can an engine ever die if properly taken car of

[VanRuby]

Yes, even a meticulously maintained engine can eventually die. While proper care dramatically extends its life, it cannot make it last forever. All engines succumb to mechanical fatigue, the gradual wear of internal components like piston rings, bearings, and valve guides over tens of thousands of combustion cycles. Think of it like a well-exercised heart; it's healthy, but it still has a finite number of beats.

The primary factor isn't neglect, but simple cumulative wear and tear. Every mile driven causes microscopic wear on moving parts. High-quality oil and timely changes are crucial because they reduce friction and slow this process, but they cannot eliminate it entirely. Eventually, components wear down to the point where compression drops, oil consumption increases, and performance fades.

Here's a realistic look at potential failure points and their typical lifespans, even with good maintenance:

Component	Typical Failure Mileage (with proper care)	Common Signs of Wear
Piston Rings	180,000 - 250,000+ miles	Loss of power, blue exhaust smoke, increased oil consumption.
Timing Chain/Belt	80,000 - 120,000 miles (belt) / 200,000+ miles (chain)	Engine misfires, rattling noise (if chain stretches), catastrophic engine failure if belt snaps.
Water Pump	60,000 - 100,000 miles	Coolant leak from weep hole, engine overheating.
Head Gasket	120,000 - 200,000+ miles	Coolant and oil mixing, white exhaust smoke, overheating.
Bearings (Crankshaft/Rod)	200,000 - 300,000+ miles	Knocking or rumbling sounds from the engine bottom end, low oil pressure.

External factors also play a role. Engine control units (ECUs) and sensors can fail due to heat cycles and voltage spikes, leading to performance issues. A minor accident that causes a coolant leak can lead to rapid overheating and severe engine damage before you can safely pull over. The goal of maintenance is to maximize the engine's natural lifespan and prevent premature death from causes like sludge buildup or overheating, not to grant immortality.

[MartinMarie]

Look, I've wrenched on cars for 30 years. An engine is just metal parts moving at insane speeds. No matter how clean you keep the oil, those parts are slowly grinding each other down. I've seen engines with 300,000 miles that run, but they're tired—burning oil, low on power. They're not dead, but they're on life support. Proper care gets you every last possible mile, but physics always wins in the end. It's not about if, but when.