Most dependable engines

[forddeliveryboy]

All this talk of £3000+ for a new timing chain kit for an Alfa, Audis with bust chains at under 100k when oil changes resulted in no pressure to the tensioners - with both these engines needing to be removed to replace the chains - makes me realise what strong and long-lasting engines I'm used to - the Rover V8. Saab I4 turbo, Citroën flat twin, Merc OM602/3 (5 and 6 cyl 2 valve/cyl dizzles), Citroën I4 petrol ('65-90 squarer version), Jaguar XJ6 and AJ6.

 

I also rate the little Fiat through-bolt (FIRE) engines in 8v form when they're usually non-interference and the little K-series - are they interference ones? The Audi 5 pot is, but getting 50mpg from the 300,000 mile 2.5tdi A6 is always satisfying - it's quite possible on a motorway run if you hold it under 80.

 

There's enough going on with a car in regular use not to encumber it with a high-maintenance or weak engine - what's on your list?

[Inspector Morose]

VW flat 4

Leyland 0600

Gardner LW

Cummins L10 and B series

Austin A, B and original C

[AnthonyG]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I would submit the Ford Zetec range of the 1990s, the 1992 onwards 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0.

 

They need oil changes and a belt every so often like almost everything, but I've never come across a stock one that just broke. Silly tuned ones in rally Escorts yes, but not a regular one in its normal home.

[twosmoke300]

2.5 di transit , 1.3 ohv Valencia , vauxhall 2.0 dti and the atmo xud and it's newer varients

 

Oh and for something modern ish the vag 1.9 tdi pd engine is a cracker it's just the rest of the vehicle that is pish

[alf892]

BMC a series

Pug XUD

VAG 1.9tdi

Burmeister and Wain

Sulzer

[AnthonyG]

The Isuzu 1700 TD is of course legendary, particularly when matched to a Mk3 Astravan......

[themildbunch]

XUD7 and 9 for me - in two of our cars.. just look after the coolant and don't let them overheat...

 

1.9 TDi 1Z version

 

Saab B234 in my old 9000 Aero - 

[phil_lihp]

Honda VTECs in standard form, definitely another vote for the the old Izuzu 1.7TD although I've heard even better things about the old 1.5D found occasionally in Vauxhall Novas.

 

I've no idea what they are but the diesels in Merc 124s seem to have a reputation for being utterly unbreakable - mind you, almost any old-school diesel could probably fit this category.

 

Oh, and the Volvo 2.3 LPT B230 redblock lump of course.

[RayMK]

Dependability seems to vary.  The few cars I've had from new have generally fared  better than 2nd hand.  A 2cv6, bought new in 1975, was still completely reliable when I sold it a couple of years later with 98,000 miles recorded. The engine rarely needed attention apart from an oil change every 3,000 miles. Similarly, my first Hyundai Stellar, bought in 1986, went on to complete 110,000 miles without any fuss from the engine.  My current Stellar had been owned by an elderly gentleman who only covered 32,000 miles from 1988 to 2010.  Despite frequent servicing, this ones engine is a noisy, clattery affair which now has low oil pressure.  Nevertheless, I regard it as reliable and will just get in and drive anywhere without crossing too many fingers.  The only engines that I had absolute confidence in were in Skodas of the rear engined variety (Estelles and Rapids).  The biggest disappointment enginewise was a Nissan QX.  Lovely, smooth and refined, but reliable?? Was it heck!  It's the only car I've ever owned that has to be recovered because of engine problems......and it did it three times within the space of 6 months.  Japanese reliability?  Pah!  (based on a statistical sample of 2 - the other Jap job broke its turbo)

[forddeliveryboy]

  On 18/03/2015 at 22:52, twosmoke300 said:

Oh and for something modern ish the vag 1.9 tdi pd engine is a cracker it's just the rest of the vehicle that is pish

 

PD ones wear cams by 150k even with the right oil changed at the right intervals, I'd say the TDis with rotary pumps make more sense - they're more robust and there's not the worry of needing new unit injectors for £££. EA827s are a bloody long lived engine, for good reason.

[wuvvum]

Rover L series.

[Inspector Morose]

Perkins P6

XUD non turbo

Small capacity K series

Rover L/Perkins prima

Leyland E186

AEC 7.6 ( the backwards running one)

Fiat twink

Trabant 2cyl 2 stroke

BMMO KL 10.45

[Bren]

Cologne V6.

 

They just get noisier with age.

 

Not sure the rover V8 is as robust as many believe.

[rml2345]

Volvo OHC Redblock, particularly the B23/230 as they're non interference.

GM Family 2 OHC engines, with the 2.0 20SE/SEH in particular.

Toyota 2SZ-FE as used in the Yaris. Surprisingly hardy lump that managed to wear out the timing chain. Well impressed.

Rover/Buick 3.5 litre V8 and variants.

Gardner LW and LX range of engines. Although I'd love that wee single pot one from the Internal Fire museum instead of a telly. 

Cummins L10.

Ford 2.5DI.

Volvo TD/THD100.

[Paul Dupart]

The balancer shaft drive chain in my Saab B234 9000 Aero stripped the teeth off one of the balancer shaft sprockets (when the shaft gradually seized) and the chain gouged its own channel and turned it into a pulley, stayed intact but could easily have come off and chucked itself into the timing chain at any time!

This was only discovered when a supposedly noisey timing chain was investigated.

 

What about the Vauxhall 8v engines OHC through the 80's/90's? Non interference and cambelts a DIY job?

[AnthonyG]

Yank V8s are more robust than Rovers, although Rovers are hardly weak, and most of their straight 6's would just go on forever. The 'slant 6' in the original Dodge Dart, for example.

[danthecapriman]

Volvo 'red block' engines from the 240, 740, 940 etc. piece of piss to look after, solidly built and do loads of miles. And also the previous B18, B20 type engines from the Amazon and 140 series.

 

A lot of old yank V8's, very simply built and very unstressed engines. The old Chrysler V8's can take loads of punishment!

 

Transit DI, simply the best Diesel engine of ever, phact!

 

Alot of people will probably disagree but, Ford pinto. Keep the oil clean and they are tough old engines capable of plenty of abuse, and have to be the easiest engine ever to work on and keep going.

[Inspector Morose]

Chevy stovebolt six.

[UltraWomble]

BLMC A Series Donkey

 

PSA XU9/7D Donkey

 

PSA DW10 Donkey

 

Ford Kent/Valencia 

 

Nissan GC10DE/13DE

 

Done some quite silly miles with all of the above donkeys and I have to say they are all easy to work on and for any given value of reliable, very.

 

The DW10 is only let down by the electrics its attached to ( awaits  by Mr Earwig), Ive got two examples at over 100K and the local taxi firm has three at well over 200K all the problems Im aware of have either been EGR or BIS related.

[320touring]

Bmw

 

M20b20

 

m30b30

m30b34/5

 

Anything with more than 2 valves per cyl is ftl

[Christine]

Suffolk Punch side valve ,and Honda Gx ohv  engines 

[HH-R]

Honda D-Series? Seem pretty tough.

[HH-R]

The FIAT FIRE 8v is tough as nails and utter shite in equal measure. Out of the three I've had, one had HGF at 40k, one was acceptable but misfirey when cold, and the third is totally unreliable with constant electrical problems. I'd never have another, I hear the Euro 5 compatible ones are even worse. A decent engine that eventually had its HGF problem sorted marred by crappy electrics.

[DS20]

Another vote for the inline-4 two litre Saab turbo unit.  My experience of it has been 5* - on a level with the 2.0 DS unit, which has been equally wondrous.  

[Honey Badger]

Honda F,H,J and K series seem to go on for ever, Yo VTEC etc etc

 

Toyota straight 6, V6 and V8 are tough units as well as long as you use the right oil, you quite often see Lexus LS with 200k plus and still going.

[forddeliveryboy]

My experience of the FIRE was before crappy electronics had the potential to ruin things, but yep, I think HGF is something they're known for, but once done they seem to go on and on.

 

 

  On 18/03/2015 at 22:48, AnthonyG said:

I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I would submit the Ford Zetec range of the 1990s, the 1992 onwards 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0.

They need oil changes and a belt every so often like almost everything, but I've never come across a stock one that just broke. Silly tuned ones in rally Escorts yes, but not a regular one in its normal home.

 

I broke one - about 5.5k with my foot down in third and a valve head dropped off, wrecking the engine. I think the mileage was about 120,000.

 

 

If we're including lawnmower engines then I'll have to say Seagull, the older ones. 

[Asimo]

Deutz Diesel?

 

I don't think I will ever trust any water cooled engine to be dependable, too many many bursts / leaks / drips and splits.

 

Carbs. and electrics go wrong too so the Deutz with (presumably Bosch) mechanical injection pump, no turbo and air cooling......I would like to try one in a car, just to find out.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

I definitely agree the Jag AJ6 engine is very robust indeed. There are very few problems with them and they just don't seem to wear out. So much so, there is no sales value to them second hand as a working engine. Breakers really struggle to sell second hand AJ6 engines through lack of demand, so they are worth less than their weight in aluminium and just get scrapped.

[jakebullet]

Land rover 2 1/4 pez. Worn out knackered ones run as well as a good one.

[Noel Tidybeard]

arg s-series.... bost the belt TWICE in my montego!!!