I'm picking up an 03 Evo today and have to head back to colorado to register it tomorrow. It has 111k miles and no record of timing belt.

My question is: can or should I take the 1000 mile round trip before getting the belt done? Or am I on borrowed time and should I get this thing to the dealer ASAP and wait a month to take my trip? Also, I am unclear on the "balance shaft" belt v timing belt on this car?? What needs to be replaced when?

Thanks in advance. Sorry if this was searchable, I'm on mobile and didn't find anything in my brief search.

 

ok since you don't know if car is not overheating you should be fine or to check the belt take the cam gear cover off and inspect the belt and see if the belt has cracks on it if not your fine make sure noting falls there

 

STM sells a full timing belt kit

timing belt, water pump, balance shaft belt, tensionsers and pulleys for both

 

If its the original belt you are on borrowed time. Drive it slow and don't rev it out too much.
Get home and replace all belts and idlers and water pump.

 

Timing belt maintenance is at 60K. Sounds like this is a dealership purchase? Not surprised there is no record from the dealership when the timing belt job was done, if at all. If it has not, you are on borrowed time with 111K !

When doing the timing belt job, make sure to include the balance shaft belt, all pulleys, tensioners and water pump.

STM, MAP, Mitsubishiparts.net...all sell a timing belt replacement 'kit' that has everything you need.

Get ready to be bent over paying the dealership for a timing belt service $1,000+

 

you can also source parts from rockauto.com which will be much cheaper

 

Why dealer?most overcharged shops can do it for $750-950.

 

Timing Belt Job On A Budget

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...heres-how.html

 

It's a private party purchase and the current owner who had had it for 14k hasn't done it and I didn't see a belt on carfax.

I'm getting it done at a dealer because I work for another manufacturer in a dealer facing role and know most dealers are actually cheaper than IRFs. And one of the stores that sells my brand also sells mitsubishi. The estimate they gave me (though I doubt it included balance shaft belt) was cheaper than any other estimate.

The belt doesn't seem to have cracks, but I haven't and don't know how to check the balance shaft belt and I don't know the consequences of should that fail.

 

Where in Colorado are you going? If your going to be on the front range, there are a number of shops around the Denver area that work on Evos and will charge you much less than the stealships would.

 

Can't really check it unless you remove the lover timing cover. In order to do that, you need to remove other components....so....JUST replace it while getting your timing job done.

My balance shaft belt went out on me and took the timing belt with it, the crank position sensor, trigger wheel and made a mess inside the lower timing cover....THANKFULLY my head was fine as the engine died as soon as the crank sensor went out and I didn't bend any valves!!

If you are getting a good deal from the dealership then go for it....

EDIT: Check out STMs thread on their experience at this years Shootout. The balance shaft belt broke and made a huge mess of the head....

 

I'll be registering it in the springs thursday then parking it in denver for the weekend. If there's a place that I could get the timing done (and a tune down the road) instead of just parking it. That'd be awesome.

Got any recommendations??

 

And crank seal! Don't forget!

 

I would definitely take care of the timing belt before making a long trip if there is no history of it being replaced.

 

I checked it again. Looks brand new actually. And I found it had a mark on the belt. So I am convinced it at least is not the original belt. I'm gonna make the trip then try to get a hold of the local mitsubishi service rep and see if he has any service records in mitsubishi systems.