Never, EVER buy these Engines/Transmissions according to 20+ years CAR WIZARD mechanic experience!
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- čas přidán 16. 03. 2022
- After working on cars for over 20 years the CAR WIZARD 🧙♂️ has found six vehicles with fatal Engines or Transmissions that virtually destroys the value of the vehicle.
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Just retired last year. 46 years as a mechanic. 27 of those in my own biz. Take it from me, this guy is spot on.
46 years mechanic? Hats off to U✊
What do you think about Mustangs? I think mine is a 2008
Nikki. All in all a reliable vehicle. The 3.8 and 5.0 powertrains are well proven.
@@chrisschmitt3860 Awesome! Thank you for letting me know!
congratulations to you , i just retired myself in January after 42 years a a mechanic . and yes , this gentleman is correct. How these car manufacturers can put out such garbage is a crime.
People make fun of Toyota using “old” technology and outdated drivetrains, but you gotta admit that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Then, Toyota purists get upset (rightfully so) about bringing back the Supra without the best part of the last version. The engine!
More proof the "Kiss Principle " is valid.
I have a 2014 Toyota Yaris with a 5 speed. Its the exact same 1NZ-FE/C50 combo that was in the 2007 Yaris and the engine dates back to the first year Echo with very minimal changes. Its been the most reliable car I have ever owned and she gets pampered with 4000 mile full synthetic oil changes and top shelf filters. I expect to get 500k out of it.
I bought a Yaris specifically for the 1NZ-FE, its such a fantastic little mill and its sooooo cheap to run.
@@mitch9521 my coworker has a Yaris and hates the damn thing but said he’s not getting rid of it until it dies and he’s angry because it never breaks down 🤣
Well, the Toyota CVT equivalent is not an actual CVT but rather a fixed gearbox and varying it using electric drive motors. No belts involved, and that's why it last about as long as the vehicle.
czcams.com/video/w_mc17CoyJs/video.html
Wish more manufacturers did this. Chevrolet Volt, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Nissan Note ePower did more or less the same thing. (Serial Hybrid)
Love your info. I'm 70 years old, and drive a 2002 Buick Park Avenue with a 3800 engine. It has over 208,000 miles and runs like a new one, but I service it faithfully. I've had things go wrong, but usually normal wear and tear. I hope it will last as long as I do.
Ron. The EGR failed on mid 1990's 3.8 when GM switched to a composite intake manifold. I applied retrofit kits that made an air gap between the manifold and EGR pipe. The dealer would install a new manifold for about $1100. I think GM went back to alloy intake on later models. The 3.8 was introduced in late 1970's and went through about 4 generations till the early 2000''s when replaced with the 3.6 (push rod to four overhead cams).
Wish you live for many years and you car runs good along with you
I've also got a 3800, in a 96 Camaro with a 5-speed manual transmission. I find the whole car is actually pretty cheap and easy to work on, and I'll choose it over a 5th Gen 3.6 Camaro any day of the week.
@@marccrotty84479
I thought the same about my ex wife, serviced her well but in the end she left and it cost me more than she was worth. I was faithful, had things go wrong and hoped things would last as long as I do but alas, it was not to be.
I love my 240k mile '96 Explorer with the pushrod 4.0L V6. Everybody keeps trying to convince me to upgrade, but I can't trust newer vehicles.
Same. I have a 2000 and 2001 Cherokee both with 160k+ and they run great.
I drive a '96 Ford Explorer with the 5.0L V8, and I drive it almost daily to school. It still pushes on with many, many miles on it, even though some problems are apparent and may be fixed or need to be fixed in the future. I still enjoy driving it, though. It was used as a work truck before my family got it.
Me and my brother keep running our 2000 Nissans, I got a Sentra and he has a Pathfinder. Nissans were great up until the Renault acquisition, I'll choose any pre 2000 Nissan over anything new.
As long as it's still running good, keep that thing.
Ford 5.4 3v Triton V8 (F/Expedition) - 1:00
Nissan CVT - 3:30
GM 1.4 Ecotec (Cruze, Encore, Sonic) - 6:50
GM 3.6 V6 (a lot, any 3.6 GM) - 8:57
Pentastar 3.6 (Grand Caravan, Wrangler, Journey, (Grand) Cherokee) - 11:50
Nissan 5.6 (Armada, Titan, Qx56/80) - 14:55
100% pure junk
Thanks for summarizing
Thanks for the info, I was looking to buy a good minivan.
My parents just bought a pentastar Cherokee after I told them not to.
Thanks for doing this. Much appreciated!!
You're getting notoriety. I was at a Toyota dealership looking for a cheap car, and the salesman tried to pawn off a Equinox on me. I said nope, and went over the laundry list. He asked, how do you know all this. I replied, I'm a mechanic and I watch the Car Wizard. He said "Oh, you're one of those guys."
That was a cringe story, thanks
@@YungEagle3k 😂😂😂😂
This unfortunately is GM as of late. You will find one or two engine/transmission combinations that are decent and the rest are just garbage. My dad's Audi.. the engine is fine. My Ford (not a truck) .. the engine is fine. My sister's Honda.. Why even ask.
You owned the dealership flunkie
He's probably sick of all the Kilmer-tards coming in turning their nose up at anything that isnt a Toyota
I had a good run working in a shop as both owner and worker for over 50 years. I sure would hate to have to face what mechanics do today. The Car Wizard is spot on in this video.
I turn 77 in a few months and even though I can still work its not on vehicles anymore.
I started working for my dad in the shop I own today in 1961.
I still love repairing things but now its things much smaller like golf carts and lawn mowers. Those are the ones I buy and not for customers anymore. Got to stay busy doing something or you won't last long.
Agreed. I am 77 and still working.
I appreciate the bluntness and honesty. I respect the effort to help and educate. I saw a video yesterday and subscribed right away--thank you! I had a 1996 Toyota Corolla until 2021 with 365,000 miles on it. Those mid-90s Toyota engines were very durable. It was the body that forced me to get a new car, not the engine.
Same. I just reluctantly retired my ‘99 RAV4 because the frame is rusted through like Swiss cheese. Not safe to drive so I gave it my brother-in-law to turn it into a snow plow on his acreage.
"25% of cars are maintained properly so 75% of cars that you might look at to buy are problems waiting to cost you money. I think it's worse than that though because the well maintained cars tend to be KEPT, not traded in or sold. Or they tend to be handed down to family members etc. Very helpful video. Thanks for posting it.
You got it
Also what happens is when they land on a dealers lot the dealer calls his buddy or family and sells it to them. It never even goes out for sale.
@@robertbell525 Good point.
BINGO!!!!! I feel truly sad for people who want or have to buy older vehicles. I saved great gobs of cash by driving older cars for 50 years and fixing them myself. Todays cars are horrifically complicated needing expensive often exclusive electronic equipment to work on. Some things are better but all that much when you consider the price of the things.
Thats why i drive an 86’ and my so. Has a 91 s10. Stupidly simple efi. Bulletproof drivetrain. I got 300k out of my last 4.3. The body rotted off . Still ran like a champ,
I absolutely love how laid-back you are-no need to yell and throw your arms around. Also, you frame things in a positive way like, "25% of people maintain their vehicles." Thank you, I'm subscribed.
"throw your arms around" are you talking about Scotty Kilmer?
@@bast4rdlyreaper Scotty who? 😀
😄😁
Scotty always begins after 12 cups of coffee
Scotty and his transition lenses. Can’t take the dude seriously.
You’re the best straight forward to the point gave a simple explanation of every vehicle that you talked about. Really appreciate that.
People give me a hard time because I still drive an old Ford truck from the 1990s, but they usually back off when I mention that I've got just a bit short of 350,000 miles on the original engine (4.2 V6) and transmission. It may be ugly, but I keep up with the mechanical maintenance and repairs.
1995 Chevy C/K 1500 with the 5.7 V8. Just over 375,000 miles rolling into 30 years old like a champ
I hope young families watch these videos. An expensive car repair can put a young family underwater. Thanks car wizard for great community service you’re providing!
Facts. I got a grand Cherokee but got a great deal on an extended warranty bc of a family friend so I feel better, still wish I got a 4Runner though
@@mattbrown942 Just take care of it (stay on top of maintenance) and you should be fine
best as a young family is to buy an old car which type and engine was known for its reliability, get it used if there are not to much miles on it it will last forever. Sure old cars dont got certain electronic features which are nice but better than nothing.
My first car was a VW caddy from 2001 shitbox which I bought for 2 grand overhere and it never died, sold it one day after using it for 4 years.
Also stay away from most new cars they are build like dogshit and expensive af. Got a job in engineering and the engineers I know who got expensive cars (Mercedes E class / R class, Audi, Jaguar, BMW) which crap out after around 80'000 km all due to transmission deaths is beyond madness. These cars overhere are all above 100'000 euros mind you (besides the E class).
Sure old cars are ugly but at least you dont need to sell a kidney to pay for the repairs
@@dergunter1237 Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibes are great for first time families. I own 2 lol.
Just watch Scotty Kilmer and only buy Toyota or Honda.
I've also been a mechanic in Switzerland for 40 years... And why have I been driving two BMW E30, 325iX, built in 1988 and 1989 ??? Have NO problems with it... My advice : NEVER ever buy a new car with this electronic garbage !!! These cars are no good, believe me...
Ahaa Switzerland. A very nice place to live..you must be a very good Mechanic!!
I’m not a mechanic, far from it, I do a little car maintenance but nothing deep in the engines. I have a 1985 Volvo 244DL, The classic sedan. Literally the engine is bulletproof. Four-Cylinder. I bought it used from my neighbor, it had something like 230,000 miles, and I put another 25,000 or so on it. The engine runs like new, purrs like a kitten, And gets 25 miles per gallon for one hell of a heavy vehicle.
E30 platform is a legend! It got me into BMW’s for many years. Unfortunately each successive generation has been orders of magnitude less reliable.
@@donabeyta252 I agree with you !BUT EVERYTHING is very expensive here not like in the USA... And if you are not good at your job, you have a (financial) problem in Switzerland....
@@steveperreira5850 A 1985 Volvo is a very good car, congratulations ! Take care of it !! What is produced after 1990 and up to now is all scrap, that's a fact !! No matter which manufacturer !!! For me, the BMW E30 are the last "real" BMW's... Luckily I still own two of them...
So refreshing to hear real honesty, you are a wizard!
I drove a 15' Titan 4x4 for surveying. That truck was damn near bullet proof. We put it through some shit a lot of guys wouldn't. I was looking to buy one for my own new business. Thank you for this video.
The 14 and 15 are great years for the Titan, the new ones 2016+ I wouldn’t buy. 14 and 15 were the best ones made and are reliable
@@bradleyrivenbark946I wonder if that applies to the Armada too?
If maintenance is there they are good. People don't maintain their cars that's the problem.
I have an ‘08 Titan with long tube headers and no CATS which I removed. I live out of city limits no emissions here, and this truck runs like a top 200K+ miles. I also replaced the plastic radiator with aluminum because they can internally crack causing trans failure
I’m no mechanical engineering guru. But, how does one fail to design a crankshaft that can’t handle the torque produced.
I was a shop foreman for awhile at a garage in a small town. EVERY SINGLE VEHICAL he stated in this video is dead on. Before this video started, there were several vehicles I was hoping he would mention. And he did not disappoint. The vehicles mentioned in this video are the mechanic's bread and butter.
' vehicle '.
Really the 5.6 from Nissan?
@@experimentchannel9692 I had a few 5.6L I've worked on. Most of the engines were the 5.4L Ford 3 Valve. The newer Hemi engines. Eco Tech GM, inline 4s. A lot of V6 engines used in the dodge caravans. 6.0L and 6.4L Ford Diesel. a few 5.9L Cummings. etc. Dodge and Ford was by far the most common vehicles with severe engine problems. The worst I've seen from a 5.6 were chunks in the cylinders, never knew how that happened.
Before watching, I bet the GM 3.6L V6 is somewhere on this list! 😅
Pick up that phone, because you called it!
I'm calling Ford 5.4
You're absolutely right.
There’s literally nothing new about this video. Just a repeat of everything car wizard has already told us
Northstar v8
God Bless you for your honesty and sharing your experience. I just subscribed. I have a family with 7, Wife 3 -Daughters , 2-Sons. Your advice is Spot on. I’m a Repair Mechanic for Commercial Laundry Equipment but also work on our Cars and Trucks and love the challenge.
If you ever get to listing your suggested best years of Toyota Models that would be helpful. I took your advice and bought a 2001 Toyota Highlander Limited and it’s built like a battleship 💪. Because I’m 67 and did my first Head Gasket at 15-yrs. Old I can say Toyota’s Mechanical skill far exceeds anything else I’ve worked on. Thanks for confirming my thoughts. 🙏
Dear car wizard! Great video! Thank you so much! Enjoyable and educational at the same time! Love how you talk in so relax mood about so bad engines without getting mad😂, can you please add a pictures of the cars you talk about in your next videos? I think it's will be great visualisation, especially for your subscribers from different countries where the names was changed for the market, you now,like gm make big mess with the brands , the models names..thank you!❤
What a great video. Thank you.
I used to work for a car rental company 20 years ago. We provided a lot of rental cars for people having their cars serviced at a Chevy dealership. I was making decent money and wanted to buy my first car, so I asked the service manager if I should buy a Tahoe or a Corvette, his reply was "buy any Toyota!" I laughed thinking he was joking, but he was dead serious. He said Toyota is the best car in the world.
He added: "when's the last time you saw a Toyota stopped on the side of the road? If you see a Toyota stopped, it either has a flat or ran out of gas, it didn't break down." He was and still is right.
Toyota is tied in with General Motors. Case in point, the Chevy GEO PRIZM is nothing but a Toyota Corolla and both cars take Camery break pads. The Pontiac Aztec is made by Toyota. Chevy, Isuzu, Toyota, Suzuki, Daywoo, Saub and Hummer are all tied in with General Motors.
@@danbasta3677 the Pontiac Aztek is 100% GM. You're probably thinking about the Vibe. Apart from the Prizm, the Vibe and the Chevrolet Nova of the 80s, every other car is 100% GM.
@@danbasta3677 Pontiac has been dissolved. Any ties between Toyota and GM as long dead. It’s be like me saying Mitsubishi and Chrysler are still working together because they did in the 90s/2000s
Toyotas break down too, a lot I see them at the shop all the time.
Every automaker pushes out the occasional turd.
Thank goodness for people like you and Scotty Kilmer for being honest and steering people away from crappy vehicles.
You had me till you said Scotty Kilmer lol 🤣
Yep Scotty knows his stuff well! Auto giants try to sue him for speaking his mind
Rip Scotty😞
LMAO Scotty Kilmer ain't shit.
@@DeezNuts-sx9jd You're an ignorant fool
I can't understand why people spend so much money on a vehicle and don't do the services it requires . What a waste of money
"scrap metal on wheels" Great description! Thanks
I can see the Wizard sitting down with a customer on that couch using the comforting and soothing voice of his to break the news of a $7,000 auto repair.
LOL!!! So true!
My God. Imagine the people who struggle to buy a car, and end up with one of these. Great video!
they just see one of these for cheaper and think its a good deal but you get what you pay for.
I know a family that bought a Chevy Cruze, and the turbo went out, knee deep in a full on renovation, the husband is working in a different city and the wife has to bikie to work because they still owe money for the car.
@@richardparnell8402 Research is paramount with these modern junkers.
@@unclebob7937 yes for sure.
They should’ve gone with a high mileage Toyota that is too old for factory Bluetooth music streaming or the trusty old GMT800 GM truck or full size SUV for the same amount of money instead. A 2008 Corolla may be ancient but at least you won’t have the headaches from a 2015 Chevy Cruze.
You sir are a gem and I much appreciate your honesty and the information. Thank you
Thank you for the heads up. 👍
As per your advice, my wife and I steered clear of the Buick SUVs we were interested in and you made mention of, so we settled on a Verano instead, and are also being very faithful on its maintenance. Again, thank you. 👌
I run a transmission facility in south Florida and everything this guy just said is 1000% correct. I was literally laughing thur all the cars because we are seeing the same problems and people saying the same thing. Then I give people the advice to stick to Lexus or Toyota but they don’t wanna pay the premium but then they will pay it when it comes to repairing the junk that they bought.
Toyota is much cheaper than most car brands at least here where im at.
Hi Jesse, I just left a comment a minute ago and then saw your comment about Toyota.
My husband and I are buying brand new next year, we need something reliable and something that can tow a caravan. We are looking at the Toyota Prado right now, what do you think of them ?
Any other suggestion would be appreciated, thanks from Jodie, Australia 🇦🇺
@@masondipple2650 where do you live? I'd like to buy a car there
don't like Honda?
@@swansfan6944 Cannot go wrong with a prado!
Dodge will replace the cracked head up to 150k miles. Got mine done at 149k and the service manager was pissed 😂. Great vid dude
He can suck it. They should stand behind their products without complaint
Perfect time to have it done get the longest life
Yes but the new head they put on is the same as the old one! The new "robust" head is no different. The Navistar 3.6 has had this problem with the left head since day 1 and they are hush hush releasing any info about the problem. I think they rushed to get the motor done and released it knowing that they would get it back with an issue. The marketing they used to promote this state of the art engine was impressive. They left out the oiling issues, the "tick of death" and the other problems with the cooling system. And I read customers loosing 3 to 5 mpg with the head recall.
There's tons of info online
@@davidkeller4841 oh yeah definitely a temporary fix. Right now 220k miles and my dashboard is lit up like a Christmas tree lol. Going to run it until the wheels fall off and then crush it.
@@davidkeller4841 I would never buy a gm ford or fiat Chrysler product I honestly don't see why people still buy that junk
I've been driving Nissan Titans since they came out in 2004. I'm on my 3rd Titan now, 2018, with 80,000 miles . I have never had any problems with my Titans, and I set the cruise on the highway driving 80mph, getting 18mpg. to 19 mpg. On the highway and 16 to 17 in town.
Keep them serviced oil change every 3k miles ,transmission fluid change every 30k.
Run the highest octane fuel because it is a high compression engine. Running the wrong fuel is probably what's causing the catalyst problem. It's not the Titan it's the Nut behind the wheel.
You went through 3 Titans in that short period of time?? Even if you had luck (which I’m not sure you did) he even says himself in the video we’re talking percentage chance. Not every one will fail prematurely but it happens more than other vehicles.
I worked at a Nissan dealer and Titan engines were a job that all the techs were trained in on. It was a necessary skill to be a technician there. It’s a much bigger problem in colder climates.
Thank you Car Wizard 🧙♂️!
I own a 72 pontiac grandville. 455 with a quadrajet and let me just say that this car is the absolute best car I've ever owned. Super simple to maintain and repair. It sat for 20 years before I got it. I rebuilt the carb , new water pump and fuel pump , timing chain, added dual exhaust and some boxed rear upper and lower control arms . Replaced all the worn joints and bushings. Engine is original other than an upgraded small hei distributor. This car is an absolute dream to drive . Pillow soft riding comfort and enough torque to pull tree stumps. What a great car.
I took your advice, walked away from a Rogue / Outlander options and bought an 11 year old Toyota Highlander with a full service history. Doesn't feel over a decade old and goes like silk. It's a tank minus the turret. Thank you!
You made a fantastic choice and saved yourself a ton of headache.
its a tank minus the turret and you know tracks
He said to run not walk
Reliable yes a tank No it’s built off the Toyota Camry platform
A tank is nowhere near as reliable as a properly maintained overbuild truck like that.
Just ask Car Wizard, he used to work on 'em!
Thanks.some of this I already new but you gave me even more insight. It's amazing what these car companies are asking for some of these cars. And they are junk right off the lot.
Honesty & Integrity - Thanks!
I never thought I'd be "That Guy" on the internet, but the 3-valve 5.4L V-8 wasn't ever used in the E-150/250/350 Ford vans. They only ever got the 2-valve engine, which is vastly less problematic. We had nearly 40 of them in our fleet, all went 250,000 miles on the factory engine and transmission.
The 3-valve disaster zone was only ever put into the trucks and SUVs. That being said, I can't fault Car Wizard for getting this one tiny bit of trivia wrong. And I would never, ever claim to know more than he does! :)
you are correct , i have a 2 valve 5.4 in a 2001 e 350 no problems , wife has a 3 valve 2007 sportrac and i keep telling her its doomed and it has to go
🤓
I had a 96 e250 and the engine outlasted the body.
@@idahormj66 change the oil at 5k kms it will go forever
or follow the dash and quick failure. all engine problems are owners fault for following a ridiculous oil change schedule
Yeah the 2 valve 4.6 and 5.4 were reliable as hell. Not so much with the 3v and 4v
Just got a 2018 Nissan Murano with 20K miles. After Mr. Wizards warning about the CVT transmission issues , I had the AT fluid changed. Sure enough, the old fluid was JET BLACK! MY CVT will be serviced every 20K like clockwork! Thank you Mr. Wizard for the warning that CVT transmissions are 100% maintenance intolerant!
I joined a Nissan Pathfinder forum to see what user experiences were with the CVT. The consensus is similar to yours: change the fluid every 25K or two years (whichever is first). It’s a lot cheaper doing that than replace by the CVT. (Fortunately, Nissan has swapped the CVT with a 9-speed automatic made by ZF in their totally overhauled 2022 Pathfinder model.)
@@JBM425 I've not heard anything good about the ZF nine speed either, it's probably why Honda is trying to replace it with their own in house built 10 speed.
Muranos are an absolute timebomb with the power steering pump problem....Good luck with yours though.
@@damilolaakanni Its a different 9 speed in the Pathfinder
@@elizabethmiller7918 it's the same ZF nine speed that FCA and Honda uses. It might be tuned differently, but it's the same one. Check reviews of the 2022 Pathfinder and you'll hear it.
Agree about changing cvt fluid, the maintenece book tells you when to change cvt fluid, also it recommends you change cvt fluid more often in high heat and rougher conditions like if you live in area with a bunch of hills.
Fix the Jayco cvts easy don't buy one in the first place.
The bad thing about the GM 3.6 is that they made two very good V6 engines not long before this came out in the 3800 and the Olds 3.5 V6. GM should have just kept making one of those engines.
Half the country has itself to blame. Emissions killed the 3800, not sure about the 3.5 you’re referencing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case as well.
@@bannedbycommieyoutube5time920 The 3.5 was only used in the Oldsmobile Aurora and Intrigue.
I never heard that emissions was an issue for the 3800.
Great video!!!!
Recently bought a 2020 Buick Enclave Aventir loaded with 12,500 mi from a friend for $34k.
Will changing the oil every 3,000 miles help prevent the timing chain issue?
Any other suggestions.
My wife loves her Aventir.
I think you mean 3100 V6 and 3800 V6. Simple, solid design
@@espinozanovak831 the 3100 was a bigger version of the Chevrolet 2.8L. It was a good engine, but I was referencing the Olds 3.5L that went into Intrigues and Auroras.
I was a tech at a CDJR dealership for a few years. Most of our business was the 3.6 doing really dumb things. The oil cooler leaks, the heads, lifters, coolant issues, etc. He's not joking when he says few people are doing regular maintenence on their vehicles. Had a 3.6 with 90k miles on it was full of sludge.
Way to go, Wizard! This is your best video yet. Exactly the sort of information every car owner needs!!
We have a 2015 Toyota Highlander purchased new, that except for oil & filter changes and the normal crappy OEM tires that only lasted 35,000 miles, has had zero issues with any other component. It currently has 79,000 miles with original brake pads. Shop says there's still about 50% wear on the pads and rotors look good.
Love this guy and Mrs wizard keep the videos coming
I have a personal vendetta against GMC acadias. When I first purchased mine my mechanic told me to start saving for the timing chains and transmission and man was he not wrong
It’s too bad because the Acadia is a great looking, nicely sized suv. 😢
@@justaviewer111 It does look nice. Too bad it is junk.
I bought my 2015 used had my mechanic install a transmission cooler. Two years later the whole air conditioning system had to be replaced. Then the radiator.Then the power steering pump. When the transmission started slipping I got rid of it . I replaced it with a 2009 MDX with twice the miles, paid 9450 cash. I follow regular maintenance and the timing belt has been replaced.
I'm a recently retired auto tech of 40 years and can't argue with any of this. Got to where doing timing chains on 3.6L GM, (mostly Acadia/Traverse) I could almost do them in my sleep.
I like that you advised on a family of power trains rather than specific models. Your advise comes from decades of experience saving us hard-earned money. Thanks.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Spot on advised with those " do not buy " vehicles mentioned above.
The 1.4T first gen is bullet proof, Wizard is talking about the second Gen 1.4 DI version. The LUV does have PCV challenges, however the market is flooded with intakes and valve covers. The valve cover is a literally a 20 min job and the cover is $50. The intake is straight forward and easy to get at.
Concur.
My 2019 1.4T is a bit wacky, but hasn't broken anything yet and I'm pretty religious about maintenance including the things that the manual says to "take to the dealer" for.
@@joshsnipes6283 Crazy what happens when you maintain your car and treat it well overall. I'm impressed that I still have the stock engine and trans. I got my 13' 1.4T manual with 20k miles and bolted on all available ZZP power mods, stock turbo max tuned (21-22 psi peak).
I purchased a junkyard 1.4T spare engine that is still on the engine stand since I put it there, in 2015. I bought the spare engine after I hopped up the car. certain I would blow it up.
This is because I learned how to calibrate turbo engines starting with the Cruze as my self teaching platform; and eventually became a development engineer in the dynos working on an OEM performance twin turbo engine project. I was already an engineer, just not doing engine development. This 1.4T engine can take a beating, it's experienced plenty of detonation.
I autocross race it, stock ball joints and tie rod ends, stock wheel bears all around, stock axles that's pretty impressive or I drew a long straw and bought a Tuesday car.
Opel in Germany designed the chassis. I've done a ton of work progressing the suspension into making the Cruze an unstable platform to improve handling and performance on the track. In stock for, it's a stable platform and that's good safe thing for non-racecar drivers and let's keep it that way lol.
You’re right about the 5.4 engine. I owned (2) F-150’s with this motor . Both were highly maintained and still had phaser issues . The first one cost $6000 to fix . The second one never broke down but sounded like a diesel engine for 150,000 miles .
I spent thousands to keep mine running and still had to replace the engine after 140k miles . The new engine died after another 45k.
And exhaust manifold bolts breaking and being a nightmare to remove.
I have a 2018 f150 for a work vehicle and it also sounds like a diesel and especially at start up. The rear axel also had the pinion seal leak at 30k and then the differential got shredded at around 115k. The dealer rebuilt it for 3500 and our mechanic put it back on. At about 130k the stupid pinion seal began to leak again. And now this truck is at about 143k and sounds so bad at start up. Unfortunately all of our F150 fleet sound like diesels to some degree or another. Nobody else in our fleet had my same differential problems but you would think Ford would get it right some day. I wish our fleet would go to tundras
@@mattwalmer6162 I surgically removed the broken Exhaust Manifold Studs with the Rescue Bit. I only needed a Thread Chaser to clean up the existing threads. It was a piece of cake 🍰
ist that the same engine as in the 5.4 Mustang GT 500 ?
‘Buy these, not those’ are my absolute favourite. I sincerely appreciate your honesty. Thank you!
Thank you for discussing wrangle r3.6 engine. My JL wrangler 2018 has spent more time in the shop this year than in my driveway.
Thank you! I will bet some people do take your advice but you never hear from them. We have four Toyotas in my family for the reasons you are talking about. I just love the brand.
This is the kind of guy I'd like to sit around a campfire with and just talk about cars for hours. I subscribed.
He did say the F150 with the 4.6 is the better engine in the late model F150 trucks! 👍🏽
Me too
I used to work at a Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership & our boss told us specifically to never buy any of those products.
I remember when the Dodge Challenger Hellcat came out, before our dealership even received our first one, a customer brought his brand new Hellcat, purchased from a different dealership, into our service department with a major issue. The look on every employee’s face that day was 😬😦😰because this guy bought Dodge’s (hyped) top model vehicle, it had less than 200 miles on it & the engine was toast!!!
Calling bullshit on that, there is more to the story
@@martinfarrell5778 there probably is more to the story on the hellcat. My bets are on the owner showing off his new hellcat to all the world & it bit him in the ass. Just because the car can burn out at every light doesn’t mean it should, especially when its still in the break in period. Once again, I don’t know if that what he was doing but I did feel it was probably the owner’s fault.
I didn’t work in the service department myself so I don’t know what the outcome was, but every employee sure came out to the service dept when he brought it in & something was definitely wrong with the engine!!
I had a damn LeBaron in the 80's. Went through 4 radiators. 3 timing belts. Problem after problem.
you work for Toyota, it's obvious
200 miles on a car can be a lot or a little depending on how it is driven
Thank you so much for all of the valuable information I really appreciate it
He is speaking of the older generation GM 3.6 as in the 2008-2012 Malibu or the older generation LLT 3.6 prior to 2012. The newer generation LFX or LGX 3.6 from 2013 onward are perfectly fine. I have had 3 Impala's with the 3.6 ranging from 2012 to my current 2019 and have had zero nada issues with any of them with as much as 200K miles! My buddy had a 2013 Traverse with the original well maintained 3.6 with 150K and it ran as smooth as silk! Numerous co-workers have newer generation Acadia's and Traverse's with the 3.6 and have had no engine failures. Do your research and maintenance and you will be just fine with this engine just make sure it is a 2012 onwards. The others are pretty much spot on especially the Ford 5.4 3V and the Nissan CVT
the Pentastar engine was around since before the FCA merger though, so it isn't a fiat engine
Correct; and a variant is used by Mercedes. Pretty much everything he said about the Pentastar is inaccurate; it is a solid engine.
@@tripkayne6645 Same with Nissan 5.6 its also a solid engine
I know that the 2010-2013 pentastar v6 had the issue with left cylinder head failures, then there was a revision which strengthened up the valve seats and valve guides that was causing the pentastar tick and the head issues resulting in a missfire. I know there have been some issues people had till 2015-2016 about then there was another revision for it I've heard very little issues about it. 2013 and Prior there was a warranty extension till 150k or 7 years, i myself have a 2011 Dodge Durango with the 3.6l with 170k very little issues. There are lots of examples of those engines with 200k + one recently hitting 600k miles before failure. They are fairly solid motors
@@MichaelRobinson-up6fo totally true, my Ram's got 276K miles and runs like a champ
@@MichaelRobinson-up6fo that was also a 3.8, not the current 3.6
Wizard, that was brutal -- Thank You for putting your knowledge out to everyone. It's just so refreshing to hear the real deal about something. No Bull-oney!
This guy is awesome!!!! Honest!! and very knowledgeable!!!! love your videos
Great video. So many problematic engines/transmissions are in so many different vehicles.
Hey Wizard & Mrs Wizard, I really enjoy your "Don't buy these" videos!!! 👍👍
Me, too.
What about Engines and transmissions we can buy, the 3800 series by GM, the 4.0 I6 and 2.5 i4 by AMC, the Non-AFM LS based truck engines, the 4.6 2v by Ford, the 5.7, 5.2 and 5.9 Hemi by Chrysler and 1.8 and 2.0 I4 by Toyota
@@brianlego98gaming The Car Wizard will do that installment of six used vehicles with these engines and transmissions, that you should buy soon. @ATX-CVPI told me that the 3.3 L and 3.8 L V6 engines from Chrysler are fairly reliable. They are used in the 2001 to 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town and Country. Also, the 2.3 L and 2.5 L four-cylinder, as well as the 3 L V6 engines are excellent from Ford. This is the reason, that the older Ford Fusion's, Taurus', Escape's, as well as the 2002 to 2006 Mazda MPV (which uses the five-speed automatic transmission) and the first-generation Mazda 6 are still great vehicles to buy. The Mazda 3 with the 2 L four-cylinder engine is also a buy as well.
I like the don’t buy these videos but it’s time to do a buy this not that for Lincoln/Mercury.
@@brianlego98gaming And the K20/24 by Honda.
My 2010 F150 with a 5.4 Triton has 183k miles on both the original motor and transmission. I've still got the original cam phasers as well. Running strong still after 7 years of ownership with 120k miles driven by me personally. Maintenence is everything.
Nice 👌 mine is approaching 200.000 😉 196.000
Absolutely maintenance is key! My 2008 5.4 is at 160,000 no problems
My 2012 has 154,000 and is still doing great. It even looks great because maintenance has been done and taken very good care of. My new King Ranch is scheduled to be built on 8/18/2022, ordered on 2/15/2022. I’m keeping the 2012 because it still is awesome.
@@sprint2648 same 08, 110k miles all good except bad design stupid warped passenger exhaust manifold gotta go to the shop
07 F150 5.4 215k bought it with 125k just had the full timing set, rockers and upgraded oil pump done at the dealership just incase. I requested the old parts back for inspection. Oil changes every 3-4k with pennzoil platinum 5w-30 as Fordtechmakoloco recommends
I'm with you brother, I'm at the point where I don't even discuss good vehicle purchases. I used to tell friends, and family, go with Toyota, Lexus, or Honda. I do my research. I'm not a mechanic buy being an expensive purchase, I do care about how I'm spending my money on a vehicle. Look what's on the road, many people just don't care to do a little research to save themselves a lot of money. So frustrating to me. Keep spreading the word. Maybe a few will wake up.
Haha, same here. I’m always telling my friends and family Toyota or Honda. Yet so many ignore that advice.
Thanks for the warnings, good info
I started my auto repair business in 1969. Often, clients would call on me to recommend a car or truck for their next purchase. Suggestions were easy because there were many good choices in the marketplace. However, through the years, vehicles got costlier and more complicated to repair, while quality went downhill. As the years passed, it became easier for me to tell them what not to buy.
No coincidence that over these years more & more vehicle components & parts have been made outside the US.
Do you have any suggestions on what to look out for on 2004-2007 volvo s60r's when buying one?
@@bren.nan_ I haven't heard anything bad about them, but speak with people who have owned one, or go onto the chat lines from Volvo owners.
@@jupitercyclops6521 Several parts manufacturers that we dealt with for years, started supplying poor quality parts that ended up causing problems for the end users. When we looked into the problems, the reason was that many smaller manufacturers were bought up by bigger companies, and production in the USA was shut down, and moved to China. The Chinese might make good eggrolls but their auto parts industry sucks.
@@jupitercyclops6521 that, and planned obsolescence. Shit ain't built to last, for a reason. Perfectly happy with my 96 jeep Grand Cherokee, with AMC drive train. Also happy with my 88 7.3l international and my 96 7.3l power stroke. Those were the days that durability was the highest, marketed goal. It was after 2000 that they saw longer-lasting cars, resulting in less new cars being sold. It became unprofitable, over night. In the last 20 years, I can't find more good than bad. I seen a brand new Silverado totaled out, over their flimsy, aluminum bed. I've seen a 95 Ford ranger reach 500,000 miles, after falling off a cliff in WV, at 345,000. And I live in NC. Saw it at its 500k mark and heard the full story. The 80s and 90s was a prime time for bullet-proof vehicles, after the disappointing 70s. The 50s and 60s are even reliable and cheap. But newer vehicles are as disposable as toilet paper, while having more bells and whistles(that will all break) than a freaking aircraft carrier. It's gone to hell. That's why I keep my reliable vehicles, and stay away from "progressive" vehicles.
"Although, there are some people who are crackheads who buy these vehicles."😂 Thanks for this public service announcement, Mr. and Mrs. Wizard!
Thank you , WIZARD!
I had a 14 Caravan 3.6 and had no real issues up until I sold it at 150,000km. Ran strong but I did oil changes always every 6k and undercoated it.
We all could use more Car Wizards, Mr. and Mrs. in our community. Very genuine. Period full stop.
Dodged the 5.4 Triton F150. I was looking at one so I called my mechanic, he said don’t do it. Ended up with a 2014 F150 5.0. Had to fix the fuse issue but that was an easy fix. As a bonus it is a southern driven truck with zero rust.
the new 5.0 is a great engine..its a keeper!!
Currently driving a titan xd 5.6 and I'm a mechanic on the side (i do meticulous maintenance). I can agree with the gas milage, unless you're doing 65mph on a highway you won't see a minute above 18mpg; I average 13 to 15mpg not towing. I replaced the exhuast manifold/cats myself after recieving it with bad cats; $950 combined total. So far so good hopefully no more problems; 120k miles.
I have a 2018 Nissan titan. With 3 hundred thousand miles on it… with no issues. Best truck ever made. !!.
Yes Sir, I am glad I am in that 25%, I have read each of my owners manuals for each of my vehicles and ensure that all scheduled maintenance is done and is on file with the dealer or in the maintenance book that I keep for that vehicle. I do this for each engine/transmission/drive axle/radiator/battery/brake service/AC service/suspension service
Pretty much every car my company uses as rentals are on this list, the amount returns we've made for engine problems is insane
Pretty sure I've heard about overheated/failed turbine blades getting sucked back into the cylinders before, but this is the first time I've heard about an engine that can choke to death on chunks of its own cat converters. That's a pretty crazy failure mode.
I don't even understand how that is possible. Like, does the engine reverse stroke and start sucking in the exhaust? Makes no sense
@@thompsonwelds Not an automotive engineer, but from my enthusiastic layperson's understanding, this is how it happens:
Most if not all modern 4-stroke engines suck a bit of exhaust gas back into the cylinder and/or push a bit of gas back up the inlet manifold during the period in the timing cycle known as "valve overlap" when the intake and exhaust valves are both open. This is done to help manage combustion chamber temperatures and improve mixing of the incoming fuel/air charge, and also to improve scavenging of spent gasses from the cylinder.
It's all about managing the pulses in the exhaust system from each cylinder to maximise efficiency, which all works fine when there's minimal back-pressue in the system during normal operation. But if pressure builds up due to a blockage like a failed turbo or cat converter the pulses/gas flow get all fucked up resulting in more exhaust gas getting dragged back into cylinder alongs with chunks of turbine wheel or catalyst.
Glad you didn’t mention the Ford Fusion SE. I bought a 2010 in December 2019. I like it .
i love yours and scottys content. thanks 🙏
I have owned many vehicles during ,y 78 years of life..The WIZARD definitely knows his business. He has saved me from losing alot of money on expensive repairs..I hope that he will consider writing a book. Thank you WIZARD ,
I've been a mechanic for 221 years and this guys is spot on
iHA! newb novice, my Dads uncles stepson cousin's aunty has been a mechanic for 300 years!
221 years wow how old are you?
@@martinfarrell5778 …way to kill the humor
😂
@@martinfarrell5778 bout 350
That is some good info, thanks for the videos!!
My Impala 3.6l runs like new with 208000mi. Change oil every 5000 since 87000. That 5.4l Ford also is notorious for cracked exhaust manifolds which sounds like clacking rocker arms. And then the bolts break-off when you try to replace them!
As a certified GM fanatic, I'm saddened and deeply concerned about what they've pushing out of the plants. Come on GM, you can do better...I think. Each of these automaker's bombs you mentioned today are absolutely deserving of the crap label. Their philosophy now, maximize profits at any price....even our reputation. Strange days, indeed.
Totally with you, it's a shame they discontinued the 3800 V6, that motor was virtually indestructible if properly maintained
My 2011 Equinox w/ a 3.0 V6 identifies with this comment.
GM has always had sketchy 4 and 6 cylinder motors.
I’ve seen more well running high mileage 3.6s than broken ones, I think it’s a select few people who really don’t maintain them properly.
@@thunderbeater Ive seen more Traverse's, Enclaves and Caddies w/ blown 3.6's due to timing/oil issues than ANY vehicle made in the same time frame from Honda/Toyota/Acura/Lexus. My point being, you're prob right, but ones still running reguard less of PM and one (w/ a bowtie) needs 5k shoveled into it in the end.
Love these type of videos from the Wizard. The good news for me is none of these vehicles aren't, weren't nor ever would have been on my list.
I had the first 2 on your list at the same time and you're absolutely 💯 correct....both bought used both were gone after a year of use. Garbage.
Thanks car Wizard I drive a 2016 Ford fiesta with the 1.6L 5 speed manual. Bought at car max with 33k on the odometer and I couldn’t be happier. I maintain the oil changes every 5k and the most major repair I’ve done is the valve cover gasket when the oil started to barely leak through. Oh and I replaced the battery with an FVP battery. However I’ve heard the automatic transmission versions which are CVT are trash and if you have the Ford eco boost engine they have a lot of issues.
I watch Hoovie for a laugh/fun but the Wizard for actual car knowledge/advice. Really enjoy both of their videos.
👊🏾
The same general lack of build quality is happening with major appliances these days. Built to be quickly and cheaply assembled...NOT designed to be repaired!
That is absolutely what these companies are doing. I highly dislike Apple for really pushing for this type of manufacturing process and company culture.
Just replaced an iPhone after only a year. Damn thing stopped connecting to the internet.
But they are much cheaper. A basic washing machine costs the same today as it did 30 years ago, although as you say nowadays they are a throw away item when they go wrong.
Easy to understand and great info. Thx!
Just bought a 2012 Nissan Titan a few weeks ago, happy to know what to listen for!
I love how when Wizard makes these Do Not Buy lists, the Traverse and Encore (aka Buick Chodemaster) always find their way onto it. You can set your watch to it. Lol.
The Buick marque just needs to die already. They had the perfect opportunity to bring back the grand National with that V-series turbocharged v6 Coupé they made a few years back.
@@stoneylonesome4062 they had some genuinely good cars in the regal GS and tour x, but nobody bought them. So now all that's left of them in the US is a bunch of mom-mobiles
@@stoneylonesome4062 The Buick brand is extremely popular in China, where there is no cultural memory of those awful Malaise Era cars.
@@stoneylonesome4062 I am still baffled as to why they got rid of Olds but kept Buick. When my inlaws bought a new car after 3 decades of new Oldsmobiles they bought a Toyota instead of going to another GM line.
Honestly Buick styling is pretty neat and I loved the look of their sedans before they went the way of the dodo.
Buick is just so shackled by GM it can't compete. It's meant to be affordable luxury right? People don't want that anymore. I don't understand why GM doesn't make it a performance brand like a budget Porche. But what do I know. In the end though Buick North America really needs some changes.
I''ve got the notorious Nissan Jatco CVT transmission in my 2010 Suzuki. 110k miles and performing flawlessly. Original fluid, never been changed. Smoothest , quietest transmission I've ever experienced. The secret to keeping these troublefree is not to accelerate hard from a standstill. No hole shots at stop lights, no flooring accelerator at merges. Once the car is moving you can accelerate more aggressively, just NOT from a standstill. THis is what causes the Jatco to self destruct. This is exactly the opposite way in which people drive. Most people punch the gas pedal at stoplights.
Mine was never driven hard - the car was not the type to drive that way - and it still failed.
I’m glad I took your advice. I got a 2020 Toyota corolla SE with 25,000 miles. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law’s Chevy traverse is on engine number to. And my wife’s Hyundai Tucson requires me to check the oil every two weeks.
Appreciate your video but a little pushback: I purchased a 2014 Chevy Cruze Eco with the manual. I have put 166,000 on it and the engine and turbo have been excellent minus the intake manifold (under warranty.). I have however changed the oil faithfully every 7-7.5 thousand miles. Pure synthetic oil and followed the maintenance schedule faithfully.
Reminds my of my little brother. He asked me what I recommended for a family vehicle as his Diesel Silverado was for work. I recommended a Sequoia, Rav4, Highlander and dude showed up with a Jeep Compass. I didn't have anything good to say
My brother pulled the same crap . He sold his Nissan truck , for a jeep compass . Upside down on loan and already has replacement throttle body in his shop . Car isn't that old and has already had it swapped before he bought it .
The Jeep Compass doesn't even include a compass.
The Compass is better than the CVT Patriot. Friend bought a Renegade before the car shortage. 2.4L, I thought it would be headaches, but the dealer was the only issue. It's still worth what is owed.
As an owner of a 2014 Enclave, at 140,000 miles it's still running well. Granted the owner before me as well as myself maintain this car meticulously. I had already bought this vehicle before discovering the issues through your channel. Now, I make sure I don't miss a service and even take it in early when I feel the need is there.
I also have a 2014 Enclave. 107,000 Miles currently. I have owned it since 34,000 Miles. I meticulously maintain the vehicle (trans fluid changed twice already for example). These engines are hard on oil. Fortunately though, the owner can simply change to the oil as needed and have a great engine. I do. Oil life hits 20% (about 5,000 miles/6 months with my usage) and I change it with Mobil 1 High Mileage combined their 1 year/20,000 mile filter.
@E.J. Roe I also just went through and had my trans fluid done. Not sure that had ever been done before but got it done since the fluid was in OK shape and didn't smell burnt. All fluids have been done on mine except for the diff fluids. That's next on my service list. After that it should just be maintenance from here on out. Everything else is in good shape. No leaks either.
I would still go bye bye 👋
As a tech that worked in a GM dealership for 5 years GM 3.6 and GM 1.4 are two of the worst engines ever made. That said our customers that did 3000 mile full synthetic oil changes “USUALLY” avoided timing chain issues on the 3.6. I had a sonic with the 1.4 and can tell you even with meticulous maintenance I couldn’t keep the thing from braking constantly.
My parents bought a 2012 enclave new. We changed the oil ourselves every 5k. It did have the injectors fail around 150k. We they traded it in at 188k the engine still ran good and didn’t burn any oil. The transmission was failing. They bought a used Lexus and now years later that Lexus has 210,000 and it’s literally never had a problem. The spark plugs were original until about a month ago.
They did love the Buick! But Lexus is just better quality by far.
Maintenance is key! Cheers
Spot on about the mpg with the Nissan 5.6L. My Armada gets 12mpg on a good day lol. I’ve own my 2011 Armada for 1.5 years now and it has been surprisingly reliable. Nothing has broke yet other than an actuator in the rear of the car. Also replaced the battery.
I know I have an 2008 armada and had to put in some work into it.
Thank for 😃the info Wizard!
Took a friends advice in 2011 and bought a Toyota - best advice i have ever gotten. I now own 3 trouble free Toyota trucks
Desperately looking for an '04 myself.
bought a 97 Camry 2 years ago and boy that thing has fewer issues than my 03 Saturn did in 2013 I live in the hills and those 4 cylinders could barely make it home. it still blows me away that my Saturn got me home its last day.
#3 here also
This slightly arouses me
Two Toyota trucks here. 12 in my neighborhood.
Wizard I could hear you in my ear when I replaced the fluid in my wife's CVT transmission I wish people would take your advice. You help so many people. Thank you 👍I don't know why for some reason when I service my cars is like they are happy that I did. When I sold my truck to my best friend he said he bought my old truck because of the service history. I have him dates off every service and it still runs amazing.
My parent's had a 2009 altima with a cvt transmission that had been serviced once and had 175,000 miles on it when sold. It ran like a dream!! I remember a mechanic asking about it once and was floored that it never broke
I ONLY lease 2 year vehicles. People say, but you never own it. EXACTLY. Leasing and financing these days all the same but lease is lower payments , shorter terms. Everything covered. Amazing how many bad vehicles are out there. Funny how since the 1970's Consumer Reports says virtually the same things as Car Wizard does. Thank you for your honesty. Much appreciated.