Why I Don't Trust Shops To Work On My Stuff

[plainvanilla]

I bought a new to me 2003 Burn 2500 4X4 a few months back. It had 99K miles on it and it had been driven like a car, no brake controller, nothing towed. The lady, I met her, weighed about 130 pounds soaking wet, and used to sell real estate in a lake resort, so she figured she might need the 4X4 and her and hubby planned to get an RV but never did. I say all of that to say this. They were soooo picky about that truck. Every service was done, some ahead of time, oil changed, they had most of the records until the morons in make ready trashed them.

 

Since I'm planning a trip to the mountains towing my 5000 lb travel trailer, I had the transmission flushed, and fluid and filter changed using the BG system, I've changed and checked everything but the plugs.

 

I figured they hadn't been changed since they were supposed to be a 100,000 mile tune up.

I pulled one out to see and it was a el cheap 0 NGK $1.59 plug, non platinum, non iridium

 

The previous owner had taken it either to a tune up joint or the dealer and the shop suggested replacing the plugs. They would have gladly paid for the right plugs to be put in, and probably were charged that much, but the shop put in junk plugs and threw away a better plug, being the factory platinum plug that was in there and still good.

 

I put in a set of Delco Iridiums today, at least I know its right now.

That 8.1 makes alot of hp and I didn't want those lawn mower plugs in there.

 

If you want it done right, ... well you know..

[ujtruck]

if they were NGK copper plugs - then they are not lawn mower plugs

[plainvanilla]

if they were NGK copper plugs - then they are not lawn mower plugs

 

they weren't copper, they were the cheapest plug you could get that NGK makes

[98 Z71 SLT]

May I ask...

 

1. If you KNEW the previous owners had EVERY service done, WHY in the world are you re-doing every service...AGAIN ?? If you knew the trans was already flushed...leave it be. Right??

 

2. I sorta doubt a DEALER would use NGK plugs, especially when the have about every Delco plug in stock. Probably an independent doing the work that time...

[svensk]

A little paranoia and overkill to do a complete tuneup and flush before you tow a measly little 5K lb. travel trailer with an 8.1.

[clm7214]

May I ask...

 

1. If you KNEW the previous owners had EVERY service done, WHY in the world are you re-doing every service...AGAIN ?? If you knew the trans was already flushed...leave it be. Right??

 

2. I sorta doubt a DEALER would use NGK plugs, especially when the have about every Delco plug in stock. Probably an independent doing the work that time...

 

I changed EVERY fluid and my plugs when i bought mine used. Theres only one way to make sure its done right and thats to do it yourself. I wouldnt take anybodys word for it either.

[plainvanilla]

May I ask...

1. If you KNEW the previous owners had EVERY service done, WHY in the world are you re-doing every service...AGAIN ?? If you knew the trans was already flushed...leave it be. Right??

 

Sure you may ask!

 

If you read and comprehended my first post your answer is there.

 

They told me they had everything done according to the owners manual but the records were thrown out during make ready before I got it.

The transmission on that truck calls for 50,000 mile service. They serviced it at 50,000 and now it has 100,000 on it, so it would be time for another service. 50 plus 50= 100

 

The plugs weren't supposed to be changed until 100,000 . They traded at 99,000 so I guessed they hadn't been so I pulled on to see if it was factory and found those sub-standard plugs in there.

 

I'm like you, I doubt or hope a GM dealer even in the small town they were in wouldn't have done something like that.

The previous owners just trusted them to install platinum or equivalent quality.

 

 

Also, even though she told me these things were done, and I see evidence of it, I still go prepared. I'm going to make a 850 mile round trip, about 1/2 of that in the mountains, I want to know what shape my equipment is in.

[plainvanilla]

A little paranoia and overkill to do a complete tuneup and flush before you tow a measly little 5K lb. travel trailer with an 8.1.

 

 

well, a set of plugs isn't a complete tune up is it?

 

and the transmission was due at 100,000 for it's second service, so instead of just dropping the pan and getting out 3 or 4 quarts, I opted for the BG service/flush

[03blackz71]

I do all my servicing to my truck so I know the best parts are on it and Done right. I also do it on my parents truck and suv too. Saves alot of money and you can get the better parts so the job is done right.

[plainvanilla]

I do all my servicing to my truck so I know the best parts are on it and Done right. I also do it on my parents truck and suv too. Saves alot of money and you can get the better parts so the job is done right.

 

 

I have been letting my dealer to the oil change for me. I bring my own Mobil 1 and buy the filter and labor for 15.00

It's worth it to me. BUT I still stand in the hall next to the lube bay and watch the tech from behind the glass wall to see my oil go in and make sure he hits all of the grease zerts.

[Lincoln30]

The 100K plugs don't last 100K. Mine were shot long before 60K and I gained power and 3mpg when I changed them at 60K. There is a particular NGK plug that is not platinum but is preferred on this truck. They don't claim to last 100K but then again why claim something that is not true. I have a set of the NGK in my garage b/c I was going to change them myself and never found the time so I had the dealer do it when I took it in for some other repair...so once again I have the 100K delcos that won't last 100K

[03blackz71]

I never thought about bringing my own oil in for the oil change. I might have to ask my dealer about that one. I did get 4 free with the purchase of my truck so I won't be a while.

 

On my 03 I changed my plugs with 70000 miles on it and the stock plugs were bad. Replaced with same as stock plugs and gained MPG

[svensk]

The 100K plugs don't last 100K. Mine were shot long before 60K and I gained power and 3mpg when I changed them at 60K. There is a particular NGK plug that is not platinum but is preferred on this truck. They don't claim to last 100K but then again why claim something that is not true. I have a set of the NGK in my garage b/c I was going to change them myself and never found the time so I had the dealer do it when I took it in for some other repair...so once again I have the 100K delcos that won't last 100K

NGK tr55 copper plugs. The vette ones. I run them as well and the truck really likes them.

[Bish]

The 100K plugs don't last 100K. Mine were shot long before 60K and I gained power and 3mpg when I changed them at 60K. There is a particular NGK plug that is not platinum but is preferred on this truck. They don't claim to last 100K but then again why claim something that is not true. I have a set of the NGK in my garage b/c I was going to change them myself and never found the time so I had the dealer do it when I took it in for some other repair...so once again I have the 100K delcos that won't last 100K

NGK tr55 copper plugs. The vette ones. I run them as well and the truck really likes them.

 

 

I run the straight NGK TR-55 Copper as well. I change them every 30K but the truck runs better with the copper versus and other long lasting plug I've tried.

[slimjim2525]

May I ask...

1. If you KNEW the previous owners had EVERY service done, WHY in the world are you re-doing every service...AGAIN ?? If you knew the trans was already flushed...leave it be. Right??

 

Sure you may ask!

 

If you read and comprehended my first post your answer is there.

 

They told me they had everything done according to the owners manual but the records were thrown out during make ready before I got it.

The transmission on that truck calls for 50,000 mile service. They serviced it at 50,000 and now it has 100,000 on it, so it would be time for another service. 50 plus 50= 100

 

The plugs weren't supposed to be changed until 100,000 . They traded at 99,000 so I guessed they hadn't been so I pulled on to see if it was factory and found those sub-standard plugs in there.

 

I'm like you, I doubt or hope a GM dealer even in the small town they were in wouldn't have done something like that.

The previous owners just trusted them to install platinum or equivalent quality.

 

 

Also, even though she told me these things were done, and I see evidence of it, I still go prepared. I'm going to make a 850 mile round trip, about 1/2 of that in the mountains, I want to know what shape my equipment is in.

 

Do we just over analize stuff, or is just me. People are nuts about the oil they use, filter, etc, but when it comes down to it, so long as you change your oil regularly it does not make one bit of difference what kind of oil you use. Same thing with the plugs here. So long as they are changed really give me a break, platinum, iridium, 1.50 NGK, I'm telling you it really doesn't matter. And going prepared I can see, but still you're taking a trip through the mountains, pulling a trailer, with a vehichle that has 100k on it, no matter what you're taking a risk.