Piston Slap: The Truth About Throwaway Motors (Part III)

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta
Kenneth writes: Which cars and trucks that have throwaway motors? I was one payment from finishing my debt on a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser and my timing belt came off. Immediately, my valves were destroyed. I would not want to buy another engine like that. I am now $20,000 in debt buying another car. (Toyota Corolla)Thanks SajeevSajeev answers: Oh no, sorry to hear this! Use this as a lesson: always read the owner’s manual to see what maintenance items are required at what mileage/time interval. While few (very few?) engines in the last decade still run a timing belt with an interference setup, I still default to modern engines being of the throwaway variety. (For reasons discussed here and here.)Your case aside, that isn’t a bad thing. It’s cheaper to buy a factory reconditioned or junkyard engine than to rebuild, machine, and replace torque-to-yield bolts on modern engines. I am confident all Corollas in the last decade used timing chains (go ahead and correct me, Best and Brightest) but read the owner’s manual to ensure you’ll get years of healthy motoring.[Photo courtesy: Fiat Chrysler]Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.
Sajeev Mehta
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  • Tankinbeans Tankinbeans on Feb 04, 2016

    The only car that I've experienced that gave up the ghost was a 2.2 Cavalier. 218k miles and oil with the conistency of Oreo pudding. I doubt the first owner was too interested in changing the oil as he would have been in every 2 weeks, it was 7 years old at the time. My brother bought it used after he killed the thirsty-for-oil 94 Corolla (still very bitter about that) putting 150k miles in 6 years, and maybe changing the oil properly 6 times. *it was so bad that a Walmart tech almost didn't bother with it because there was no oil on the dipstick and figured there was more wrong than needing oil. My brother would rather smoke a dubie than pay for basic maintenance (crying poverty). I have people tell me that with proper care the 2.2 is decent enough, but I just can't deal with it.

  • Shortest Circuit Shortest Circuit on Feb 05, 2016

    6.4 Powerstroke pretty much checks all the boxes for throwaway...

  • John John on Feb 06, 2016

    Dude - your PT cruiser had a throwaway timing belt - as in, you were supposed to throw it away and replace it with a new one at about 7 years - not a throwaway motor. While I am by no means a FCA fan, don't blame your motor for not surviving your neglect.

  • Kmars2009 Kmars2009 on Feb 06, 2016

    There is a website dedicated to CARCOMPLAINTS that gives you the opportunity to look up ANY vehicle to see if it is problematic. It also includes NHTSA reported complaints, as well as any recalls. You can even check crash ratings. I have found the site very useful. I have been able to even check manufacturer bullitens regarding any vehicle. If anyone is shopping for a used car, you shouldn't purchase, until checking out this site. Search for CARPROBLEMS and search away. I hope this information is useful. PS. Just add .com to my words in caps. Good luck!

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