Bad tune-up...

It's quite possible that one of the plug wires wasn't connected properly and came loose. Although it's less likely, one of the plugs may have cracked or broken. Also, check the oil level to make sure that there wasn't a leak and the engine didn't run dry.

These are some of the reasons that everyone should learn to do simple maintentance like this for themselves. You save yourself a bunch of money and you know exactly what was done, how it was done and what parts were used.

Thank you Mr. Wizard! Really - no sarcasm. It is a shame that today's consumer wants to be just that - a consumer and not invest in any real understanding of the products that they buy. Big ticket items like a car almost scream for some level of understanding. But... folks want to go plop their money down, drive around town, and not even understand something as basic as an oil change and then come looking for "knowledge" when something is broken. Knowledge does not come instantly through usenet posts. It's accumulated. Advice and information that contribute to knowledge can come from a forum like this, but knowledge is just not one of those things that the instant gratification generation can demand. Just a little bit of investment on the part of the owner would go so far in reducing the number of foolish "my car is broke now, what's wrong with it and did the mechanic/dealer break it or what should I do?" posts.

In the case of the OP, I suspect the mechanic did not use winterized air in the air cleaner.

Take it back like you indicated and see what they say.

If the mechanic is honest, he will tell you what the problem is and will be honest about whether it's related to the repairs. If it's unrelated, he can and should claim it was not a result of something he did. While odds lean heavily toward the tune-up, there are still many things unrelated that could have caused the issue.

Not much knowledge to impart until I know what the issue was and exactly what was done on the initial visit.

Actually, the sad part is, I do know how to change the oil and plugs and air filters and so on. But I have no place to do it; my apt. does not allow working on cars, and I know no one with a home nearby where I could do it. I also do not have a 2nd car I can use to go to the parts store once I get the car taken apart and realize I need this or that.

Also there is the issue that when I did do these things for myself, sometimes it was more hassle than it was worth. Like, if a tiny part dropped on the ground, or broke, or if I discovered a part I needed, I had to walk 2 miles to the nearest parts store to get one, they didn't have it and I had to walk to a 2nd one... next thing you know, that "simple half hour job" becomes a 4-5 hour ordeal, simply because of not having the resources that an Auto Repair place has.

Another thing is having ALL the tools that help to make the job easier. The average Joe does not have all the little things that the mechanic has, to make the job easier to perform, for example a hydraulic rack to put the car up on. What about recycling the oil? If you have to put it in something and drive it across town to dispose of it, there goes the gas money and the time for that...

So, the fact is, I quit doing these things because it was just too much trouble and required too much time sometimes. And I make good money and my free time is more important than the $19.95 I spend on an oil and filter change. A tune up, yes, is overpriced, and I do resent paying $225 for the hour or so they spend giving my car a tune-up, but still and yet, I don't have the place to do it. If I had my own home with a garage, I might consider doing things like this.

One more issue is that some of these compact cars are so tight, it is just a pain in the ass to get in the engine compartment to work on them.

)-; Nice try, but I ain't that dumb!

Thanks. I was just looking for some ideas as to what MIGHT cause it, as much for my own knowledge in general, as for this particular case.

Fortunately it turned out to just be something loose that the mechanic found right away and fixed easily and without cost to me. Thanks for replying, though.

For the 10 minutes it would take to change plugs and wires, I doubt anyone would notice.

That's true of more susbstantial repairs, but not basic maintenance.

The tools to do basic maintenance will fit in a shoebox.

Are we going to have a rational discussion or are you going to be ridiculous? No one needs a lift to do basic maintenance on a car.

Any gas station that does service has an oil reclamation tank.

If you're making good money, why not buy a house with a garage instead of stuffing your cash in some "slumlord's" pocket? It's the best investment you'll ever make, for a lot of reasons. Being able to work on your own car is just one of them.

Again, that's not generally true of basic maintenance. Yeah, getting to the starter or replacing a timing belt can be a bit of a hassle, but that's not what we're talking about.

Perhaps I'm just a walking anachronism, but I feel that I owe it to myself to know as much about the things I own as possible, and to do as much of my own maintenance and repair as possible. It has saved me many thousands of dollars over the years and given me the peace of mind that comes from knowing that if something goes wrong, I can probably fix it or at least work around it until someone else fixes it. I truly hate being dependent on anyone else for my well being.

Of course not - I was trying to end on a funny note.

We have a great deal in common in that area.

True, that part I could do. But an oil change, no.

Like I say, they WOULD scream if I did an oil change. Plugs and wires you are right, I should do those myself. Maybe I will next time.

Yes, and I have them. The plugs are pretty hard to get to, though, on this car, if I recall. But yes, I could do it.

No but it helps. Especially things like brakes. But even with an oil change I'd much rather do it on a rack then crawl under there adn do it. But it's a moot point because I can't, at our apartment.

And they will allow anyone to use it? But again, I can't change oil, here.

You're getting into a personal discussion here which would require me explaining to you why I have not been able to buy a house but can rent an apartment. Suffice to say, I live in Southern California and would prefer to live in a nice area in an apartment than to live in a not so good area in a home.

Okay. You make some good points.

I wonder how many mechanics who use their computers every day know how to fix them, re-load software, re-install Windows, add an internal cd or dvd player, etc.. These are things many people who use their computers every day cannot do. But I can, and I learned only because like someone said above, I don't like to depend on other people for things I use a lot.

But it's all a matter of how much time and energy one is willing to invest in learning something. Some people just find computers too intimidating, and others find cars too intimidating.

To be more clear, I found out that it was an electrical connector to the tube that goes into the air filter. Somehow or other that piece got broken or lost so it came loose.

The mechanic said they did not take that piece apart so it was just a coincidence that it was loose because that piece was lost or broken. (I'm not clear from looking at it exactly how it was before... I'd have to see the new piece.) Anyway, he jerry-rigged the connection to remain tight with some plastic ties.

I need to go to Hyundai and see if I can order that part, but the nearest Hyundai here is 35 min. or so away and I'll have to go there, show it to someone, have them order it, then make another trip back to pick it up.

Unless someone here can point me to a web site or something where I can locate the part, get the number of it and order it by phone...

I have no idea what it would be called, an ex- mechanic friend of mine looked at it and said he'd call it the "electrical connector that connects to the tube going into the air filter". He said it maybe had to do with something else, (air mixture?) maybe but I forgot what he said.

Thanks to all for the feedback.

I can and I make a few bucks at it, too.

That would be me.

What I've found it that it's largely a mindset. People who don't think they're capable often never even try, but if they do, they're frequently surprised at what they can do. OTOH, there are some people with no mechanical/technical capability. I feel sorry for them.

If you go to hmaservice.com and sign up, you can access service manuals and order parts online for delivery to a local dealer. That will save you one trip. You may also be able to order the part directly from

That would be the connector for the air flow sensor. The bad news is that Hyundai doesn't sell the connectors separately. As long as it's tied on securely and won't leak water in, you should be okay.

Because the whole assembly is expensive, no doubt, right? Guess I'll just make sure it's nice and tight, maybe put some duct tape around it?

Thanks.

To get the parts from Hyundai, you'd have to buy the whole wire harness. I wouldn't put any duct tape on. Just make sure it's secure and not broken to the point where it will leak.

What I generally prefer in situations like this Dan is to use shrink wrap. You know the stuff commonly used to seal and insulate electrical connections? Slip a piece big enough to go around the connector on and shrink it down. Should make a neat and reliable seal for you.