2001 Mitsubishi Montero timing belt tensioner

TGP31

MEMBER
2001 MITSUBISHI MONTERO
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Was wondering if you could tell me if the tensioner goes out instead of the belt breaking this being an interference engine would it need valves also assuming they may be bent? The vehicle did quit running when this happened but I wasnt sure it would be far enough out of time to bend valves ?Any help would be appreciated

Monday, October 20th, 2008 AT 3:52 AM

1 Reply

AUTOFIXER2

MEMBER
29 POSTS

The tensioners are pretty strong and unlikely to break. It doesn't much matter anyway. If the tensioner broke the belt jumped off or broke. When that happens, the camshaft(s) stop turning but the crankshaft doesn't. With valves opened when the piston reaches the top, out of time, the piston(s)collides with the valve(s) damaging either the valve or the piston or both. Most commonly it's the valves. You'll find out when you pull the cylinder head if there's piston damage. The recommended interval on this vehicle for timing belt replacement is 60,000 miles.

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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 AT 11:13 PM