2003 mitsubishi lancer question on maintenance?

Question

i have an 03 lancer it is time for my 60,000 mile do i really have to change my timing belt and water pump. or should i keep a check on the belt to check for deterioration

Answer 1

The Timing Belt is recommended to be replaced at 60k miles. The Lancer 2.0 engine is an interference design, meaning that if the belt fails, pistons and valves will meet and the results will not be happy. There is no way to check the belt without pulling the timing cover (about 1 hour labor just to take a peek) and an inspection won't tell you much anyway. Just replace it.

The Water Pump on a Lancer is driven by the Timing Belt just like on a Honda so there is an advantage to replacing it as a preventive maintenance option while your already in there - most of the labor is already paid for so your just paying for the part. If the Water Pump is not replaced and fails sometime shortly after you replace the belt you will regret not doing it because you'll have to pay all that labor over again.

It's up to you.

Answer 2

2003 Mitsubishi Lancer

Answer 3

You need to change the belt at 60,000 miles as reccomended. The water pump doesn't have to be replaced unless its leaking. It's usually a good idea to replace the water pump at the second timing belt replacement (120,000). There is no "checking" your timing belt. The only way to see the condition is to remove it and check for cracks in the rubber, but you might as well replace it if it is already off

Answer 4

2003 Lancer

Answer 5

I thought that I could do this as well.Take my advice, for all it costs, replace both.The belt and pump will look perfectly well,until you do a long journey and in the middle they will , one or both will fail.A new engine is easily 20 times more expensive and you can plan the replacement , not wait for breakdown trucks,etc

Answer 6

what you said is correct.... keep an eye on it (the belt) water pumps can las for over 100,000 miles