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Did my own tune up today (pics)

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Old 04-11-2010, 02:20 AM
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Did my own tune up today (pics)

So anyway, I bought my tuneup kit from Atkins Rotary (great company btw) thanks to a link posted here. New plugs, coils, wires, air filter, and an oil filter for $323 shipped to me. I recieved it Friday and Saturday it is all done. I'm pretty proud of myself and thankful for the DIY threads here, very helpful.

A while back I commented on a thread by jasonrxeight, about how the same dealer I use overfilled his oil, and how they always do that to mine too. I've read here that it's nothing to worry about. Well today I see that is definitely not a good thing. If the freakin oil makes it's way to the damn air filter, that's rediculous! What do you guys think? I think the dealer is going to get an earful from me next time I'm up there, that filter in hand!

So anyways, I have an '04 MT with 43,300 miles. And from reading a ton of info here. I decided it was time for new plugs, wires, and coils. I will say I was expecting a bigger difference in the way she runs from the way people talk about how it's such an improvement. My only complaint was the cranking time at startup sometimes, and I haven't really driven it enough since to know if that is resolved. All in all I don't think my coils looked all that bad, my plugs had some build up on them. On that one plug, the wire came off very easily and by looking at it, I'm not even sure it was connected.

It runs very smoothly and there is less vibration at idle. All in all I'm glad I did it, for piece of mind and for the chance to become more familiar with my car. Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think.
Almost forgot, I had some new 3.5" tips put on cuz the stock ones looked like chit. I would love to get a catback but for now the tips will suffice.
Attached Thumbnails Did my own tune up today (pics)-picture-034.jpg   Did my own tune up today (pics)-picture-035.jpg   Did my own tune up today (pics)-picture-036.jpg   Did my own tune up today (pics)-picture-037.jpg   Did my own tune up today (pics)-picture-038.jpg  

Old 04-11-2010, 02:21 AM
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Here are the plugs.
Attached Thumbnails Did my own tune up today (pics)-picture-039.jpg  
Old 04-11-2010, 12:23 PM
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Congrats for doing it yourself. You saved yourself a boatload of money by not going to a stealership. Even though the DIYs are great on here, I'm finding that this is the easiest car I've ever worked on for doing maintenance myself. Those old coils definitely look shot. Even though you may not really feel anything different after the new parts pay attention to the MPG. With new plugs, coils and wires you may be surprised to see an overall 1-2 mpg increase. I don't know if it always happens but it happened to me...although I probably let my old plugs go a lot longer than I should have and they were totally fried when I removed them and wouldn't be surprised if at least one of them wasn't even firing properly.
Old 04-11-2010, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by rxwarrior
A while back I commented on a thread by jasonrxeight, about how the same dealer I use overfilled his oil, and how they always do that to mine too. I've read here that it's nothing to worry about. Well today I see that is definitely not a good thing. If the freakin oil makes it's way to the damn air filter, that's rediculous! What do you guys think? I think the dealer is going to get an earful from me next time I'm up there, that filter in hand!
An oil catch tank will solve this problem. Easy and cheap mod.

Originally Posted by rxwarrior
My only complaint was the cranking time at startup sometimes, and I haven't really driven it enough since to know if that is resolved.
Do you have the upgraded starter? If you still have the original starter you will continue having problems with cranking time. 04s have a weak starter. Things get a bit worse when the car is warmed.
Old 04-11-2010, 04:45 PM
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lookin good bro that filter looks horrible
Old 04-11-2010, 06:07 PM
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I'm about to order my Atkins Rotary tune up kit too do to a burnt coil. I'm also going to try to mount the coils somewhere else so they don't get so hot mounted to the engine. Maybe they'll last longer. Great job by the way rxwarrior, I'm a mechanic so these things are easy to work on, easier than most believe it or not.

Anyone know of a coupon code for Atkins Rotary?
Old 04-11-2010, 10:32 PM
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Thanks for the replies. I did ask to see the service records at the dealership last time I was there. The upgraded starter was installed for the original owner. I've been out driving around town today and the warm start issue is no better. Maybe a compression test is in order. It does run and idle soooo smooth now though.
Old 04-12-2010, 12:15 AM
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good for u .. high 5~
Old 04-12-2010, 12:18 AM
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Once again, the white spots underneath the coils are NOT necessarily indicative of a burnt coil.
Not trying to refute what you did OP, just trying to stop the spread of some misinformation! I'm sure at 44k miles those coils were way overdue, I change em every 20k.
Old 04-12-2010, 03:34 AM
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Can you get the tune-up kit without the filter?
Old 04-12-2010, 04:32 AM
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Spark plugs look identical to mine when I replace them ... except for the lead end of that one ... green corrosion wtf???

Good thing those POS are gone.

thumbs up bro
Old 04-12-2010, 12:52 PM
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This is the tune up kit that I got. They will probably sell you the kit without the filters but you would have to email them since they dont have a phone # on their site.
http://atkinsrotary.com/store/catalo...t-p-17026.html
Old 04-12-2010, 07:11 PM
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