cnrdean@ucbtopaz.BERKELEY.EDU (03/04/86)
I like to do my own work on my own cars. However, with the advent of electronic ignition, fuel injection, etc. I find that there's not much that I can do in the way of a 'tune-up'. In the past, I used to: 1. change the plugs 1a. change points, condensor 1b. check timing 1c. lube fittings 2. change the oil 3. change filters 4. check brake fluid 5. check transmission fluid 6. check universal joint fluid Now, I own a 1981 BMW 320i and a 1984 Honda Civic wagon. I feel guilty not doing 1abc, and I don't like to take my cars in for $65/hour service. Any recommendations on what I might be missing by not bringing it in for service? Am I missing a critical point in keeping my car in tune? Do repair shops have some tool that I can't do without? Is there an equivalent of the timing light & dwell meter? Thanks. Sam Scalise
tomk@leia.UUCP (Tom Kloos) (03/08/86)
In article <398@ucbjade.BERKELEY.EDU> cnrdean@ucbtopaz.BERKELEY.EDU () writes: >I like to do my own work on my own cars. However, with the advent of >electronic ignition, fuel injection, etc. I find that there's not >much that I can do in the way of a 'tune-up'. In the past, I used to: > >1. change the plugs etc..... You can still (and should!) do much of the routine maintenance on cars with fuel injection and/or electronic ignition. Certainly changing the plugs, oil, and lube are not all that hard and items like setting the timing can be very easy IF you have proper documentation (FACTORY service manual! NOT a brand X imitation). For example, to set the timing in my Camaro, you simply pull apart a connector which places the computer in a 'test' mode. The timing can then be set to spec using conventional techniques and a garden variety timing light. Above all, don't let the service folks charge you big bucks for routine maintenance and minor adjustments which they often don't do correctly! There are times when you're stuck with them for more major problems, but certainly nothing in your list should fall in this class. -Tom Kloos, Tektronix, Wilsonville, Oregon Ignore paths in header. Use this: uucp: ..{ucbvax,decvax,uw-beaver,hplabs,ihnp4,allegra}!tektronix!orca!tomk