High mileage engines
Discussion
I think the biggest factor is maintenance. I've had a relatively low mileage Volvo D5 (bulletproof...) which had major issues (due to lack of maintenance from previous owners) and I've had engines which are known to have weak spots which have been perfect. Some notable examples at either end of the scale...
- Rover 1.8 K series - 165,000 miles - Never had the head gasket done, yet was fine. Cooling fan was replaced ahead of time, as well as regular oil & coolant changes around every 8000 miles.
- Volvo 2.4 Petrol - 125,000 miles - Had plenty of preventative maintenance done previously to my ownership & never gave me any trouble at all.
- MG 1.4 K series - 76,000 miles - Basket case... Longer service intervals with the previous owner & I think it had been driven very hard, head gasket had been done twice and still drank coolant / would run on 3 from cold. Steel Seal got me a couple of years out of it, but I don't think it was far off engine failure (blue smoke etc...).
- Rover 2.0 KV6 - 80,000 miles - Basket case... Patchy maintenance file, and became obvious that the cooling system needed totally renewing (possibly previous K seal usage). Had the heads changed but it was never right.
- Rover 2.5 KV6 - 286,000 miles - Perfect. Had been a hackney carriage (airport runs?) and was LPG converted. HUGE history file, and oil changes were averaged about every 6,000 miles. Someone had really cared for this car!
- Volvo 2.4 D5 - 145,000 miles - Basket Case... Decent maintenance file early on its its life, but patchy history from 90,000 to 130,000. Suspected head gasket (random coolant leaks / pressurisation). This one cost me a lot before I realised it was a lost cause.
- Rover 2.0KV6 - 128,000 - Had been cared for by previous elderly owners from new. Annual services, but only averaging 4000 miles a year. Body work shabby, but mechanically super. One of those cars where the levels never move, and everything works. I only ever had to deal with servicing and preventative maintenance.
finishing touch said:
The piston rings don't run against the aluminium bore.
There's a steel liner inserted into the block which will be made from a high quality alloy steel far superior to cast iron.
Often these are "wet liners" and can be removed if needed. My 907 Lotus engine ( in my Seven ) has wet liners and was made in the seventies.
Don't you lot no nuffin ?
Paul G
What about Nikasil?There's a steel liner inserted into the block which will be made from a high quality alloy steel far superior to cast iron.
Often these are "wet liners" and can be removed if needed. My 907 Lotus engine ( in my Seven ) has wet liners and was made in the seventies.
Don't you lot no nuffin ?
Paul G
NGRhodes said:
mph999 said:
Change the oil every 5000 miles
No need.Modern oils are very good, I've seen many used oil analysis and looked at quite a few studies.
One example I know of someone with a early 90s Saab turbo who does the occasional used oil analysis, 450000 miles on the clock, commutes 700 or so miles a week at an average of over 100mph between Munich and Berlin, last oil change done at 19000 miles using Shell Ultra 0w-30 (car specifies 10w40 and changing oil 7500 miles) Oil still had a few thousand miles of life left, still within specified viscosity and no excess metals (from wear) in the sample.
Isn't cast iron self-lubricating to a degree due to the carbon content? Hence why aluminium blocks usually have cast iron liners or alusil treatment?
I think the way an engine runs Vs how it's engineered is a large part of things. Mrs D has an S2000 nearing 90k miles; fully forged internals and a 9,000 rpm red-line but it spends most of its time at 3-4k rpm. Likewise my daily has a 6k rpm red-line but spends most time between 1,500 and 2,000 rpm. Understressed.
I think the way an engine runs Vs how it's engineered is a large part of things. Mrs D has an S2000 nearing 90k miles; fully forged internals and a 9,000 rpm red-line but it spends most of its time at 3-4k rpm. Likewise my daily has a 6k rpm red-line but spends most time between 1,500 and 2,000 rpm. Understressed.
NGRhodes said:
No need.
Modern oils are very good, I've seen many used oil analysis and looked at quite a few studies.
One example I know of someone with a early 90s Saab turbo who does the occasional used oil analysis, 450000 miles on the clock, commutes 700 or so miles a week at an average of over 100mph between Munich and Berlin, last oil change done at 19000 miles using Shell Ultra 0w-30 (car specifies 10w40 and changing oil 7500 miles) Oil still had a few thousand miles of life left, still within specified viscosity and no excess metals (from wear) in the sample.
Not so sure. Repeated cold starts and short journeys dictate more frequent changes. Modern oils are very good, I've seen many used oil analysis and looked at quite a few studies.
One example I know of someone with a early 90s Saab turbo who does the occasional used oil analysis, 450000 miles on the clock, commutes 700 or so miles a week at an average of over 100mph between Munich and Berlin, last oil change done at 19000 miles using Shell Ultra 0w-30 (car specifies 10w40 and changing oil 7500 miles) Oil still had a few thousand miles of life left, still within specified viscosity and no excess metals (from wear) in the sample.
gazza285 said:
finishing touch said:
The piston rings don't run against the aluminium bore.
There's a steel liner inserted into the block which will be made from a high quality alloy steel far superior to cast iron.
Often these are "wet liners" and can be removed if needed. My 907 Lotus engine ( in my Seven ) has wet liners and was made in the seventies.
Don't you lot no nuffin ?
Paul G
What about Nikasil?There's a steel liner inserted into the block which will be made from a high quality alloy steel far superior to cast iron.
Often these are "wet liners" and can be removed if needed. My 907 Lotus engine ( in my Seven ) has wet liners and was made in the seventies.
Don't you lot no nuffin ?
Paul G
Think maintenance is the key our 2003 Saab 9-5 aero is on 168k now was very well looked after by first owner, it's oil has been changed every 6k or 6 months without fail something we have continued in our ownership
Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
B235r said:
Think maintenance is the key our 2003 Saab 9-5 aero is on 168k now was very well looked after by first owner, it's oil has been changed every 6k or 6 months without fail something we have continued in our ownership
Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
I dont think I know you unless you are on UK Saabs ! but I already know you must be a clever bloke ! Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
BroadsRS6 said:
A NYC taxi we got at Times Square in 2019 had 176,000 miles on the clock and bearing in mind most of that work will be 20 mph and under with zillions of stop starts, that's impressive in my book.
Being a taxi the oil will have been at proper operating temperature most of the time though. It's the cold start period which really hurts.Many of the London taxis do far bigger mileages.
I think almost all engines, particularly older models, would last indefinitely provided they are serviced regularly, driven normally and never overheated.
I spent most of my working life with Peugeot, the old pushrod engines lasted for ever, the XU Diesel engines were just bullet proof. A favourite with taxi drivers all over the world.
I went to Egypt a few years ago, the taxi’s at Luxor were 70’s 504’s and 505’s, must have covered a zillion miles. I doubt they were regularly serviced?
All over Africa you will come across old Peugeot’s ( and Mercedes ) that are just falling to bits, but the engine still runs and drags it all over the place.
How about this for a bit of fun?
I spent most of my working life with Peugeot, the old pushrod engines lasted for ever, the XU Diesel engines were just bullet proof. A favourite with taxi drivers all over the world.
I went to Egypt a few years ago, the taxi’s at Luxor were 70’s 504’s and 505’s, must have covered a zillion miles. I doubt they were regularly serviced?
All over Africa you will come across old Peugeot’s ( and Mercedes ) that are just falling to bits, but the engine still runs and drags it all over the place.
How about this for a bit of fun?
Edited by Old Merc on Monday 14th June 10:17
ddom said:
NGRhodes said:
No need.
Modern oils are very good, I've seen many used oil analysis and looked at quite a few studies.
One example I know of someone with a early 90s Saab turbo who does the occasional used oil analysis, 450000 miles on the clock, commutes 700 or so miles a week at an average of over 100mph between Munich and Berlin, last oil change done at 19000 miles using Shell Ultra 0w-30 (car specifies 10w40 and changing oil 7500 miles) Oil still had a few thousand miles of life left, still within specified viscosity and no excess metals (from wear) in the sample.
Not so sure. Repeated cold starts and short journeys dictate more frequent changes. Modern oils are very good, I've seen many used oil analysis and looked at quite a few studies.
One example I know of someone with a early 90s Saab turbo who does the occasional used oil analysis, 450000 miles on the clock, commutes 700 or so miles a week at an average of over 100mph between Munich and Berlin, last oil change done at 19000 miles using Shell Ultra 0w-30 (car specifies 10w40 and changing oil 7500 miles) Oil still had a few thousand miles of life left, still within specified viscosity and no excess metals (from wear) in the sample.
jeremyh1 said:
B235r said:
Think maintenance is the key our 2003 Saab 9-5 aero is on 168k now was very well looked after by first owner, it's oil has been changed every 6k or 6 months without fail something we have continued in our ownership
Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
I dont think I know you unless you are on UK Saabs ! but I already know you must be a clever bloke ! Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
The question I have is how well the modern generation of small capacity, high output turbo motors will last.
The AMG 'A' class is running at (from memory) 180bhp / litre - 360bhp off 2 litres, which must mean huge cylinder pressures and mechanical stress. It's also got relatively normal service intervals. There are a few for sale with around 80k miles on them, but I do wonder just how many miles that engine can go without needing some serious work. Not sure I'd be willing to take a chance on this.
The AMG 'A' class is running at (from memory) 180bhp / litre - 360bhp off 2 litres, which must mean huge cylinder pressures and mechanical stress. It's also got relatively normal service intervals. There are a few for sale with around 80k miles on them, but I do wonder just how many miles that engine can go without needing some serious work. Not sure I'd be willing to take a chance on this.
Magnum 475 said:
The question I have is how well the modern generation of small capacity, high output turbo motors will last.
The AMG 'A' class is running at (from memory) 180bhp / litre - 360bhp off 2 litres, which must mean huge cylinder pressures and mechanical stress. It's also got relatively normal service intervals. There are a few for sale with around 80k miles on them, but I do wonder just how many miles that engine can go without needing some serious work. Not sure I'd be willing to take a chance on this.
Not heard of one breaking yet to be honest.The AMG 'A' class is running at (from memory) 180bhp / litre - 360bhp off 2 litres, which must mean huge cylinder pressures and mechanical stress. It's also got relatively normal service intervals. There are a few for sale with around 80k miles on them, but I do wonder just how many miles that engine can go without needing some serious work. Not sure I'd be willing to take a chance on this.
They are designed for those cylinder pressures and extensively tested, and they aren't at full tilt all the time.
B235r said:
jeremyh1 said:
B235r said:
Think maintenance is the key our 2003 Saab 9-5 aero is on 168k now was very well looked after by first owner, it's oil has been changed every 6k or 6 months without fail something we have continued in our ownership
Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
I dont think I know you unless you are on UK Saabs ! but I already know you must be a clever bloke ! Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
I got it at 159k as an ongoing concern. Oil and filter every 6k (after a sump drop soon after I bought it). The engine is still lovely and smooth..... however, I think the valve stems have some wear now - this seems to be a problem with some older b235 engines on higher miles.
There's another guy on UKS who has one at around 238k.....
B235r said:
Think maintenance is the key our 2003 Saab 9-5 aero is on 168k now was very well looked after by first owner, it's oil has been changed every 6k or 6 months without fail something we have continued in our ownership
Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
I had a Saab 9-3 tdi which made it to 230k miles with only nine oil changes. It only died after a lorry gave it a slap, but the engine was still fine.Apart from a radiator & a few sensors & pipes it's still going strong
You've got to be doing something stupid to kill an engine.
donkmeister said:
Isn't cast iron self-lubricating to a degree due to the carbon content? Hence why aluminium blocks usually have cast iron liners or alusil treatment?
My understanding is that the use of cast iron or the application of various coatings (Alusil, PTWA) is to provide a surface which has both better sliding properties, and better wear resistance than a bare aluminium alloy cylinder wall. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff