What do mechanics do when you ask for a tuneup?

Question

Reason I ask is because my check engine light was on and the car was sorta shaking so I thought the reason was because it needed an oil change so decided to the the tuneup. I got my car back today and realize it is worse than it was to begin with on the shaking part. When I stop the car it shakes really badly and guess what the light never went away. I paid about $120 bucks for this to be done and it's even worse. What should I do about this? My hubby says it's something else that it needs besides the tuneup and that its sorta my fault because I wasn't responsible with taking care of the car. Any suggestions?

My grandpa checked the car this morning and he said it was the vaccum hose. So would I have to go back and ask them to fix this?

Answer 1

Any vehicle without a distributor with "points" receives a set up spark plugs and they will check the spark plug wires and that's about it.

If your check engine light was on it was more than likely a vacuum or emissions issue and a tune up would not help.

It is possible they knocked the hose loose during the tune up and this would contribute to the issue but more than likely it was not the main factor. You already had something else wrong before the tune up.

You will need to take it to a mechanic with a scanner to hook up to your computer and pull the codes and then proceed from there with repairing what is identified.

You don't have to take it to a dealer for repair. There are lots of good mechanic shops out there that have the proper equipment to take care of this for you and will charge you less in labor than a dealer. Dealer labor rates are typically 20%- 25% higher then other mechanics.

Best wishes

Answer 2

In the newer cars to day a set of spark plugs is it, If the works was done and its worst than before they may have left off a vacuum hose, return and complain about it, if they won't help you call the bureau of Auto repair for some help. Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 3

Tuneups usually consist of changing sparkplugs., cleaning fuel injectors, checking timing, the catalytic converter, air filters etc. With the newer cars, computer boards indicate problems with the vehicle which any good mechanic would be familiar. If your car did not perform as expected after the work bring it back. if no satisfaction report him.Tell him you mean business.

Answer 4

When your CEL light is on, that does not mean you need an oil-change and or tune-up....It means there is something wrong with a input or output to the ECM.

Answer 5

My suggestion is to report what the computer error codes are that are stored in your computer. You paid to have them read out, so what are they?
http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/checkengine.html
http://www.troublecodes.net/articles/myth-conception.shtml