I dunno, maybe I'm just paranoid, but I'm wondering how long a B-series engine can last (or any engine for that matter)? The other day I was just thinking, all those millions of times that engine turns over the course of 120K+ miles, is fresh oil really the only thing that keeps those crank bearings happy and smooth? So assuming I change the oil WITHOUT FAIL every 3K miles, what else do I have to do to make the engine last as long as possible w/o any problems? I know I run the car fairly hard. I get up to 7K-8K RPM at least once a day, but these engines were designed for that. So far my engine has 112K miles on it and runs flawlessly. I've had it for 22K miles now. I don't know what the previous owner's habits were, but she says she took very good care of the car, and it seems to show. My engine burns *zero* oil, only leaks a bit out of the cam plug. I do not have to add any oil ever between changes. *knock on wood* So, any pointers? Love this car.

I guess what I'm really asking, some of those catastrophic failures like spun bearings, thrown/bent rods, etc. etc., is there anything else that can cause something like that other than negligence/stupidity? I just don't want something like that happening out of the blue. If it's something I can prevent, I want to know. Thanks.


[Modified by PatrickGSR94, 2:40 PM 5/16/2002]

 

they will last well into 200+ thousand miles.. but some power will be lost along the way usually.. just use premium gas and baby your engine.. dont run it too hard too much

 

my dad's 93 integra 4dr GS just turned 285,000 miles...!!! ands its still kickin..you can still drive it hard to..hehehe

 

yea the harder you drive the shorter the lifespan.. no matter how you maintain it. im like you, i redline it once a day, but i do it to keep everything lubricated and keep carbon buildup to a minimum. our engines need that. i agree though, you should get atleast 200k miles

 

it was my cousin who put me onto hondas/B series engines..he has a 1991 civic 1.6i Vt (b16A) with 225k miles on it, he has had the car since 12k miles (1992) his car does use a little oil but nothing substantial (about 2-3liters every 5k) he changes the timing belt every 40k, plugs every 10k, plug leads every 50k plus anything else that needs changing. He replaced piston rings/valve seals at 160k. He has a mugen program chip which allows him to rev to 9k and he DOES practically every time he drives the car. IMO if you do the regular servicing and replace everything that need doing whenever then those engines will last 300k+. I've got 72k on mine and i think it needs rings, but i only got the car at 56k and i dont know how the last owner treated the car/engine (jap owner). My cousins engine does sound a wee bit tappety but nothing major. Its now his second car but he seems to use it more than his first car (Civic VTi -B18c1 aerodeck..for the family!)

 

timing belt every 40K? now that seems like a waste of time/money/energy... but I guess if it makes him feel better....

 

He had a timing belt break on a previous car and possibly is paranoid about it now, i usually do them at 50k intervals..so i reckon hes just erring on the side of caution.
what is the actual recommended interval change for a belt according to honda/acura...i think i read 60k thats why i do mine at 50k, but maybe i'm wrong. i only do about 10k miles a year so i have another 4 years left before i have to do it again, thats if i still have the car at that stage...and the way i change my mind about cars its highly unlikely!

 

damn well my friend had a civic that had like 150k mi on it, ran like a champ. my other friend with an 84 volvo 240dl currently has 280kmi on it and its still kicking, fuggin thing wont die! blown raditor, rusted out exhaust, body pieces falling off and all and the thing is still going. im pretty sure it has a set of blown shocks too.

 

My manual says 90K interval on timing belt, mine was changed at 89K.

 

i've got 181k on the motor. still running strong with the exception of a little oil consumption. proper maintainence is key. if you have a modded car and run it hard, then shorter intervals. very strong engines these b-series.

 

This will put everything to rest:

Taken from Honda-Acura.net. Not rebuilt, B18A I belive...

 

i'm at like 180,000 miles on my motor.

has jun3 cams and 12:1 compression

 

crikey...i thought it was round the 50/60k mark...i'm possibly getting the piston rings and valve seals done soon and also head gasket and a few other seals (cam/vtec solenoid) i was thinking seeing as the head is off i may as well get the t/b done too even though it was only done 20k ago!

 

amazing.. that car is almost due for 5th belt change, and 146th oil change..

 

it will last long as long as you do your oil changes and tuneups.

 

i got 171,000 miles on my teg and still running strong

 

Currently 140,600 miles for me. I plan to do my 2nd timing belt/water pump change next spring just as a precaution which should put it around 160,000.

 

Even the crappy B series motors have long lives... my friend's first car was a Prelude Si. You know, the old *** one with the B20A ? Check this.... 180,000 + miles and the car STILL runs pretty hard for what it is, up to today (he still owns it)

 

[QUOTE]Even the crappy B series motors have long lives...QUOTE]

Yah.. everyone hates those crappy B series engines.. WTF!? for you bish

 

crappy? you, sir, are .


[Modified by reno96teg, 5:46 PM 5/17/2002]

 

well my car was purchased brand new from the dealer w/ 000,007 (seven) miles on the odometer when I took delivery and its been driven hard every day of its life.. it pretty much see's VTEC everyday but I make sure the engine is at operating temp before I go crazy on it.. I'm the only owner and the only driver of this car (my parents hate this car and refuse to drive or ride in it) and the only other people that have driven it are the dealer/techs and the punks that stole it before.. i've occasionally let my friends drive it.. but the bulk of the miles was put on by me...

w/ 103K its still going strong.. all thats been done is clutch and timing belt at 89K, 3K oil and filter changes (mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic and Mobil 1, Purolator Pure One, Honda, STP or bosch filters), yearly brake, clutch, tranny and coolant fuild replacements, valve adjustments every 15-20K, 30K fuel filter changes, etc pretty much all routine maintenance and lubrication and its running strong.. I do pretty much all the work on it so I'm always on top of the maintenance schedule... just take good care of it and it'll take good care of you...

 

83k on mine and it pulls like a champ. i got 404 cams, milled head, type r pistons, etc, etc. it doesn't burn oil and i change that every 2.5k. oh yeah not to mention this thing sees vtec mode about 10-15 times a day when i'm in a bad mood lol. just take care of it and it will last.


[Modified by NemesisGSR, 6:55 AM 5/18/2002]

 

anyone know the lifespan on a B20VTEC i'm seriously considering building one... that shall be swapped in my GSR after i pay off some bills.

 

your GS-R should last forever if you keep to that strict schedule.

 

So I just found this thread while searching some of my other old threads. 17 years later, I still have the car and it has 370,000 miles on the original B18C1 engine and gearbox. Change the oil with Mobil1 0w-30 every year or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.