Who has had a 8.1 Failure ?

[Bounder35R]

41000 miles, no mods, no problems, dino oil, about 7.5 mpg

["007"]

35,000 miles Ultra Power, CAI, Bilestine shocks, Taylor wires,Henderson Trac-bar, Mobil-1 no problems since all mods done in 04.
Very happy with mileage and power, plus ride.

[Thudman]

36,000, no mods, no glitches, Mobil 1 oil

Thudman

[ccook129]

60,000 miles no problems no mods

[Clay L]

48,000 miles, stock

[DriVer]

92,971 miles and I'm a poster child for quite possibly every gadget that's currently available out there.

The engine is still holding together and running well. I do have a minor issue currently in the resolution stages but it's nothing too devastating. (possible bad MAF)

We just finished up a 1,238 mile trip. The US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL rocks!

[Clay L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer 92,971 miles and I'm a poster child for quite possibly every gadget that's currently available out there. The engine is still holding together and running well. I do have a minor issue currently in the resolution stages but it's nothing too devastating. (possible bad MAF) We just finished up a 1,238 mile trip. The US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL rocks!

Sure hope you had a chance to stop at Greenbrier's BBQ out on I-565.
If you didn't you probably ought to go on back.

[max49]

It's hard to explain why some 8.1s last a long time and others fail. I believe the 6 or 8 failures that I've heard about had less than 36 K miles. There must be some pre doom characteristic or symptom that happens before it completely self destructs. I would guess that plug wire burning has something to do with it. I don't believe it is the so called OEM problem of poor air circulation. I can look at and easily change my # 5 SP wire through the wheel well. It's got app. a 4'X1' opening in the front grill. How much air can it need. The #5 wire burnt on my first engine 4 to 5 times including one of the 10 MM wires which lasted less time than the little wires.
I could never realize it before because of the fake temp. gauge that does not move, but now that I have a scan gauge I really don't like how hot this engine gets. The only way I can think of to change this woud be to put a 180* thermostat in it instead the 195* GM or WH wanted. My new engine goes from 194* up to about 220* climbing mtns. If it started the climb at 180* , maybe it would only reach 205* by the time I got to the top. It seems to make sense to me. Cooler seem better but not many people on this forum have tried it.
Driver or Ed and other high mileage, no problem owners, do you have or had any SP wire burning issues?
I think we are on our own with this problem, GM quit making it, obviously WH can't use it any more so who else is interested in this engine enough to care "Why" it fails. When part of my crank came out the side of the engine and oil pan, no body cared why, I just needed a new engine. I guess I can't blame them though, I did'nt want to pay $100-$130 per hr while they disassembled and studied my junk motor.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay L Sure hope you had a chance to stop at Greenbrier's BBQ out on I-565. If you didn't you probably ought to go on back.

I SAW THE SIGN! But I did not know. We did go to the Cotton Row and the Commercial Kitchen right off the square.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by max49 It's hard to explain why some 8.1s last a long time and others fail. I believe the 6 or 8 failures that I've heard about had less than 36 K miles. There must be some pre doom characteristic or symptom that happens before it completely self destructs. I would guess that plug wire burning has something to do with it. I don't believe it is the so called OEM problem of poor air circulation. I can look at and easily change my # 5 SP wire through the wheel well. It's got app. a 4'X1' opening in the front grill. How much air can it need. The #5 wire burnt on my first engine 4 to 5 times including one of the 10 MM wires which lasted less time than the little wires. I could never realize it before because of the fake temp. gauge that does not move, but now that I have a scan gauge I really don't like how hot this engine gets. The only way I can think of to change this woud be to put a 180* thermostat in it instead the 195* GM or WH wanted. My new engine goes from 194* up to about 220* climbing mtns. If it started the climb at 180* , maybe it would only reach 205* by the time I got to the top. It seems to make sense to me. Cooler seem better but not many people on this forum have tried it. Driver or Ed and other high mileage, no problem owners, do you have or had any SP wire burning issues? I think we are on our own with this problem, GM quit making it, obviously WH can't use it any more so who else is interested in this engine enough to care "Why" it fails. When part of my crank came out the side of the engine and oil pan, no body cared why, I just needed a new engine. I guess I can't blame them though, I did'nt want to pay $100-$130 per hr while they disassembled and studied my junk motor.

As a former ASQC Engineer, I can state that EVERYTHING fails. The question is, what is the failure rate and, further, what is the acceptable failure rate?

My specific field was aerospace equipment (where service is either unavailable or expensive to accomplish).

Then, there are different failure modes. Catastrophic, simple, random, etc.

You must accept that anything you purchase or anything made by man will eventually fail.

[Tom-NC]

Hi,
I have 49K and have no problems with 8.1 liter engine. I do my own servicing eg oil changes, etc. I use Valvoline 10W30 motor Oil and Fram oil Filter. Have not had any spark plug wire issues and there is plenty of air flow. In my estimation preventive maintenance is the key. Towing or not towing I get between 7.5 and 8.5 mpg depending on terrain.

There are no modifications on the engine but have installed four Koni FSD shocks on the chassis.

Lastly it has been to Alaska and back, 11,361 miles with no problems and 2 oil changes on the road.

[Spoonman]

Guess no one who lost an engine wants to reply, strange.

[GOLDWINGER2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoonman Guess no one who lost an engine wants to reply, strange.

MAX49 did.
J

[Spoonman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDWINGER2 MAX49 did. J

My apologies, totally missed his post, another senior moment.