I bought a 2002 MonteroSport LS -as is. The truck will not start and is thought to have slipped timing, but noone knows any details.

I do know its in my posession and I need to get it running.
It has the 3.0liter motor AWD.

What is the best approach in finding the problem(s) and fixing them? The truck/motor has approx 100,000k miles. -all original components

**Any helpful tips/cautions to take into consideration while removing the top-end of this motor will be GREATLY appreciated!

Hope you can help

 

[sm=welcomesign.gif]to the forums!

You say you bought the MS, what did you pay for it with a slipped timing belt? The 3.0Lis an interference engine...that motor is not happy, I believe damagegreatly depends on what RPM the slippage occured. I don't know how to go about diagnosing/or finding that out though. You may want to get a factory service manual if you are goingto be going at the T-belt. Someone more with more knowledge should chime in...sorry I can't offer more assistance.

Good luck!

 

I had an older 3.0 ('95), but it had a timing belt inspection cover at the top the passenger side cam. I believe it's held in place by a single 8mm bolt. If the '02 has that it might be a good idea to inspect it through a couple revs of the crank. You'll at least be able to tell if it's broken, or badly worn.

If it's determined it needs the timing belt replaced - it's a time consuming job, but doable by anyone who's handy with a wrench and can follow a manual. Finding a manual could be an issue. Haynes had one for the '95 but I don't think there's anything other than a mitsu FSM for the newer models (I can't find a haynes for my '99).

 

I paid $800 dollars for the SportES. Cosmetically, the vehicle is completely flawless inside and out, no rust on or under either. I did find a Mitsubishi 98-03 Service manual CD on ebay for 5 bucks, but it is in transit so I do not know how detailed it is.
I am hoping any damage is restricted to the heads..cause I priced new motors and well...that aint happenin'!!!

Thanks for input!

 

$800 for an '02?! Holy....!
I thought the ES's were 4 cyls?

Anyway...

I messed up a timing belt job on my 3.0L...

10 valves got bent, luckily there was no piston damage to speak of - which IMO will be the key concern in your situation.
Pulling the headswasn't all that bad, rebuild on the pair including $150 for new valves cost me $485 at a local machine shop. Seemed pretty reasonable to me. Reinstallation was time consuming, but again - not a terrible job, and I'm a mediocre amateur mechanic at best.

Does it turn over?

 

What a deal...about 10% of what it cost me for an 02 with 85K...mine is going in for T-belt service next week @ 100K.

 

My 02 LS is a 3.0 liter V6. Last night I charged the battery a while, and it DOES turn over...but it was slow. Due to the drained battery I think.

While turning over I was listening for noises but heard nothing strange. I am going to runsome tests tonight, like compression, spark, and volt.

 

fuel pressure ok? got fuel squirtin' out the injectors? spark ok? i usually check the coil and the ignition module if no spark.

 

Well, bad news...I popped the driver-side timing belt cover off and the toothed wheel that the belt travels on was just in there loose. The #7 grade bolt that fastens the gear to the cam snapped/sheared. With a channel-lock, I tried to work the cam back and forth...but no budge whatsoever.
I am at a cross-road. Do I pull the heads and hope there's no piston or crank damage...pay the 800 to get the heads fixed and reassemble?...I dont even know if I need a new cam either.

I have NO experience with a Mitsubishi, but I do see that doing ANYTHING with this 3.0 is a @#$%&.

I can do anything with this thing, I'm just having trouble deciding on taking the risk of just fixing the heads, or replacing the motor....I am wanting to waste as little time and $$$ as possible. Digginn into this motor may prove fruitless. How common is crank and piston damage?

I live in Indiana and have been looking for a replacement engine, found one with ~73,000 miles for $1,600 long-block.

Has anyone else been in this spot, and if so would you be so kind as to share your experience?

Thanks a lot all!

 

hello!! i have pulled off many montero heads due to belt failure, and i have yet to see any piston damage occur. your best bet is to have an expirenced technition that is familiar with mitsubishi do the work. but if that is not possible, buy a factory service manual to guide you taking the heads off and putting back on.those head bolts on a 2002 have to be angle torqued. the factory manual will give you the procedure. have the heads worked by a good machine shop, be sure to have them resurfaced too. those aluminum heads warp easily and with valve to piston contact you dont take any chances. use PLENTY of lock tight on the cam sprocket bolts so they dont come loose again! good luck and keep us posted!! greg...