Posted on 02/09/2015 6:05:02 AM PST by rickmichaels
It seems to me that when you put additional burdens on a system you are just asking for trouble.
They can do any number of stress tests and engineer something that “Should” be OK, but unless they put the money in the quality of those parts, it’s likely to fail.
Personally, I prefer simplicity over complexity.
I can “Hot wire” almost any car on the road today, but that is getting more and more challenging as our cars ignition systems are more integrated with so many other aspects of its operation.
We had a Toyota Sienna van with sludge. That engine was notorious for it. If you missed the oil change interval by one mile, you invalidated the warranty.
The buyers took it to the dealer for service and then called us complaining that the transmission wasn’t original. We bought it new — never did figure out the transmission issue.
Toyota? Never again for this family!
LOL!
They should be using a quality double roller chain and include a feature in the vacuum pump such as a pin that can break if the unit locks up... or run the vacuum pump off of the undriven end of a camshaft...or both..
Simple is MUCH better ,, these cars are very crowded underhood and there is quite a bit of heat to get rid of... personally I’d go without brake boost it’s not needed on this car.
I changed the Bendix drive on the starter of our ‘66 Bonneville without changing out the entire starter. But that was a different era. Now the entire starter is probably throw-away for a $5 solenoid.
Go to TDIclub.com. They have “Trusted mechanics” that should be able to do your service work reliably and cheaper than a dealer. Forums are good also.
I will, I just couldn’t resist...
CarFax is notoriously unreliable. We use it, but also be careful as it doesn’t uncover anything. I wouldn’t call her “stupid.”
My daughter bought a Ford Escape. Clean Carfax except for cosmetic damage on the rear lift gate. AAA did a thorough inspection (I followed the guy around the car and under it) and there were zero signs of any damage. Looks like the lift gate might have been lightly tapped backing up, but no misalignments anywhere and no sigh of slipped bolted joints.
A couple weeks ago, the transmission interlock to steering started acting up intermittently. Ford claims a soft drink was spilled on the console causing the problem, so not covered by warranty. My daughter doesn’t drink anything with sugar and hasn’t spilled anything in the car. Here we go, battling the after market warranty company. Aaarrrghhh!
Isn’t that a Honda engine that they use?
I had a Toyota fail in a similar manner, but after almost 200,000 miles. Big difference.
Mini uses a Japanese engine.
Vacuum in and of itself is created by lifting the gas pedal as the engine starts to suck.
It was originally used as free energy to assist in shifting an automatic transmission.
Why a “vacuum pump” is needed for braking is beyond me. Power brakes as well as power steering came from “positive” energy.
As I consider this, it seems that any device that is driven directly from the drive train is not a true vacuum device.
It may be that it is labeled as such, but it seems to be more complexity than needed.
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>> “Lost a timing chain (actually a belt) on my old Ford Escort. Ping, ping, ping then the engine stopped. Had it towed to my mechanic and he installed a new belt, no damage.” <<
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Had the exact same experience with that same engine (2300) in a Ford Ranger with high miles. Its a German designed engine first used in German Ford imports. Excellent durability.
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A lot of Minis have French-built (PSA) engines, which may be the problem right there. Even a lot of the engines labeled UK are actually French.
The revived Mini didn’t have a Cooper engine.
Cooper engines were well established as solid racing engines.
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Being almost 6'3” and long waisted, I don't do well in them or Mazda Miata’s.
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Did it damage the muffler bearings?
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Had a Honda inline air cooled four that was absolute trash.
The two center cylinders didn’t get enough cooling if you drove over 75 MPH.
Went through two engines early in the warranty period.
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Odd, because it actually has plenty of headroom.
It wasn’t the Headroom.
I actually fit in the 2014 Corvette used to own, even though it was pretty tight.
In the Honda, my Head was above the back of the seat and I felt like I crammed in there. It was like sitting in my B-I-L’s old Cobra Kit Car.
That Honda was the bang for the buck when it came out.
Yes, I can see that. They’re a fun flying machine.
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