Guys,

I need your help / advise. This is on behalf of the guy who bought my 98 Montero just a few weeks ago. Really unfortuante for him, when he was driving the car, the A/T light and a couple of other lights came on and the steering got really stiff.

He brought the car home and based on his voicemail, he couldn't drive it, so he had it towed to a mechanic he trusts. The mechanic inspected it and told him that

the main pulley / crankshaft has broken. I know this is not very clear as both of us are mechanically challenged.

I am pretty sure it couldn't be anything major because, I have driven that vehicle and maintained it regularly for morethan 50K miles. The car has only a 102000 miles max. This car was inspected by a couple of dealerships prior to the sale also.

What does this mean? Assuming anything can go wrong at anytime, what do you guys think about this?

The mechanic has told him that he has to get the motor out to replace the pulley and it could cost him a max $2400.

When he called a Mitsu dealer, they have told him that the crank is pretty solid and the pulley bolts issue they've heard might come at about 150K miles.

I have requested this guy to take the car to a dealer.

Your inputs will be most appreciated.

Thanks

 

The problem with that is, it throws the belt off, and when that happens, pistons hit valves. The only way to tell the damage is to pull off the head.

 

Is there anything that the current owner can check visually to determine if is the pulley?

You said it would throw the belt off.. does this mean the belts that you can see would be loose or something?

I have been trying to get some more info. on the symptoms but he is not answering the phone.

Thanks

 

Well there is a cover over this belt, because its important. This is not the belt that drives the powersteering or alternator or anything like that.

Even if the belt isnt totally off, if it has slipped a few teeth, more than likely its gone.

 

Year & model montero would be nice to know.
Also engine size and if it's sohc or dohc is also critical although year and model helps determine that as well.

That said, IIRC Mitsubishi had some models that recommended replacing the crank pulley bolts (possibly even a recall).

I'd check if your friends mitsu's year and model falls into that group. If so, then mitsu may repair it for free or at a discount. The dealer won't be the one who decides this. It will be Mitsu Motors corporate's customer relations department. The repair will have to be carried out by a dealer.

 

It is a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero. Not Sport.

3.5L V6.

How can we find out if there was a recall ? Should I ask him to call Mitsu customer service?

Thanks guys for the help.

 

I talked to the current owner and the mechanic told him it was the bolts that were broken / faulty that caused the problem.

He needs the ride so he has asked the mechanic to work on it. I don't know what he explained the dealers, they told him that he needs a new motor!!!

 

Yep, that sounds likely

 

the onlyu recall i herd of were the back seats and brake cables....