With updates to vehicle ignition systems over the past two decades, tune-ups are not what they once were. Newer vehicles no longer come with distributor caps, rotors, or carburetors, which may leave vehicle owners wondering what a proper tune-up consists of today.

Ignition Coil (shown w/ boot)
& Boot (shown separately)

For many vehicles, today’s tune-up may require little more than replacing the spark plugs and checking the condition of other critical ignition and emission parts to ensure they are not damaged. COP (Coil-On-Plug) technology has replaced distributor caps and rotors on many vehicles. While COP ignition coils are typically non-wearing items and may be replaced only when they fail, Spark Plug (Coil-On-Plug) Boots should be checked whenever the spark plugs are inspected or replaced.

Spark Plug (Coil-On-Plug) Boots, which connect the spark plugs to the ignition coils, are often overlooked because they are out of sight. Like spark plug wires, these boots do age and may suffer internal damage from high-voltage electricity or cracking from engine heat. On some engines, spilled or leaked oil might flow under cosmetic covers and get down onto the boots causing chemical damage. When these boots do fail, they can cause misfires and rough running, so manufacturers recommend they be replaced whenever deterioration is noticed or spark plugs are replaced.

RockAuto carries a wide selection of high quality brands, including Standard Motor Products (SMP), ACDelco and Motorcraft, for vehicles ranging from 1990 to 2016. We also offer Ultra-Power Spark Plug (Coil-On-Plug) Boots, produced at the exact same factories as the famous brand name equivalents and with prices that can save you 10% or more compared to RockAuto's other reliably low priced parts.

Spark Plug (Coil-On-Plug) Boots are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace. You can find Spark Plug (Coil-On-Plug) Boots (along with other classic tune-up parts for older vehicles) listed under "Ignition" in the RockAuto catalog.

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I drove a 1972 Ford Galaxie 500 when in high school. I was always mechanically inclined, so I decided to do a tune-up on the car.

I replaced the spark plugs, then replaced the distributor cap, points, air filter and breather filter. While replacing the filters, I decided to drain the oil at the same time. I put new oil in, but when I tried to start the car, it would not start! I went back over everything. Reset the points and put on the distributor cap, then moved on and made sure I had the right spark plug wires going to the correct cylinders.

I tried to start it again, and nothing! It would turn over, but it would not start! I leaned against the car to ponder my dilemma. What could be keeping the car from starting? This is when I I looked down at the ground and noticed the new distributor rotor still in the package! I popped it in, and the car fired right up!

I learned a valuable lesson that day! Do not try and do everything at once. Do the individual jobs one at a time so you do them correctly, and then move on to the next task. I still practice this approach in my job today. It takes longer, but more mistakes get made when you are trying to do more than one job at once!

Kent in Missouri

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for a while!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

Chrysler began separating Ram Trucks from Dodge back in 2009. When did the Ram first appear on Dodge vehicles?

A. 1932
B. 1954
C. 1981

Answer below

Transmission manufacturers usually/always require the transmission oil cooler be replaced or thoroughly cleaned whenever a new or remanufactured automatic transmission is installed. The intent is to prevent debris from the old oil cooler from damaging the new transmission and to ensure the temperature of the transmission fluid is properly controlled. On many vehicles, the transmission oil cooler is part of the radiator. I just gave my wife a new radiator (including installation!) for Christmas. It was a great opportunity for me to dissect the old radiator and take a closer look at transmission oil coolers.

The "concentric" transmission oil cooler on my wife's '93 Ford Tempo is still the design used on late-model vehicles built by Honda, Toyota and other car manufacturers. Sitting inside the radiator reservoir, the concentric cooler looks like it could be a small drum holding a relatively large amount of transmission fluid. As seen in the photos, the cooler is actually a hollow pipe. Transmission fluid only flows between the inner and outer (concentric) pipe walls.

Cutting open the pipe shows how little space there is between the inner and outer walls. A metal screen fills part of that space. It would be difficult or impossible to clean a concentric oil cooler if it became clogged with debris.

The other common type of transmission oil cooler found inside radiators sends the transmission fluid through a stack of two to six plates. This design may offer increased cooling capacity, but the space between the walls of the "plates" is still about as narrow and hard to clean as that between the walls of the concentric pipes cooler.

Another alternative to replacing the radiator/oil cooler could be to install a separate transmission oil cooler. These look like mini radiators and are found in the RockAuto catalog under "Oil Cooler" in the "Transmission-Automatic" category. Disconnect the transmission fluid lines from the old cooler buried in the radiator and connect them to a new stand alone cooler. Stand alone transmission oil coolers are original equipment on many vehicles, especially trucks and high performance cars. It will probably take longer for a cold transmission to reach its ideal operating temperature since the transmission fluid will no longer be warmed by the radiator's water/anti-freeze.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.

I own a 1986 Toyota Cressida MX73. I love this car. It is what is often called a "Proto-Lexus." Toyota developed this car to compete in the U.S. luxury car market back in the 80s...and they sold like hot cakes. This showed Toyota that there was more than enough market for their luxury sedans and thus, they launched the Lexus brand. The platform is also based off of the 1986 Toyota MKII Supra which is why this Cressida is also sometimes called a "four door Supra." It has the same frame, suspension, motor and drivetrain. A great platform to build a luxury car from.

Its a 30+ year old car, that at times, shows its age. I combat this by purchasing OEM quality parts, and I find them at RockAuto.

I have bought many RockAuto parts for all of my cars, but for this car, I have bought everything from Fuel Filters and Oil Filters to Rotors, Calipers, Brake Pads, Plug Wires, Plugs, Distributor Caps and Lug Nuts, with the most recent parts being the Drive Shaft Center Support Bearing, Transmission Mount, Transmission Rear Output Shaft Seal, and Drive Line U-joints. Next, I plan on replacing all the Wheel Bearings and Seals, the Engine Mounts, and Oil Pan and Seal.

RockAuto is always my first "go to" for auto parts! If I can not find it on RockAuto, it is probably no longer available anywhere else.

As always, Regards and Long Live the Auto Enthusiast!

John in California

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Chrysler began separating Ram Trucks from Dodge back in 2009. When did the Ram first appear on Dodge vehicles?

Answer: A. 1932 (source)
B. 1954
C. 1981

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