What's the average life on the 3.0 SOHC engines with proper maintenance? I have 160,000 on mine and it is still running great although I do keep all of the maintenance on it up to par. Every now and then I do hear a valve or two "rattle or knock" I guess. I run only 93 octane. If I put anything less and accelerate hard, it will rattle pretty bad. Is this normal?

 

your max gets use to a certain gas, so when you go for cheaper it acts like a spoiled baby. VG should go well over the 200k mark

 

i got the same "rattling/knocking" noise after my engine runs for a while. im scared

 

VG last a long time when taken care of properly. There has been a lot of discussions on this topic, just do a search and you'll find a lot of information on the life of the VG engine.

 

rattle knock? I assume you are talking about preignition or detonation. You should NOT need 93 in a relatively low compression vg. I would check your timing and the condition of your egr system, and the T-stat..may want to switch to a lower temp stat-170 degree. I run 89 with 3 deg advanced timing and no ping, except when it's 100 degrees out and I jump on it or bog it. On hot days I just break out my handy 1/4" socket set, loosen the distributor hold down bolt and move the timing back to factory. I have the stock setting and advanced setting maked with permenant marker for easy adjustment. I don't know about your car getting used to high octane either, never heard this one before. I don't think the ECU knows what gas is going into it. Just knows the airflow coming in, engine temp,(among other things)and adjusts the fuel going into the combustion chamber accordingly. Enlighten me if you will on this spoiled engine of yours.

 

there are many members of the forums will well past 200k on their VG engines. some even close to the 300k mark.

A year or so ago I was at a dealer that had an 89 GXE there with over 700K miles. no, that's not a typo. Seven hundred thousand miles. original engine and transmission. only thing they had to change on the car were normal wear items: water pump, timing belt, brakes, tires, etc. everything else was original except new alternator or struts every now and then.

 

700k with original engine and tranny... riiiiiiiiiiiiight.

 

700,000 Miles sounds a bit much on orignal engine and tranny, but I believe it.

 

I believe the original engine part, but original tranny?!?!?

I had my tranny rebuilt 15k miles ago by my dad. He replaced EVERYTHING that should be replaced from the rebuilt kit. How long do you think my tranny will last? btw, I don't have a heavy foot, and I don't abuse/race my max. (mayb once in a blue moon or after watching Initial D)

 

My mechanic's 92 GXE/VG has 530 or 550 smth Kkms on it and runs perfect. The body is giving up but that is a different story. This engine is by far the best V6 in the universe I believe

For knocking you need to check the timing (15° advance) and condition of the knocking sensor. If the voltage on the sensor is lower than specified it may not be giving strong enough signal to the computer.

The extra lean fuel mix can be another reason for knocking. The fuel filter and then the pump should be checked. An older pump may be generating insufficient pressure.

I am not a mechanic, this is just my experience.