General Engine Question: B280E, 2.8 L V6

[e777]

Hello,

Can anyone speak to the reliability and longevity of the B280E: 2.8 L V6 engine? I am only familiar with the ol' red block.

Thanks.

[93Regina]

speak to the reliability and longevity of the B280E: 2.8 L V6 engine?

I've never heard the "lemon" word used, but like all engines, the oil/filter must be changed, regularly. And like all engines, they wear down and break down in time; YMMV, all depending!

There is a thread at Tbricks, 81 262c B28F CI fuel system issue, where I think the OP has done some wrenching on the engine; he would know a lot.

[precopster]

The B280E is the updated version with the front mounted distributor and later electronic injection (earlier V6s were mechanical injection)

I owned an earlier version and had to deal with a water pump replacement. I believe the B28E has the same ridiculous water pump design which involves intake manifold removal.

They had a reputation for valve lash adjustment problems however I'm not aware if that was solved in the later B280E. They were smooth and torquey but not so frugal.

[jimmy57]

B280 engines are very reliable and the camshaft wear issues (causes noisy valvetrain that frequent valve adjustment didn't fix) are non existent. The heads have a dam that forms a lobe dipping trough to assure cam lobe lubrication the first rotation of each cam on starting. The computerized ignition and fuel systems use strategies to speed up engine warm up.
The front chain cover gasket can leak but this is no more a problem than it is on any Toyota, Nissan, etc V6 or V8 using timing chains.

I assume you are looking at a 760 or 780 that has this engine.

[93Regina]

camshaft wear issues (causes noisy valvetrain that frequent valve adjustment didn't fix)

A person from Prague, Czech Republic had a long thread on Tbricks, B280F lacks power, prematurely shifts down, with the finding that by replacing OEM knock sensor(s) with some other type of knock sensor his power returned.

[e777]

Yes, this would be from an '89 760. I asked because I have the opportunity to buy one that is from the original owner with 118k on it. The owner is asking $2,250.

Thanks to all of you for the insight. After posting the question, I began to dig a bit and discovered some of the idiosyncrasies you all mention, such as the water pump placement.

[jimmy57]

Where are you located? B280F is US engine and B280E is the variant used in other markets with a different emission standard.

[e777]

I am in the US. I can't guarantee that it is the 280E, unfortunately. As you indicate, most likely it is the F.

[precopster]

Another feature?? I noticed in the earlier model was that the left bank exhaust meets the right bank exhaust by looping over the top of the bell housing. Even though there's a heat shield, the heater hoses near firewall get cooked to a crisp in the process.

Again not sure if this was fixed with the later variants so if purchased check the heater hoses to avoid an explosive welcome to ownership.

[e777]

Thanks. It's looking like life would be much simpler if i just stick to what I know, the B230F cars...

Cheers.