I am wondering what the average lifetime of an engine is before it is ripe for the scrapyard.

My Marea has a 1.8 16v engine with 180.000 kms. At around 80,000 kms it got a new head as the timing belt broke. Since then it's been running on gas (lpg).

Any ideas?? I am thinking about selling it and buying a Japanese car (renowned for reliability) but I'm doubting. Can I rely on it to drive to France and back?(about 3500 kms in total).

My modified Marea's have been reliable

both have been to Portugal and back with no problems so you shouldt have any problems

the 20v is a bit thirsty but you shouldnt have worries

I wouldn't be suprised if it could hit 300k Km plus to be honest, as long as maintenance is too a good standard and cam belt change with the other pumps all on check it should easly complete a 3500km trip to be fair , ive done about 6000 miles in the past 3 months on my marea (give or take) and it runs superb (with some things that want replacing) and now it has 76000 miles on clock, so quite alot in KM also, not as much as you though.

Marea being my first fiat seems and feels very well built and rather reliable!

Well, my main concern is the engine since it runs on LPG. Till now I did not have any serious problems with the exception of a short in the electrical system of the LPG installation. These engines have not been delivered from the factory with LPG and I'm not quite sure whether the cylinder head is suitable for the higher temperaturess associated with LPG and with the dryness of this fuel (no lubrication for the valves).

You hear many stories about heads getting warped or cracking and valve seatings getting damaged.

Can you run on Petrol as well as LPG? It's probably recommended to switch between the two types occasionally.

I would think that the car should be reliable still, especially if you drive it sensibly. The 1.8 is supposed to be tough, the block etc is used by Alfa Romeo.

Hi John,

It runs on petrol from the moment it's started till it gets a bit warm and the lpg takes over (just a few hundred metres). Basically it runs on lpg.

Joseph