Since having the ancillary belts replaced on our KJII Verada, it has a vibration that can be felt at the front when reversing. Is it possible that the belts are too tight and could be causing the noise? The mechanic who replaced the belts said he checked the idler pulleys and they were not rough when he rotated them by hand.

Looking for some help as to the possible cause. The car has done 160K and the mechanic said he purchased the belts from the local Mitsubishi dealer.

I had the same problem after I took off and replaced the ancillary belts during a cam belt change.

These belts are very tight when installed correctly. A force (weight) of 10 Kg hanging in the middle of each belt should only pull the belt down 1 cm at most, otherwise they flap about crazily. I had vibration and noise (sounded like exhaust rattle) but that went away when I tightened the belts. Get him to read the manual and set the belts up properly, with the right tension measuring device, if he has one.

Shine a torch down there when the car is idling and see how much the belts vibrate up and down while it is making the noise. Easy way to check.

From the manual:
"Check the belt tension by using a belt-tension gauge or apply 98 N of force to the belt midway between the pulleys as shown in the illustration (= the bottom run of each belt basically), and measure the deflection.
Standard value:
For alternator and A/C New belt = 6.0-7.2 mm, old belt = 8.2-9.3 mm
For power steering New belt = 8.4-9.3 mm, old belt = 11.7-13.4 mm"

NOTE: "98 N of force" is just a 10 Kg weight hanging off the belt. I used a bathroom scale to see how hard I need to push to get 10 kg, using just my thumb. It's a hell of a hard push, I can just manage it. lol

Took the car back to the mechanic today. He said he doesn't have a tension measuring device, doesn't need one and wanted to know if I was trying to be smart when I suggested the belt/s may not be tight enough. He didn't want to drive the car to feel the vibration for himself and after explaining the problem to him he said "they all do it mate and you'll just have to get used to it." He didn't want to know about it and told me that in his opinion Magnas are rubbish. Told him he wouldn't be seeing any of my cars again and I would tell everyone I know not to take their cars anywhere near him.

When I got home I took out the repair manual and followed the instructions for adjusting the belts. I tightened the alternator/compressor belt and guess what; vibration is gone. What a relief.

Well done!

The mechanic probably made the same mistake as I did, which is to adjust the belts just tight enough so that you think they won't slip. That has worked for me in the past, but it doesn't work on the 3rd gen Magna. lol

He might be an older bloke, who has always done it that way . . . . lol

I'd be checking the oil he has putting in your car, if he is that arrogant and/or ignorant as to use a blanket one method suits all cars outlook, the he could have been putting the wrong type of oil in. Are you anywhere near Madmagna?
Maybe take it to him in future.

Gives you the shits though, when you pay a mechanic who does things by trial and error, stuffs up, then you have to fix it yourself. Especially when he turns around, gets agro and starts throwing insults. Avoid him like the plague! I hope you didn't pay too much for the belts + bad install?

Very common issue and he obviously has too much work, hopefully you'll find someone more professional.

Luckily, I've only taken the car to him once. He's not an old guy and he obviously doesn't like Magnas. I couldn't resist asking him what he drove. He said it was none of my business.

Took the car back to the mechanic today. He said he doesn't have a tension measuring device, doesn't need one and wanted to know if I was trying to be smart when I suggested the belt/s may not be tight enough. He didn't want to drive the car to feel the vibration for himself and after explaining the problem to him he said "they all do it mate and you'll just have to get used to it." He didn't want to know about it and told me that in his opinion Magnas are rubbish.

Man, what a total dick! I hate guys like that with the ferocity of a thousand suns.

It's a common problem with workshops or people (like me) who haven't kept up to date with the new design of fan belts. The modern belts are multi ribbed belts, they are wide but thin and will vibrate badly if not tensioned correctly.

Have a look under the bonnet of a new Mitsu at the dealer just to see how tight they come from the factory.

Some workshops (non mitsu) who know what they are doing use a different method of tensioning, it involves a microphone and laptop to tune the belt vibration to the right frequency. 10 Hz, IIRC

EDIT: Found the procedure in the Outlander V6 manual, engine off, flick the belt, measure vibration: Standard value: 128 - 165 Hz

This is yet another reason that my car doesnt see a mechanic, and i do all my servicing myself. i dont trust many people to look after my car.

This is yet another reason that my car doesnt see a mechanic, and i do all my servicing myself. i dont trust many people to look after my car.

If you do need to see a mechanic, you need to ask a few questions, like:
"What makes do you specialise in?"
"Have you done this job on a Magna before?"
"Have you got the manual and the proper tools to do this job?"

Most general purpose mechanics will happily take your money when he has NFI what he is doing. Sad but true.
A honest mechanic without the tools or the experience would tell you he can't do this job, but he knows so-and-so down the road who can . . . . . . ain'tgonnahappenthough. lol

This guy was recommended by a friend. My friend knows nothing about cars and drives a Volvo 244. I should have heard the alarm bells ringing. A post script to this story is that I saw the mechanic about an hour ago at the local supermarket. He got into a car I saw parked out the front of his place (he has a workshop at the back of his house). I assume it's his car because it has personalised number plates with his initials. A Proton Waja. First one I've ever seen. While I have nothing against Protons, I'd rather my TJII AWD any day.

This guy was recommended by a friend. My friend knows nothing about cars and drives a Volvo 244. I should have heard the alarm bells ringing. A post script to this story is that I saw the mechanic about an hour ago at the local supermarket. He got into a car I saw parked out the front of his place (he has a workshop at the back of his house). I assume it's his car because it has personalised number plates with his initials. A Proton Waja. First one I've ever seen. While I have nothing against Protons, I'd rather my TJII AWD any day.

I have read this several times.

I can categorically state - there are no WINNERS in this story! lol (Except for the TJII AWD owner, excellent taste there! lol)

This guy was recommended by a friend. My friend knows nothing about cars and drives a Volvo 244. I should have heard the alarm bells ringing. A post script to this story is that I saw the mechanic about an hour ago at the local supermarket. He got into a car I saw parked out the front of his place (he has a workshop at the back of his house). I assume it's his car because it has personalised number plates with his initials. A Proton Waja. First one I've ever seen. While I have nothing against Protons, I'd rather my TJII AWD any day.

Funny that he told you that Magnas are rubbish, when he drives a POS

in his opinion Magnas are rubbish.



What a shitty opinion. There's nothing at all rubbish with a Mitsubishi. Far better and more technologically advanced than the commos and falcons of the same era. Also if he drives a proton... Well. Ha ha what a ****head