What excatly is a tune up? What do they all do, because my blazer was sitting the whole winter(I get my license in a week) and I would like to get a tune up before I start driving it all around. It runs a little rough, but I think a nice tune up would help. I just bought a new alternator today because my last one was fried. But any information on what happens when vehicles sit the winter and if a tune up would help at all that would be nice. Thanx

 

spark plugs, cap, rotor, wires mostely.. but they might check and fill fluids, change your filters if needed, fuel filter, air filter....

 

Thanx, but what excatly happens to a vehicle when you leave it sit for the winter?

 

The biggest problem in your situation is the gas, it forms a varnish and cuases all sorts of fuel feed problems. I hihgly recommend running a couple cans of sea-foam through the gas tank. I also highly recommend using at least 10% ethanol mixed gas to help clean the fuel system out. After two tank fulls, replace the fuel filter.

As for your question.
Tune up.
Parts replaced and why are following;

Spark plug- the gap in the plug gets bigger over time, plus the plugs could become fouled from improper burn in the combustion chamber. the spark plugs will tell you how each piston is working. Get a Chilton/Hanyes manual, it ahs pictures of what is good, and what isn't.

Spark plug wires- over time the insulation corodes, the conductors lose the ability to conduct current to the plugs. Its mostly cheap insurance to keeping the ignition system in top running order. The wires can cause spark plug probvlems, plus they can cuase distriburator problems.

Distriburaotr Cap and rotor- the rotor spins inside the distriburator cap and as it makes contact with each spark plug post it sends the electrical current to that plug via the wire. Over time those contacts become worn down, corrode, and you lose performance, in other words worn out ignition parts will cost you gas pilegae, and the engine will run like crap.

PVC- it provides a backpressure release for the back side of the pistons, without it you willforce oil past your piston rings and then turna good running engine into an oil burner, won't be long before your looking at a rebuild. Well worth the $5 for a new one.

Air filter- when the aire filter gets dirty it doesn't allow as much air into the intake. Less air means the fuel in the cylinders wont burn all the way. Your engine will run like crap and your fuel mileage will drop. Carefull about getting a filter that allows too much debris into the engine. All that dirt ends up in the compression camber, that dirt gets mixed in the wht oil and becomes sandpaper. It eats past the piston rings and lead sto premature engine failure. ever wonder how they can claim 1,000,000 miles on the air filter. Cuase they know your engine won't live that long. It wont live that long becuase of all the dirt it is letting in. Sure it is letting in more air, but there is dirt in that air. The best ugrade for the intake is cold air, and that doesn;t mena opening up the intake under the hood where temps get extremely hot. Cold air is air draw from outside the engine compartment. Hoodscope is one example.

Where was i?
Oh yea, fuel filter, it traps debris in the gas, replace it. If you don't the pump has to work harder to push the fuel through a plugged screen. Fuel pumps ain't easy or cheap to replace.

Lastly, oil change and that includes an oil filter.

Those are the typically items for a tune up. Expect to pay aorund $80 or more for parts.

There are other service items, but they should be covered in your owners manual.
Things like vacuum lines, tranny fluid, radiator service, tire rotation, suspension/steering grease, etc.
That should get you started. Post up if you have any quesitons or problems. I try to check my email every night, and the site every couple of days. Tune ups are pretty routine and lots of foks on here can help you out.