i got a concerning rattle/clunky sound (sounds like loose metal flying around in there) coming from my engine at above and under 2000rpm...you can't hear it when u revv it hard. it is a sign that the timing belt is gonna snap??? the car has just done 121000km but i don'tk now when the belt was last changed. and when replacing the belt, how much do i expect to pay? other than this, the car seems to be running well.

did you get a logbook with the car?
Should have been replaced at around the 100k mark.
I doubt a worn belt would clunk, they make more of a high pitched noise.
Could be something internal, eg. hydraulic lifters.
Could just be a bad batch of petrol. Try running some fuel injector cleaner and 20L of optimax and see if it helps.

The belt maybr fraying.. that is more likely the case.. Timing belt should cost around the $400-500 mark to replace.. :D

Rattling sounds more like the waterpump bearing is on the go-out...

sorta on the same lines here... i got my TH at 113000... no log books.. do you think the timing belt woulda been replaced by then.... also. how can you check if it has been?

sorta on the same lines here... i got my TH at 113000... no log books.. do you think the timing belt woulda been replaced by then.... also. how can you check if it has been?
If it hasn't been replaced you'll be able to tell easily as it'll look worn and frayed. Or if you are unsure, take it to a mechanic and he'll be able to tell you :).

sorta on the same lines here... i got my TH at 113000... no log books.. do you think the timing belt woulda been replaced by then.... also. how can you check if it has been?Have a mechanic you trust have a look at the timing belt. if it's been changed as should have, it should be pretty new if not, the sides would be frayed. I don't think the timing belt makes any warning noises before it gives out.

Due to the consequences of losing the engine for a magna if the belt goes, i'll be inclined to replace it if uncertain.

If it was changed on schedule at 100000km, I would expect some mention of it during the sale @ 110,000 as justification of good maintenance as well as the asking price.

did you get a logbook with the car?
Should have been replaced at around the 100k mark.
I doubt a worn belt would clunk, they make more of a high pitched noise.
Could be something internal, eg. hydraulic lifters.
Could just be a bad batch of petrol. Try running some fuel injector cleaner and 20L of optimax and see if it helps.

hmm well i have used half a tank of regular shell unleaded then topped up the other half with mobil synergy 8000 but thats like a month ago....when then ended, i had a full tank of optimax, used it to about 1/4 tank and now i'm on a full tank of optimax again...and i dun think its the petrol... it might be the lifters... i'm hoping it dun cost me too much... but anyway i have booked the car in to knox mitsu on tuesday 9am for a check, hope its not costly but i have got 2k to put on the card...so that should be enough.

i'm just driving the car more gently now and... not driving it too much

if the lifters are sticking they will tick.

Other possibilities -

the exhaust pipe bracket most likely the first one coming out of the engine could be loose/fallen off so the exhaust is knocking against the car body.

I had a clunking on another car @ 2000 rpms which was traced to the hot water pipes (going to the heater), knocking against the hole as it came thru the firewall.

If it hasn't been replaced you'll be able to tell easily as it'll look worn and frayed. Or if you are unsure, take it to a mechanic and he'll be able to tell you :).


mine came with log books and i had it serviced at a our usual mechanic @120000km (first service) so what u are saying is that the timing belt is a rubber belt? i've always assumed it a chain..well i've learnt something new without getting my hands dirty.

mine came with log books and i had it serviced at a our usual mechanic @120000km (first service) so what u are saying is that the timing belt is a rubber belt? i've always assumed it a chain..well i've learnt something new without getting my hands dirty.
The old 4 cylinders in the 1st and 2nd gens were chains, but all the V6's in the 2nd gen and 3rd gens run belts. If you got it serviced at 120k kms and the belt hadn't been changed, they should have changed it.

well i have sent the car to Knox Mitsubishi earlier today... its found to be an exhaust issue (something like some loose plate in the Y join), and guess who had a look at my car??? chel's husband...and this is gonna cost me about $620 which include a new remote for my car coz i need a spare one... *sigh* i'm broke... but at least i have nothing serious with the engine.

and yyou know what the best thing is...they ordered the part for my car, and it didn't get delivered... i'm so not impressed :rant: but to soften the blow... i got to drive off with their courtesy car for free (2001 TJ 3.5 Executive) then another issue came uo..i had to freaking fuel it up so i can actually drive outta that place... the fuel light was already on... when the car was fired up *sigh* but aww well... its a nice car to drive..i now want the 3.5 V6 under my bonnet!!!!! its has so much more torque in the lower revs, unlike the 3.0 which feels so flat in low revs