From: rll@frieda.mitre.org (Roberto L. Landrau)
Subject: Freewheeling engines, Eclipse timing belts (was: ... Timing Belts after 60K miles??)
Organization: Research Computer Facility, MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 12:45:55 GMT

In rec.autos.tech kokerj@rpi.edu wrote:
>In article <1993Jan26.074048.23365@news.unomaha.edu>, mgolden@cwis.unomaha.edu (Brian Golden) writes:
>|> > 	A friend hof mine has a Plymouth RS/Turbo (The same type of car as  
>|> > Eagle Talon Tsi and Mitsbishi Eclipse). He drove the car so hard that it  
>|> > reached its 60K line within 2.5 years. He was wondering whether he should  
>|> > go ahead and replace the timing belt as recommended in the operation  

If he wants to keep the remainder of his warranty valid, he better do
it ASAP.

>|> > manual, or wait as long as possible ?. He was so reluctant to do so  
>|> > because  the dealer warned him to prepare for a two days job to get that  
>|> > done. Consider the $54/hr cost of labor, that's going to be a Big charge.

Most dealers (at least around here) charge between $200 and $250 for
that job (Eclipse/Talon/Laser).

>|> When (or if) it goes bad, replace it then.  It is a BIG chore, especially on
>|> front (or all)  wheel drive cars like this.  Most belts will live WELL beyond
>|> the 100k mark.  Mostly the belt fails because of the rubber decaying, not

Some Eclipses/Talon/Lasers have been snapping their timing belts early
(the earliest I have heard was 1 yr/14k miles).

>|> because of excessive miles.  If he is really worried about becoming stranded
>|> some day, then have him change it.  Otherwise, keep your money.

Not so fast.  If that timing belt snaps, get ready to spend
$2500-$3500 on repairs.

>|> Mike Golden - mgolden@cwis.unomaha.edu
>|> 
>
>Is this engine freewheeling?

No.  It is not freewheeling, just like the majority of the 4v/cyl
engines out there today.  The valves WILL hit the pistons.  By the
way... why are most 2v/cyl engines freewheeling and most 4v not?  The
Eclipse Turbo has a low compression (7.5:1).  It seems to me
compression ratio would be more of a factor than the number of valves.

> I assume that is a 16v and probably not, especially
>since it is made in Japan.

Oh really?  You mean the few 4v/cyl engines made in the US and Europe
are freewheeling?  I know VW's are not.  What about the Daytona IROC,
Northstar V8, ZR-1 engine and the new Mark VIII engines?  Are all of
those freewheeling.  (Oops!  forgot the Quad 4 and the 3.5 on the LH).

>You can let it go, but if the engine doesn't 
>freewheel and the belt breaks, you're in for some MAJOR valve work. (read
>$1000-$2000). If you don't want to spend $54/hr then have an independent
>do it. I know someone with a Jetta GLi that let it go, twice. Cost him $1500
>at least one of the times. The job shouldn't cost more than $250 on any car. The 
>belt itself only *costs* ~$10. You'll probably be charged $30 by the mechanic.


--
The opinions stated above are not necessarily my employer's.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Roberto L. Landrau    KC1YP    landrau@mitre.org  rll@linus.mitre.org
The MITRE Corporation  Bedford, MA 01730          rll@linus.UUCP