Comments for 2004 Eclipse Spyder timing belt
Average Rating 
May 11, 2011Rating
Probably a camshaft by: Anonymous That engine, a 3.0 liter Mitsubishi, exhibits a tendency of one of the camshafts to lock up due to poor lubrication (caused by “occasionally” going too long between oil changes). That’s what was smoking and why the belt broke. That’s also probably why the first belt loosened up so quickly. Ironically, I replaced an engine in a Spyder last week. I bought it with a bad engine just to fix and resell, but it’s so much fun to drive I think I’ll keep it. BTW, I’ve been a professional auto tech for 30 years.
Oct 08, 2010Rating
Valves hitting pistons by: Engine Mechanic Well I did think we were talking about a 4cyl so a v6 does make it more complicated. And I’m not saying that you are doing the wrong thing by replacing the engine. I’m just saying wouldn’t it be cool to see inside and inspect the damage.It is not that cut and dry about 12 valves being open and 12 being closed. The lobes on the camshaft that opens the valves has a ramp on either side, so you get a lot of partially open or closed positions. Also note that on a 4 stroke gas engine that all valves on the cylinder are completely closed on 2 of the 4 strokes. The compression and power stroke.In closing the old engine could very well be junk. I have seen it go both ways. I realize that not everyone has my desire to pull everything apart to see whats inside so I understand your view and position and wish you good luck!! P.s. It couldn’t hurt to negotiate with the shop to pay full price in return for doubling the length of the warranty. They might say no, but with the price tag and all the new parts they will be installing on the used replacement motor if they have confidence in their work they might say yes?
Oct 08, 2010Rating
possible heat buildup valve damage by: Ed I’m not a mechanic, but from my understanding of engines (this one’s a V6), aren’t half of the valves open while the other half are closed? I believe this engine has 4 valves per cylinder, making 24 in total. If half were open at the time the belt disintegrated, would there be a high likelihood of 12 valves having damage, due to it being an interference engine? Given that logic, it seems that the cost to replace 12 valves and their sleeves (?) would be approaching that of what they’re wanting for the replacement motor. Something definitely seized up, as the timing belt “melted away”. It had to be either one of the pulleys or the water pump.If the car was still moving (not in neutral, and not coasting with clutch in), wouldn’t the pistons keep moving and banging into the stopped valves, since they are moved by the drive train?I appreciate your comments!
Oct 07, 2010Rating
Eclipse Spyder engine problems by: Engine Mechanic “do you think multiple valves being damaged is a higher possibility?” This is why I like to pull the head. Its like a roulette wheel. When the belt broke and the valves stopped moving who knows what position they where in? If the valves where closed or only slightly open then no damage would be found on those cylinders regardless of speed or piston movement.Damage do to heat build up? Not sure on this one. It sounded like no one knows why the belt broke and were speculating about the water pump or pulley seizing. Unless the overheat or temp light was on before the belt broke I do not see why there would be a heat build up? Maybe I missed part of the story?
Oct 06, 2010Rating
Multiple valves damaged possible? by: Ed Since the car was traveling at 60-65 when the timing belt disintegrated, I would think that the vales stopped in whatever position they were in, while the pistons kept moving since they were being pushed by the car’s movement and it being in gear (not in neutral, or coasting with clutch in). If this is what happens, do you think multiple valves being damaged is a higher possibility?The dealer stated that if they did attempt a repair, other problems could surface due to the heat build up after the belt went out, and more $ would need to be thrown at the problem. It seems they took the conservative recommendation to avoid what might become a “money pit”. Your comments?
Oct 06, 2010Rating
Replace or Repair the Engine? by: Engine Mechanic “Is the used motor quote reasonable?” I would say the price does sound reasonable but it would be nice if the warranty was longer. As a mechanic I usually recommend a tear down of the old engine to get a look at the real damage inside before I recommend a replacement engine over repairing the old one. Keep in mind tear-down is a gamble and could be wasted money if the internal damage is heavy.But in some cases when you pull the head off you may only find 1 bent vale or only bent valves in 1 cylinder with no piston damage. In that case sending the head out to a machine shop and checking for cracks is the next step. The best case scenario is no cracks and then replace the bent valves and recondition the cylinder head. This is way cheaper then replacing the engine.Of course it can go the other way and the piston could be cracked or a connecting rod bent with multiple cylinders damaged. It is a gamble for this reason but I prefer to see what happened inside! Of course it’s always up to the customer and tear down of the old engine could be a wasted couple of hours of Labor money.