I was as smart as Dr. AEHaas, I could learn from others' mistakes

 

[kang]

I bet you could find a Subaru web board where you could ask details like “How to get the fuel filter off” etc.

Are plug wires part of the 30K tune-up? They are usually replaced as needed, and every 30k seems excessive.

You didn’t mention an oil change in your list.

The only difficult thing with most tune-ups is access. Check for this. If the plugs, fuel filter, PCV valve, etc, are easily accessible, the hard part is over. Simply remove and replace. But some cars are built around some small parts and it can take hours just to get to them.

 

[kcryan]

quote:

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Originally posted by Razl:

Even a simple task like installing an air filter can get ugly. You don’t seat the filter properly (or put it in upside down) so air isn’t filtered as it should. You disconnect a hose or wire taking the air filter cover off.

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haha yea its happened to me on the allante, i dropped a 90 degree fitting for the PCV while doing the air filter, took forever to find

 

[Thorn]

I'm actually interested in the DIY aspect of the tune-up, but my wife never allows me to do much work to our cars when they are newer.

Because the car is now "mine" and not "hers", coupled with the fact that it has 174K, she is more receptive to the $200+ savings.

I don't believe plug wires are part of the 30K service. However, I can't remember the wires ever being replaced, so I thought it may be a good idea. I didn't mention an oil change because I do that on a routine basis.

Even before reading tonight's replies, I decided to make sure I could access all of the parts. The plugs look much easier to access than they actually are. I needed to use a mish-mash of extensions and a lot of patience just to get the socket on the plugs. Then, I only had enough room to barely turn the ratchet - one tiny turn at a time. The PCV valve is easy though, and the wires look like a breeze too.

What's the story with the fuel filter being under pressure? If I wait for several hours after the car has been used before changing the fuel filter, will it decompress?

I think I'm going to give it a shot.

 

[Drew99GT]

The fuel system will most likely still have pressure, or at least the fuel lines will be full of fuel. When you disconnect the fuel filter, you'll get some major drainage so be prepared. Repair manuals will tell you to bleed off the pressure at the schrader valve on the fuel rail but most professional mechanics don't even do that. Just spread old newspapers VERY LIBERALLY on the ground under the filter!

How's the fishing in Pennsylvania? I've heard there's great steelhead action out there. I've also heard the brown trout fishing is some of the best anywhere. I saw a TV show where they were catching 36 inch/10 pound browns that come out of the great lakes

 

[Razl]

Thorn,

Glad to hear your into the DIY aspect, and cheers to your wife setting you free

Letting the car sit for a while can reduce some of the pressure but usually not all. Anyways, it's not that big of a deal. The bigger the filter, the more residual fuel it will hold so I usually have the end caps from the new filter handy to plug the old filter right after I disconnect it. You may even want to have a rag handy too when you first loosen the fuel lines, and for your first time safety glasses may be a good idea.

Changing the spark plug wires is a breeze as you guessed. If the boot is moveable on the wires, make sure it is far up enough so the metal tip makes a solid contact when you press them on. You should feel and sometimes hear a click when it’s in, then slid the boot down if it’s sitting high. Start with the longest wire first then work you way down to the shortest replacing one at a time so you downed mess up the firing order of the spark plugs. Some dielectric grease on the end of the boots is a good idea too (some wires come with a blister pack already).

Good luck and have fun. Ask the wife to take you out for ice cream when you’re finished as a “thank you” for money saved!

 

[Thorn]

I have been browsing for parts online, and it looks like I can save some money by NOT using OEM parts. Would this be a wise move?

For example, I can buy a Purolator Air Filter, Fuel Filter and PCV valve much cheaper at Advance Auto than I can buy OEM parts online. Also the plugs and wires seem to be much less expensive as well.

Are the non-OEM parts inferior or just a better deal?

 

[1sttruck]

Before doing it I'd suggest picking one thing to have dealer do, and if they don't always do it ask them to do a check. They'll give you a checklist of what's ok and what needs to be addressed. That way you can have some (hopefully) experienced eyes look at the condition of your vehicle, do your tune up, and determine what else you may wnat to do if they find other things. Get a manual for making sure that you're doing the scheduled maintenance, the Haynes/Chilton are sometimes easier to use than the factory manuals, but the factory manuals are usually more comprehensive.

 

[andyd]

an easy way to de-pressurize the fuel system is to start the engine and remove the fuel pump relay or the fuse powering the relay. The engine will use the fuel and die in about 15 seconds. then I clamp the fuel hose on either side of the filter and gas spillage is minimized.

 

[Thorn]

1sttruck,
That sounds like a good plan. However, I still may go ahead with the DIY tune-up now. At 180K miles, which will be within a few months, the car will be due for a timing belt (water pump too?).

I will probably have the dealer do the timing belt, so I can ask them then how everything else looks. This is one of the reasons I decided to try the tune-up myself. I know I will be looking at a bill of several hundred dollars for the timing belt in the near future, so I don't want to give them several hundred dollars now for a tune-up if I don't have to. At that rate, I could afford payments on a brand new car ( at least two months' worth).

andyd,
Thanks for the tip.