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Re: 325,000!! — LONG REPLY 2 Saabers Like This Post! Posted by pme [Email] (#1496) [Profile/Gallery] (more from pme) on Fri, 1 Mar 2024 06:35:20 In Reply to: Re: 325,000! ..WOWOWOW!, K. Daehnke, Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:40:16 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Thanks for all the good wishes. I am not sure I would characterize the 6 cyl as “riskier maintenance” versus a few “different” maintenance points. I’ll also say I’m not looking to reignite the V6 vs 4 debate - I’m simply reporting my experience. I know that typing this, I will jinx something, but here goes.
Original engine, turbo and transmission. Oil/filter changes every 5K, ATF roughly annually (3x drain/refill method), timing belt/tensioner every 60K and water pump assessed and replaced as required when doing timing service (due to common labor).
4 often mentioned V6 specific items are the oil cooler, thermostat, auxiliary coolant pump, SAI pump.
— Both the t-stat and oil cooler sit in the valley between the cylinder banks and it can be a nuisance / labor intensive to get to those items. T-stat has never failed me, although I have had it replaced (once under extended warranty around 100K when housing was cracked, and once since then when the oil cooler failed and it was easy to do while accessing the oil cooler). The oil cooler can cause a mess as it introduces oil to the coolant when it fails, but I haven’t had any problems since replacing it with the beefier GM version of the part.
— Aux coolant pump is an electric circulation pump on firewall near brake booster that circulates coolant at low idle or when the aux heater (allows you to have heat for a while when the engine is off) is activated. Cool feature back when I was doing early morning swim practice pickups in winter. Some report them as prone to leak; I’ve been lucky- mine is original.
— SAI pump is part of the emissions system - runs for about 30 seconds on a cold start to inject air into the exhaust stream. Mine failed a year or so ago. Very easy replacement under the front bumper. Three 10MM nuts, hose clamps and electric connector.
Otherwise, there really hasn’t been anything different or more challenging about the V6 than others have reported with their 4 cylinder. I’ve replaced DICs twice (once under recall and once after failure). Various hoses, throttle body, radiator, motor mounts, etc. replaced as needed. The car still runs great, is very smooth and steady.
Aside from just good maintenance habits, I also think that the car benefitted from my commute for more than 1/2 its life; commuting 30 miles of 95% highway driving (each way) certainly helped rack up “easy” mileage.
Finally, props to my Indy - Vincent LaDuca of LaDuca Auto Mt Kisco NY for sound advice and fair repairs when needed. I started with him when the car had about 120K on it (dealer serviced across street from work before then) and he’s great. I’ve found a good balance of DIY and professional help.
I only wish I had been able to head off the dog-leg rot. Ah well.
->Posting last edited on Sat, 2 Mar 2024 12:56:54.
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