Best way to "recondition" ok engine with high ks?

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#1319702 8-Jun-2015 20:53

Modern cars with a computer are "self-tuning" unless you're tuning for performance.

Even good plugs are end-of-life about 100k.

If they're old and not replaced, misfire and bad fuel economy are an issue. These days the computer can* tell and increase fuel so a lean burn or piston meltdown shouldn't* happen.
Plugs are cheap, and in a 4cyl, pretty damn easy really.

*some cars and *maybe.

MikeB4

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#1319706 8-Jun-2015 21:02

When I wrote tune up I meant get the local Toyota dealer to put the car on the comp and check it. I should have made that clearer, sorry.

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#1319709 8-Jun-2015 21:03

yes that's what we're doing tomorrow. cheers.

lxsw20

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#1319723 8-Jun-2015 21:28

Bung

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#1319779 8-Jun-2015 22:57

blakamin: Even good plugs are end-of-life about 100k.

If they're old and not replaced, misfire and bad fuel economy are an issue. These days the computer can* tell and increase fuel so a lean burn or piston meltdown shouldn't* happen.
Plugs are cheap, and in a 4cyl, pretty damn easy really.

OEM ultra long life Iridium plugs have platinum ground wires. AFAIK depending on model Toyota recommend replacement at 100k to 120k miles. Locally they aren't cheap $30+ per plug so the answer is to import a set yourself.

JWR

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#1319794 9-Jun-2015 00:20

joker97: question: someone said tune up the engine. in a modern engine there's not much to tune is there? also, if (not sure yes/no) it is difficult to access the spark plugs, is there any harm in not replacing them

Changing plugs is dead easy if you have the right tools.

You need a ratchet, a sufficiently long extension and a plug socket (specific to size of your car's plugs).

A plug socket is long enough to fit completely over the spark plug. It has rubber (or similar) material in the neck. It will hold the spark plug when it is undone and allow you to remove the plug easily.

When you replace the new spark plug, tighten with fingers until you are certain it isn't cross-threaded. A little (very little oil) on the new spark plugs threads helps.

Then use ratchet to tighten new plugs till they are firm, but beware of over tightening.

It is better to under-tighten than over-tighten.

You will want to recheck the plugs after you have run the car a bit anyway.

jonathan18

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#1320193 9-Jun-2015 11:50

JWR:
joker97: question: someone said tune up the engine. in a modern engine there's not much to tune is there? also, if (not sure yes/no) it is difficult to access the spark plugs, is there any harm in not replacing them

Changing plugs is dead easy if you have the right tools.

According to my mechanic, this isn't always the case, going by his response to my wife's car! It's a previous-model Honda Jazz (2009?), and last time it was serviced he said it's well nigh impossible to get to two of the spark plugs without removing a significant amount of componentry, which will make changing them quite an expensive business.

I know this is OT, but can anyone with a Jazz confirm or refute this? I'm thinking of taking her car to the local Honda dealership for its next service, so I assume they may have a quicker/easier way (or at least plugging the car in for a diagnosis would tell them if the plugs are needing replacement?)? (This is the same Jazz I've reported that my wife gets dire fuel economy on - currently and typically 8.7l/100km for purely urban driving.)

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#1320227 9-Jun-2015 12:41

jonathan18: I know this is OT, but can anyone with a Jazz confirm or refute this? I'm thinking of taking her car to the local Honda dealership for its next service, so I assume they may have a quicker/easier way (or at least plugging the car in for a diagnosis would tell them if the plugs are needing replacement?)? (This is the same Jazz I've reported that my wife gets dire fuel economy on - currently and typically 8.7l/100km for purely urban driving.)

Pretty sure the Jazz is the same as the Fit, in which case yes, you have to pull a bunch of shrouding etc off to be able to get at the plugs at the back. It's not massive, just a pain compared to some other engines like the 4G63 that are directly accessible from the top etc. Subaru's boxer engines are more annoying imo.

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#1320259 9-Jun-2015 13:04

Yes... Spark plugs ... No time for them today :(

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#1320261 9-Jun-2015 13:05

But I've asked them to do as much of the rest as possible.

Jase2985

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#1320296 9-Jun-2015 13:39

Inphinity:
jonathan18: I know this is OT, but can anyone with a Jazz confirm or refute this? I'm thinking of taking her car to the local Honda dealership for its next service, so I assume they may have a quicker/easier way (or at least plugging the car in for a diagnosis would tell them if the plugs are needing replacement?)? (This is the same Jazz I've reported that my wife gets dire fuel economy on - currently and typically 8.7l/100km for purely urban driving.)

Pretty sure the Jazz is the same as the Fit, in which case yes, you have to pull a bunch of shrouding etc off to be able to get at the plugs at the back. It's not massive, just a pain compared to some other engines like the 4G63 that are directly accessible from the top etc. Subaru's boxer engines are more annoying imo.

yep

should still be able to do it in about an hour or so though.

i have the previous model but i dont think they have changed much from that.

I do have the receipt from honda though if you want me to check. that was for 4 plugs and the labour

if its the model with 8 sparkplugs then yea it might be an expensive job

and that fuel economy is horrible, should be in the 6's or low 7's.

MikeAqua

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#1320425 9-Jun-2015 16:22

Don't take any maintenance advice from a dealer that sells parts or does servicing.

Go to a reputable, independent mechanic. Personally I use my local (Nelson) Midas. Good guys who know their cars and give honest advice.

Other than that: -
Get the cooling system flushed and new coolant for winter.
Ditto brakes.
Check the air filter (replace if dirty)
Injector cleaner.
New spark plugs.
As others have said: Check if you have a cambelt and if it was changed (generally due at 100,000km). If it has been changed there is normally a sticker on the underside of the bonnet or on the firewall.
Change transmission and diff (if applicable) oil if it hasn't been done already (often due at 150,000km).

I wouldn't trouble the engine at all at at 160,000km. If you wanted to be really fussy change oil and filter and repeat in 2,000km.

You can expect lots more km's out of your Japanese engine. Mine has 265,000 on the clock. 208,000 of these are me and I've thrashed it the whole time. Still doesn't noticeably use any oil between services (15,000km).

Mike

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#1320496 9-Jun-2015 18:04

MikeAqua: Don't take any maintenance advice from a dealer that sells parts or does servicing.

Go to a reputable, independent mechanic. Personally I use my local (Nelson) Midas. Good guys who know their cars and give honest advice.

Often original parts from the dealer are a better deal than substitutes. It is also likely that common maintenance tasks will be done faster in the dealer's workshop.

You mention reputable, independant mechanics then bring up a franchise operation that doesn't always deliver either.

Batman

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#1320509 9-Jun-2015 18:20

a good brand specific mechanic can do tings better faster. the final bill will be around the ball park of an independent good mechanic. the local midas however is a joke ... they broke all my cars and charged 3 times as much before I caught on

jonathan18

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#1320761 9-Jun-2015 22:52

Jase2985:
Inphinity:
jonathan18: I know this is OT, but can anyone with a Jazz confirm or refute this? I'm thinking of taking her car to the local Honda dealership for its next service, so I assume they may have a quicker/easier way (or at least plugging the car in for a diagnosis would tell them if the plugs are needing replacement?)? (This is the same Jazz I've reported that my wife gets dire fuel economy on - currently and typically 8.7l/100km for purely urban driving.)

Pretty sure the Jazz is the same as the Fit, in which case yes, you have to pull a bunch of shrouding etc off to be able to get at the plugs at the back. It's not massive, just a pain compared to some other engines like the 4G63 that are directly accessible from the top etc. Subaru's boxer engines are more annoying imo.

yep

should still be able to do it in about an hour or so though.

i have the previous model but i dont think they have changed much from that.

I do have the receipt from honda though if you want me to check. that was for 4 plugs and the labour

if its the model with 8 sparkplugs then yea it might be an expensive job

and that fuel economy is horrible, should be in the 6's or low 7's.

Yep, should be the same as the Fit. One hour to change spark plugs does sound a lot, given I'm assuming it's a straight-forward job on many other cars. I guess this is the price one pays for the compact bonnet design of the Fit/Jazz.

It would be great if you could dig up the bill for that work - just so I can go into it with my eyes open. Thanks for the offer. I acknowledge that fuel economy is dire (and is probably only partially explained by my wife's driving style and the short trips that make up 90% of her driving), hence why I think it's worth getting it checked by Honda. Our usual mechanic doesn't have the computer diagnostic tools, which may pick up something if we go to the dealer. It may be a dead end, but worth a go me thinks.

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