OK, we know my car is getting on a bit and that it has had a relatively hard life. As yet, touch wood, I have had had very few mechanical failures. Got me thinking though, what is the lifespan of the major components on my car?

Turbo?

Water pump?

Head gasget?

Fans? (think I know the answer to this one :( )

Suspension bushes?

Injectors?

Battery?

Bottom end?

Anyone know how long these things are meant to last? How do you tell if they are going?

heres my list:

std dv 18miles

std speakers 5miles

syphony stereo 4k

clutch 3.5k

tweeter grill 5k

fuel inlet pipe 5k

front sub frame 3k....waitingon inspection..

What did you do to your subframe, Ffelan?

not sure...but my car doesnt travel in straight lines.

So no sudden impact to attribute it to? Just gradual slip?

too much grip laterally.

Really hard to advise on lifespan of stuff, as it does depend on how car is used, style of driving etc, but some standards (given that car is as manufactured and driven sensibly) are-

engine- 120k miles, subject to mods etc

turbo- hard to say, car can be driven insanely and fack this up very quickly

injectors- same again, I am afraid

head gasket- 60k minimum, but subject to car being driven in line with recommendations

120.000 miles out of an engine only ?!?!?!? That doesn't sound like a lot?

I would have thought that 120k was conservative as well.

150-170k was normally a realistic time for looking at the cylinder head on the 'old' 1.8 VAG engine, so unless you don't change the oil and maintain it, I'd expect at least 150k before replacing bits.

Yeah, 120k is a low figure but that's what they say. If you get more, then good luck mate. If not, they have the get-out clause don't they?

Can you tell I've just come back after a week's holiday, hate my job and don't wanna be here?

Originally posted by Fabpreza in this post

so unless you don't change the oil and maintain it

I trust you've seen the state of some company cars?

No surprise really manufacturers want to cover their backs by being conservative...

Rob.

And only 27k for an air con condenser when not fitted with the patented Wickes add-on mesh for the front grille.

mode>

Howard,

will your warranty be void for doing this mod?

So did you find said mesh, Howard?

Hmm, based on Nikis figures, I'd better start saving

Originally posted by TaviaRS in this post

Hmm, based on Nikis figures, I'd better start saving

Aw, c'mon, be fair! Niki's only quoting the official figures. Given the appalling (lack of) maintenance by the average driver, I'm surprised that the figures are so high.

I bet you don't even notice all the cars driving around with grossly under-inflated tyres these days, it's that common. If they can't look after something so obvious, and so easy, what chance has anything under the bonnet got?

Jon , given the kind and condsiderate way you drive your car , I would have thought that these components would last forever ...............with one possible exception...........the sump

Pete,

Re your sump comment, with the greatest of respect;

Originally posted by ncarring in this post

So did you find said mesh, Howard?

Not yet, Nick! There are no Wickes close to where I live, so it'll have to be Focus or wait until I'm back in Slough and pop down to the local branch.

Knowing my luck, I'll now get a stone through the other side which will take out the radiator

Out of any mechanical part on the 1.8T engine -- I would say the waterpump is the weakest link -- many of the breakdowns we get are from waterpump impellor breaking up -- this can lead to fairly major engine damage -- this is what happened to the 40K S3 we had in recently - impellor broke - jammed and the cambelt stripped -- result oh approx

I thought this was only with the earlier (plastic impellor) water pump, but that later models had a metal impellor?

(heard this for a lot of VAG cars)

Confirm or deny? Have we got the old plastic impellor?

yup i would like to know cos will be buying a new pump if im on a plastic?

Originally posted by skodaw in this post

Out of any mechanical part on the 1.8T engine -- I would say the waterpump is the weakest link -- many of the breakdowns we get are from waterpump impellor breaking up -- this can lead to fairly major engine damage -- this is what happened to the 40K S3 we had in recently - impellor broke - jammed and the cambelt stripped -- result oh approx

Seat belts and seat belt tensioners have a life of 15 years after which they have to be changed. That could be expensive. And I don't think that it is just the 1.8's water pump which suffers failure. A friend's failed on his 1.9TDi, leading to the cylinder head gasket failing and an expensive (circa

so are newer ones metal or plastic?