Long life engine

[XantiaDaveEire]

Iv now done 154,000 miles in my car and would like to do another 154,000

So what is needed to keep the engine going and going ....

Other than regular oil changes and timing belt changes ,what else should be done to maximise the life of the engine

Dave

[JohnD]

If you do that, you're doing your utmost. Maybe keep coolant changes up-to-date and avoid short journeys.

[robert_e_smart]

Its not the engine thats going to let you down its all the other stuff on it. Be very particular about the diesel you use as well, and avoid veg oil at all costs.

[Xaccers]

and avoid veg oil at all costs.

Nothing wrong with using vegetable oil, it does no harm to the engine or the pump, if anything it is beneficial as it lubricates better than derv.

[Deanxm]

it does eat pump seals though, and form the most gooey hard to shift gunk known to man when it leaks! think your right though it wont hurt the mechanicals at all.

D

[Xaccers]

Doesn't eat the seals, as they age like all seals they go hard (think of the cam cover seal) and stop sealing properly.
With derv this isn't a problem, it leaks slightly and isn't really noticed.
With veg it works into the gaps made by the old seals and expands when it cools increasing the gap.
The gunk has amazing protective properties making the engine bullet proof (literally)

[JohnD]

Its not the engine thats going to let you down its all the other stuff on it..

It's a '98 Xantia he's talking about. It's a bit like our '98 P306 - look after the engine and there's not much else to worry about - unlike the C5.

[Xaccers]

Dave, what's the condition of your strut tops and engine mounts?

[XantiaDaveEire]

Engine mounts ??

Strut tops are fine and shouldnt be an issue

[HDI Dave]

Its not the engine thats going to let you down its all the other stuff on it.

Agreed,
My trusty old petrol Fraud Mondane-o had well over 180,000 miles under its belt and still ran sweet.The body was solid, unlike my xant,tinny in comparison...I replaced suspension/w/bones/brakes/zorst,then ran it till everything wore out around 5 years later. In the end the gearbox died,but the engine was great,no smoke even..

..and yours is a diesel..heck, it's only just 'run in'

I'm sure I've seen diesel taxis that have done around a million miles on the net somewhere???

[Xaccers]

Engine mounts ??

Strut tops are fine and shouldnt be an issue

Three engine mounts, one on the inside of the O/S wing under the plastic cover which routes the fuel and aircon hoses, U shaped with a pyramid like bumper front and back, sitting on a black grenade sized dampner.
One donut shaped down at the back behind the sump, and one on the gearbox under the LHM resevoir area.