Yes,rings still wear out. Now if the rings of a gasoline engine where designed like diesel engine rings they would last for 1,000,000 You might need to improve the material the valve springs are made from a little to combat metal fatigue miles for the most part. For the most part most modern camshafts and wrist pins and bearing will last a long time with smart oil choices and commonmaintence. THe bigest enemy to engines today are the following long OCI's with cheap oil and no top up, over extended filter change intervals, failure to maintain cooling system that causes over heat wich gums up the rings and warps componets and mateing surfaces.
Do engines even wear out any more?
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Originally Posted By: hotoil
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
Unless it's been overheated ..or the cooling system has been neglected ...OR there's some higher incidence of head gasket failure in that engine, I'd see no reason to preemptively change head gaskets.
Fluid changes are just about your only option in keeping an automatic in sound condition. "Wear" is dependent upon the amount of shifting it does ..but most automatics that fail don't "wear out". They fail for other reasons.
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
Unless it's been overheated ..or the cooling system has been neglected ...OR there's some higher incidence of head gasket failure in that engine, I'd see no reason to preemptively change head gaskets.
Fluid changes are just about your only option in keeping an automatic in sound condition. "Wear" is dependent upon the amount of shifting it does ..but most automatics that fail don't "wear out". They fail for other reasons.
Originally Posted By: hotoil
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
I have a 98 Sienna. I think we have the same drive train. I have 151k miles on mine - valve covers had to be replace about a year ago. For the last several months the transmission makes an occassional light buzzing noise before shifting - about six years ago I started chging the ATF every year (3 qts) w/ M1 ATF. Hoping to get a few more years out of it.
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
I have a 98 Sienna. I think we have the same drive train. I have 151k miles on mine - valve covers had to be replace about a year ago. For the last several months the transmission makes an occassional light buzzing noise before shifting - about six years ago I started chging the ATF every year (3 qts) w/ M1 ATF. Hoping to get a few more years out of it.
Originally Posted By: ericthepig
Originally Posted By: hotoil
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
I have a 98 Sienna. I think we have the same drive train. I have 151k miles on mine - valve covers had to be replace about a year ago. For the last several months the transmission makes an occassional light buzzing noise before shifting - about six years ago I started chging the ATF every year (3 qts) w/ M1 ATF. Hoping to get a few more years out of it.
If well maintained, that engine/transmission combination can last a very long time. My friend has over 300k on his 01 Sienna with the original engine and transmission.
Originally Posted By: hotoil
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
I have a 98 Sienna. I think we have the same drive train. I have 151k miles on mine - valve covers had to be replace about a year ago. For the last several months the transmission makes an occassional light buzzing noise before shifting - about six years ago I started chging the ATF every year (3 qts) w/ M1 ATF. Hoping to get a few more years out of it.
If well maintained, that engine/transmission combination can last a very long time. My friend has over 300k on his 01 Sienna with the original engine and transmission.
IMHO if one were to keep an eye on this simple list (above and beyond the normal stuff) they should be good to go:
1. Coolant Contaminated Lubricants (monitoring tool- UOA)
2. Excessive Fuel Dilution (monitoring tool- UOA)
3. Coolant Condition (monitoring tool- Various, but a refractometer is my friend)
4. Transmission Fluid Temp and Condition (monitor tool- observed via installed gage and occasional UOA)
5. Any detonation (monitoring tool- ear and maybe knock sensor ticks with scan tool)
6. Air filtration effectiveness (monitoring tool- UOA)
Again this is just my opinion...and we know what those are like!
1. Coolant Contaminated Lubricants (monitoring tool- UOA)
2. Excessive Fuel Dilution (monitoring tool- UOA)
3. Coolant Condition (monitoring tool- Various, but a refractometer is my friend)
4. Transmission Fluid Temp and Condition (monitor tool- observed via installed gage and occasional UOA)
5. Any detonation (monitoring tool- ear and maybe knock sensor ticks with scan tool)
6. Air filtration effectiveness (monitoring tool- UOA)
Again this is just my opinion...and we know what those are like!
Diesel engine rings also last longer because of better lubricity from fuel.
Apparently some Hondas never die. http://automobiles.honda.com/mile-makers/owner-stories.aspx
IMO Hondas are very sensitive to maintenance and driving habits. The Civic's 1.6 has a reputation for becoming smokey above 100K, but who knows what is really to blame for that. I can't believe that an otherwise bulletproof engine wears out that quickly and that extremely if maintained properly. I've had 2 Si's and they were flawless.
Love the CRX testimonial...that's typical Honda IMO.
Love the CRX testimonial...that's typical Honda IMO.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: posty
Apparently some Hondas never die. http://automobiles.honda.com/mile-makers/owner-stories.aspx
And neither do some Ford's
http://www.wftv.com/video/15617941/index.html
600,000 miles and still going (Mustang).
Apparently some Hondas never die. http://automobiles.honda.com/mile-makers/owner-stories.aspx
And neither do some Ford's
http://www.wftv.com/video/15617941/index.html
600,000 miles and still going (Mustang).
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: hotoil
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
Unless it's been overheated ..or the cooling system has been neglected ...OR there's some higher incidence of head gasket failure in that engine, I'd see no reason to preemptively change head gaskets.
...
I used to think the same way, until we had 3 cars suffer head gasket failure within a couple of years:
~1992 Ford Taurus ~75k miles
~1986 Toyota Corrola ~140k miles
1987 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ~90k miles
None of them had been abused or neglected: coolant flushes every 3 years, proper coolant mixture, never overheated, etc. Maybe we were just unlucky, but ever since then I've been wary of head gaskets.
There was a thread about a guy with a Volvo (?) that lasted a million miles on Mobil 1, frequent changes of course. But he had also replaced the head gaskets several times.
Originally Posted By: hotoil
Our 1998 Camry V6 has 119k miles on Mobil 1 5W-30, changed every 4k because of short trips. The engine runs like new, but i wonder how long the automatic trans will last; anyone with experience there? Fluid has been changed twice.
Also, head gaskets? The valve covers are beginning to leak a bit, wondering if I should change them or plan on doing the head gaskets at 150k?
Unless it's been overheated ..or the cooling system has been neglected ...OR there's some higher incidence of head gasket failure in that engine, I'd see no reason to preemptively change head gaskets.
...
I used to think the same way, until we had 3 cars suffer head gasket failure within a couple of years:
~1992 Ford Taurus ~75k miles
~1986 Toyota Corrola ~140k miles
1987 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ~90k miles
None of them had been abused or neglected: coolant flushes every 3 years, proper coolant mixture, never overheated, etc. Maybe we were just unlucky, but ever since then I've been wary of head gaskets.
There was a thread about a guy with a Volvo (?) that lasted a million miles on Mobil 1, frequent changes of course. But he had also replaced the head gaskets several times.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
You rarely read of a poster who has 200K on their car obsessing on oil maintenance. By then the love is gone.
Our 850 is just about there. I'm as fluid conscious as ever with it; more than engine oil is involved in getting vehicles to high mileages without major repairs. I'm happier over how well the tranny has held up.
Most cars go to the boneyard over something other than an engine failure.
You rarely read of a poster who has 200K on their car obsessing on oil maintenance. By then the love is gone.
Our 850 is just about there. I'm as fluid conscious as ever with it; more than engine oil is involved in getting vehicles to high mileages without major repairs. I'm happier over how well the tranny has held up.
Most cars go to the boneyard over something other than an engine failure.
Proper maintainance and your engine will outlast everything else in the car. The car will rust out and you will be spending more on fixing other things than it is worth. Yes, engines wear out, but they last longer than anything else if well maintained.
I just hit 222222 miles on my '94 Geo Prizm. I bought it at 106K, so I've seen 111111. I took pics of the odometer at 200K and had my step daughter snap some photos tonight when we hit 222222 as we pulled into Sam's Club parking lot.
So, I guess I'm the obessed minority.
Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Originally Posted By: Kestas
You rarely read of a poster who has 200K on their car obsessing on oil maintenance. By then the love is gone.
Our 850 is just about there. I'm as fluid conscious as ever with it; more than engine oil is involved in getting vehicles to high mileages without major repairs. I'm happier over how well the tranny has held up.
Most cars go to the boneyard over something other than an engine failure.
So, I guess I'm the obessed minority.
Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Originally Posted By: Kestas
You rarely read of a poster who has 200K on their car obsessing on oil maintenance. By then the love is gone.
Our 850 is just about there. I'm as fluid conscious as ever with it; more than engine oil is involved in getting vehicles to high mileages without major repairs. I'm happier over how well the tranny has held up.
Most cars go to the boneyard over something other than an engine failure.
Kestas
Staff member
According to salvage yards, the main reason an engine gives up is from overheating, not lubrication failure.
Many people would agree with you in this. My personal experience with the W126 version of the S-Class (1987-1991) is a little different: if you can locate an 300 OR 420 SE OR SEL you have a vehicle that many opine was the last Mercedes built to an engineering standard vs. to a price point.
Both my 420SEL's have over 170K miles on the original bottom ends, the '91 has original engine & transmission, the '87 has had a tranny rebuild (by previous owner @ $2,500) and a top end rebuild (ditto @ $3,500). The '91 got 18.7 mpg on its last tank of mid-grade in mixed city/highway driving. A/C systems have been converted to R134, one has a broken sunroof track (the oldest S-Class with the original sunroof rails my mechanic has ever heard of), but the interiors are fine and everything works with the exception of the outside temp LCD on the '87.
I read the comparison tests of the BMW550i, E550, Lexus GS460 & the new Supercharged Jag and just shake my head: smaller cars, les gas mileage, insurance through the roof, $1000+ for a set of tires (typically with different sizes front to rear), more electronic alphabet-soup [censored] to go wrong (after the warranty expire$$$$$$), a lot of which I would never want to begin with (I-drive, CATS active dampers, etc. ad naseum).
Just imagine what it will cost to get a 7 or 8-speed automatic tranny worked on after the warranty expire$$$$$$?
An engine rebuild or replacement?
Both my 420SEL's have over 170K miles on the original bottom ends, the '91 has original engine & transmission, the '87 has had a tranny rebuild (by previous owner @ $2,500) and a top end rebuild (ditto @ $3,500). The '91 got 18.7 mpg on its last tank of mid-grade in mixed city/highway driving. A/C systems have been converted to R134, one has a broken sunroof track (the oldest S-Class with the original sunroof rails my mechanic has ever heard of), but the interiors are fine and everything works with the exception of the outside temp LCD on the '87.
I read the comparison tests of the BMW550i, E550, Lexus GS460 & the new Supercharged Jag and just shake my head: smaller cars, les gas mileage, insurance through the roof, $1000+ for a set of tires (typically with different sizes front to rear), more electronic alphabet-soup [censored] to go wrong (after the warranty expire$$$$$$), a lot of which I would never want to begin with (I-drive, CATS active dampers, etc. ad naseum).
Just imagine what it will cost to get a 7 or 8-speed automatic tranny worked on after the warranty expire$$$$$$?
An engine rebuild or replacement?
I was in a NYC taxi cab last week (Ford Crown Vic) and it had 258k miles on the odometer. Plenty of them have much more. If you have ridden in a NYC Taxi you know how the drivers treat those things. Either the brake or gas is floored. Probably the hardest life an engine can endure and the hardest it can be driven. Still running.
Haven't really read most of the posts here, but yes, eventually engines wear out.
look here;
http://900000milechevy.com/
look here;
http://900000milechevy.com/
Originally Posted By: FZ1
Don't undercoat the car. As the car ages the undercoat traps moisture againt the metal and causes it to rust faster. Just my .02.
So how do you keep your Northeast car from rusting to pieces? My car has survived 15 years so far but it's a rusty mess underneath.
Don't undercoat the car. As the car ages the undercoat traps moisture againt the metal and causes it to rust faster. Just my .02.
So how do you keep your Northeast car from rusting to pieces? My car has survived 15 years so far but it's a rusty mess underneath.
I use lots of POR-15 on the undersides of my "keeper" cars. No real rust/rot to speak of except on junkers I buy.
As for engine durability, I've only had 4 fatal issues: 1 on a '77 Caddy, 3 on 80's junk. Only counting failures I couldn't repair, that is.
All the 40's cars I've had are still around.
All the 50's cars I've had are still around, though one needed a trans rebuild.
Almost all of the 60's cars I've owned are still around. 2 are gone from frame rot: 67 Catalina and 69 Valiant.
My 70's cars are/were kinda 50/50. About half still around and the other half rotted away or just needed more work than they were worth.
Of all the 80's cars I've owned, the only one still in existence is the caddy in my sig.
I thought it was starting to get good in the late 80's and there were a few good ones made then.
As for engine durability, I've only had 4 fatal issues: 1 on a '77 Caddy, 3 on 80's junk. Only counting failures I couldn't repair, that is.
All the 40's cars I've had are still around.
All the 50's cars I've had are still around, though one needed a trans rebuild.
Almost all of the 60's cars I've owned are still around. 2 are gone from frame rot: 67 Catalina and 69 Valiant.
My 70's cars are/were kinda 50/50. About half still around and the other half rotted away or just needed more work than they were worth.
Of all the 80's cars I've owned, the only one still in existence is the caddy in my sig.
I thought it was starting to get good in the late 80's and there were a few good ones made then.
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