Interference Engines and 60k's

Tauni · 08-05-2005

My car:

1997 Talon with no real mods. Exhaust, but not Catback. Drive train... No clue? But its non-turbo, automatic.

Anyways, here's what I need to know.

I went into Checker (my boyfriend works there), I was getting stuff for an oil change when I remembered Kevin had reminded me about 60k's, which I had forgotten about. I'm not 100% sure whether or not the guy before me did them, and I bought the car with 66k. So i'm figuring I should probably go ahead and do them, just incase. So when I went to Checker and asked for a timing belt the stared at me like I was nuts. They told me the price but they also said it was deffinately NOT a good idea for me to do it myself because my car has what's called an Interference Engine. (Not that I know what that means) Apparently, if I do the timing belt wrong, and it jumps, I will ruin my engine.

So my qusetion(s) are:

1. What exactly is an interference engine?
2. Exactly how greatly does it affect me (in other words, how much of what the told me is true)?
3. Should I trust a shop enough to take it in?
4. What other things should I do as 60k precautionaries?

AJ · 08-05-2005

First, don't get timing belt parts from Checker. Get parts from Mitsu.

2nd, yeah a timing belt job is not one for someone to learn by doing it themselves for the first time. I suggest taking it to a shop. This way is something goes wrong with the install it's the shop that will cover the damage. In the case of the shops on this site, the job gets done right the first time.

howslowcanyougo · 08-05-2005

1. What exactly is an interference engine?

It's where the pistons and the valves share the same space at different times in the cylinder. The timing belt wraps around the crank and cams which controls the position of the valves and pistions. I'f it breaks, you can wreck valves, pistons and maybe more. That is why it's very critical to get your timing belt changed at 60K and before it gets weak and can let go.

2. Exactly how greatly does it affect me (in other words, how much of what the told me is true)?

If you don't get it changed ~60k or so, by somebody that knows what they are doing, it could wreck your motor.

3. Should I trust a shop enough to take it in?

Sure, but I'd use a good DSM shop, LSE, QPR, JET are all guys on this board who own shops, check with them they are EXPERTS!

4. What other things should I do as 60k precautionaries?

There are some other things I'm sure of needed at 60K but the timing belt is absolutly the #1 thing you NEED to take care of ASAP!

Agian, I'm sure the guys on the board here will fix you up straight!

Howie

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TheBlizzard · 08-05-2005

If you want your timing belt done, get all the parts from a Mitsu dealer. You don't want to be cheap when it comes to that stuff. If you don't want to pay a shit load for a shop to do it I could do it for you for a lot cheaper. It really isn't that bad to do if you have done a few of them. You can send me a PM if you want me to do it. There are numerous other people that could do if for you as well and save you some money.

Tauni · 08-05-2005

Ya, I kind of figured a timing belt from checker wasn't the best idea, I just wanted to price them out. But now that I think about it, it's not going to be anything like what I will be paying at a dealership. Damn.

I've heard a lot about the shops on here. Seems like going to one of you guys would be my best bet. But I suppose asking which shop is the best is probably a dangerous question. But I don't think I have a lot of time to do extensive shopping like I normally would, I'm at 67k. Is there anyway to tell if the timing belt really needs replacing?

Craig, how far is Fridley from Eagan?

Jakey · 08-05-2005

Purchase your parts from Brookdale Mitsu. Chris in Parts gives DSMStyle.com members a discount. Plus he is more than helpful and great to work with. I live in Iowa but order all my Mitsu parts from him and have them shipped to Iowa.

Tauni · 08-06-2005

Ahh, I hate being like oh hey, discount for me, I'm on DSMStyle. Oh well. I need to call him ASAP. Craig didn't you give me that number?

TheBlizzard · 08-06-2005

Just post what you need in the Brookdale Mitsubishi section of the site and he will give you the prices that you request.

Tauni · 08-06-2005

Pimpin! Craig you're awesome. Wait... where is this section. Ahh I'll find it. Whats his name?

slowbubblecar · 08-06-2005

Just about any mitsu dealer will give you a discount if you go there. I would just go to the closest. The wayzeta one is closed but metro in bloomington is another option if it is a lot closer. All you have to do at either place is say you are in dsm club and you want the dsmclub discount. They won't ask you anything

Tauni · 08-07-2005

I'm so confused. I don't know what to do, but I'm worrying about it. I wish it was MONDAY! I need to talk to these guys like ASAP

Jana · 08-07-2005

You'll figure it out. I think I had my timing belt done around 70K, and it was fine.

Tauni · 08-08-2005

Ohhh, that makes me feel much better. I think thats when I'm actually going to have the money to do it.

slowbubblecar · 08-08-2005

S2Kracka on here bought a car with sixty some thousand miles and planned on doing it because it was due. I remember at Krispy Kream later that night it went out and he was screwed. I wouldn't wait too long or else you might need some new valves in your head. I am not saying it will happen now if you don't, but it might be better to get it done sooner than later since it needs to be done anyhow.
James

Tauni · 08-08-2005

Obviously, I would like to get it done right this second, however, after Chris posted back, I have found it may be later this month before I have the money. Dammit.

Pimpin Dsmstyle · 08-08-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tALoNGiRL118

Obviously, I would like to get it done right this second, however, after Chris posted back, I have found it may be later this month before I have the money. Dammit.

It would be worth barrowing money from someone. It probably wont snap on you, however if it does, you will be out of a car for awhile and you will spend WAY more money to fix it.

Craig and them are good mechanical guys. If your lucky, maybe they will let you watch and show you how to do it. Not to say you will want to do it again on your own, but at least you could understand how it works. Having the correct tooling will make that job alot easier.

Tauni · 08-11-2005

Josh
ugh, No money ANYWHERE. But I think I can do it within the next two pay days, lets just cross our fingers and hope.

I would like to do just that. Even if I decide its too shitty of a job, seeing how it works helps me understand things better.