Are engines outlasting the rest of the car?
- Thread starter Seth
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This is usually the killer. It's not everyone who will actually rent a car for a week so that they can get their 18 year old car serviced/repaired. It all depends on what else you're putting up with in keeping it. Most people buy their cars loaded with appointments (sometimes not out of choice =that's what's on the lot) and many of those luxuries don't hold up under the test of time. So you live with a lame this ..a lame that ..and when the (estimated) $1200 bill stares you in the eye ..you usually blink and fold.
I buy used cars at least 2 years old and insist on seeing a maintenance log with timely OC and other maintenance and repairs noted. I appreciate when the previous owner used synthetics!
Keeping two cars works great for this. One to tinker with and one to drive
In my case, I go through 2 or 3, maybe even 4 engines before I sell, crash or junk my cars. However they are all high boost, turbocharged monsters. Probably twice as many transmissions too.
Chris
Chris
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Keeping two cars works great for this. One to tinker with and one to drive
That's why I put the engine in the minivan. It took awhile ..but it could sit ...but we sure missed it when it was down. Have you tried getting a week's worth of groceries in a Wrangler?
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Hey, pal. Most of us practice some form of "trickle down" economics with our wallets ...but not too many of us use the theory like a fire hose.
Well, my engine, tranny, AND clutch outlasted my front leather seats...so I found a pair off ebay for a good price and my interior looks new again. '93 w/ 211k miles now, and I plan on going a couple more years before I get a "new" car.
My car is rusting and I'm trying to deal with it soon. I have no choice for now but to do so. Two years from now I hope to be back to a ford.
Lots of good stuff here.
Basically look at economics of oil changes, maintenance cost, and resale value. Of the 100+ changes I have done only 4 that rated enough to use Synthetic. I'm not a big believer in extended OCI and I usually run vehicles until ~150K. One of mine is 175K now, a friend of mine has one from me at 188K.
But I did finally switch on a 2005 using 5W20 because I can get PP cheap recently and $4/qt full price at Walmart. The MC blend is about $2.25/qt and I feel comfortable to use 5K OCI with pure synth only.
I live in N. Cal where vehicles could last forever. I also lived in Boston where 100K life was the norm.
Tranny, yea, under-serviced a 1997 GM 4L60E. Cost me $1700 at 135K. Never do that again.
Basically look at economics of oil changes, maintenance cost, and resale value. Of the 100+ changes I have done only 4 that rated enough to use Synthetic. I'm not a big believer in extended OCI and I usually run vehicles until ~150K. One of mine is 175K now, a friend of mine has one from me at 188K.
But I did finally switch on a 2005 using 5W20 because I can get PP cheap recently and $4/qt full price at Walmart. The MC blend is about $2.25/qt and I feel comfortable to use 5K OCI with pure synth only.
I live in N. Cal where vehicles could last forever. I also lived in Boston where 100K life was the norm.
Tranny, yea, under-serviced a 1997 GM 4L60E. Cost me $1700 at 135K. Never do that again.
A point I've raised on this forum many times.
The highest mileage guy on the Saturn forum has 480,000 miles, mostly with Chevron 10W40 dino.
But for those with BITOG OCD
if it makes you feel better to pour high priced stuff in, go for it.
The highest mileage guy on the Saturn forum has 480,000 miles, mostly with Chevron 10W40 dino.
But for those with BITOG OCD
That's one of the best paragraphs I've ever read on these boards. Made me stop lurking and sign up! Well spoken, Big Al.
Quote:
That's one of the best paragraphs I've ever read on these boards. Made me stop lurking and sign up! Well spoken, Big Al.
DANG it! *I* wanted to be the one who caused you to sign up!
JK...welcome!
Thanks, LouDawg!
Hey, I'll be up your way tomorrow...I work for IPL and have a meeting in Indy.
I tend to buy cars that are about a dozen years old. Fancy Euro sports cars for summer, and not so fancy Japanese beaters for winter. The former have been babied and the latter are selected so that I can do most necessary repairs myself. On my current winter car I have done everything that did not require welding.
Here in Ontario Canada rust will get you before anything else. It is like some areas of the northern midwest where sometimes you can't see the snow through all the salt.
And yes, the fancy Euro car gets synthetic because it is a Turbo, and the winter car gets whatever Dino is on sale. Every once in a while I consider using synth just for the low temp pumpability but other wise Synth would be a waste since my Oil OCD would not let me go more than about 4K without the urge to change.
Here in Ontario Canada rust will get you before anything else. It is like some areas of the northern midwest where sometimes you can't see the snow through all the salt.
And yes, the fancy Euro car gets synthetic because it is a Turbo, and the winter car gets whatever Dino is on sale. Every once in a while I consider using synth just for the low temp pumpability but other wise Synth would be a waste since my Oil OCD would not let me go more than about 4K without the urge to change.
Weeelll, you ol' dawg. I work for PSI/Cinergy/Duke/whoever buys us next....
"Dittos'" if I may borrow a phrase. Well said, BigAl. I use this logic all the time on customers who are trying to make a $1000-$2000 decision on a large repair, being careful our new car salesmen don't hear me, of course....
Fiances car is an 01 Focus we just got and changed the timing belt tonight (it had to be due) and the while the valve cover was off looked a the top of the head and at 130K on just regular oil I an sure it is spotless. VERY clean, cams looked great. The head was aluminum colored not even a light varnish.
We see car all the time that need to rebuilt or crushed with a good engine. Also seen one not make the first fill up at a gas station. Can you believe they actually gave him a new car not just a new engine??? I mean really!! Joke Joke Funny Funny. LOL
We see car all the time that need to rebuilt or crushed with a good engine. Also seen one not make the first fill up at a gas station. Can you believe they actually gave him a new car not just a new engine??? I mean really!! Joke Joke Funny Funny. LOL
Thirty cars over forty-five years. Never lost an engine that didn't overheat (well there was a 66 belt throwing Corvair)-- Pennzoil and Quaker don't guarantee cars from oil related engine failure for 300 K for nothing.
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