Dealer-Performed 60k/120k tuneup concerns

[Silentbob]

hi all, My 93 ATX is in need of it's 120K tuneup. I would do this myself, but this car is my daily driver and i havent got the time right now to do it myself. I am planning on taking the car to my local ford service place to have them perform the task but I am a little woried about getting ripped off or charged for something I do not need, something i have heard numerous times from people that dont know how to work on their own cars. You see, with my previous car (1986 volvo Wagon, "The Hearse") I did all the maintanace and repairs myself, thus keeping me away from service shops completely. Now that I have my SHO, I want only the best for it. So here's my question- Have any of you taken your SHO to the ford shop for it's 60k/120k tune up, and if so, what was your experience like? Is there anything i should watch out for? I know I asked a lot of questions but i sincerely appreciate your time for reading this. Thanks and happy motoring

 

[SHOtimer]

I would be better for your wallet and your car for you to wait and buy the parts and find the time to do it yourself. I have heard really bad stories of some Ford service depots..screwing SHO's, some have had 'ok' luck. But, it is not difficult and your car can wait for you to get the parts and the time. The 'Upper 60k' you could do in a weekend, along with the 'lower 60k' in another weekend. The majority of the responses to come will probably either tell you to do it or find a SHO specialty shop to do it for you, but just avoid the dealer. I'm not from your neck of the woods...but their might be a SHO specialty shop nearby, someone else will chime in.

Doug

 

[Blue-By-U]

I would purchase the 60/120k video from www.shonutperformance.com

Mark N. does a great job in showing you throughout the video what needs to be done.

 

[Rockledge]

Most dealers don't have any Techs who know how to perform a 60K on a Yamaha engine. In all liklihood, you are going to end up with someone who is unfamiliar with working on your engine and in a hurry to get the work done.

You sound like someone who is comfortable sticking your head under the hood. As such, you should order the video and do the job yourself. Consider the peace of mind it will give you.

Here is another great resource for doing 60K work on the SHO: http://www.shophoenixproject.com/maint.htm

 

[morpho18]

I think that SHOtimes has a list of mechanics that people applaud for great service from around the US. I'm lucky to be 20 miles from Noble Ford here in Iowa. They have an excellent service staff, and the knowledge of SHO's.

 

[projectSHO89]

Bob,

Since you don't have the time to do it yourself and need to have it done, your best course of action is to do some phone calling to area dealerships to see if you can find a SHO-experienced mechanic that might work there. Your bet choice would be to find a mechanic who has or has had a SHO.

Just be aware that the vast majority of Ford stores have no clue what the scheduled maintenance actually is on these engines, so you will have to educate yourself and then them on what service you want done.

If you have them do the full front and top end services, you can expect to pay $1200-1800.

Can you make time now?

Steve

<small>[ April 01, 2004, 08:17 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[autobahnsho]

I think 90% of the people here have learned to do the work themselves. Myself included. thumb

Buy a manual (And I second the recommendation of getting the Shonutperformance.com videos!) and buy some extra root beer with all the money you save.

You'll also know it was done right, and you'll see other things that might be wearing. You can keep track of exactly what it needs.

 

[HopefulSHO]

You said it yourself...

Silentbob:
Now that I have my SHO, I want only the best for it.

If you can do it yourself, do it. I did the 60k on my MTX and it is definatly NOT that hard. Grab Mark N.'s video..it will make everything crystal clear. Scott P (sdpatt) has some worksheets and stuff that will also help a bunch.

If you really cannot do it yourself, I second calling around and trying to find a shop familiar with the SHO. I've had bad experiences even with mechanics that have been in the job for many years.

 

[NetNinja]

DO it yourself!

It took me two complete weekends to do my 100K on my ATX.
I had to rent a car for a week.

I ran into former mechanic problems and some unforseens.

I am Soooo glad I did the service myself. I now know it was done right.

Get two sets of Cam Seals. Trust me on this one.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

If you really don't want to try working on the car yourself, I'd still recommend avoiding a Ford dealer other than as a last resort, or with high recommendations from members here.

Something else you might want to try is posting a message in the "Contacting Members" or your closest regional club section of the forum requesting names of SHO-saavy mechanics in your general area. You might have to travel 50-100 miles, but member recommendations here are likely to get you the best results for your $$$.

<small>[ April 01, 2004, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Anonymous ]</small>

 

[Silentbob]

Thank you very much for your help. Gauging by your reactions I immeadetly rid my thoughts of going to a dealer. I hadn't even considered a ford dealer working on a non ford engine! duh! My next purchase is going to be the video on shonutperf's site. It's certainly better than 1800 dollars out of my account and strangers under my hood. Well, I'm outta here. Gotta do some online SHO-pping!!

 

[Dassin]

From what I hear, ford dealers do a really lazy job of it... sometimes only doing the front shims, because the back ones are too hard to get to. And that's if they know THAT MUCH ABOUT THE ENGINE. I wouldn't trust them too much for this kind of work. Mark N.'s video is pretty good, just don't clean the intake ports as liberally and crazily as he does, especially not before the shim adjustment. When you do that, the debris can get down in there before you check clearances, and mess up your... clearance... checking. So do that last, and don't be so liberal. use a paper towel or something and try not to drop anything in there wink

Also, stuff some towel or something in the the bottom corners after you take the valve covers off. Don't want any tools dropping into your oil pan..

Good luck!
Jon