Cars with maintenance bombs (2011, spark plugs, CR-V, buying)

[Listener2307]

I saw a video showing how the late model Toyota Highlander has a maintenance bomb. That is, when you replace the spark plugs on that transverse mounted V-6, the back three are inaccessible without doing major disassembly. Dealer wanted $1600 for the job. Someone buying a used Highlander might want to know that!


My cars are older (90 GMC and 08 CR-V) and don't have a of potential expenses like a CVT transmission, or maybe a turbocharger.


Any more maintenance bombs out there?......... What has gone wrong with yours that really surprised you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxHL0zbXBK0

[87112]

Off the top of my head GDI cleanings every 60k at a tune of 500-700 bucks.

[TexasLawyer2000]

Originally Posted by Listener2307

My cars are older (90 GMC and 08 CR-V) and don't have a of potential expenses like a CVT transmission, or maybe a turbocharger.

The most popular CVTs (by car sales) are more reliable than automatic transmissions... especially GMC transmissions.

[victimofGM]

I had a 2003 Chevy Malibu with 3.1L V6. Never expected that changing the belt would require removing an engine motor mount.

[tickyul]

Anything with a timing-belt, those babies can go in dramatic-fashion a lot sooner
than expected.

Or they get stretched and loose, and the engine jumps-time.

[cvetters63]

Originally Posted by tickyul

Anything with a timing-belt, those babies can go in dramatic-fashion a lot sooner
than expected.

Or they get stretched and loose, and the engine jumps-time.

And engines with timing chains often have timing chain guides that go bad and let the chain stretch and jump time.

[Hemlock140]

The worst one I have seen was the Cadillac with Northstar engine (1993-2011). The engineers decided to place the starter in the valley beneath the intake manifold. That means removing the top end to replace the starter.

https://www.facebook.com/30780687926...7352120980773/

[Dark n Stormy]

Ford explorer with the internal water pump, multi thousands to change a water pump that has a habit of going bad and wrecking the entire motor...

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by TexasLawyer2000

The most popular CVTs (by car sales) are more reliable than automatic transmissions... especially GMC transmissions.

I'm sure you're right. Modern versions have got to be better than older versions.
But some people, like me, keep cars for many, many years. The transmission on my 90 GMC has been rebuilt twice in 400,000 miles. The last time was $1800. Expensive, but not unexpected.
My question would be, "How much does it cost to rebuild a GMC continuously variable transmission" - because eventually it will need it.

[cvetters63]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

The worst one I have seen was the Cadillac with Northstar engine (1993-2011). The engineers decided to place the starter in the valley beneath the intake manifold. That means removing the top end to replace the starter.

https://www.facebook.com/30780687926...7352120980773/

The Lexus LS400 has that arrangement, as well:





You can see the starter gear right at the top of the flywheel in that pic of the back of the engine.