How Many Miles Is Too Many For A Xu5 Lump?

[Atari Boy 11]

I have a new project 205, it has done 209,000 miles nearly. It has been off the road for four years but prior was serviced every 6,000 miles.

My question is, how economical financially would it be to keep on using it?

Obviously I would change the belts, water pump and head gasket and give it a full service but are the pistons etc all just too worn now?

I would like to keep the original engine in the car if possible but I don't want to do the above if it has not got much change of lasting much longer.

I know this is bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question but a general idea would be helpful.

 

The car needs a new battery so I have not done a compression test or anything yet.

 

Many thanks

[Baz 421]

Leave it, if it runs fine it'll no doubt be fine. Could almost gaurantee it, or everything in it may not be original anyway!

 

I bought a similar car in '05, had 188k or so on it and ran fine, judging by the headbolts was all original and had never been apart. It went fantastically and took a beating only doing occasional journies and being thrashed round fields on autocrosses etc for a few years before finally giving up the ghost when the HG went, apart from the bare essentials i barely serviced it either tbh.

 

Now has an 80k 1.6 fitted and lives on like this, due to be MOT'd soon.

Edited May 9, 2010 by Baz

[Atari Boy 11]

Thanks Baz, useful advice. So are you saying not to worry about the HG?

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

If it aint broke dont fix it! Maybe worth giving it a compression test if your that concerned, but if it runs well with no smoke and drives fine, just give it a good service and should be fine

[MrG 3]

if the servicing has been done like you say Jonny then crack on and just use it.