1994 ASTON MARTIN DB7

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Cold start scoring/rattling noise that quiets when warm, Excessive oil consumption (quart per 500-1000 miles), Loss of compression and power, Metallic debris in oil filter

Fix: Early DB7s used Nikasil bore coating that degrades from sulfur in fuel. Leads to piston slap, then scored bores, then spun bearings. Fix requires complete engine rebuild with steel liner retrofit or short block replacement. 40-60 hours labor depending on ancillary damage to crank and rods.

Estimated cost: $18,000-35,000

Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise from front of engine under boost, Sudden loss of boost pressure, Oil leaking from supercharger snout seal, Check engine light with lean codes

Fix: Eaton M90 front bearings wear out and the rubber coupler deteriorates. Requires supercharger removal, rebuild kit or replacement unit, and new intercooler hoses while you're in there. 12-16 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500

Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake in expansion tank), Overheating transmission, Harsh shifting or slipping, Coolant loss with no external leaks

Fix: The transmission cooler inside the radiator fails, mixing ATF and coolant. Requires radiator replacement, transmission flush/rebuild if contaminated, all cooling system hoses, and external trans cooler installation as preventive measure. If caught early, 8-10 hours. If trans is cooked, add 20-30 hours.

Estimated cost: $2,800-12,000

Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Severe clunking when engaging drive or reverse, Vibration at idle that improves with RPM, Driveline shudder during acceleration, Visible engine movement in bay during throttle blips

Fix: Hydraulic engine mounts and transmission mounts deteriorate. All four mounts typically need replacement simultaneously. Transmission mount requires partial exhaust removal and subframe support. 6-8 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800

Symptoms: Intermittent no-start conditions, Random warning lights and gauge failures, Supercharger bypass valve stuck open, Erratic idle and stalling, Power accessories working intermittently

Fix: Jaguar-sourced wiring uses biodegradable insulation that crumbles. Ground points under intake manifold corrode. Requires harness sections rebuilt, all grounds cleaned and relocated, and ECU connector inspection. Diagnosis is 3-6 hours, repairs vary widely 4-15 hours depending on extent.

Estimated cost: $1,200-4,500

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking from rear over bumps, Wandering rear end feel during cornering, Visible rust around rear subframe mounts, Alignment that won't hold

Fix: The rear subframe mounts rust from inside out on cars driven in salt states. Requires body shell repair with welded reinforcement plates, then subframe reinstallation. Specialty body shop work, 20-30 hours plus paint.

Estimated cost: $6,000-12,000

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Hot restart problems after short stops, Stumbling and hesitation when hot, Fuel smell in cabin, Hard starting after sitting in sun

Fix: Fuel rail runs too close to supercharger, causing heat soak. Pressure regulator diaphragm fails. Requires fuel filter replacement, pressure regulator, and aftermarket heat shielding installation. Tank drop for filter access. 5-7 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $1,400-2,200