Engine longevity: Truck v Car

[westozfalcon]

What is it about truck engines that they can go for hundreds of thousands of kilometres and still be in good nick?

I'm find it amazing that a truck buyer will have no qualms paying good money for a Hino or Isuzu of say 2-5t payload that has done over 200,000 clicks, yet most people would avoid a car with the same mileage like the plague.

I can only imagine that truck motors have better quality metal in their engine blocks and components.

Why can't car manufacturers produce car motors that have the same lifespan?

[mick]

What is it about truck engines that they can go for hundreds of thousands of kilometres and still be in good nick?

I'm find it amazing that a truck buyer will have no qualms paying good money for a Hino or Isuzu of say 2-5t payload that has done over 200,000 clicks, yet most people would avoid a car with the same mileage like the plague.

I can only imagine that truck motors have better quality metal in their engine blocks and components.

Why can't car manufacturers produce car motors that have the same lifespan?

The reason truck engines last so long is that they are generally diesel, a diesel engine in a car will last a similar length of time as a truck engine.

[gadj1976]

I agree with Mick. Isn't it also because trucks are used for longer journeys instead of the stop start nature of a car.

Our car at home gets used for 3-5km trips all the time.

I understand that that type of travel isn't ideal for a car at all.

[Booney]

Diesel is certainly an important factor.

Gearing, to allow lower and higher range when required eases burden on the engine, putting more emphasis on the gear box.

[kickinit]

bigest part to it is the stop start. metal expands under and it contracts when cooling down. Most people don't drive their car all day no stop, most just drive to work and back. So basically they get to work and the engine components have expanded due to heat, while at work it cools down. On the drive home same thing again, so basically for most people this is happening twice daily. For trucks they usually don't get to cool down until they have finished for the day. Some mines i've been on dump trucks run 24/7 until they have to have repairs done, usually they will have a couple of spares to use when work is being done, but generally the ones getting work done become spares once they are ready to go. It could be a few weeks before they cool down.