I did a tune up on my car today...

[annguyen1981]

 

I have a 2000 Chrysler Cirrus, 2.5L V6.

I had to struggle with the intake manifold to get to the rear three plugs.  While doing this, a bolt holding a stiff metal "hose" snapped off.   FINE!  So I continue with the removal, only to find out that the two rear bolts holding the intake manifold are in REALLY tight spots (left and right).  It takes me about an hour for BOTH DAMN BOLTS!!!

After I get the manifold off, I change the plugs, and try to remove the remaining stump of the broken bolt.  It doesn't work!!!  I had to drill a new whole through the bolt and was going to tap the new hole...  The hole doesn't line up with the flange on the hose!!!

So I only bolt up the one hole and now it's leaking...  But before that happened, I was putting the two rear bolts back into the intake manifold...

ONE SNAPPED OFF!!!

I just left it there.  It only holds the manifold in place kinda...  Not to the engine, but to some bracket...  There are seven long bolts that hold the manifold onto the engine, and they are all fine.

Ever since I sold my second Chevy Blazer, I HATE CARS!!!  I used to LOVE doing oil changes, tune ups, etc...  But now...  I'm taking EVERY car to a mechanic from now on...  Even for a simple tire rotation.

[/rant off]

[skoebl]

Yeah....I hate cars....My little escort beat the hell out of my knuckles when I tried to get the plugs out.

But...It was probably the funnest little station wagon I have ever driven....

RIP little car 

[makenzie71]

Get a bimmer.  Problems solved.

The spark plug thing is amongst the reasons why I only buy DOHC inline engines.

[GeeP]

That's why I prefer motorcycles.  You can do everything with your ass parked on a stool like a civilized human.

That's why I like my little 90 Dakota 4cyl.  I can sit on the wheel wells, prop my feet on the engine mounts, and go to work in comfort.  The only option it has is a heater, and the navigation system is GeeP 1.0 powered by "The Motor Carrier's Road Atlas Ver 2006"  No 30 speaker radio/stereo/MP3/whatchamacallit, power windows, AC, ass warmers, power seats, HID lights, traction control, slushbox, 4wd, etc. etc. etc.  520,000 miles and 34 MPG with the tailgate down.  When I get to 1,000,000 I'll buy another '90 from the junkyard.  

[Queso]

I had an 02 Stratus, and I will never have anything to do with a DC car again. Trannies suck, maintenance is a PITA, and they have problem after problem. I traded it in for a Suzuki after having it for 20k miles. The Suzuki wasn't the easiest thing to work on, but it was at least possible to DIY. None of my Suzukis have ever left me stranded 

[makenzie71]

For reference, every DOHC, I4 Mitsu/Chrysler/Hyundai powered vehicle was easy to change the plugs on...

[ashman]

I4's are a breeze ingeneral. I was looking @ the plugs on my parents 93' Caprice 5.7 liter now that is a pain in the ass since they are down and on the side. I gotta agree tho, a simple car is nice. I love my accord, power nothing, 2 front door speakers and a CD player manual tranny.
-ash

[makenzie71]

Not all I4's...just about any single cam engine is a pita...and most slant 4's put you in a crappy position.

I only like simple when it comes to sports...I loved my SE RX-7.  2700lbs, 5spd, powernothing, etc.  I've grown rather fond of my all power BMW, though.  I've found that most people who claim to love the simpler stuff have simply never had the fluffy stuff in anything reliable...if at all.

[Caffeine]

I had an '88 Buick Regal.   The engine was sideways, so 3 of the plugs were easy to get to, but the other 3 required tilting the engine forward to get to.     I changed the water pump on it once, which took a total of about 30 minutes.   One of the easiest I've ever done.

My Nissan Frontier...everything is easy to get to.   

[annguyen1981]

The engine was sideways, so 3 of the plugs were easy to get to, but the other 3 required tilting the engine forward to get to.

My car is the same way, but the back three plugs are under the intake man...  What a PITA!

[manofthefield]

My 97 Subaru Legacy GT was a pita to change the plugs... H-4 with the plugs conveniently located about 2" from the wheel wells.  I think I changed the plugs with the wheels off and front on jackstands and then reaching up from below.  The only reason I did it then was because i already had the car torn apart with all the belly pans off to change the front bumper. 

That sucked but otherwise I really miss that car.  I could reach the oil filter and drain plug without putting the car up in the air at all

[skoebl]

  I've found that most people who claim to love the simpler stuff have simply never had the fluffy stuff in anything reliable...if at all.

I have a friend like this. He's always saying "All I want in a car is a radio and windshield wipers".

He's never spent more than 500 bucks on a car (currently driving his 5th I believe); and all of them have left him stranded somewhere at some point.

[werase643]

i did the el cheapo route

personally my standards are...two of three options
5 sp is manditory.....

A/C, RADIO, SUNROOF(or convert)

my latest weekend bomb
94 GEO(SUZUKI) metro 3 cyl 5sp
bought it from under a tree with 009720 miles last winter ...sitting there since 1995
since then...i've added about 6500 miles

tires...110 bucks
sparky plugs.... 6 bucks
used fuel tank w/pump ... 30 bucks
t-belt.....13 bucks
oil change with tech 2000 synthetic....15 bucks and i have oil left

yeah it's a turd....55 earth shattering HP  but 47 MPG is a good thing   if i kept it below 55 i could prob get 50 MPG

[makenzie71]

He's never spent more than 500 bucks on a car (currently driving his 5th I believe); and all of them have left him stranded somewhere at some point.

Exactly.  I've got a friend or two like that...one of them insists on driving older SE Japanese cars.  Now, I love the old S12's and 13's and the FC RX-7's and all that but I can't live with them anymore.  This one guy keeps talking about how his car (180SX) handles just as good as mine (BMW 328i) and only cost $1800...but he's got $1000 worth of suspension goodies under it and he's had to go through 4 others in the last two years (totaling $5,750 on top of the first and the suspension) just to make one good, solid reliable car...which is about $1500 more than my stock bimmer and he can barely hang with her and her power windows, power seats, power steering, power locks, a/c, sunroof, etc...

personally my standards are...

Damn, you're easy.  I have to have:

Rear Wheel Drive
Inline engine, preferably an I/L/Slant 6.
Standard transmission
Disc brakes at all corners
Limited slip rear end is a serious bonus
Independant rear suspension
Service points must be within easy access
It has to come from the factory with a tachometer
Realistic accomidations for at least 4
hatch or sedan with folding rear seats
All accessories must work propperly

Not necessary but big bonuses are power everything, sunroof, leather interior (trust me, it's sooo much easier to keep clean) and a good stereo.

The 3 series is about the only compact out there that can offer you 104 cubic ft of interior volume (more than a Camry) plus all the things I need in a car listed abovefor under $10k.  Plus I get 35~40mpg out of her when I need it and still runs 14's in the quarter.

[werase643]

I pulled the rear seat out so i can haul engines in my low mileage turd


i might....get some XFI parts...and go for 60 mpg

[pantablo]

I have a 2000 Chrysler Cirrus, 2.5L V6.

I had to struggle with ...BOLTS!!!

After I get the manifold off,...ONE SNAPPED OFF!!!
...[/rant off]

so how much money did you actually save by not having the dealership do this work?

[makenzie71]

the dealership would have charged him for the stuff they broke.  Standard practice at both Ford/Mercury and Chrylser joints.

[pantablo]

but he wouldnt have the headache...

[makenzie71]

haha I guess not...lol

[annguyen1981]

According to some estimates from local places (dealer and others) I saved a minimum of around $400.