How long should things last?

[grsthegreat]

The unnecessary and expensive ECM on my Kubota mower appears to be dead and:

1. it shouldn't exist, because its entire job can be done with components costing under $2;

2. it costs $340+;

3. Kubota provides no schematic;

4. Kubota has not given its mechanics a method of testing it, so the test is to put a new ECM in, and if the mower doesn't run, you just spent $340+ on a part you can't return because...it's dirty. Either that, or you can spend a week taking out every single wire in the mower and checking it for continuity.

I bypassed it so the mower starts, and I have the components (cheap) to force the mower to perform the ECM's lost functions. The important ones, anyway.

Generac has done the same thing to their new line of generators. I guess the EPA has forced them to get rid of the old mechanical magneto system and go completely electronic ignition. All parts are going to be expensive to repair, compared to cheap old mags. Alot more sensors to fail, proprietary bluetooth controlled instead of easy to read screen (i dont think a homeowner will even be able to see any info about their generator if theres an issue), all too complicated.

 

[ultrarunner]

Demand for older reliable and easy to service equipment is why they hold value…

Some were so good the only way to get rid of them is legislation…

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I inherited a Ford Explorer with a 3.5 engine. Very nice car, when it works.

Ford put the water pump inside the engine. I am not kidding. Replacing it is a major repair you can't do at home unless you're in the 99th percentile.

The water pump is expected to last something like 80,000 miles, or less than half the life of a well-maintained car. I paid $2,500 to have my water pump replaced, and it may fail again. Basically, Ford should have told every buyer, "The car actually costs $2,000-$3,000 more than you think you're paying, because the water pump will fail at least once."

A failed pump can send coolant into the wrong places, destroying the engine. Nothing like that was possible on my 1970 Buick.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Ford's clever answer to the problem of coolant intrusion was to put a second gasket around the water pump. So when the first gasket fails, you are supposed to drive to a mechanic before the second gasket fails.

 

[grsthegreat]

Ford likes hiding pumps. My 2004 f350 had a second high pressure oil pump inside the engine.

 

[5030]

Longevity always depends on how you take care of something.

 

[ultrarunner]

I inherited a Ford Explorer with a 3.5 engine. Very nice car, when it works.

Ford put the water pump inside the engine. I am not kidding. Replacing it is a major repair you can't do at home unless you're in the 99th percentile.

The water pump is expected to last something like 80,000 miles, or less than half the life of a well-maintained car. I paid $2,500 to have my water pump replaced, and it may fail again. Basically, Ford should have told every buyer, "The car actually costs $2,000-$3,000 more than you think you're paying, because the water pump will fail at least once."

A failed pump can send coolant into the wrong places, destroying the engine. Nothing like that was possible on my 1970 Buick.

Incredible… self destruct and first I have heard of this…

I know more business people that lease because they refuse to own anything out of warranty and the lease expense is a business expense…

 

[dodge man]

We had a Samsung dishwasher that went bad at a young age. The bottom had a very slight leak and apparently it has leak detection so you don’t flood your house. We had someone in to repair it. The part wasn’t available but he found the price of one when it was available. He said it was over $700.

 

[Dftodd]

We had a Samsung dishwasher that went bad at a young age. The bottom had a very slight leak and apparently it has leak detection so you don’t flood your house. We had someone in to repair it. The part wasn’t available but he found the price of one when it was available. He said it was over $700.

My daughter went with Samsung appliances when they had their kitchen appliances replaced.

Two over stove microwave replacements before they got a decent one.

And the flat top stove was replaced once within a year. The oven on the second stove was eay off on temperature. But she got frustrated and gave up on it.

After seeing all the trouble she went through with Samsung appliances, I'll avoid them.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I bought a Samsung fridge for a rental house. I could not figure out how to turn it on. Go to the website. Do this. Do that. And it wasn't even a smart fridge. I left it alone, figuring the tenant would find the answer.

I hope their refrigeration branch goes bankrupt.