Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Tune-up quote

I will do it for you if you are willing to drive to Tampa.

a little thicker skin will help you, Ike. He's an Aussie... that means he may be right, but he'll tell you the wrong way.

Seriouly, though.

Everyone starts somewhere, and a tuneup is a basic means of maintenance that you can do. There are AMPLE how-tos for the duratec (look under Duratec Maintenance in the FAQ pinned at the top)

ALL of which are doable at home.


Ray

Ike were are you located...Maybe a Ceger can help ya out.

I can't blame your buddy of being shy about changing the plugs after trying to work on that Mopar.

If it was anything like the 98 Dodge Grand Caravan that I worked on last week for my brother in law, that would be enough to make anyone think twice.

It has a 3.3 litre engine which is a pushrod OHV V6. The front plugs are very easy. The rear plugs require removing the upper intake manifold. To get the upper intake manifold off, you need to completely remove the windshield wiper system which is in sort of a tray above the engine. He paid me well for the job, but I may not have volunteered to take it on if I would have realized what I was getting into.

The Contour is very doable. I can't see even a novice taking more than 2 hours. Those that are exkperienced can do it in about 1/2 hour.

If you want volunteers to help you out (perhaps in exchange for a few cold brewskis) or to refer you to someone nearby who is affordable, you might have to (gasp!!) tell us where you and your car are located. If Tampa FL doesn't work for you, how about Portland OR?

Do you want help? Or do you prefer to bbitch?

I too was "afraid" to do my own tune up on my 96 SE at first until I read all about it here on CEG. Sure it took my 17 yr old son and myself a little while to do, but now either of us could do it in about an hour (with breaks). Hardest part really was getting the old plug wires off. You just have to pull alot. One tip I did read about was using a 8"-10" length of 3/8" rubber hose to place the new plugs in to ease lowering them down to the head to get them started. Other than that you need basic tools, i.e. rachet, socket, extension(s). Like everyone else has said, give it a try and if you run into trouble ask for help here. You'll feel really proud afterwards by saving all that money and learning something in the process.

Now THAT'S what I'm trying to hear. Anyway, my first car was a 1976 Ford Elite. No front-wheel drive, no fancy stuff, and LOTS of room to work with under the hood. 4 plugs and wires on one side, 4 on the other. Pull 'em out, plug 'em in. Simple job. Of course I didn't have anything to lose working on an old clunker with a 351 iron block. I've never even messed with a front-wheel drive car before, and after watching my boy Sean work on my Chrysler Cirrus (Mitsubishi engine actually), I don't want to screw anything up. That's alright, it's time to call my pops back into town and have him show me a couple more things.

Although I don't think he's going to be to thrilled about it either (he hates these new cars).

Ike where are you located? I've changed an ample amount of plugs and wires for CEG'ers in Southeast MI and would be willing to show you the roots.... not if you are 3000 miles away, though.