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The same can be said for any car. In the end they’re hunks of metal with a motor: Machinery. Those of us who can work on their own cars get better understanding of how they work, lower cost of ownership and satisfaction. I think those are some points why Eric does this excellent work.
The same can be said for any car. In the end they’re hunks of metal with a motor: Machinery. Those of us who can work on their own cars get better understanding of how they work, lower cost of ownership and satisfaction. I think those are some points why Eric does this excellent work.
Many reasons for this, but I’ll say a major one is time. When a professional mechanic spends his work day fixing vehicles, think he or she looks forward to going home and…working on the personal car? Some do, but most don’t. Same principle applies to others. I was a military and commercial pilot for 30+ years. Never did any personal flying while I was working and haven’t touched an airplane in the six years since I retired.
Many reasons for this, but I’ll say a major one is time. When a professional mechanic spends his work day fixing vehicles, think he or she looks forward to going home and…working on the personal car? Some do, but most don’t. Same principle applies to others. I was a military and commercial pilot for 30+ years. Never did any personal flying while I was working and haven’t touched an airplane in the six years since I retired.
You need to put proper coolant in 50/50 concentration in your engine for corrosion protection but more importantly to protect your engine from freezing. Water expands when it freezes; given a cold enough temperature straight water in your engine will crack the block and head.
You need to put proper coolant in 50/50 concentration in your engine for corrosion protection but more importantly to protect your engine from freezing. Water expands when it freezes; given a cold enough temperature straight water in your engine will crack the block and head.
Friend of mine who owns and operates an Independent Honda/Acura shop had his personal similar vintage Pilot with the V6 motor that developed same kind of noise. He pulled the valve covers and discovered a cam lobe that had gone flat. He uses synthetic oil on regular schedule, and as none of the other lobes was bad it looks like a metallurgical problem. Car out of warranty so repair cost was on him.
Friend of mine who owns and operates an Independent Honda/Acura shop had his personal similar vintage Pilot with the V6 motor that developed same kind of noise. He pulled the valve covers and discovered a cam lobe that had gone flat. He uses synthetic oil on regular schedule, and as none of the other lobes was bad it looks like a metallurgical problem. Car out of warranty so repair cost was on him.
If you’re thinking about an older Benz, check out the excellent YouTube channel mercedessource. You’ll find just about anything you want to know about acquiring and keeping an older MB, gas or diesel. I’ve been into BMWs since late 90s, currently on my eighth car, a 2004 E46 330Ci ZHP that is the newest model year I’ve owned. The newer cars get a lot more electronic gizmos, resulting in even higher repair costs. I think BMWs are great cars, but if you want them to last you have to maintain them. BMW, Benz, Audi, Porsche, VW what have you are all designed for various levels of high performance, but to get that they need to be maintained with proper parts on or ahead of schedule. BMW’s “Free Scheduled Maintenance” is a marketing ploy to sell cars, and is main reason for huge depreciation on these cars. Most people dump them when they find out how much it costs when they start paying. A favorite of mine is the E39 5 Series, one of the best looking BMW sedans. I’d recommend a 2002-2003 530i with Sport Package, a stunner IMO. V8 engine available in same chassis (540i) offers more performance but is considerably more expensive to maintain/repair. Incidentally the cars following E46 3 Series and E39 5 Series went to run-flat tires, a major source of complaint by BMW owners.
If you’re thinking about an older Benz, check out the excellent YouTube channel mercedessource. You’ll find just about anything you want to know about acquiring and keeping an older MB, gas or diesel. I’ve been into BMWs since late 90s, currently on my eighth car, a 2004 E46 330Ci ZHP that is the newest model year I’ve owned. The newer cars get a lot more electronic gizmos, resulting in even higher repair costs. I think BMWs are great cars, but if you want them to last you have to maintain them. BMW, Benz, Audi, Porsche, VW what have you are all designed for various levels of high performance, but to get that they need to be maintained with proper parts on or ahead of schedule. BMW’s “Free Scheduled Maintenance” is a marketing ploy to sell cars, and is main reason for huge depreciation on these cars. Most people dump them when they find out how much it costs when they start paying. A favorite of mine is the E39 5 Series, one of the best looking BMW sedans. I’d recommend a 2002-2003 530i with Sport Package, a stunner IMO. V8 engine available in same chassis (540i) offers more performance but is considerably more expensive to maintain/repair. Incidentally the cars following E46 3 Series and E39 5 Series went to run-flat tires, a major source of complaint by BMW owners.