high mileage engine

[crossie]

am looking at an engine - it has 170k

would you stay away from an engine if it was high mileage

even if it was going to get a refresh (bearings chain guide etc)

[Nige]

Does it smoke on startup ? Does it smoke when running ?

If not and it drives alright it wouldn`t put me off in the slightest

[crossie]

currently not in a car

[Nige]

It`s always going to be a risk then, regardless of mileage.

[jon_r]

If there are no other options and you have proof of a decent service record on it then go for it, especially if you are going to refresh it anyway.

[Kev_G]

Wouldn't bother me if I was rebuilding it TBH. As you could get a engine with 20k on it and it be in a worse condition end of the day.

[Tony]

Agreed - service history is everything.
E.G. with BMW M engines it is critical to have the 1200 mile service and so I’d take a high miler that had had this done over a low one that hadn’t.
It also depends on how the mileage was accrued? Is it a very old engine with modest annual mileage or is it from a newer car that spent a lot of time on the motorway?
My 335d engine did 172k remapped miles in three years and the engine was cleaner and fitter than those with a quarter of the mileage because it was always run up to temp (ie no short journeys) and always serviced on the button with Mobil 1

[Uncle Benz]

It will help if you tell us what it is

[crossie]

Honda Civic Type R Engine

[Diamond Hell]

If you can't see it running, walk away.

[Uncle Benz]

I'd tend to agree with Mr Hell.

[Kev_G]

Walk away. If you cant see it running I wouldn't want it. Especially if it has a gearbox as you've no idea if it goes into Vtec ok & if 3rd gear etc work fine.

a 170k K20 wouldn't bother me if its been maintained and the above is in all working order.

Out of interest what sort of price is it? As said previously full cars are popping up £1500 ish currently if your lucky maybe sub £1000. (I am still looking for you btw!)

[Diamond Hell]

I'd tend to agree with Mr Hell.

Anything I've bought not being able to see running has been garbage, with the exception of a Land Rover 300TDI, which is the sort of motor that will run, provided it's in one piece.

Quite the opposite for those I've bought running - you know it's OK, from the get-go.

[TDIfurby]

My car transporter is nudging 300k. I bought it as MOT history showed a pretty consistent 15k-20k a year being done with no gaps, so thought it had to be pretty reliable. So far (only had it 4 months) been spot on. Used it this morning for first time in 3 weeks. Started on the button.