ritchiem

Jeez, right before I head out on a huge road trip, the car starts misfiring when accelerating. Took it to the dealer - I know, big mistake, but I thought they might find the problem quickly. Their solution - replace plugs and wires - for $800. I actually gave them the go-ahead but am going to haul over there tomorrow AM and get my car before the rape me. That's just out of control. It's probably $250 for parts. I just do not trust these guys.

I'm probably taking it to the shop down the street, way more fair and honest. Obviously, I'm bracing for it to be the opti.

I've read up a bit. Questions - Lots of stuff says 'check the grounds'. Where are they in general? Any map in the FSM? I couldn't find one easily.
Also, you guys have gone through this - where else would you start looking before replacing $600 in parts?

I hate misspelled words - it's spelled ' accelerating', but it looks like you can't edit the title.

carb0n

I am not keen on deep mechanic knowledge but I can throw in a brief experience of my own.
My C4 accidently got drenched in water and it reached the optispark distributor and caused the C4 to misfire horribly and it took 1 week of sitting in the garage to dry out before it ran just fine again. It could be the opti if you've had problems relating to it or got it wet (that's a story I won't even discuss lol)

jimg's'93

You really need to check for any stored codes before you blindly start chasing the problem. Misfires or stumbling can be caused by any number of problems from fuel to vacuum to electrical and the codes can help steer you closer. As for the plugs and wires for $800?? Take some time and replace 'em yourself for a fraction of that!

pcolt94

That’s really excessive – RUN AWAY. 8 plugs and wires got to be under $100 for normal parts. Plugs and wires can be a task in a vette but a tech with all the tools and experience should be able to do it in a few hours. What’s their labor rate?

And I don’t think it will cure the problem. I am going to go out a bit on a limb and say the opti might be your problem.

If you have bucking or coughing on acceleration when it gets hot but runs good cold, these are opti symptoms. If you downshift the problem lightens up or have a varying idle. You have not detailed your symptoms to much so I can't be sure, but just my first impression of what you said.

onedef92

I'm hip! You can get NGK TR-55 Double Platinum plugs for $5 each (or less) at any major auto parts store. You can also get premium quality, 7mm ignition wires for around $75.

Do the labor yourself if you can. It's a pain in the butt on LT-X engines, but certainly doable. You've got the FSM, which details how to swap the plugs and wires out.

It took me about four hours the first time I swapped out my plugs AND wires with a buddy to help me.

Eakster

I had the same symptoms when my plug wires went out. They were stock replacement, only about a year old and the problem wasn't visible. Codes were for 'multiple misfire' - not much help
Pull your codes - tons of help available from the forum here before you have to open your wallet

j-vette

Some friend

j/k

URUSAINA

Code it. Might be an 02 sensor/s.