2003 Evo 8
Mods: 272/272 HKS cams, intake / exhaust, fuel pump, reflash, MBC hits 24 then drops.

I just took my car to South Park Mitsubishi (Bethel Park, PA) for timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, and all the other 60k maintenance stuff. I had the timing belt replaced at 30k when I had the cams done, the car now has 80k and I figured it would be a good time to get the rest of the 60k service done (plus another timing belt). Dealer slapped on an extra 3 hours to remove and reinstall the exhaust to access some pulley and/or other bolts for the install. It seemed fishy, but whatever...

I get my car back, drive about 30 miles city driving over the course of 3 days. On my drive home, the car check engine light came on, and then minutes later I heard a slight crunching noise as it shut off and wouldn't start back up. I popped the hood and looked around, all the belts were on. I saw the light blue timing belt through the peep hole and didn't notice anything else out of the ordinary. I called the dealership and had it towed there. While waiting for the tow truck I checked the engine codes P0340 + P0335. I also check the oil level just to pass the time and it was fine. The car was sitting over night in the same spot and no oil was on the ground and the tow truck driver can vouch for that.

They looked at it and said that that the belt was "soaked" in oil. Which caused it to skip a few teeth of timing and cause other damage. They pointed towards my light mods as the reason for the oil pump seal to leak. Meanwhile the tech said that he didn't notice much or any oil leaking from the area when he was doing the maintenance work. A mere 30 miles later I have possible internal engine damage (bent valves at least)... The tech also said that the balance shaft isn't turning easily (I'm guessing that it is probably due to internal damage?). He said that the seal is hardened and backed out causing the oil to leak out.

They call me up to ask permission to take apart the motor, I told them no and that I am coming down to look at it. When I get there the dude had the whole oil pan, belts, and everything off... The timing belt doesn't look light blue anymore, instead it looks like they had smeared oil all over it...

I think that he disturbed something to cause such a "massive oil leak" out of no where and/or is making that up and just messed up the timing belt install. Not sure why he wouldn't notice any oil leaking during the install. A seal just doesn't start gushing like a river within 30 miles, if that was the case. He said it leaked 2 quarts of oil, which was the difference he measured. But when i checked the oil while the tow truck was on the way the level was middle of the dip stick...

My Questions:

-Is it possible for oil to cause the timing belt to skip a few teeth if it is properly installed / tensioned?

-Is it possible for the oil pump seal to back out with whatever internal pressure is placed upon it?

-What should I do from here on out? They are saying that it isn't their fault. My buddy said to open a case using the Mitsubishi America number and go from there.

 

one of the tensioner bolts needs sealant on it or else it leaks oil.

 

This. They muffed up it sounds and are trying to put it on you (assuming they didn't put sealant on that bolt). Reason #3000 why I will never bring my car to a dealership.

 

I'm sure he forgot to do that also and probably didn't tighten the bolt up enough.

He did show me the seal and said that it is hardened due to heat and that it is suppose to be soft? Meanwhile the service manager said the seal failed due to my aftermarket parts. So both were saying something different...

 

First off, is this your daily driver? Do you need to get your car back on the road ASAP or can you wait this out? (Cause it sounds like this could take a while to straighten out)

Second, I would contact Mike at the Mitsu dealership in Wexford - it's Baierl Mitsubishi. He's been wrenching on Evos since day one, back in 2003.

Third, starting right now, start documenting events with South Park Mitsu. Days, times, phone calls, who you talked to. Keep a record of everything.


I visited South Park Mitsu once... they rubbed me the wrong way in a few different ways. The biggest was when they told me that they would give me $4k for my 2003 Evo in trade for a X.




EDIT> I believe Mike from Baierl Mitsu is a member on here. Check out the Pittsburgh regional section.

 

They will always tell you something broke because of aftermarket parts to try and cover there own ***. also if you decide to take them to court you will most likely win. the percentage of a dealership ever winning a court case is very low

 

Yes, this is my daily driver. I have been bumming rides lately, my cousin is late off and 2 friends have extra time, but I hate to keep bugging them. I wanted to get a rental, but was going to wait if I can, until they cover the cost of it. I do assume that this issue will take a while, I am patient, but getting lied to/ripped off doesn't sit well with anyone.

I did start a claim and got a number, but they want me to give the dealership permission to tear my car apart further... I am going to call back and see if I can talk to the case manager first before this dealership is all over my car more than they already are.

What should I ask Mike? I would prefer to take it to a different dealership, but my car is in pieces... South Park does come off very shady. I heard the lady next to me getting swindled. They said that the headlight film failed/leaking/something? And she needs 2 headlights before she can get her next lease... lol.

 

See if you can get in touch with Mike directly. Talk to him about the situation - he knows the protocol that Mitsu techs are supposed to follow and he might be able to shed some light on the situation. He also might be able to inspect the current damage and asses what caused the issues.

 

Good idea, that would have been the better dealership to go to, but too late now. I'll see what Mike thinks of my situation. As far as inspecting any damage, the dude took off all the belts, pulleys, balance shaft, and the oil pan...

Why couldn't they just show me that it was actually leaking out of the seal, in person? I can't even verify if it was actually leaking or not and where it was leaking from. I should have just spent the whole day there and watched him take it apart, if I had known it would have come to this...

 

Make sure to let them know that you checked the oil level when you were waiting and that it was fine then. Also, one thing to keep in mind is that you didnt have this leak before you took it in to the dealer. You took it in for service and now they are sayiing its because you had a pre existing leak. Well why didnt they mention that to you so you could decide if you wanted that fixed while it was in service? The truth if whether or not any leak was noted would be in the work order the technician had or in their system when they try to upsell. Either way, its a hard copy they KEEP on file forever. Try to get those records and if it is noted that the tech found a leak then you can blame them for not telling you about it. After all thats why you bring it in-- to get inspected. Stand your ground and you should come out ahead on this.

Fwiw I have seen old seals gradually start leaking more and more. I have seen new seals incorrectly installed gush out immediately. Makes me think it was install error that caused your issue.

 

South Park Mitsu is a joke, I went down there when I was looking for my Evo IX and they told me don't bother looking and tried to sale me an Evo x. Then, the douchy owner said "Hey, wanna see my 50k Evo x MR?" What a tool, he was some middle aged dude with spiked hair, need I say more? /rant

 

Yeah, I am sure they will have to cover it since the said leak isn't stated in the documentation nor they didn't notify me about it. I believe the tech is just trying to cover his tracks. It is a tough situation, some people don't want to own up to the blame of something like this or maybe he missed sealing/tighting the tensioner bolt and noticed it was leaking then paniced and is trying to shift the issue onto something else as a cover up. I'll never know what really happened because they didn't show me the actual spot leaking, they just showed me my car in pieces, with whatever monkeying around that they did in the meantime...

 

they took it apart to destroy the evidence of the tech screwing it up. amazing how it was fine for 80k miles, then it suddenly goes to hell in 30 miles. if you have to, get a lawyer. they messed up and are going to to everything to shift the blame.

 

Ouch. Sucks big time. I didn't seal my valve cover very well on that side one time and it leaked oil on t-belt. Pain to clean it all out.

Lawyer. Resist the baseball bat to window urge even though dishonest dealerships deserve it.

 

here is a little known legal fact. get a tow truck to get your car now and take it to another dealer or reputable mechanic. DONT PAY THEM A DIME WHEN YOU RETRIEVE YOUR CAR. most would assume you have to pay the bill to retrieve your car. this is not true. I had someone do this to me. they came to pick up car from me but refused to pay the bill. cops were called to the scene. cops informed me I had no right to hold car. it was his property and I cant refuse to give it to him. I was shocked. my legal recourse was to take him to court or file lien against car for unpaid bill. turn the tables on them. you never gave them the okay to tear into the car and they are ripping you off plain and simple. make them take you to court. they screwed up and are not owning up to it.