To replace the engine or to NOT replace the engine?

[ericcris10sen]

So I was wondering if someone could give me some helpful advice. So I have an 01' and I've never wanted to put TOO much money into it because I'm not a mechanical kind of guy and so I never know how long it will last, and the main thing I'd be worried about is the engine dying or something (I know, I'm a noob sorry you guys). I really don't care about little things here and there breaking down as it'll probably be about 100-500 for whatever the issue may be. I was always concerned about the engine. When I bought the X, the next day I had to get a NEW transmission replaced and I've only had this maybe a year or so, so I have A LOT more miles to put on that before I ever need to think about getting it replaced, and the timing belt has been done so those two very expensive items have been taken care of already.

But what about the engine? I'm not sure how long they last and I'm sure it's going to cost around $1,500-$2,000 to replace (hopefully including labor). So would you think it's worth it? For the most part I've had really no problems with this Xterra other than things maybe breaking off or clogging up due to me going through some mud (lol). I've always wanted a newer Xterra with 0 to really low miles on it and something I can start sinking money into it without worrying about anything (I really don't now, but it's always in the back of my mind). Only issue is I'd have a car payment which would leave me with less money to spend on mods and repairs.

Right now it's a hard decision. I love what I've done to my xterra and with how it's riding and how it handles trails, I don't think it will break down any time soon. But just looking for some advice whenever the time comes. Is it worth putting a new engine in these older xterras? Has someone done it before and still takes it off roading a lot?

Again, I think it will be perfectly fine for YEARS to come, but just so whenever the time comes I can make a speedy decision. Thanks!

 

[Prime]

Is there anything wrong with the current engine? Key thing to Nissan mechanicals is maintenance. As long as you stay on top of that, you shouldn't have any problems. That means everything. Oil, tune ups, fluid changes, belts, etc. Barring something uncharacteristically catastrophic I can't see a reason why you can't get well over 200k on it.

A buddy of mine had a 4-cyl hardbody that needed the head rebuilt at 300k and it still ran like new after that.

Do your maintenance and don't worry about it.

 

[ericcris10sen]

Nope nothing wrong from what I can see and what anyone has ever told me. I definitely keep up on my maintenance. I know how important it is and I make sure I don't go past the recommended mileage and all that. Lol I'm over 207,000 on it now and I still take it off roading and all over the place, it runs perfectly fine! Right now I feel like it can go forever with how it runs.

Well that's good to know. I thought engines have a life expectancy of like 7-9 years or something like that. Again, I'm a noob when it comes to cars so I was just wondering and you helped me out with that.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Nope nothing wrong from what I can see and what anyone has ever told me. I definitely keep up on my maintenance. I know how important it is and I make sure I don't go past the recommended mileage and all that. Lol I'm over 207,000 on it now and I still take it off roading and all over the place, it runs perfectly fine! Right now I feel like it can go forever with how it runs.

Well that's good to know. I thought engines have a life expectancy of like 7-9 years or something like that. Again, I'm a noob when it comes to cars so I was just wondering and you helped me out with that.

When I sold it, my Gen 1 had 252k on the ticker and only had 2 mechanical problems throughout my time of ownership. My distributor went bad, but was cheaply replaced by myself in about an hour. The second problem came on the day I sold it. Supposedly, my radiator had a leak, but I never, EVER saw the guage run high or smell hot.

The previous 2 owners did a superb job of keeping maintinence done and had documentation to prove it. Oil was done every 3.5-4k and any and all concerns made it to Nissan Dealerships.

 

[ericcris10sen]

That's awesome and that's what I love about the previous owner I had. When I had it taken to the transmission shop they said other than the trans being shot, he hasn't seen a vehicle with this amount of miles on it and be in great condition. So I appreciate the owner taking care of it. No rust too! lol What made you want to sell it?

 

[TheFauxFox]

That's awesome and that's what I love about the previous owner I had. When I had it taken to the transmission shop they said other than the trans being shot, he hasn't seen a vehicle with this amount of miles on it and be in great condition. So I appreciate the owner taking care of it. No rust too! lol What made you want to sell it?

The lack of AC and cruise control. It had a leak I wasn't interested in finding. I also wanted something 4wd again.

 

[ericcris10sen]

Oh gotcha

 

[ellisfamilyokc]

230K here and no worries. I intend on getting well over 300K before I rebuild/replace.

 

[ericcris10sen]

haha nice! I can't wait to see how many miles I can get on mine lol What are you replacing? Anything big?

 

[Muadeeb]

242 and my problems are all external to the engine

 

[ellisfamilyokc]

I have replaced suspension and steering parts a few times.

 

[granitex]

As long as you keep fresh oil in them they last for ever. Nissan put these little lumps into things world wide for decades, so as long as you keep up on the fluids, belts, hoses, at 150-200k they are just getting broken in.

 

[ericcris10sen]

Sweet