Old mechanic wants to know - What constitutes a tune up these days?

[SteveinAlaska]

Started my 20 year mechanic career in 1970 in & around Chicago. Got ASE Certified about 1973-4 as I remember. Worked on automobiles until around 1980 then spent the rest of my time on lawn equipment, small farm tractors and motorcycles. So now at 70 yrs old, what should I ask for or expect for the tune up work to be on my 1992 Ranger 3.0 V6 motor when I take it in to let the shop take care of it for me. Mind you,I have had more than my share of clunkers that I kept cobbled together over the years. But now I have a real gem of a rig that I intend to keep for a while. Right now with the exception of the road trip to Anchorage from Fairbanks last August, I only average about 600 miles a month around town driving in temps that range from +80F to currently -20F when I go out tomorrow. Like to know your thoughts.

 

[97RangerXLT]

For your 92, a basic tune up would be plugs, air filter, pcv valve, change the pine scented tree freshener on the rear view mirror, and whatever else might be mentioned in the manual..

but due to the age, in addition to the above also consider having the plug wires changed, and maybe an injector cleaning and intake cleaning with seafoam. check the vacuum hoses for cracks and leaks. And while this isn't a tune up item, I would also have the radiator hoses/ heater hoses checked and replaced if necessary and have the coolant flushed if it is over a few years old. consider changing the differential fluid and transmission fluid as well.

AJ

 

[mtnrgr]

1. pcv
2. spark plugs (motorcraft only), plug wires, cap and rotor, check timing
3. clean maf sensor
4. possible fuel filter
5. fuel system cleaner
6. inspection of everyyhing else to make sure all is good
7. air filter
8. advance the timing some, it will give you better performance also
9. Check throttle cable for slack, mostly it will have alot. there is a mod that can be used with wire ties, and when used the engine returns to life.

These older 3.0's will last forever, and are real easy to work on. They are a higher rpm engine, don't be concerned with having it in higher rpms as that is where they perform best. The auto behind the 3.0 makes the it sort of gutless, yet it does work. I have a 5spd behind my 3.0, and it does wonders with it. With you being 70 young, sure your not a hot rodder, and living in Alaska the auto will work just fine for you. Would like to see this gem of your 92.

 

[adsm08]

I agree with the above.

On a 92 a tune-up should look very much like what you were used to in the 70s with the exception of carb adjustments.

I would get some sort of top-engine cleaner run through, as well as a fuel system cleaner. Seafoam is good enough for a DIYer, if you are paying to have it done at a shop I'd be insisting on BG or Valvoline Professional series products.

 

[Curious Hound]

Run some injector cleaner through it and wash out all the cup holders.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm not really a 3.0L guy... but what about the camshaft synchronizer? Any maintenance he should do there... I've heard some horror stories.

 

[19Walt93]

A 92 would have a fuel filter that should be replaced, I'd want to clean the throttle body- with throttle body cleaner NOT carb cleaner- and the IAC- idle air control valve. I would also only use Motorcraft spark plugs. I have never been a fan of BG products, I talked to a BG rep and he mentioned dumping his "cleaner" into automatic transmissions, then running it for a while and flushing it out with fresh fluid and adding his "conditioner" to it. I sent him away, nothing goes in an automatic transmission except clean transmission fluid. I overhauled a few transmissions that had been dosed with "conditioner" that promised to soften up still seals, it softened them up all right, partially dissolved would be a better word.

 

[cbxer55]

I'm not really a 3.0L guy... but what about the camshaft synchronizer? Any maintenance he should do there... I've heard some horror stories.

Clean the cup holders and change the air freshener. LMAO!!

I've had mine 20 years, it's a 98 3.0. Never done a ting regarding the cam synchro. I'm at the point with mine, that I'm just driving it til it goes BOOM! Then off to a resting place it goes. It's my daily driver beater.

As for a tune up, just bought a 2007 Mustang with 115,000 miles. Already done the oil, fuel filter and coolant. I have recently been getting a P0300 code for random misfire, no number after the code denoting which cylinder it is. So I have new plugs, coils and wires on the way. Start with the simple stuff first. It likely still has the oem plugs in it, as I find most people never bother changing them. Go from there.

 

[Josh B]

Hello SteveInAlaska, sorry I missed your introduction, welcome to TRS

Very nice vehicle you have there sir.
I cannot possibly ad to the massive amount of tune-up info you already have.
Just wanted to say hello, and wish you every success in knowing, or finding, a mechanic diligent and competent enough to do the maintenance on it well

 

[Dirtman]

Just this...

 

[SteveinAlaska]

Wow! Surprised by the quick responses so soon. Well, in my circle of friends are a couple of young mechanics that are also in the local antique auto clubs. They also have tech school training just like I had before actually getting there hands dirty with the real world experiences. Thru all these years I still can talk shop with mechanics I've known.
In regards to the cooling & fuel system, dealt with a filler tube fuel leak & so fuel system checks OK now, at the same time heater blower motor was replaced, radiator cleaned and flushed along with replacement of ORIGINAL heater hoses. I had to deal with that 1st generation of pollution control devices so thanks for the tips on cam synchro, throttle body, IAC & such. Will replace plugs, wires, filters with Motorcraft parts as per the recommendations here. Was employed as a Ford dealer mechanic in 1975-76 so OEM makes sense to me. Advancing timing I can see too.
I just posted images of my rig in the Photo and Video section when the odometer rolled up to all zeros.
In regards to pine scent air freshener - we make the dogs ride in the pickup bed !!
On the trip to Anchorage this past August - the Parks Highway was done at 70 mph with the cruise control on, AC set & original Philco AM/FM cassette player rocking the 50s rock & roll. Do know that it will do 85 as I kept some cat in a Dodge Charger looking in his rear view mirror as we went rolling past Denali (Mt.McKinley) passing those @%^&!@ tourists & sightseeing buses. Once a hot rodder - always a hot rodder , I'm gonna paint flames on the side of my wheelchair when I go to the old folks home.

 

[scotts90ranger]

No adjustable timing on a 3.0, no distributor...

 

[Dirtman]

A 92 3.0 would still have a distributor... EDIS was 95+

 

[scotts90ranger]

Ok, weird, I figured with the 4.0L being EDIS in '91 and the 2.3L being EDIS in '89 the 3.0L would be too...