Hi i just saw a nice deal on a 2008 evo gsr (https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ationFlag=true)
Ive included the link, it is from a dealer and the clutch needs to be replaced will go check it out on monday
This will be a DD car and dont have any plans for upgrades maybe some bolt ons but thats it

Ive been reading alot on this forum and the timing chain replacement often comes up

do evo X generally have a problem with this? or is this like a normal wear and tear part that you replace? if so after how many km or miles do they get replaced?

 

Hey, welcome aboard the boards @vash021

I moved your thread here so the guys can help you out (use our search feature which should reveal some threads on your topic)

 

I did some further researching and the timing chain was upgraded from 2011+ models
Do 2011+ evos timing chain not stretch?

 

Hello and Welcome vash021,

The timing chain on the first couple years had a problem with stretching. So Mitsubishi revised the chain and changed the chain oiling setup a little bit to address the problem. For an earlier year car you can upgrade the chain to the newer model and that should be it. There is no regular chain replacement called for in the maintenance schedule. I don't believe there is any danger in waiting for the chain to trigger the warning before having it done, but I might be wrong about that. If it stretches too much though it can impact an oil squirter and that would be bad.

 

The timing chain seems to be a easy fix ive been reading up more and more and the one main problem im worrying about is the Differential Pins?


how bad are the diff pins in this model? the car im looking at has about 157,000 km / about 100k miles you guys it has already been fixed?

 

I don't think it's a common issue in stock, daily driven or weekend warrior type cars. Keep the gear oil changed every 50k KM and you shouldn't have to worry.

More details from Jack's Transmission:

The reason the diff pins fail is due to a lubrication issue. The gears don't have enough oil, so they seize to the shafts which break the pins as the twisting force applied to the pins is more than they can eventually take. Basically, the seized gear will twist the locking pin right off the shaft. Upgraded pins will delay the failure of the shafts working their way through your case, but WILL NOT solve the lubrication issue. What we do is tear the whole center diff down. We modify the shafts to allow for more oil, we upgrade the pins for added insurance, and we then add scoops to the center diff housing to force more oil inside the assembly. The way the assembly is designed is flawed in that the faster you drive your car the less oil is able to get inside. Our scoops will force more oil in the assembly the faster you go and it works!

 

I daily drive my 2010 evo about 50mi a day ever since purchase in late 2010. At 120k the timing chain was loose enough to allow the car to skip timing. I replaced the engine. I didn't tear the engine down yet to see the extent of the damage. It looks like both cams were close to the same rotation. The reason I type all this is to say: I had no warnings that it was going to go. No engine sounds, no error codes. Obviously, I wish I updated the timing chain a tad bit earlier. It's not very hard to do, so might as well get the piece of mind.

 

Oh damn! I didn't know it could go without triggering a CEL. Good to know!

 

Hi.
The early 08 to I think 10 had a 7 link chain which was latter replaced by a new 8 link chain, which is supposed to not stretch as much.
The ecu monitors chain stretch and should give you a check engine light if the chain stretches a preset amount.
However this monitoring system is not always reliable.
My sons 08 got a check engine light but for a stretched chain, but on inspection the chain was ok.
If you have concerns about you chain, there is a simple procedure in the engine manual that shows you how to inspect the chain for stretch.
The only things you need to remove are the ignighters, spark plugs and rocker cover.
Also while you have the rocker cover off you can check the valve clearances.

 

When the 8-10 chains get near the cel warning stage they dont have much tension on them and can skip on the cam or drive gear, I've seen it happen. Not pretty inside.

 

On my 08 I had the CEL come on at around 90k miles. Here is a quick vid before a shop upgraded it for me:

Pretty scary. The 11+ don't have the top chain guard/guide. That is probably what saved me before I toasted the engine. I left mine on after the swap.
I also upgraded all of the guides, tensioner and oil pump chain. Might as well do it all while you are in there.