Tune Up ?!?

Question

Those of you who have followed my story know im having a hard time with my 87 Bronco II.
I finally got it to the shop today to find out whats causing the fuel overload ie. puffs of black smoke, chugging and cutting off.
Well the mechanic there says it needs a tune up.He says that my spark plugs are "carbonized" and my wires are original (!) on top off that hes charging me $300 bucks.
He assures me this is the place to start and hes almost sure this will solve my problems.
My last mechanic says that its full overload, or running rich but not the 02 sensor.He says this burns out the spark plugs but he didnt have the time too look into it.
The question is, could a tune up really be the culprit? Anyone who's had a similar problem please respond.
Im not guessing at the problem as a previous poster said.This truck has been in and out of the shop the last 2 wks.I just spent $300 on a Catylic converter as well.I just want to approach these mechanics with a little knowledge.THANKS GUYS!

Mo- This is NOT my primary car.Ive been looking for a Bronco for years and my parents bought me this one for $750 bucks- and it only has 84k miles,less miles than my 1999.Whether or not I should keep it was not the question.I am aware it could cost me money but that is simply up to me.

Answer 1

plugs and wires may help, it is a good start and if you already bought a catalytic converter it is because it is running rich (getting too much gas) that could be alot of things the oxygen sensor can be checked easily with a hand held volt meter, your mechanic should know that at least
good luck

Answer 2

Hi, Kitten, Well, lets see, if you have black smoke, chugging, and cutting off, I would assume a tune up couldn't hurt. The smoke has me concerned. You basically have 3 types of smoke, white grey, and black. Black smoke is prolly the worse. You ever see those diesel trucks bellowing it out? Basically, I think you have bad rings and or valve seats in it. What is happening is that the rings are bad, which allows the oil to slip into the combustion chamber, but usually this burns off as grey, with bad valve seats, you eithe rhave exhaust or fuel slipping out of the valves during every cycle of the firing except when it is supposed to. You have compression, ignition, exhaust, intake, to put it simply. As for the chugging and dying, it sounds like you have a dirty fuel system, either the filter, the injectors, fuel rail. As far as the plugs, all of them get carbonized, it is part of the combustion process. The plug electrode should have a white/grey appearance, but also they can be black or oily, either is ok, just have to clean them up. look at the tip of the inside of the plug, there should be a small piece of metal sticking out, and the finger under should not be melted looking. The wires could be a culprit too. If it is running rich, you should be able to drive it, park it, get out and smell fuel, running a little rich won't hurt, but if it is really rich that could lead to problems. 300 for a tune up is rediculous, you can buy spark plugs at wal mart for $1.88/ea, and the wires might set you back about $40, a cap is around $20, and the rotor is like $5. If you want to attempt it yourself I can send you complete instructions.

Answer 3

Pouring money into a 20 year old truck is kinda like trying to bail out the Titanic with a sand bucket... Unless your Little Bronco is a cherry collector condition truck.. time to look for something newer.