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The 2008 Porsche Cayenne's 4.8-liter V8 engine

Which Used Porsche Engines Are the Most Reliable?

Depreciation means buying a used Porsche can be tantalizingly affordable. That is, until the repair bill comes in, because, used or not, a Porsche is still a luxury vehicle. However, whether you’re talking 911 or Cayenne, the German brand’s modern cars are more reliable than some may realize. Especially when it comes to their powertrains. …
The 2004 Volkswagen Golf R32's 3.2-liter VR6 engine

With a Few Tweaks, the VR6 Is a More Reliable Volkswagen Engine

Reliability and durability, though related, aren’t the same thing where maintenance is concerned. After all, if you have to constantly replace parts of your engine for it to work, that’s not a reliable engine. However, sometimes durable powerplants just need a few modifications or upgrades to make them easier to live with. Such is the …
The 1999 Volkswagen MkIV GTI's 1.8T EA113 engine

Which Used Volkswagen Engines Are the Most Reliable?

Reliability can be an issue for some Volkswagen models, from its sedans to its SUVs. That being said, the German brand’s cars are often more reliable than you may think, provided they’re maintained properly. This applies especially to the engines VW uses in its cars. So, if you’ve been trying to find a reliable used …
The rear-mounted V8 engine acting as a stressed member for the green-and-yellow 1967 Lotus 49 R3 DFV

What Does It Mean When an Engine Is a ‘Stressed Member’?

Designing a car or a motorcycle goes far beyond just its looks. The suspension, the transmission, the engine—all of that and more is part of vehicle design. And when it comes to the engine, it’s not just a matter of cylinder count or its relative position. There’s also the option of making the engine a …
A burgundy 2004 BMW Z4 showing its M54 inline-6 engine

Which Used BMW Engines Are the Most Reliable?

Even if they’re used and depreciated, luxury cars from marques like BMW are still luxury cars. That means maintenance and repair bills, especially for engine-related issues, can cost a pretty penny. However, not only can used BMWs be reliable overall, but so can their engines. It’s all a matter of understanding what’s under the hood. …
The N52 engine in the bay of a blue 2006 E90 BMW 325i Touring

The Most Reliable E90 BMW Models Still Have Some Engine Issues

If you’re looking for a reliable used BMW, the E90 3 Series is arguably your best modern bet. Especially the non-turbocharged 325i, 328i, and 330i models, which have the N52 BMW inline-6 engine. However, no car is immune from maintenance or reliability issues, including BMWs. And the same goes for the N52-equipped E90 cars. The …
Two high school students change a car's engine oil

Should You Get Your Engine Oil Analyzed?

Regularly changing your oil is a classic and constant part of vehicle maintenance. One that, with modern engineering capabilities and the rise of synthetic engine oil, has dropped in frequency somewhat. However, some people go beyond simply replacing their engine oil and send it off for analysis. But why do they do it? And should …
Five heavy-duty trucks are lined up to represent Volvo's all-electric offerings.

Europe Is Killing Internal Combustion Engines for Commercial Vehicles

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for the production of internal combustion engines in Europe. More specifically, the end date for commercial vehicle sales of internal combustion engines has been set. A combination of electric, hydrogen, and clean fuel technology will be phased in to replace the traditional petroleum-based engines.  2040 Deadline …
A mechanic working to fix a Ford F-150 with engine problems

Is Your Broken Ford EcoBoost Struggling to Satisfy?

We are not here, by any means, to say that the Ford EcoBoost engine is unreliable. On the contrary, it’s actually a great way to get a good power output while also giving vehicles better gas mileage. However, the recent news about EcoBoost class-action lawsuits and such are definitely a bit worrisome. If you are …

Is Bathroom Cleaner Effective in Cleaning Your Car’s Engine Bay?

Do you like to show up for the occasional “Cars and Coffee” car meets or simply just want to keep your car’s maintenance and keep it as clean as possible? In either case, you might want to clean up your car’s engine bay, since there’s nothing more embarrassing than having a pristine-looking car, only to …

Fun Facts About the Internal Combustion Engine

The internal combustion engines is the most common powertrain in cars around the world. Although the hybrid and electric car market are gaining popularity steadily, it will likely be a long time before we see the standard combustion engine completely phased out. While they may not sound as cool or as exciting as the electric …

Can You Cook Thanksgiving Dinner in a Car’s Engine Bay?

It’s crunch time! Thanksgiving is here and you still need to get the turkey in the oven, but what if your power is out and you’re in need of an alternative method to cook it? In that case, you can either cook it on a grill in the backyard, or you can head into your …
A digital image of the Dodge Challenger SRT Redeye's supercharged V8 engine.

Should You Upgrade Your Motor Mounts?

You’ve probably never given much thought to exactly how your engine sits under the hood. While we understand basic things about the engine like changing the oil and that bigger displacement motors are supposedly faster, we don’t think about how all of the components fit together. That is until something goes wrong and you need …
2019 Ram 3500HD

Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Standoff: Ram vs. Ford

Trucks are an incredibly popular choice for U.S. buyers. Not everyone needs a heavy duty truck with a big diesel engine. But for those who do, there are a few options out there. Two of the primary choices for people that want a big ol’ heavy hauler are the Ram 2500 or 3500 and the …

Is it a Good Idea to Clean Your Car’s Engine Bay?

Washing your car is typically part of your routine maintenance when it comes to keeping it in top shape, but what about your engine bay? After all, the engine bay is typically the dirtiest part of the car and it looks like it could use a good cleaning from time to time. But is it …

The Honda Civic Type R Is Really Just An Engineer’s Plaything

The Honda Civic Type R has been smashing records and utterly dominating the front-wheel-drive category since it made its debut in 2017. It’s such a good performer that that’s mainly what any car enthusiast thinks about when you utter the words “Civic Type R.” And while it’s still a Civic Hatchback underneath all of that …
A mechanic working to fix a Ford F-150 with engine problems

5 of the Most Expensive Car Repairs

No matter which way you slice it, car ownership can get really expensive. From monthly finance or lease payments to high insurance rates, the cost of owning a car can skyrocket depending on the car’s age and condition. However, an even larger factor is the cost of repairs, especially if you own an older car. …
Typical Piston And Cylinder Arrangement Of A Gasoline Engine.

Low-Temp Plasma Ignitions Might Replace Spark Plugs

Since the beginning of mechanized locomotion, people have been trying to figure out ways to make it more efficient. The most basic way to achieve efficiency is to get more energy with less fuel. In general, engines are relatively simple; you need a spark, fuel, and oxygen to make them work. Naturally, any of those …
the BMW 3 series sedan and wagon parked on pavement with a scenic mountainous background

The Most Complained About BMW Cars

Known for luxury and performance, this is a favorite brand for consumers looking outside of the mainstream market. A quick look at the BMW cars overview on CarComplaints.com shows us that this brand isn’t complained about very much. In general, people are happy with their BMW models. Still, there are some issues and these are …