4 Cyl. Engines With High Miles
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If all else were equal I would rather have the load spread over 6 or 8 cylinders than 4. Less stress per cylinder with more cylinders. The 6 and especially the 8 cylinders are usually more "relaxed" with a lower average rpm.
Since most of the time all else isn't equal, I'm sure you'll get great life out of most any modern 4 cylinder.
Since most of the time all else isn't equal, I'm sure you'll get great life out of most any modern 4 cylinder.
I have personally seen more 4 cylinder vehicles with more than 300K on them.
1. Mid 90's Nissan Hard Body PU with the 2.4L with 500K on it.
2. Early 90's Accord with 400K
3. 99 Saturn SL with 300K, 250K, and many more
4. Chevy Prizm/(Corolla Clone) with 300K
and many more.
With proper maintenance and not driving something like you stole it, a 4 cylinder can run a looong time.
1. Mid 90's Nissan Hard Body PU with the 2.4L with 500K on it.
2. Early 90's Accord with 400K
3. 99 Saturn SL with 300K, 250K, and many more
4. Chevy Prizm/(Corolla Clone) with 300K
and many more.
With proper maintenance and not driving something like you stole it, a 4 cylinder can run a looong time.
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
The local Saturn dealer near me (gonna be gone soon) has a 95 SL1 with a 509,000kms. Long live the S-series
Doesn't surprise me.
Cousin has a 97 SL1 automatic he regularly beats on with 275K on it and still ticking. He doesn't even bother changing the oil, just adding to it.
Many members over at SaturnFans have 200-300K with a guy on there with over 500K and still ticking.
The local Saturn dealer near me (gonna be gone soon) has a 95 SL1 with a 509,000kms. Long live the S-series
Doesn't surprise me.
Cousin has a 97 SL1 automatic he regularly beats on with 275K on it and still ticking. He doesn't even bother changing the oil, just adding to it.
Many members over at SaturnFans have 200-300K with a guy on there with over 500K and still ticking.
My 91 Saturn base model hit 188K before I traded it in 1999. My previous Saturn, 96 SL2 was retired with 190K on it earlier this year from my garage. A friend bought it and now drives it daily. The engine still runs strong.
Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
I have personally seen more 4 cylinder vehicles with more than 300K on them.
1. Mid 90's Nissan Hard Body PU with the 2.4L with 500K on it.
2. Early 90's Accord with 400K
3. 99 Saturn SL with 300K, 250K, and many more
4. Chevy Prizm/(Corolla Clone) with 300K
and many more.
With proper maintenance and not driving something like you stole it, a 4 cylinder can run a looong time.
My personal experience is the opposite but I believe you. I have a co-worker on the original engine and more surprisingly the original transmission at 340,000 miles on his Silverado.
Many times the larger engine cars are run hard or weigh a ton. It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
I have personally seen more 4 cylinder vehicles with more than 300K on them.
1. Mid 90's Nissan Hard Body PU with the 2.4L with 500K on it.
2. Early 90's Accord with 400K
3. 99 Saturn SL with 300K, 250K, and many more
4. Chevy Prizm/(Corolla Clone) with 300K
and many more.
With proper maintenance and not driving something like you stole it, a 4 cylinder can run a looong time.
My personal experience is the opposite but I believe you. I have a co-worker on the original engine and more surprisingly the original transmission at 340,000 miles on his Silverado.
Many times the larger engine cars are run hard or weigh a ton. It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
If by interesting you mean "totally awesome" then I agree!
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
If by interesting you mean "totally awesome" then I agree!
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
Didn't someone make a kit to put a 5.0L Ford in a Focus body?
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
Didn't someone make a kit to put a 5.0L Ford in a Focus body?
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Originally Posted By: javacontour
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
Didn't someone make a kit to put a 5.0L Ford in a Focus body?
Yup. A local dealer put one in a Festiva.
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
Didn't someone make a kit to put a 5.0L Ford in a Focus body?
Yup. A local dealer put one in a Festiva.
Originally Posted By: expat
I don't believe that the number of cyls is really a factor in how long or how many miles an engine will last.
Design and the way the engine is treated/maintained are the main factors.
81 Toyota PU 22R 520k
For the most part, I agree. But inline 4-cylinders do have inherently [censored] 2nd-order imbalance that has to be compensated for in the design, usually with balance shafts or oversized engine mounts. The vibrations don't usually bother the engine itself, but they can be pretty hard on accessories and the complexity of balance shafts adds a failure mechanism. Not usually a factor in the real world, but on paper its a disadvantage to inline 4-bangers.
V6s are a mixed bag depending on whether they're 60-degree, 90-degree, fully even-firing split-pin cranks, odd-firing split-pin cranks, or odd-firing conventional cranks.
V8s are better, inline 6 and V12 engines have inherently perfect balance and in theory should last the longest. Most v12s are performance engines and die young for other reasons, but there are plenty of forever-living inline sixes out there- Jeep 4.0 and 258, Ford 300, Chrysler slant-6, etc.
I don't believe that the number of cyls is really a factor in how long or how many miles an engine will last.
Design and the way the engine is treated/maintained are the main factors.
81 Toyota PU 22R 520k
For the most part, I agree. But inline 4-cylinders do have inherently [censored] 2nd-order imbalance that has to be compensated for in the design, usually with balance shafts or oversized engine mounts. The vibrations don't usually bother the engine itself, but they can be pretty hard on accessories and the complexity of balance shafts adds a failure mechanism. Not usually a factor in the real world, but on paper its a disadvantage to inline 4-bangers.
V6s are a mixed bag depending on whether they're 60-degree, 90-degree, fully even-firing split-pin cranks, odd-firing split-pin cranks, or odd-firing conventional cranks.
V8s are better, inline 6 and V12 engines have inherently perfect balance and in theory should last the longest. Most v12s are performance engines and die young for other reasons, but there are plenty of forever-living inline sixes out there- Jeep 4.0 and 258, Ford 300, Chrysler slant-6, etc.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
Didn't someone make a kit to put a 5.0L Ford in a Focus body?
Mopar Performance used to have a kit to put a smallblock Mopar (5.2 or 5.9) in the 80s Daytona/Lazer body. I've also seen them converted to big-block and even 426 Hemi power for drags. A well-done one, including full cage, was a consistent ~10 second car without much fuss and bother.
Originally Posted By: BuickGN
It would be interesting to see something very reliable like a Ford 4.6L in something that weighs the same as a Corolla.
Didn't someone make a kit to put a 5.0L Ford in a Focus body?
Mopar Performance used to have a kit to put a smallblock Mopar (5.2 or 5.9) in the 80s Daytona/Lazer body. I've also seen them converted to big-block and even 426 Hemi power for drags. A well-done one, including full cage, was a consistent ~10 second car without much fuss and bother.
Most 4 cyl engines outlast the rest of the cars. I like them because they are easy to work on, without LIM leaks, no need to pull lots of parts to change plugs, etc.
It's not the size, but how you put it together, that determines the reliability.
It's not the size, but how you put it together, that determines the reliability.
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Most 4 cyl engines outlast the rest of the cars. I like them because they are easy to work on, without LIM leaks, no need to pull lots of parts to change plugs, etc.
Agreed. I wish there were more cars still offered with I6 engines for this reason. I like inline engines.
Most 4 cyl engines outlast the rest of the cars. I like them because they are easy to work on, without LIM leaks, no need to pull lots of parts to change plugs, etc.
Agreed. I wish there were more cars still offered with I6 engines for this reason. I like inline engines.
Don't most cars die from cooling system issues anyway?
I recall reading years ago that most cars died from such failures, not being worn out, etc.
I recall reading years ago that most cars died from such failures, not being worn out, etc.
Originally Posted By: rationull
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Most 4 cyl engines outlast the rest of the cars. I like them because they are easy to work on, without LIM leaks, no need to pull lots of parts to change plugs, etc.
Agreed. I wish there were more cars still offered with I6 engines for this reason. I like inline engines.
Yeah their stout motors,thats for sure.
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Most 4 cyl engines outlast the rest of the cars. I like them because they are easy to work on, without LIM leaks, no need to pull lots of parts to change plugs, etc.
Agreed. I wish there were more cars still offered with I6 engines for this reason. I like inline engines.
Yeah their stout motors,thats for sure.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Don't most cars die from cooling system issues anyway?
I recall reading years ago that most cars died from such failures, not being worn out, etc.
In South Florida a lot of cars die of Heat Stroke...It seems to me a 4 cyl would work a lot harder then a 6 or 8 in jungle heat all year long.
Don't most cars die from cooling system issues anyway?
I recall reading years ago that most cars died from such failures, not being worn out, etc.
In South Florida a lot of cars die of Heat Stroke...It seems to me a 4 cyl would work a lot harder then a 6 or 8 in jungle heat all year long.
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
In South Florida a lot of cars die of Heat Stroke...It seems to me a 4 cyl would work a lot harder then a 6 or 8 in jungle heat all year long.
You have just made the case for a 4-cylinder turbodiesel -- they run cool all the time, even climbing steep grades in 100°F-plus temperatures when other cars are overheating and pulling off on the shoulder.
In South Florida a lot of cars die of Heat Stroke...It seems to me a 4 cyl would work a lot harder then a 6 or 8 in jungle heat all year long.
You have just made the case for a 4-cylinder turbodiesel -- they run cool all the time, even climbing steep grades in 100°F-plus temperatures when other cars are overheating and pulling off on the shoulder.
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I have had a bunch of 2.2/2.5 Turbo Dodge/Mopar cars.
The run hot and the turbo makes a lot of HEAT!
Most of them ran to 200,000 miles with very small issues. The best was my 87 Shelby Lancer 240,000 before I had to pull the head to replace the Turbo.
The run hot and the turbo makes a lot of HEAT!
Most of them ran to 200,000 miles with very small issues. The best was my 87 Shelby Lancer 240,000 before I had to pull the head to replace the Turbo.
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Don't most cars die from cooling system issues anyway?
I recall reading years ago that most cars died from such failures, not being worn out, etc.
In South Florida a lot of cars die of Heat Stroke...It seems to me a 4 cyl would work a lot harder then a 6 or 8 in jungle heat all year long.
I would guess that would have to do with the cooling system. With an adequate and maintained radiator the internal engine temps 'should' be the same.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Don't most cars die from cooling system issues anyway?
I recall reading years ago that most cars died from such failures, not being worn out, etc.
In South Florida a lot of cars die of Heat Stroke...It seems to me a 4 cyl would work a lot harder then a 6 or 8 in jungle heat all year long.
I would guess that would have to do with the cooling system. With an adequate and maintained radiator the internal engine temps 'should' be the same.
I think the Focus 2.0L Zetec has the ability to get great service life. The 2.3L DOHC Ranger engine, too. The 3.0L Vulcan V6 is equally awesome. And that 2.3L four in the Fusion feels very smooth and balanced.
On the other hand, the 2.0L Split Port seems to see high miles but at the expense of some repairs. All those 97-02 Escorts with over 200K are nice statistics, but I see more broken ones than running ones on CL and at car lots in/around DFW.
I'd like to know too, how many 2.0L Fords make it over 200K. I have an opportunity to buy a '98 ZX2 with a knocking Zetec and I want to know if it is worth doing a crank kit in it or putting in a low mile j/y motor (found one with 134K for $350).
On the other hand, the 2.0L Split Port seems to see high miles but at the expense of some repairs. All those 97-02 Escorts with over 200K are nice statistics, but I see more broken ones than running ones on CL and at car lots in/around DFW.
I'd like to know too, how many 2.0L Fords make it over 200K. I have an opportunity to buy a '98 ZX2 with a knocking Zetec and I want to know if it is worth doing a crank kit in it or putting in a low mile j/y motor (found one with 134K for $350).
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