Do 6 cylinder engines last much longer than 4 cylinider engines?

Answer 1

Not really it just depends on how you maintain and drive them. If you change the oil on a regular schedule and don't drive either one into the ground they should last you awhile.

Answer 2

Certain engines have a built-in safety margin , and straight 6 cylinders have that - due to the design, there's no unnecessary vibrations that need to be compensated for, unlike V-6 and 4 cylinder designs. If you meant between a V-6 and 4 cylinder, neither will last extremely long, whereas several straight 6's have been known to go 250,000 miles or longer in some old Chevies. All depends on make, model, and maintenance. As to bigger vs. smaller engine, yes, a bigger one won't have as much stress that a small one has in producing power, so unless the bigger 4-cylinder was over-burdened in a MUCH bigger vehicle, it should be a better choice than a smaller one. Again, the 3 M's - Make, Model, and Maintenance, make all the difference in what makes them last. Make and Model being more quality and design related than anything. - The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 3

Martha, are you cold because you are sure wrapped up good in your avatar. The six cylinder will probably last a little longer than a four cylinder with all things being equal.This is due to a slower Rpm in the six cylinder. However, keep the oil changed and check for coolant contamination in the oil and both motors should give you years of dependable service.

Answer 4

Depends on how they are used/abused. V6s rev slightly slower than 4s, and are more likely to have been driven at lower rpm, since they make their peak torque and power at lower revs. However, V6s have inherent vibration problems that a 4 cylinder doesn't (vibration being very bad for longevity). Inline 6s (and flat/horizontally opposed 4a) are inherently balanced for primary and secondary vibration, and make their peak power at lower rpm. This is why Mercedes, BMW and Audi used inline 6s instead of V6s for such a long time. 4 cylinder engines are naturally balanced for primary vibration, and can be balanced for secondary vibration with a balance shaft. V6s cannot be balanced for secondary vibration - they are designed as an unbalancable (but conveniently sized) package.

So, the answer is...it depends on the configuration of the 6 and 4 cylinder engines, how they are used, where in the rev band they make their power...

Answer 5

Most four cylinder engines will as well as a six only it will do it cheaper.Costs less for gas,less for tune ups,and if you keep it long enough it will cost less to rebuild.And as far as I'M concerned most in line fours wear less than v six cylinder types.

Answer 6

I would say no.... look at how long those toyota and honda engines last..... 300K miles on a 4 cylinder... impressive.... but my Dad's 2001 intrepid 6 cylinder just hit 300K......

Answer 7

The number of cylinders and engine durability are unrelated.

Answer 8

Just depends on make and model does not really have any thing to do with size

Answer 9

Give me a four any day.
I see way too many dead V-6s