Okay - I couldn't keep quiet any longer on this...
I used to own a gas station and a fee of $400 for changing the spark plugs on your car...they aren't cutting you any deals. They are charging you for every little thing they can and they are charging you for everything they have to take off and put back on that car. That is their right BUT you are trying to save money here and that is your right. LABOR LABOR LABOR $$$
I just goggled it and the instructions are out there on the internet. This may be something your husband and your S18 are going to have to do together. BUT together they can do it. And yes, it is going to be an all day job but they can do it. MWG - I bet that even you could do it.
As far as the emissions go. Been there too. In the two states that I'm familiar with if your emissions fail they are to give you a print out of what is wrong and the minimum you have to fix in order to pass the emissions.
MWG - my 1994 Jeep still passes emissions and we don't do anything. We do not have any of the work done any where else but our driveway. DO NOT let these station owners make you feel dumb or try to intimidate you. It was one thing that I would not tolerate as a gas station owner. They will try it on you/women. They try it on my daughter...she just raises and eyebrow at them and says...you can come square with me or I'm calling my dad tonight who does this type of stuff for a living and he will tell me what is what. Yep, they usually get embarrassed but they usually come square and it is usually a savings of hundreds of dollars. And it's the same place she goes to all the time.
Sorry to vent on this - I just hate to see people taken when it comes to cars and getting the work done on them. Can you tell it makes me mad?
