WTF Why Build a Car.....

[Crazy Horse]

Oh my is this a fun little fire

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2719523

KansDem  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:18 PM
Original message
WTF??!!! Why design a car that, if the timing chain breaks, the whole engine is ruined?
 We bought a used 2000 Nissan Quest about a year and a half ago. It was working great until last Wednesday when it just stopped while my wife was driving it. We had it towed to our mechanic of 20 years who has informed us it might be the timing chain. All right, I said go ahead and fix it. Then he said the valves might have been damaged due to warping due to the break in the timing chain. Then he said the whole engine might need to be replaced.

 Why would anyone design an engine like this? We still have a little less than three years to pay on this, and now we might have to pay for a whole new f**king engine??!!!

48percenter  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:21 PM
Response to Original message
2. To make you buy a new one, keep that economy pumping!!

 

DS1  (1000+ posts)       Sat Jan-19-08 01:23 PM
Response to Original message
5. it's part of a system to make them smaller
 newer engines have valves that reach in beyond the topmost part of the piston on its upstroke, when the piston is out of the way to clear exhaust and send in fuel. if the timing chain breaks the piston comes up and smashes against the valves and bends/breaks them.

I don't get why it has to be this way, my engine is one of these types.

 
Who's mole is this speaking out to the hive?? Basic economics and common sense

NutmegYankee  (279 posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:39 PM
Response to Reply #5
27. Its all part of high compression and performance. 
 Want your 4 banger to be peppy? Then you need to reduce the cylinder head volume, and in the process, the valves move closer to the piston.

I noticed the cynical attitude of some on this thread, but it isn't some conspiracy. It's just engineering. They could make the head volume bigger, but then the engine isn't as powerful and fun, and consumers don't buy the car. We have ourselves to blame for this.

48percenter  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:31 PM
Response to Original message
18. Never had a problem with any of my Hondas since 1991
 Except for the dumbass mechanic who left a rubber mallet in the fan of my Passport and overheated the engine. Once that was removed, I decided to remove the Passport from my line up, what a gas hog!! P.O.S. Traded it for a new Honda 1996 Civic DX hatchback, one of my most favorite cars -- eva!

 

KansDem  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:29 PM
Response to Reply #10
17. I would like to think "planned obsolescence"--we've had the mechanic for 20 years...
 He told me the last time I took my car in for a tune-up he couldn't do it. I drive a 1965 Chevelle and he said his mechanics don't know anything about carburetors...

Bullshit....................you're just making shit up.

southerncrone  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #17
33. I think you have your answer there. You know this mechanic.
 And the fact that no one can work on a carburetor anymore tells us that everyone (including mechanics) have been force on board with these products designed to self-destruct. New cars are so fragile unless you keep running them in to the dealership or a mechanic, you'll be sitting in the driveway or on the side of the road; their real costs are hidden. They may be cheap to buy, but maintenance is what eats you up.

Car mfgs. did the shade tree mechanics in w/all the electronic & brand specific parts. Every time you want to do anything besides change the oil or tires, you've got to have a diagnostic machine. I don't know about you, but most of us don't have access to those w/o paying someone for the privilege.

Automobiles are such a scam now.

"There's a hunk of metal (& plastic) in the driveway where all the $ goes."
(John Prine rip-off

dkf (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:42 PM
Response to Original message
28. My ex is a mechanic and he always stressed how important
 it is to change the timing belt or chain when you are supposed to.

I was so happy the car I have now can be changed at 100k. My old one was 60k and I was getting close to the second change before I sold it. Apparently it is a drag to change it.

It was so handy to have a guy who did all this stuff. I really miss that now.

 
Well if you weren't a ****ing barking moonbat you could probably have that again.

[Chris_]

Timing chains should be replaced every 80k-100k as a general rule. 

Some people just have to learn this lesson the hard way.  And bitch about it on the internets.   

[Carl]

This is nothing new,early 80s Ford Escorts would do the same,the timing belt would break and the valves and pistons would get together for a party with a replacement engine often needed.

It is stupid and as far as I am concerned unnecessary to build an interference engine like this.
One of the things to know and investigate when buying a car.
It also points out the need to understand what it is that one is relying on for their life and living.
Read the manuals.

[Lord Undies]

The DUmmies are right.  Nothing has been the same since the automakers reduced the starting crank to the size of a key and moved it inside the car.   

[Lauri]

Timing chains should be replaced every 80k-100k as a general rule. 

Some people just have to learn this lesson the hard way.  And bitch about it on the internets.   

ok, this is news to me.. i didnt know that at all...

but i typically lease cars for three years or so, then move on to something else.

as for the OP ... who buys an EIGHT year old car and puts a FOUR year note on it??? geez, for that amount of expense, they could have just gotten something even four years old but in fantastic shape with low miles. lots of executive cars out there in just such shape.

i would never, ever support someone buying a car that old and putting a note on it.

[Lord Undies]

Timing chains should be replaced every 80k-100k as a general rule. 

Some people just have to learn this lesson the hard way.  And bitch about it on the internets.   

ok, this is news to me.. i didnt know that at all...

but i typically lease cars for three years or so, then move on to something else.

as for the OP ... who buys an EIGHT year old car and puts a FOUR year note on it??? geez, for that amount of expense, just gotten something even four years old but in fantastic shape with low miles. lots of executive cars out there in just such shape.

i would never, ever support someone buying a car that old and putting a note on it.

In the DUmmie's case, it is probably a We-Tote-The-Note car lot where the down payment covered the seller's cost of the car and the next 208 payments are pure gravy + interest.

[Lauri]

Timing chains should be replaced every 80k-100k as a general rule. 

Some people just have to learn this lesson the hard way.  And bitch about it on the internets.   

ok, this is news to me.. i didnt know that at all...

but i typically lease cars for three years or so, then move on to something else.

as for the OP ... who buys an EIGHT year old car and puts a FOUR year note on it??? geez, for that amount of expense, just gotten something even four years old but in fantastic shape with low miles. lots of executive cars out there in just such shape.

i would never, ever support someone buying a car that old and putting a note on it.

In the DUmmie's case, it is probably a We-Tote-The-Note car lot where the down payment covered the seller's cost of the car and the next 208 payments are pure gravy + interest.

isnt this where we usually say, "and they want to run the country??"

[Bondai]

If any of the whining DUmmies can come up with a design that eliminates the timing belt/chain.....lets see it....

.....I'm waiting....still waiting.......ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.......

[Uhhuh35]

If any of the whining DUmmies can come up with a design that eliminates the timing belt/chain.....lets see it....

Is this DUmmie correct in complaining about a timing chain? Timing chains hardly ever break because they are made of metal. Timing belts on the other hand are reinforced rubber like your tires and need to be replaced as mentioned already. And this is only a problem with overhead cams.

I've replaced a timing belt in a Chevy Cavalier with a sideways four banger once. I'll never do it again, it took me four days to do it. I'll get a mechanic to do it next time if needed.

[Gwitness]

What the hell are they bitching about...it's what they wanted...interference engines are designed that way to increase fuel mileage and  performance from smaller engines...I love the law of unintended consequences.

[Gwitness]

Timing chains should be replaced every 80k-100k as a general rule. 

Some people just have to learn this lesson the hard way.  And bitch about it on the internets.   

ok, this is news to me.. i didnt know that at all...

but i typically lease cars for three years or so, then move on to something else.

as for the OP ... who buys an EIGHT year old car and puts a FOUR year note on it??? geez, for that amount of expense, they could have just gotten something even four years old but in fantastic shape with low miles. lots of executive cars out there in just such shape.

i would never, ever support someone buying a car that old and putting a note on it.

Not true...change your oil every 3k and the chain will last the life of the car.

and this cracks me up...

Quote
48percenter  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:31 PM
Response to Original message
18. Never had a problem with any of my Hondas since 1991
 Except for the dumbass mechanic who left a rubber mallet in the fan of my Passport and overheated the engine. Once that was removed, I decided to remove the Passport from my line up, what a gas hog!! P.O.S. Traded it for a new Honda 1996 Civic DX hatchback, one of my most favorite cars -- eva!

Hey dummy...Honda's have interference engines....yeah..that timing belt?...if it breaks...valves meet pistons.

[PatriotGame]

KansDem  (1000+ posts)      Sat Jan-19-08 01:18 PM
Original message
WTF??!!! Why design a car that, if the timing chain breaks, the whole engine is ruined?
 We bought a used 2000 Nissan Quest about a year and a half ago. It was working great until last Wednesday when it just stopped while my wife was driving it. We had it towed to our mechanic of 20 years who has informed us it might be the timing chain. All right, I said go ahead and fix it. Then he said the valves might have been damaged due to warping due to the break in the timing chain. Then he said the whole engine might need to be replaced.

 Why would anyone design an engine like this? We still have a little less than three years to pay on this, and now we might have to pay for a whole new f**king engine??!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to VRWC motors.
Where DUmmys pay double for half the quality. 
Stay tuned for our new leasing options.