2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart will not start -- Timing belt not spinning on crank -- high interference engine
Well, I have reached a crossroads. After weeks of troubleshooting why my 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart would not start I have figured out the issue (me thinks). Here's the sequence of events:
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Lancer has 190k miles, original timing belt / water pump head gasket. Running fine, one day it will not start in the driveway after being driven the day prior. Try jumper box, new fuel. Engine cranks/tries to start really hard, however it would never actually start running.
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Pull spark plugs. Spark plugs are covered in oil. Buy new spark plugs and valve cover gasket and seals. Replace spark plugs and seals. Still will not start.
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Rent code reader -- did not throw a code (at this time)
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Read online that the crankshaft position sensor is likely the culprit. Order CPS. Order Bluetooth ODB 2 device.
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Haul Lancer on car trailer to my office to get it out of my driveway
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Plug in bluetooth code reader. Get code P0340. Find the camshaft position sensor while Googling the code and my car type.
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See someone else posted the same code when their timing belt lost it's teeth and would not turn when the starter was turning and the car was trying to start.
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Have my dad watch as I attempt to start the car -- timing belt does not move at all.
Determination: Timing belt has lost all grip at the bottom where the starter motor is trying to turn it.
Issues: The 2004 Lancer Ralliart is a 2.4L engine that is considered 'high interference'. Is it likely that I've blown the top half of the engine in my twenty attempts to start the engine with essentially no timing belt? The car seemed to be driving fine and it hasn't been able to be driven since this problem started in my driveway.
Question: Is there a high probability that if I go through with the timing belt/water pump change that I will likely have bent valves or scarred pistons from the attempts to start it?
I have a decent level of confidence at my abilities to replace the timing belt on my own (and my dad has a lift), however I don't want to waste 10+ hours (I know it shouldn't take that long but that's how long it would probably take me) and come to find I have blown the top half of the engine.
I do have access to another car and don't really need the lancer -- if the top half of the engine is gone I would donate the car rather than engine swap or swap the head.
That being said, if I haven't ruined the engine I would be more than willing to do the timing belt change, however I am scared I may have ruined the engine. Thoughts?
Posted Aug 17, 2017, 8:31 PM UTC