i have an 87 max wag with 180k.. the engine is probably on it's way out, it's burning oil (one of the spark plugs had oil on it), but i don't think it's been noticable for that long.. the car's in decent shape though.. would anyone estimate how long my engine might last?

oh yeah, and it's for sale.

 

Normally, when you find oil on your spark plugs, means you need to change the o-rings (at least that what haynes says) in your valve cover. I have 1 spark plug that has very little on it, and doesn't pose a problem for my car, however yours should cost much to replace.

 

Well, you can drive the car even though it's burning oil, though you're going to be sinking a lot of money into cases of Pennzoil and spark plugs. You probably will also end up destroying some sensors, the EGR valve, as well as the catalytic converter. There probably will also be a considerable drop in power and fuel economy.

I wouldn't drive the car if it were burning oil and I certainly wouldn't buy one that was. If I were you, I'd either sell it for parts or keep it and rebuild the engine. No one is going to pay any more than $200 for your car.

-C-

 

If you were closer to Texas, I might consider buying it as a parts car...I also have an 87 wagon...mine's pushing 235k, and it's not burning any oil...It does leak heavily, though...front and rear main seals are shot. ALso, timing belt is do for a change, and the h2o pump has seen better days. Due to this, I'm plannign to just have the engine rebuilt around April, when my tax refund comes in. Coming to have some mild head work performed during the rebuild, and if I can convince the wife, a 240sx T.B.. It will be getting a cone air filter. I'd go CAI, and by-pass the TB coolant, but it does still get pretty cold here in nothern Texas. It will also be getting a nice 2.5" custom exhaust installed after the engine is done. I've considered having them use dished pistons to reduce my compression ratio. The rebuild will replace the pistons, and the dished cost the same. This way, if I'm ever inclined to turbo the grocery getter, my compression will be low enough that I don't have to run octane booster or race gas (the highest octane available here is 91...


Now, if I could only afford some good good cams!