97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth

[RedG35C]

Bolt through the back was... in a word.. amazing. Anyways, the new brakes look and work great. No more burning brake fluid smelling up the car either. That's good news!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a272/RedG35C/IMG_0115.jpg

[RedG35C]

Well. Today I took her up the road about 70 miles and back for work. Made 24.5mpg. For a heavy, AWD, Automagic, Turbo car with 178k on the odometer... I feel this is VERY good. Today's trip cost me $17. In my truck this same trip is generally $35-40. Saved $17 today! Very, Very happy.

No hiccups, no hesitation, no nothing. Although... I haven't driven a car that you need to turn the lights off... in a LONG while. So of course I left the lights on and of course I needed a jump. But, great car today. So much fun to drive on the highway.

[s1ngletracker]

So i take it the MPG issue was dragging brakes? Looks good, nice to see someone who takes the time to repair and maintain things properly, rather than slapping on a huge turbo and ignoring maintenance.

[RedG35C]

So i take it the MPG issue was dragging brakes? Looks good, nice to see someone who takes the time to repair and maintain things properly, rather than slapping on a huge turbo and ignoring maintenance.

:lol: Yeah. Had to of been. Car was also probably working MUCH harder than it needed to. I had an odd smell in the car too and turns out it was brake fluid gushing from the caliper onto the hot rotor. But I got all of that sorted out now.

As counter culture as it sounds I'm thinking it would be nice to find some 16's that clear the calipers and get some fatter rubber on it to soften up the ride a little. But it really is a great cruiser considering its age and mileage!

[RedG35C]

More work...

Well, the Alt belt shredded and flew off. Nice. Wtr pump is on the same belt. So... Awesome. Overheated a bit. Hopefully didn't do any damage. Looked into it and the last person to do the timing belt put the outer water pump pulley on backwards. So... I fixed that. Got the belt back on only to find that the tensioner bolt is rusted to the bracket. It is soaking in penetrating oil now. Mean time, Mobil 1 5w-30 going in with a Mobil1 filter. Whew... why can't people just either be competent or not do the work at all???

[cmspaz]

why can't people just either be competent or not do the work at all???
If there's one thing I've learned from working in the auto parts industry, it's that somewhere around 90% of people who buy parts with the intent to do their own work shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a wrench.

[curt_gendron]

Looks like you'll be getting familiar with the 60k service on a DSM. LOL Its not too bad.

You've had a great attitude about it so far.

[RedG35C]

^
The car... if it runs... meets everythign that I would like about a small beater / mileage car. But... for fawk sake... I can't get this bolt out. Took ti to a machine shop. They can't get the bolt out. And there isn't enough room to drill it out and tap it.

So I want to buy a new one... problem is... I don't know where to find one. I've tried about every parts site on the net to no avail. Any thoughts?

[RedG35C]

Tensioner block-----> /o\ (which bolts onto the alternator)
Bolt---> []-----------|--|------

Looks like this... Anyone have any leads on where a guy can get a new one?

[123abc]

http://www.jackstransmissions.com/collections/dsm-engine-parts-6-bolt-bottom-end/products/alternator-adjustment-bracket


Says it's for a 6 bolt, I do not know if 7 bolts are the same.