March All Topic
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Put my '02 Escape in the shop this morning for some maintenance. We've got 107k miles on the original plugs, serpentine belts (x2), coolant, rear brake shoes. Getting all that taken care of. Still runs like a top. Not bad for 9 years and 107k, IMNSHO.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Automobile parts today are of much higher quality that a couple of decades ago.
For instance, the weatherstripping, belts, and hoses are made from EPDM today. The stuff's tough, and is very resistant to degradation from heat, ozone and UV/weather. It's not as good around oils and fuels, so those hoses aren't made of it.
Spark plug materials are much less prone to erosion, and perform their job far longer than the old ones. 100K is about where they begin to deteriorate.
Coolant depletion is inevitable, though today there are additives to bring it back to original properties, and the use of recycled glycol is very common today. On my small gasser minivan, I dump a rejuvenator into it every five years or so. I use a Winn's product. Lab analysis by Polaris Labs tells me it's good-to-go, still.
Rear brakes? Who can say? It's dependent on driving style, freeway miles or not, weight of the vehicle, disks or drums, etc, etc, etc.
Cars DO last a lot longer today, even Detroit's iron. I suspect it has something to do with Japanese engineering and their imitators. Planned obsolescence isn't today what it once was, even for (the once) almighty Detroit. We tend to keep our stuff longer, and expect more of it.
Pop
For instance, the weatherstripping, belts, and hoses are made from EPDM today. The stuff's tough, and is very resistant to degradation from heat, ozone and UV/weather. It's not as good around oils and fuels, so those hoses aren't made of it.
Spark plug materials are much less prone to erosion, and perform their job far longer than the old ones. 100K is about where they begin to deteriorate.
Coolant depletion is inevitable, though today there are additives to bring it back to original properties, and the use of recycled glycol is very common today. On my small gasser minivan, I dump a rejuvenator into it every five years or so. I use a Winn's product. Lab analysis by Polaris Labs tells me it's good-to-go, still.
Rear brakes? Who can say? It's dependent on driving style, freeway miles or not, weight of the vehicle, disks or drums, etc, etc, etc.
Cars DO last a lot longer today, even Detroit's iron. I suspect it has something to do with Japanese engineering and their imitators. Planned obsolescence isn't today what it once was, even for (the once) almighty Detroit. We tend to keep our stuff longer, and expect more of it.
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
I had to put an IAC valve in it last year, which is to be expected.
Right at 36k miles, I had a right front axle bearing fail. Barely out of warranty, so we got screwed on that, and it should have lasted a lot longer. Then last year we spent about $1,500 on front suspension work, in the strut area. Never was exactly sure what part failed, but it ruined a tire. So I don't think the front end is very solid on that model. But other than that it has been a good SUV. I think the design is mostly Mazda.
Right at 36k miles, I had a right front axle bearing fail. Barely out of warranty, so we got screwed on that, and it should have lasted a lot longer. Then last year we spent about $1,500 on front suspension work, in the strut area. Never was exactly sure what part failed, but it ruined a tire. So I don't think the front end is very solid on that model. But other than that it has been a good SUV. I think the design is mostly Mazda.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
On those vehickes that have them, I have never had to replace an IAC.
If you catch it early, and don't allow that tiny motor to stall for extended periods, Berryman's Chem-Tool is your friend. I fixed a buddy's Camry V-6 a couple of weeks ago with it. Three Phillips-head screws and unclip the connector, and a small brass "toothbrush" later, and WA-LAA! It idles properly again!
Real early for an axle bearing to fail, but they are integrated hubs, aren't they? Sux you got to pay for it, too.
Pop
If you catch it early, and don't allow that tiny motor to stall for extended periods, Berryman's Chem-Tool is your friend. I fixed a buddy's Camry V-6 a couple of weeks ago with it. Three Phillips-head screws and unclip the connector, and a small brass "toothbrush" later, and WA-LAA! It idles properly again!
Real early for an axle bearing to fail, but they are integrated hubs, aren't they? Sux you got to pay for it, too.
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
IAC - it never had idle problems. Idled great, ran great, but would randomly be difficult to start. Failed to start for us one night, but fired up the next morning. Replacing the IAC was a shot in the dark and Grody only agreed to replace it at my request. Well, not totally a shot in the dark, because the brainiacs here had suggested that it was probably the problem. They were right, because it has been fine since.
Thread Starter
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42,085
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ca.
Got the tires and tools all loaded up, and after we drop Max off at the dog hotel tomorrow morning we'll be heading to Phoenix for the NHRDA season opener on Saturday. If anybody is interested, you can stream live race results on 1320go.com. Qualifying starts at 10am, eliminations at 1pm.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42,085
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ca.
I heard they pulled something like 35 tons out of King Harbor yesterday, and figured there were another 35 tons to go. Too bad...that would have made some good bait for the party boats.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Automobile parts today are of much higher quality that a couple of decades ago.
For instance, the weatherstripping, belts, and hoses are made from EPDM today. The stuff's tough, and is very resistant to degradation from heat, ozone and UV/weather. It's not as good around oils and fuels, so those hoses aren't made of it.
Spark plug materials are much less prone to erosion, and perform their job far longer than the old ones. 100K is about where they begin to deteriorate.
Coolant depletion is inevitable, though today there are additives to bring it back to original properties, and the use of recycled glycol is very common today. On my small gasser minivan, I dump a rejuvenator into it every five years or so. I use a Winn's product. Lab analysis by Polaris Labs tells me it's good-to-go, still.
Rear brakes? Who can say? It's dependent on driving style, freeway miles or not, weight of the vehicle, disks or drums, etc, etc, etc.
Cars DO last a lot longer today, even Detroit's iron. I suspect it has something to do with Japanese engineering and their imitators. Planned obsolescence isn't today what it once was, even for (the once) almighty Detroit. We tend to keep our stuff longer, and expect more of it.
Pop
For instance, the weatherstripping, belts, and hoses are made from EPDM today. The stuff's tough, and is very resistant to degradation from heat, ozone and UV/weather. It's not as good around oils and fuels, so those hoses aren't made of it.
Spark plug materials are much less prone to erosion, and perform their job far longer than the old ones. 100K is about where they begin to deteriorate.
Coolant depletion is inevitable, though today there are additives to bring it back to original properties, and the use of recycled glycol is very common today. On my small gasser minivan, I dump a rejuvenator into it every five years or so. I use a Winn's product. Lab analysis by Polaris Labs tells me it's good-to-go, still.
Rear brakes? Who can say? It's dependent on driving style, freeway miles or not, weight of the vehicle, disks or drums, etc, etc, etc.
Cars DO last a lot longer today, even Detroit's iron. I suspect it has something to do with Japanese engineering and their imitators. Planned obsolescence isn't today what it once was, even for (the once) almighty Detroit. We tend to keep our stuff longer, and expect more of it.
Pop
In addition to what you posted above, the longevity of todays vehicles is also enhanced by modern machining. CNC machines used in manufacturing now will hold .0001" all day long and much closer than that in very critical areas. Thirty years ago, plus or minus .001 was pretty good. Not any more.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Erectile Disfunction Phallis Majoris
but you may have meant EPDM, which stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPDM
but you may have meant EPDM, which stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPDM
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 209
Got the tires and tools all loaded up, and after we drop Max off at the dog hotel tomorrow morning we'll be heading to Phoenix for the NHRDA season opener on Saturday. If anybody is interested, you can stream live race results on 1320go.com. Qualifying starts at 10am, eliminations at 1pm.
