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Originally posted by Rickey: "Unrelated to coolant maintenance" ???? Not sure what your logic is here sir. Anyhow the general consensus is that since GM advertised long coolant replacement intervals some folks took that as license to ignore coolant levels for the extent of the recommended refresh interval. This with the attendant bad results. Would you attempt a 15K mile OCI without checking/topping off? The improved sealing offered by the improved gaskets just makes a very good design more bullet proof (abuse tolerant).
Yes, GM had some issues with negligent owner’s ignoring the importance of maintaining coolant levels, hence causing them “mud” problems when coolant levels were low in the 4.3L engines.
But the intake manifold gasket problems were unrelated to the type of coolant used, and were not related to coolant levels either. They were caused by a poorly designed intake manifold gasket, which was later corrected by the “improved” gaskets and an updated installation procedure.
You’re confusing two separate, different problems GM had.
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Originally posted by Rickey:Answer: Timing chains are generally not a wear out item, belts are. Here again what logic was used for the basis of your comment/question?
But can we agree that timing chains aren’t bulletproof either? There have been plenty of timing chain problems, mainly with tensioners, in some engines such as the Saturn S-Series.
At least with timing belts, the tensioner and other items can be inspected on a more frequent basis to catch problems early on before they fail completely, and are often much less expensive to replace.
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Originally posted by Rickey: Agreed that BMW made the smart move of not using timing belts. Honda/Acura however has been another story hasn't it? Acura is just an overpriced hyped up Honda with its associated transmission and valvetrain integrity issues. BMW, just another point of disposal (maintenance costs) for that six figure income. This somehow buys "snob appeal" and little else.
There have never been any valvetrain issues with Honda/Acura engines in the recent years. As for transmissions, the problems have been corrected for nearly three years now.
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Originally posted by Rickey: Not a single rattle in my new (6K miles now)Impala. It says 26.7 MPG right now on the average MPG calculator. I have seen 34 MPG or better average on highway trips. I think that its cam in block VVT is a rather elegant and efficient use of technology. Why must some continue to ignore the obvious superiority of GM's designs?
Gee whiz, if pushrod was really that great, then why is everyone moving to OHC?
But really, many of us are willing to sacrifice some maintenance costs and worse fuel economy for a more engaging, fun to drive car. Not all of us are after a police cruiser.
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Originally posted by Rickey: Their Turbo Hydromatic transmissions and small block engines are legendary for bulletproof reliability. Nissan had their flirt with improperly implemented Nicasil technology too I believe. Does BMW still attempt to use this cylinder lining material? I believe that Porsche was the only manufacturer to get this right.
Sure GM’s 4T65E transmission is really that great? As far as I know, they’ve had plenty of solenoid and valve body calibration issues that were present up until a few years ago. And I’ve never heard of any BMW cylinder lining material problems in the recent years either.