I've been reading that a modern tune up is pretty easy to do. I have novice experience but I have changed distributor caps and plugs in the past - 15 years ago. Is there anything that would be too difficult on a modern vehicle for me?
If it is a fairly modern vehicle and not too many miles ? just throw a new set of plugs into it .(thats what the shops call a tuneup today and charge you an arm and a leg for)If it has a lot of miles ? it MAY need a valve adjustment.
Change the air filter if necessary and the cabin filter as well on the newer ones.
it has 90k miles on it. I bought it at 48k and haven't had a tune up yet. Should I change the distributor cap and rotor as well and what about the PCV filter I've been reading about?
Yes, it is. For example, your 2000 Civic has electronic ignition. Timing rarely needs to be adjusted as a result. Checking it seems a good idea, though. With my much older
1991 Civic (also electronic ignition), the only time I find any significant variation from the required timing is after having the distributor housing off. It is the angular position of the housing that sets the timing.
Do you have an owner's manual? It has what's called a "maintenance schedule" printed in it telling how often plugs etc. should be changed. If you do not have an owner's manual, then to get one, try some of the resources at
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No, not with this background. At an age of 7.5 years, I would change the plugs, air filter, distributor cap and rotor, and check the resistance of the ignition wires. Oil changes etc. should be done per the maintenance schedule (ignore the advice of dealers re oil changes).
I WOULDNT TOUCH THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP UNLESS ITS GIVING YOU A PROBLEM(cracked , hard to start etc.) Theres an old maxim , "if it aint broke dont fix it".
If its 7.5 years old it wouldnt hurt to change the ignition wires with OEM or better
Check your owners manual for timing belt change . Its also wise to get the water pump changed at the same time , the pump is in proximity to the belt(at least it was on my`86 Accord )the labour is the same , you dont want to change the belt ,and then a year or so down the road have to change the pump, with the resulting same labor charge.
All otherposters on here have given you GOOD advice .
Yeah I was thinking about changing the water pump at the same time but I also read on other boards about people who had to change their new water pump after another 25k after replacing a perfectly good water pump when they changed their timing belt. I've had a checkered past with water pumps. Almost every car I've had needed one changed every other year. Don't know if it's something I was doing wrong or what but I'm really wary about changing a water pump that's working fine - though it does make sense to change it with the timing belt.
Seesm strange ? I have changed my water pumps when I did the timing belts and never had a problem
I used OEM pumps and the recomended type of anti-freeze(silicon-free) silicon type anti-freeze will eat the impellers and seals on some , including OEM water-pumps.
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