How's the LS holding up?

Fantastic car. I have had to replace recently (78K now) DCCV (#2), VCG gaskets, and all coils (to save myself the trouble). Other issues preceeded these, but I beat on the car probably much more than average. I get about 25MPG with the XCAL from Torrie.
 
Today: Higher than normal temperature reading, followed by EXTREMELY high cooling fan speeds (sounded like a diesel truck fan), then a Low Coolant Level warning. :D Fun fun. Didn't bother to look for any leaks I just parked it til this weekend. It'll get a thermostat, fresh coolant, and Ill probably end up replacing the coolant reservoir.
 
02 ls v8 about 3yrs ago with 43k now with 63k just replaced 2 coils, all spark plugs, battery and valve cover gaskets. Other than a once in awhile check advantrac warning and airbag light its doing good. Oh yeah 2 fuel injectors one was bad the other was good I just made a bad diagnosis on my part.
 
Note, a lot of people here are posting with the amount of miles on an unknown generation of LS and stating how many miles they've put on them. It would be helpful if we knew if the troublesome cars were 1st gen or 2nd gen. I think we already know the reliability record but since someone started this thread, it's another source of information......

2nd Gen ('05) bought new in '06, had leak in the trans oil lines, replaced the sunglass storage cubby in the ceiling, had it in many times for a noted misfire but they claim it doesn't misfire. The trans malfunctions often (afterall it is junk) but can't get it to duplicate for the dealer. Otherwise teething problems with mods. The car has 45K and it's largely been driven hard. Great car. Especially love looking at it now that it has the LSE nose.....
 
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1st gen 02 , 70,000 miles no problems had the car when it had 50k for 2 years now. Why do the v8's have more issues then v6's? I notice that alot..
 
Because the V6 is the proven and widely used Duratec 3.0. And the V8 was a practically brand new engine to the Ford lineup. Based on the AJ8 4.0L Jaguar engine. Ford got a hold of the block and slapped their own new heads and intake system on it. They took a cursed engine and tried to fix it, with not much better results. :p If they had put some thought into the parts they used it could be much better. But that would just make too much sense. You know, kinda like a politician who does what he/she promises to the people.

Oh yeah, pressure tested the cooling system today, 30 minutes at 18 psi and not a bit of drop off on the gauge. I think the cap may be bad and not letting the cooling system hold pressure. Not sure yet, but it aint leaking anywhere else. Added about a quart and a half of coolant and drove around/idled in traffic for close to an hour with no issues.
 
So far as I can see, the heads are the same for all AJ engines. There may be detail differences, but they're negligible. Same with the intake. There is at least as much difference between the gen 1 and gen 2 as there is in either and the AJ27 (Jag) layout.
KS
 
currently....

needs pads and rotors on all 4.
passenger side door handle broke off the other day
rear window is off track
Traction control and ABS lights are on
rear diff fluid needs to be changed
auto tranny needs to be flushed
someone backed into me and ran (125$ fix)
fog light is burnt out.

the :q:q:q:q is adding up :)

but she runs good.
 
97stscaddy said:
Because the V6 is the proven and widely used Duratec 3.0. And the V8 was a practically brand new engine to the Ford lineup. Based on the AJ8 4.0L Jaguar engine. Ford got a hold of the block and slapped their own new heads and intake system on it. They took a cursed engine and tried to fix it, with not much better results. :p If they had put some thought into the parts they used it could be much better. But that would just make too much sense. You know, kinda like a politician who does what he/she promises to the people.

Oh yeah, pressure tested the cooling system today, 30 minutes at 18 psi and not a bit of drop off on the gauge. I think the cap may be bad and not letting the cooling system hold pressure. Not sure yet, but it aint leaking anywhere else. Added about a quart and a half of coolant and drove around/idled in traffic for close to an hour with no issues.
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good explanation .. .and yea the duratec is a great engine i never had any problems with my v6 and its been 2 years :)
 
I 2nd the duratec engine series, when I was with ford we NEVER had any serious problems with the duratec line, even the 2.0 & 2.3L i4 duratec's were awesome, Now I know there is a signifigant difference in the ls duratec series but the new gen 3.0 I have in my awd fusion is amazing
 
got my 2000 V6 in oct of 05 with 94K
as of Nov. 11th 2008 i have like 153,000 lot of highway driving thou
cant wait to get a new car when im done with college.. prolly gonna look at a beemer or benz maybe audi.. gotta go with German cars
 
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