Well the van is running after 205.00 to replace plugs "dry out ignition". They cautioned me that they think it will have trouble further down the road due to the original parts still in place.

Then you tell them... take you very much... but I will be doing business else where from now on, due to your rudeness! Adios!

Was it raining hard that day?

Did you go through a huge puddle?

If the car was running and just stopped it sounds like they may have replaced a broken coil wire, or something. Bad plugs would not make the car just stop if it has been running for a while.

I wouldn't go back there.

I think it was raining that day.....not a down pour or anything.

Yep, I was toodling down to the gas station and it just stopped! My first thought was that I had run out of gas, as it was close to E.

That's odd, he did mention that he thought I would have trouble in wet weather??

This is what the bill says:

"Check for computer codes. None found. Test fuel pressure and volume. Test OK. Has very weak spark and plugs are fouled. Replace spark plugs and dry out ignition. (needs additional ignition components). Absolutely no warranty."

The labor was 142.50. He said the computer called for 2.8 hours of labor on this job. I do know they had to take the inside "bunkhouse" out to get to stuff. I know that is not what that is called, just can't think of the term for the inside of the van in the front there, where the glove box and all that is.

The problem with not going there again is this: the place is highly recommended by friends. I seem to have this problem no matter where I go no matter how aggressive I am with the service guys. I do my homework and try to sound halfway intelligent, yet I always walk away feeling screwed. Hopefully, they did as they said, and the price was fair.

Anyhow, it's starting for now. I've already contacted a sales person and I'm going to start hunting for a newer model.

Most places charge upwards of seventy-five bucks an hour. With some vans things on the engine can be hard to get to. If the wires, cap and rotor haven't been replaced in years moisture could cause it to stall. Fouled plugs could be a number of problems. Oil fouled or carbon fouled. Does it burn oil? I doubt if it runs rich unless you go on a lot of short trips or a temp sensor is wacky.

You may be right time to start looking for a new ride.

i think you got taken for the labor...
putting it on the computer takes no time,the plugs and wires should have taken an hour at most.

btw,why not put a couple hundred more into it,and save the car payments?
a coil and such are basic repair parts,and should be considered part of maintenance.

what kind of van is it exactly,a 2000 what,fullsize?
v-8 v-6?

at a 100,000 miles,id suggest checking the timing chain or timing belt,depending on which you have.
keeping timing is important,and basic tuneups keep it going.

this is all moot if youve traded the van..
cheers

my guess as well, although i would think the fuel filter would be clogged before the carb/injectors. i'd say check the filter first. then disconnect a fuel line close to the carb/injectors and crank the engine and see if fuel comes out or a safe way would be to hook a pressure guage up to the fuel rail if you have one and your car has a connector for it. if no fuel pressure in the lines, then you might have a bad pump on your hands.

if the spark is week and the plugs are fouled, you probably have several things going on both with the fuel systems and the ignition system. Poor spark could be from a defective coil, rotor, wires and the plugs themselves, although some of this should show up as faults when the codes are pulled, just depends on the car/van. old and cracked plug wires will cause trouble as will a worn out cap and rotor. Fuel system could also be contributing witha plugged fuel filter causing reduced flow to injectors, along with fouled injectors themselves. I there is incomplete ignition, then excess gasoline in the cyclinders will cause unburned fuel to affect the lubrication in each piston which is very bad and causes huge wear on your engine fast. That unburned fuel will also cause huge problems with the cataletic converter and contaminate your engine oil too.
My best guess would be to go through the ignition system replacing all worn parts, and then do an oil and filter change, fuel fiter change and fuel system flush. Yes this will not be cheep, but will be equivilant to a couple of new car payments. Depends on weather or not you want to keep it or buy a new one. if new, then let the dealer do it.. If buying a used vehicle, make sure it is a certified pre-owned, it have to pass about 150 inspection points that must be fixed or it is not certified and under warranty. look into it and choose carefully! best wishes,Rob

Thank you folks for the advice. Parts are bought and tomorrow the van gets the rest of the repairs done. Going to have a new distributor cap/rotor/wireset to compliment the new plugs already in.

I had the brake line and brakes fixed on my little work car (sunfire) so it's been getting me around for a few days. It's not nearly as comfy to drive, believe it or not. I don't like having to lean back to drive in the "hoopty mobile" as we call it..... I must be getting old.

Crank with no Start problems: If there is no spark it could be a number of problems ignition module, crank sensor...ect. PCM....If you have spark and no Fuel this could be a fuel pump or fuel pump relay??? To difficult to diagnose without checking for spark and fuel and which point you will which way to go...

after view the last responses looks like you have everything taken care of. Good luck