59,000 miles - with the cold weather this past week the truck has been running rough, I know it needs plugs and wires but have not had the chance to get it done yet. Now the yellow "Service Engine Soon" light is on, sometimes it flashes, sometimes it does not. Seems like it is flashing when the engine is really cold / rough and then when the truck warms / runs smootherit is on steady. Has only been on today, next stop is to the shop. Does this sound like plugs / wires? Or something else?

 

Yes, plugs and wires.
The spark plugs need more power when cold so it miss's more, then when warm it will smooth out.
New plugs and wires will fix it, do it ASAP.

 

Thanks, Spike. Going to get the whole 60k done plus rebuild the front drive shaft (before it rebuilds itself and the transmission.

 

Bob,
Go get your codes read before you do anything. Make sure to use the 8mm Magnacor wires.
Who is going to do your service, hopefully not the dealer. A 60K with wires will run your $1200 to $1400 plus a drive shaft fix.

 

Well, I got the service done - took it to the guy who works on my TR6. He read the codes, cleared all, changed all fluids and the plugs. A couple of the plugs had electrodes "mostly burned off".

The only thing he did not do - and did not charge me for - was change the wires, which kinda bugged me 'cause it was on the list and he didn't mention this when he called to say it was ready. According to him the wires "did not need to be changed, plus they're a pain to change anyway". So, what should I do here? Do the wires absolutely need to be changed? The truck is running GREAT, with no codes.

Also, I had him inspect the driveshaft and he said that the it looked like it was in good shape as well. So I have not had anything done to the driveshaft at this time. Do you recommend doing this soon as well?

Thanks for the advice.

Bob

 

I would worry more about the driveshaft than the plug wires.
Have the front driveshaft rebuilt with greasable u-joints, they can fail with no warning, and when it does it will cost you $7,000 for a new transmission.

 

Thanks, Spike ... is it pretty easy to drop the shaft so I can take it to a driveline shop (in another car), then pick it up and reinstall myself? That way I don't have to have multiple trips with people dropping me off, etc ...