Worn out engine

[ken1mod]

Gentlemen,

 

While I respect synthetic oils and use them, I do think dino is great too.

 

My question is this, has anyone worn out an engine, ever. Or have you ever heard of this?

 

I honestly have no recollection of a worn out engine in any circumstance ever.

 

This does not include a broken anything but does include low compression or leaky valves. This does not include damage from bad maintenance and broken hose overheats.

 

I, in all honesty, can't think of an instance where an engine simply "wore out". We replace our vehicles when the seats tear or the dash cracks but a "worn out" engine? I just can't think of one.

 

My 5.3 2000 silvy with 110,000 miles on it runs flawlessly and all parameters including compression are within spec.

 

Ken

[rjirvine]

When I think of the term "worn out" I think of crank and camshaft bearings worn past limits, worn rings, valves etc. They will all cause symptoms of the engine not running as well as it did when it was newer. Of course all these items can be replaced, but by the time it's needed, it may not be cost effective to do it compared to the overall price of the car. My 1988 K1500 with the 350 had 210k miles on it when I sold it and I had it since new. I never even took the valve covers off. (water pump, clutch, radiator, alternator etc. yes) but not the basic engine.

[carneyman]

Does the engine necessarily have to be in a vehicle? If not, then we have worn out plenty. And if we didn't, then I would start to wonder. Our motors that we use to pump water are chevy 350's, 454's, and 502's, and after about 10 years they tend to lose compression and start leaking everywhere. Now, this is using them at least 250 days out of the year, running all day and all night, at about 2500 rpm's. We change the oil in them every 2 weeks of use (we use dino). So yeah, they last a long time. We usually have something else (major) go wrong before they wear out, and we end up using them for parts.

[OUMike]

Does the engine necessarily have to be in a vehicle?  If not, then we have worn out plenty.  And if we didn't, then I would start to wonder.  Our motors that we use to pump water are chevy 350's, 454's, and 502's, and after about 10 years they tend to lose compression and start leaking everywhere.  Now, this is using them at least 250 days out of the year, running all day and all night, at about 2500 rpm's.  We change the oil in them every 2 weeks of use (we use dino).  So yeah, they last a long time.  We usually have something else (major) go wrong before they wear out, and we end up using them for parts.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I've heard you talk about your work before. I'm pretty curious in what line of work you do that requiresa big block motor to pump water. I'd love to see some photos if you have them.

 

On the topic..I have a 94' 4.3 just at the 200k mark and I've been told by engine shops that rebuilding the motor at this point was a waste. He said at 200k engines usually have another good 50-100k left in em.

[ken1mod]

Industrial engines are interesting because they are used at nearly full load all the time, car engines loaf most of the time.

 

I remember a nat gas water pump engine that was turbo charged and that turbo was glowing red hot day after day, month after month. I used to stop my motorcycle and just look at it at night through the fence after work years ago. those engines will definitely wear out.

 

Did you use synthetic oils in them and what wore out?

 

Great post, thank you. what percentage of max power did these engines normally run?

 

Ken

[carneyman]

Does the engine necessarily have to be in a vehicle?  If not, then we have worn out plenty.  And if we didn't, then I would start to wonder.  Our motors that we use to pump water are chevy 350's, 454's, and 502's, and after about 10 years they tend to lose compression and start leaking everywhere.  Now, this is using them at least 250 days out of the year, running all day and all night, at about 2500 rpm's.  We change the oil in them every 2 weeks of use (we use dino).  So yeah, they last a long time.  We usually have something else (major) go wrong before they wear out, and we end up using them for parts.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I've heard you talk about your work before. I'm pretty curious in what line of work you do that requiresa big block motor to pump water. I'd love to see some photos if you have them.

 

On the topic..I have a 94' 4.3 just at the 200k mark and I've been told by engine shops that rebuilding the motor at this point was a waste. He said at 200k engines usually have another good 50-100k left in em.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

We use the motors on the pumps for irrigation. The wells are 400+ feet deep, with a 10+ inch pipe all the way, and to turn a pump that'll pump that water, we gotta use the big engines.

 

 

 

[Tree_Hugger]

I wore out the engine on a '64 Vauxhall Viva in '78 at about 90,000 miles...

It's last start required towing by a factory tractor unit for about 4 miles in first gear (man that guy was determined to help me get home). It never ran again, but it did get me the 50 miles home...

[mcreyaufmiller]

My current motor is wearing out. The way I know, my oil pressure is dropping quickly.

[ken1mod]

What is a Vauxall Viva?

 

Ken

[ken1mod]

What brand and weight oil was used in those pump engines. I bet 30w

 

Ken

[carneyman]

What brand and weight oil was used in those pump engines.  I bet 30w

 

Ken

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Yep. Can't remember the brand. Whatever they have in bulk. Changing the oil every 2 weeks in 20+ engines take a LOT of oil.

[pm26]

Does the engine necessarily have to be in a vehicle?  If not, then we have worn out plenty.  And if we didn't, then I would start to wonder.  Our motors that we use to pump water are chevy 350's, 454's, and 502's, and after about 10 years they tend to lose compression and start leaking everywhere.  Now, this is using them at least 250 days out of the year, running all day and all night, at about 2500 rpm's.  We change the oil in them every 2 weeks of use (we use dino).  So yeah, they last a long time.  We usually have something else (major) go wrong before they wear out, and we end up using them for parts.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I've heard you talk about your work before. I'm pretty curious in what line of work you do that requiresa big block motor to pump water. I'd love to see some photos if you have them.

 

On the topic..I have a 94' 4.3 just at the 200k mark and I've been told by engine shops that rebuilding the motor at this point was a waste. He said at 200k engines usually have another good 50-100k left in em.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

We use the motors on the pumps for irrigation. The wells are 400+ feet deep, with a 10+ inch pipe all the way, and to turn a pump that'll pump that water, we gotta use the big engines.

 

 

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I have seen monstrous 12 cylinder diesels used to run high volume pumping systems. Some of them were the size of German U boat diesels (about 40,000 cu in, 2,000 HP) and used compressed air for starting.

[RaysZ71]

Does the engine necessarily have to be in a vehicle?  If not, then we have worn out plenty.  And if we didn't, then I would start to wonder.  Our motors that we use to pump water are chevy 350's, 454's, and 502's, and after about 10 years they tend to lose compression and start leaking everywhere.  Now, this is using them at least 250 days out of the year, running all day and all night, at about 2500 rpm's.  We change the oil in them every 2 weeks of use (we use dino).  So yeah, they last a long time.  We usually have something else (major) go wrong before they wear out, and we end up using them for parts.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

250 days a year 24 hours a day for 10 years!! Thats like the equivalent of like 3 million miles!

[OnyxMAX]

i wore out my 4.3 disel buick,

 

on the river were allways doing something to the big engines or the generators. but we do put seriously heavy loads on the big guys, and they last several years that and the parts are so big talking .003 of wear and people will laugh at you. on a car though .003 could mean trouble.

[Dyabolical]

Define an engine "wearing out". Do you mean the block itself...cams, heads, pistons...what?

 

Because a block, barring cracks or some form of breakage....would take hundreds of years of running to wear out. I mean, if the bore wears .003, have it bored and revatted to a slightly larger diameter and give it another 200k. This of course assumes a well maintained engine.

 

To me the block is 90% of the engine, the rest of the engine can be relatively easily replaced...while swapping out the block means adjusting/replacing almost the entire engine build.