I wouldn't be surprised if they updated it using the same part number. It doesn't happen too often, but when it does there's a reason.

 

MyThinking is, they prob just updated the chain without a recall cause It's cheaper for Mitsubishi. If it's not broke dont fix it? I guess....

 

The next question is those that have the chain problem are your eng california spec or the regular spec?
That might have some thing to do with it.

 

I don't see how it would be relevant. CA market engines usually only differ by the emissions equipment, not engine internals?

 

And I thought all cars are the same now (newer models) as far as emissions equipment. Isn't it cheaper for Mitsu (or any other car maker) to design the car to meet Commifornia Standards than have 2 different designs, one for CA and another for the rest of the country?

 

I bought a 2011 Evo x Mr and the window sticker states that it has Cali Emissions and I live PA.

 

All US Evos are Cali spec.

 

AFAIK, you can go to the dealer and have them check the sensor for "stretch" and it will actually give them a number. Or you can watch the video someone posted, and check for yourself. Really easy to do. Other than that, hope you don't have the issue come up. When I was about to buy my car, stupid *** threads like this (no offense guys, read on before you get mad) made me not want anything to do with these cars. Then you read on, do the math, and realize how few of these cars had the issues. I got my car with 30k on the clock on a stock clutch, panicking about having to replace it. Sure enough, after a lot of miles and not driving like a douche bag, I'm still on the stock clutch and it grabs like a champ. I f*cking love EVERY single minute I am in this car. I've had a lot of cars, and not one of them is 1/2 the car my X is. It's perfect, and I'm 100% glad I ignored freak out threads like this one.

I say stop freaking out if you haven't had the issue, and just check on it yourself. Don't wait around biting your nails over a problem you probably will never have. There's worse things in this world to worry about, trust me.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself, just enjoy the car if you are lucky enough you may even lose your engine within the first 5k miles of owning (unexpected errors, faulty parts ..etc)

 

Nice post, I agree I was definitely one of those guys that looked for issues before I bought anything the x included. After more than a year of owning my 2010 x I am proud to say its an amazingly strong car. Its kinda like a woman don't neglect it and it will be your best friend, ignore it and it will be your worst nightmare. Just my opinion.

 

There isn't any question about the performance of the Evo models...it is the best of all Lancer models..

 

54K KM 09 RA,stretched timing belt. Its @ Markham Mitsubishi, parts are back order almost two
weeks now. Its under war. and free rental. I hope they get it done soon. Over 60k km not miles, no more warranty. My car is a dd, never race or abused. I still love my car.

 

So just had this happen to me the week before Christmas. I was pulling into the parking lot at work coming back from lunch with a buddy and noticed the idle was all sorts of lopey then sure enough through a fault. P0016 Crank/Cam misalignment fault. To top it off I was at 61000 miles and sure enough Mitsubishi Motor Company (not the dealership) gave me a big ol middle finger. Thankfully when I bought the car I bought the 100k mile warranty to go with it and they're covering it.

I dd my Evo and have never tracked it. I've been on the occasional spirited drive (maybe twice in the last year) and have changed my oil every 3000 - 3500 miles. This car is most definitely NOT abused. And have been driving stick since I started driving 10 years ago.

Anyway, went to the dealership and they pulled the valve cover off, verdict is I jumped 2 gears on the intake side cam due to chain stretching and busted off teeth. I got lucky and didnt have any interference issues. After pulling some teeth with the aftermarket warranty guys (dealership was pulling for me which helped a lot, props to Town n Country Mitsu here in Portland!) they sent an auditor out and gave it the go ahead.

Originally the dealership had called Mitsu to pick up a timing chain and they were back ordered till mid January 2012 so its obviously an on going issue (class-action lawsuit anyone?). I asked the service technician whether they had seen this before and they said "yeah, but over all the models; Lancers, Ralliarts and Evo's."

Dealership called me up yesterday and said they were getting the timing chain from Mitsu but it has a new part number and should be in this week! So it'll be interesting to see whats changed with the new chain. In the mean time Im having them throw in some new cams while the engines apart for cost of cams (GSC S1 for anyone that cares)!

List of mods on my 2008 GSR include 3" ETS Single Outlet, Invidia Downpipe/HFC and AMS Intake + Cobb ProTune and Boost Pill they threw in for me. Car is putting down 331whp/320wft-lbs @ 27 psi.

I would definitely recommend checking timing chain stretch or having the dealership do it. Preventative maintenance beats a blown engine any day. I got lucky but definitely learned my lesson.

 

I wonder, for those who have had this issue, what their break in procedure is like? Given the chain is metal too, it should also go through a hot-cold cycle a few times for the metal to harden, I would think.

 

I heard rumors on this board that someone is making their own chain and guide set in order to correct this problem.

Anyway, if this happens to my car, my blood is going to boil. I carefully selected it because it has a timing chain, and most engines that have one never need to get it replaced.