Engine worries

[whunt18885]

Sorry if I am asking an age old question but here goes....

Further to my last post I decided to get a new job rather than be forced to drive a 280 mile round trip 2 days a week like my boss wanted me to.

New job starts in March and it's 20 miles each way mostly 50mph dual carriageway, my smart pulse 450 is on 52'000 miles. Passed its MOT with only worn discs as advisory (getting replaced next week) however given the general opinion on high mile smarts I am concerned about engine rebuilds.

At the moment it's fine, it has nearly full SH with most of the miles from first 4 years when it was serviced every 5k, last 3 years it's been used once a week to drive 50 miles according to previous owner. Old Mots back up the mileage claim

I have just changed the oil and filter and will do so every 3 months going forward and I check oil weekly

I only drive it on journeys that let it get up to temp (min 10 miles) and I never go over 3000 rpm and I also let it idle for a bit before turning off etc

Questions;

1. Am I better of getting a engine rebuild done the second I notice it burning oil or using up oil or could it hang on for a short while ( it may be mid month so 2 weeks before pay day) alternatively is there any benefit to rebuilding the engine now even though nothing is wrong?

2. I know some smarts can go the distance but as a rough guess what % of them make it past say 70k miles without engine rebuild i.e is it 9/10 chance mine will blow before 70k?

3. Finally if I get a rebuild with a smart specialist then assuming I look after it would I be good for another 50k miles (assuming the turbo does not give up etc)

Ta.

[Thrumbleux]

I have just changed the oil and filter and will do so every 3 months going forward and I check oil weekly

Too frequent at 2400miles. It doesn't do the engine any favours to overchange oil. Research TBN.

1. Am I better of getting a engine rebuild done the second I notice it burning oil or using up oil or could it hang on for a short while ( it may be mid month so 2 weeks before pay day) alternatively is there any benefit to rebuilding the engine now even though nothing is wrong?

They will burn oil for thousands of miles before burning an exhaust valve. Mine used 0.5l per 25l of fuel for ages.Wait until it needs the rebuild.

2. I know some smarts can go the distance but as a rough guess what % of them make it past say 70k miles without engine rebuild i.e is it 9/10 chance mine will blow before 70k?

Mine made it to 75k miles before exhaust valves failed - a record mileage?

3. Finally if I get a rebuild with a smart specialist then assuming I look after it would I be good for another 50k miles (assuming the turbo does not give up etc)

.

Yes, but replacing a turbo isn't catastrophic - a cartridge is circa £100.

[whunt18885]

Ok thanks for the advice - I will change the oil replacement to every 6 months / 5000 miles instead then - Is this more suitable?
- I don't use Mobil 1 but instead I use Magnatec Stop / Start 5w30 fully synthetic (they had offer on Amazon) - I have been told that this is a good shout for oil, If not what other options should I choose?

So I can reasonably expect to make it through my 1st year (10'000 miles) taking me up to around 62'000 miles without too much to worry about? Again 50 dual carriageway mph / 40 miles round trip so no slow speed commuter traffic.

If that is the case I can live with that, I paid £1900 for the car so if I can get 12-18 months trouble fee motoring (other than servicing / tyres) then even if it goes bang I suspect I can probably get £500-700 as 'spares/repairs' on eBay so not too bad.

Had I known about how this new job was going to turn out I may have gone with something bigger and more 'deisely' but hey ho.

I may consider just keeping on the road for a year / 10'000 miles then take a decision at that point - I suppose the trick is to either sell it before it goes bang and get back maybe £1000-£1200 or keep it running and just accept that I will have to pay £800-1000 for a engine rebuild at some point. I would love to say that I can do the rebuild myself but alas I don't have the skill / space / tools or patience. I am ok doing the oil and filter but that is about it!

Anyway thanks for the input - Your answers have at least put some of my concerns to bed - Some others (usually arm chair critics) have told me that it WILL go bang before 60k - The fact that the problem gradually comes about rather than sudden catastrophic failure also gives me some breathing space.

Thanks again.

[Thrumbleux]

Anything but the shite that is Mobil 1. Hint, mine didn't go to 75k with Mobil in its sump. Best thing to be done with Mobil 1 is bury it where it came from - about a mile and a half under the bed of the North Sea,
Just run with it and see what transpires. Check oil level every couple of tanks of fuel and see what happens. Once it starts using oil is when you have to start considering your options. Till then, run and enjoy.

[tolsen]

Run engine flush at each oil change. Available from Toolstation for about £3 per bottle.
Use ASDA oil complying with MB spec. Sometimes on special offer. Of course replace oil filter same time as oil.
Fit air filter intended for the diesel 450. Cheaper and has larger filtration area.
My 450 has now done 235k and no engine issues. Usually change oil every 12,500 km but have sometimes gone over with a good margin.