>MR> You really don't expect me to believe 200,000 miles is realistic.
 > 
 > I used the word major, to mean examination of innards.
 > 
 > Big fleet operators here use various pathological tests [engine oil 
 > analysis]
 > to check the health of each engine and figure what has worn and how much.
 > Isn't this done in N America?
Alec,
 It's done exactly like that by fleet operators. Overhauls are often 
scheduled by oil analysis results, not mere time or mileage. And it's very 
common for truck engines to exceed 300,000 miles without overhaul. 
Heck, my Diesel VW is cookin' right along at 215,000 and I expect to have IT 
exceed 300K. Engine maintenance so far has been: 2 or 3 timing belt 
replacements, water pump, injector nozzles, and shaft seal in the injection 
pump. That ain't too shabby, IMO.
--- FLAME v1.1
---------------