2002 Tuscans, do many need rebuilds ?
Discussion
Found a cracking looking 2002 Tuscan S :
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/class
Did the S spec cars and or regular Tuscans of this age need rebuilds? This one has done 21000 miles, i am aware that many others of 2000-2001 would be possibly looking at a rebuild by now.
Cheers,
Mike.
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/class
Did the S spec cars and or regular Tuscans of this age need rebuilds? This one has done 21000 miles, i am aware that many others of 2000-2001 would be possibly looking at a rebuild by now.
Cheers,
Mike.
My 2003 S needed a rebuild after only 7200 miles, but it was not valve wear related, rather the cam lobes and finger followers were worn out. The engine had also sufferred detonation and a piston crown was damaged as a result, plus the valve seats were beginning to show signs of errosion.
Once the engine was opened up and inspected the issues escalated to a weak crankshaft (not case hardned), poorly fabricated rods and ill fitting main bearing caps.
My advice would be to seriously consider setting aside a 5K slush fund to cover a rebuild cost. Or get one that has the later factory engine upgrades, i.e valves, guides, cams, rods and improved head gasket. However the cranks are still cast and the main caps are likely to be the same old crap.
Once the engine was opened up and inspected the issues escalated to a weak crankshaft (not case hardned), poorly fabricated rods and ill fitting main bearing caps.
My advice would be to seriously consider setting aside a 5K slush fund to cover a rebuild cost. Or get one that has the later factory engine upgrades, i.e valves, guides, cams, rods and improved head gasket. However the cranks are still cast and the main caps are likely to be the same old crap.
My 2003 3.6 (it's newer, I know) has over 29,000 miles on the clock and is in fine fettle. No rebuild, and only very minor valve clearance adjustments needed at the last service a few hundred miles ago.
There's anecdotal evidence that 3.6s are more reliable than 4.0s, but nothing concrete; plenty of claims of each one being either reliable or unreliable, depending who you speak to.
Pete
There's anecdotal evidence that 3.6s are more reliable than 4.0s, but nothing concrete; plenty of claims of each one being either reliable or unreliable, depending who you speak to.
Pete
My 2002, has just done 17,000 miles without a problem, on the last service inspection in great condition showing no wear and tear,It is early days I know but so far so good (touching wood).
When I bought the car I bought form TVR dealer with an extended ( TVR asscoiated but non-factory) warranty and still have 18 months left on this and it has a 5k per claim limit.
My advice by with a warranty (if you can get it, I think mine was about £1500 for three years), warm your enging oil up to 75- 80 before "driving with any revs),use it regularily. Treat it with respect.
Having said all of that I absolutely love my car, eevery time I get in it I have a big smile on my face.
When I bought the car I bought form TVR dealer with an extended ( TVR asscoiated but non-factory) warranty and still have 18 months left on this and it has a 5k per claim limit.
My advice by with a warranty (if you can get it, I think mine was about £1500 for three years), warm your enging oil up to 75- 80 before "driving with any revs),use it regularily. Treat it with respect.
Having said all of that I absolutely love my car, eevery time I get in it I have a big smile on my face.
It depends.
Replace like parts with like then expect to do it again after 20k.
Go to a rebuilder who'll address the issues, and fit superior quality components then you should be fixed for good.
You'll get what you pay for in terms of rebuilds, so decide how long you want the car for before you invest in costly work.
Al.
Replace like parts with like then expect to do it again after 20k.
Go to a rebuilder who'll address the issues, and fit superior quality components then you should be fixed for good.
You'll get what you pay for in terms of rebuilds, so decide how long you want the car for before you invest in costly work.
Al.
pete said:
My 2003 3.6 (it's newer, I know) has over 29,000 miles on the clock and is in fine fettle. No rebuild, and only very minor valve clearance adjustments needed at the last service a few hundred miles ago.
There's anecdotal evidence that 3.6s are more reliable than 4.0s, but nothing concrete; plenty of claims of each one being either reliable or unreliable, depending who you speak to.
There's anecdotal evidence that 3.6s are more reliable than 4.0s, but nothing concrete; plenty of claims of each one being either reliable or unreliable, depending who you speak to.
As Pete says, nothing concrete - I have a 2003 3.6, but it was one of the first to go in the South of England regrettably at 10,750 miles (Aug 05). That was after only one former PH-er owner, always warmed up and cared for/serviced and having gone through a detailed check and drive by Rob Ingleby. Sometimes, you just have to run the risk - managed of course, via a warranty...
I pondered about getting a Tuscan for ages - read all the threads and still took the plunge. The more sp6 owners I've met the more I've come to realise that not every engine is doomed to fail - in fact, anecdotally, I've met considerably more people who have had no engine rebuilds with 20k+ mileage than those that have. Mine is a 3.6 and has done 22.5k with no problems. I realise it may not be an entirely accurate measure, but just check out the Tuscans for sale on autotrader to see (as I did prior to buying mine many months ago) just how many high mileage (i.e. 30k+) Tuscans there are out there without rebuilds.
By part way through 2002 a lot of the follower problems were resolved. If it's up to that mileage, could well avoid that. There's a not insignificant possibility it will have the valve guides burn out, though...
- Either accept that you might need a shiny new ultra-swish engine soon & stick some money in the bank OR
- See if you can get a warranty that'll cover for a rebuild OR
- Decide whether you're a gambling man OR
- Buy a pink Boxster
I'd go for options 1 or 2.
- Either accept that you might need a shiny new ultra-swish engine soon & stick some money in the bank OR
- See if you can get a warranty that'll cover for a rebuild OR
- Decide whether you're a gambling man OR
- Buy a pink Boxster
I'd go for options 1 or 2.
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