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Post by skwak on Feb 3, 2006 11:26:18 GMT -6
How reliable are the second gen. 4.0's? I've read about high maintenance costs, but aside from that, what would I be looking at replacing on an 01 with about 85K on it?
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Post by Wacko on Feb 3, 2006 11:52:50 GMT -6
In my humble opinion as I've owned a 2001 4.0 for about 4 months, the trouble spots are:
Window regulators
Water pump (if you are lax on the coolant change)
Crankshaft position sensors
Front hub/bearings
Sensativity to imbalanced wheels/brake rotors.
Intermediate steering shaft (nuisance more than failure)
Premature light bulb failures
Leaky trunks (varies)
Don't be alarmed, not everyone has these problems.
On the positive side, batteries can last 6-10 years easily. There are no spark plug wires to replace. Plugs are 100K mile variety, though folks claim you need to change them at 75K or so. Coolant is good for 5 years/100K miles.
What else?
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Post by kobalt on Feb 4, 2006 15:42:53 GMT -6
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Post by kobalt on Feb 4, 2006 15:45:24 GMT -6
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Post by skwak on Feb 4, 2006 17:40:33 GMT -6
Thanks for the links, lots of good information on those sites. From all the reviews I've read online, it seems that most of the complaints come from owners with a 3.5...just wondering if this is also the case with owners on this board or not. Thanks for your help guys! I appreciate it very much.  |
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Post by kbpickle on Feb 5, 2006 11:12:15 GMT -6
I know you asked about an '01 4.0L w/ 85k miles, but maybe my experience with a '03 4.0L w/ 42k miles would be helpful.
a) Only one "reliability" issue in 30 months ownership and 42k miles. At 35373 miles my car wouldn't start one Saturday afternoon. As I understand it, there was a defective sensor/switch that is supposed to lock out the starter when the engine (or transmission?) is running (or in gear?). The sensor incorrectly signalled that the car was running when it wasn't, and so it locked out the starter, and I could not start it. Of course the first suspect was a dead battery, but an attempted jump start was also not successful. My faulty sensor/switch was replaced with no recurrence of the failure so far. This is the only time that the car has not been able to run. Called Oldsmobile roadside assistance via the OnStar connection and the towing and repairs were all under warranty.
b) Other significant repairs on the '03 include: @306 miles, replaced the center console lid due to a broken hinge; @18619 miles replaced defective interior trim - cloudy walnut trim around the center stack, right A-pillar trim with a gap, wrinkled vinyl on the passenger side front air bag panel; @21114 miles replaced leaking coolant pump gasket with a whole new pump; @38104 miles replaced shorted out driver's chair heating element, replaced rubbing ISS, replaced heated seat switch burned out bulb; @ 42500 miles and next visit - I will replace numerous burned out bulbs in the center stack. All work under warranty so far. And, just got my first "Service Stability System" message this week. I don't know what that's about, yet.
c) I also have a '01 3.5L w/ 92k miles, and the reliability/repair issues that might be common to a '01 4.0L inlcude: @22092 miles replaced faulty crankshaft position sensor, front fog lamp bulb, replace missing wheel well skirt retainer pin; @23449 replace rear fog lamp bulb; @30008 replace center console lid due to broken hinge, replace burned out steering wheel bulbs; @33686 miles replace steering gear, lube ISS, replace bulbs in the instrument panel; @37527 miles replace steering wheel bulb; @ 55385 miles replace ISS, replace driver's chair position switch; @57229 miles replace dome light and footwell and instrument bulbs, replace sagging sunvisors; WARRANTY COVERAGE ENDS HERE. @ 69113 miles replace secondary air pump (not an issue on your 4.0L); @ 70113 miles replaced emissions valve; @ 74979 miles replaced wheel hub bearing; @83864 miles first brake job (My service advisor doesn't believe it, but I can't find any record of prior work on the brakes.); @ 83946 miles AT repair for damaged clutches, solenoids, switches, other AT innards. The dealer split this cost with me 50/50 since I had been reporting sporadic un-reproducible shifting problems since around 30k miles (Also may not be a problem for you with the 4T80E instead of my 4T65E.); @ 90k miles replaced battery.
You know, when I write it down, it looks like a lot of problems. But, it really doesn't make me dislike the car, perhaps because the greatest portion of it has been under warranty. The thing that bothers me the most is the most trivial - the recurring replacement of dash bulbs.
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Post by skwak on Feb 6, 2006 19:42:04 GMT -6
Everything I read talks about good reliability and I get the feeling there won't be many 'surprises' along the way. I'm just a little nervous because the car has 85K on it, and I've had less than stellar vehicles in the past. I'm kinda hoping to turn things around with my next purchase, and get a car that will last me a good amount of time.
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Post by MBowen574 on Feb 7, 2006 12:58:48 GMT -6
It's not a cheap car to keep on the road. If you're expecting Lexus-like mindless driveability, you'll be disappointed. It's worth the extra, though, and obviously you won't have the up-front costs associated with high Lexus resale. The Aurora has so much more character, they're really in completely different leagues (the ES300/330, that is).
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Post by Sterling4.0 on Feb 12, 2006 10:07:06 GMT -6
Just to give you an idea, I purhased my 2001 4.0 last July. The car had about 92K when I purchased it. I had a mechanic look at it prior to purchasing it, and to be honest I love the car. It has had its share of problems though. I did some maintenance things on my own like put a KN filter on it, and changed the plugs, as the still had the original plugs in it. Shortly after I had to replace my low beams, a fog light, and a tail light, along with a wheel hub assembly on the front drivers side. Then it was the crank shaft sensors that needed replacing (actually did that yesterday). It looks as though the intermediate steering shaft is next. None of this has cost me much money though. They really are good cars, just be prepared to replace some things in the short go.
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