What is the cost for a tune up for 2000 Ford Focus zx3?

Answer 1

About $150 - $175 at a service center.

For the Ford Focus with the DOHC Z-Tech 2.0 liter engine you can buy a set of plugs for $10-$15 and wires for $35 and do the work yourself if you have the tools. Spark plugs for the 2000 through 2004 Focus Z-Tech need to be gaped at .050.

For the Ford Focus with the SOHC 2.0 liter engine, the gap needs to be set at .054. I am assuming RLM's engine is the SOHC. I do not know all the years that engine was offered.

The spark plugs for, jn our case a 2001, are factory set at .054. If you put a feeler gauge in the plugs to "gap" them, you will ruin the platinum coating and they will not fire properly, if at all. The above is bad advice, I found this out the hard way. Put the plugs in straight from the box. -- RLM

I decided to do some research and called customer service at both Autolite and Bosch to pose the question about gapping to them. According to both companies, the theory of not needing to check the gap on new plugs (and reset if necessary) is incorrect.

Although their gaps are set at the factory for the most common vehicle(s), some other vehicles can use the same plug but require a different gap, requiring all the plugs to need their gaps changed. Furthermore, plugs are rarely shipped with any protection for the ground strap (the little wire piece that sets the gap between it and the electrode). All it takes is a little drop while shipping and the gap will be knocked off. Running plugs with different gaps can cause the engine not to run smoothly, overheat, and get poor gas mileage.

It so happens that I have a set of spark plugs waiting for a Ford Focus to need them (we have a 5 in our business fleet). I checked their gaps and found they range from about .040 to .055 or so. Before using them I would need to reset their gap.

It is true, however, that because the electrodes of modern spark plug electrodes are made of much harder metals like platinum or iridium, they are also much more brittle. Care must be taken while setting the gap to ensure the electrode is not chipped or snapped off, as in RLM's case, the engine will misfire badly or not run at all. But plugs will need to at least have their gaps checked to ensure they are accurately set.

Cheers -- TLR VII