I just purchased a 97 Sport for $4900.00 @ 90K mi.

Kind of upset because I didn't have time to do alot of research on it and went in on it blind.

What's done is done, so now I have to fix what's wrong with it. What I have gathered so far about my problems is that I need to replace the valve guides to stop the smoke from billowing out my tail pipe when I idle for more that 10min. It's the only time it happens when I am in park and idling and rev the engine.

Does anyone agree or disagree with this fix?

Secondly, I hear and feel a mechanical vibration that increases as speed increases. What would be the tell tail signs of the main engine bearing going bad?

If I am going in the wrong direction, please steer me in the right!

All of your comments and help are welcomed,

Thanks

Phil

 

I would say its either as you said or it is the head gasket

As for the sound... so you say its RPM dependant? Can you record the sound for us to hear?

 

It's not something that you would be able to hear if I recorded it. It only happens underway and there is too much road noise to hear it. I've tried to listen for it on a few of the digital recordings of my ex bitch'n at me about something. (when she's not talking of course!) It's like a rumbling sound that vibrates down the entire drive-train. It's not a violent shake nor does it fluctuate, it's constant and subtle. I thought that it mightbe the tires, but when I roll down the windows I don't hear the wheels smacking the pavement. I had a car that did something similar because of a bad high speed bearing in one of the rear wheel hubs. Unfortunately, it was isolated to that hub and not the whole car.

I am just curious what a bad main engine bearing would sound or feel like. As I read further about this car, I kind of rule it out but am interested in hearing someones story if any.

Thanks for your responses

Phil

 

Bad bearings sound constant... they are loud as hell.

I dont know what to tell you..... hmmmmmmmmm

 

Does it increase in frequency with the speed? If so it could be something out of balance in your drivetrain like a driveshaft or something. Again, there are alot of things... I'd have it inspected by a good knowledgeable mechanic.

 

So you say it increaces with speed? Not engine rpm?

 

I started thinking the same thing, if so what would bring itinto balance? I was even thinking a bad U-joint or somethingbecause it's only whenwe're underwayandnotwhen Idling. I'll have to get it checked, thanks

Phil

 

Manual or Auto?

 

this will fix the smoking problem https://mitsubishiforum.com/m_104778/tm.htm

 

The smoking is most likely the valve seals.

The vibration is probably a drive line problem, not a bad main bearing. The bad bearing would not vibrate the whole car. As you said, probably a bad U-Joint. Check under the car for bad U-joints, motor mounts, or transmission mounts.