Hi there! Looking for some opinions on this one.
Just before Christmas I took my 239K 97 SR to the dealer to confirm and repair a problem with my timing belt that had recently been misdone by another shop (the pin on the tensioner wasn't set right so the thing rattled on startup). While they were in there they noticed oil leaks- so I had them replaced the front crankshaft oil seal (MD372249) and the 2 Cam seals (PO20304). Another -1 for the previous shop!
Funny thing is they put it all back together and re-used the original camshaft pulley bolt...and today, a mere 3K miles later, I had the pleasure of seeing first hand what a failed harmonic balancer bolt looks like:
This is the scene shortly after pulling off the highway when my dashboard christmas tree'd with battery and brake lights, power steering died and I heard a convincing clunk as the harmonic balancer fell.
Unfortunately I hadn't check the forum before about this!
After the engine cooled down I was able to fish out the balancer which surprisingly still looked fine. I could feel the remaining end of the bolt still in there and could see that the key/pin was still present- though considerably bent.
My bad for not knowing this apparently glaring problem but isn't this also the kind of thing a Mitsu dealer should know about and at least advise if not fix? Wasn't there a recall or some TSB about not re-using these bolts and/or replacing them on sight? Would you think they should warranty repair this?
Advice is greatly appreciated as the vehicle is currently sitting back at the dealer and I am awaiting an update on the remedy...and possible cost.
Just before Christmas I took my 239K 97 SR to the dealer to confirm and repair a problem with my timing belt that had recently been misdone by another shop (the pin on the tensioner wasn't set right so the thing rattled on startup). While they were in there they noticed oil leaks- so I had them replaced the front crankshaft oil seal (MD372249) and the 2 Cam seals (PO20304). Another -1 for the previous shop!
Funny thing is they put it all back together and re-used the original camshaft pulley bolt...and today, a mere 3K miles later, I had the pleasure of seeing first hand what a failed harmonic balancer bolt looks like:
This is the scene shortly after pulling off the highway when my dashboard christmas tree'd with battery and brake lights, power steering died and I heard a convincing clunk as the harmonic balancer fell.
Unfortunately I hadn't check the forum before about this!
After the engine cooled down I was able to fish out the balancer which surprisingly still looked fine. I could feel the remaining end of the bolt still in there and could see that the key/pin was still present- though considerably bent.
My bad for not knowing this apparently glaring problem but isn't this also the kind of thing a Mitsu dealer should know about and at least advise if not fix? Wasn't there a recall or some TSB about not re-using these bolts and/or replacing them on sight? Would you think they should warranty repair this?
Advice is greatly appreciated as the vehicle is currently sitting back at the dealer and I am awaiting an update on the remedy...and possible cost.
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