2000 ASTON MARTIN DB7

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi or 15+ years regardless of miles

Symptoms: Cold-start smoking that clears after warmup, Progressive oil consumption increase, Compression loss on one or more cylinders, Rough idle when warm

Fix: The AJ16 engines through early 2000 used Nikasil linings that corrode from sulfur in fuel. Requires complete engine rebuild with steel-lined block or replacement short block. 60-80 hours labor for removal, rebuild, and reinstallation including ancillaries.

Estimated cost: $15,000-25,000

Typical onset: Any age—rubber hose degradation from heat cycling

Symptoms: Loss of boost pressure and power, Hissing sound under acceleration, Check engine light with lean codes, Visible coolant or oil residue on intercooler

Fix: Multiple rubber intercooler hoses crack and the water-to-air intercooler cores corrode internally. Recommend replacing all hoses as a set along with coolant reservoir tank which also cracks. 8-12 hours labor for comprehensive refresh.

Estimated cost: $2,500-4,000

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 upshift, Slipping between gears under load, Transmission overheating, Limp mode activation

Fix: The valve body solenoids fail and the external oil cooler corrodes, leading to fluid contamination. Often requires valve body replacement or rebuild plus new cooler and full fluid flush. If contamination reached clutches, full rebuild needed. 15-20 hours for valve body work, 40-50 hours for full rebuild.

Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500 valve body; $8,000-12,000 full rebuild

Symptoms: Power steering fluid puddles under front of car, Groaning noise when turning at low speed, Sudden loss of power assist, Steering wheel becomes heavy

Fix: High-pressure hoses crack from age and heat, rack seals fail from sitting. Subject of NHTSA recall but many weren't repaired. Requires replacement of pressure and return hoses at minimum; rack rebuild or replacement if seals compromised. 6-10 hours labor depending on rack work needed.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,500

Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi or 12+ years

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from rear, Unstable rear end feel at highway speeds, Uneven rear tire wear on inside edge, Rear axle misalignment visible on alignment rack

Fix: The rubber bushings in the rear lower control arms deteriorate and the arms themselves can crack at the mounting points. Requires removal of entire rear suspension crossmember for proper access. Replace all four lower arms with bushings. 12-16 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200

Symptoms: Intermittent instrument cluster failures, Windows or convertible top operating erratically, Check engine lights with no stored codes, Battery drain when parked

Fix: Hand-built British wiring harnesses with mixed Jaguar and Aston components create ground issues. Main battery ground to chassis and engine block grounds corrode. Requires systematic cleaning of all major ground points and application of dielectric grease. 4-8 hours diagnostic and repair time typical.

Estimated cost: $600-1,500

Typical onset: Every 30,000 mi for filter; regulators at 60,000+ mi

Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting, Rough running and hesitation, Fuel smell in cabin or engine bay, Loss of power under boost

Fix: In-tank fuel pump pressure regulators fail causing rich running, and the high-pressure fuel filter clogs prematurely from tank corrosion debris. Filter changes require tank drop. Regulator is integral to pump assembly. 6-8 hours for pump/regulator, 3-4 hours for filter alone.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 filter service; $2,200-3,200 pump assembly