Mechanical Help Needed - SoCal - Will pay for help!

[nwoods]

I want to learn how to be more mechanically self-sufficient, so I want to do as much work myself as possible....but I also need the car to run properly when I'm done, so, I'm looking for mechanical mentors. I am willing to pay for your experience.

I need to replace timing belt, water pump, spark plugs and wires, and fix a significant oil leak at the oil cooler return lines. I also need to figure out an overheating problem, which may mean anything from replacing the radiator to installing an electric fan.

I don't know what parts to order, and I don't have much by way of tools, and I have little or no knowledge of how to do anything this.

I am in Yorba Linda and I don't have a covered garage or a flat level driveway. However, we can easily do the work at my home (drive way is not sloped that much), but you'd need to bring tools with you. I have a good selection of rough carpentry tools, but not much by way of automotive tools other than a basic Craftsman 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive socket sets and a few box end wrenches. I do not own any impact tools, torque wrenches, or handy custom tools. But I do have a creeper, hydraulic lift and heavy duty jack stands.

I have read a bunch of threads here on ExPo and 4x4wire, and all them have said that got various parts and pieces from RockAuto and so forth, but also needed to get some other component to finish the job. That is the part that worries me. If it's not in the rebuild kit, I have no idea what else I'll need, and don't want to extend this project into a month long ordeal while waiting for the right part.

Part of the help I'm seeking in helping my put together the parts list ahead of time, so I can order what's needed and we can get the work done more or less without interruption. This is NOT my daily driver, but it would be inconvenient to leave it stranded in the middle of the driveway. The wife would not be pleased.

Who's up for the challenge? Who has the patience to work with an eager but unskilled novice such as myself?

Here is the patient:

If willing or interested, please contact me via text or email:
nathan AT woodsfamily DOT cc (not .com)
(9 four 9) 2 EIGHT ZERO - 57 ONE ZERO

Please don't PM me, as my PM box is nearly full!

 

[twocommas]

If you find someone to help, I may be interested in joining as well. I am in a similar boat; have a few tools, and want to learn to work on my Monty. I did some basic stuff, and recently put a large purchase together for timing belt/valve cover gaskets/spark plugs and related parts. This is a job too difficult for me to do on my own, so I am trusting my mechanic with it. But since I am close by (west LA), I may be down to join the Montero education program

Also, once the mechanic gets to my car, I can let you know if I bought the right parts and give you the details so you can get them yourself. That will be sometime late next week.

 

[nwoods]

THat would be awesome, and worthy of a few drinks of your choice!

 

[nckwltn]

The timing belt and water pump don't require much more than a few box wrenches (10,12,14mm) a basic socket set (10,12,14mm regular and long). Beyond that a pair of needle nose pliers, and maybe a chain wrench or something suitable to hold the balancer while you undo the cam shaft bolt.

I would be willing to help out, but the distance is a bit far... but maybe we could schedule something.... the timing belt really isn't too bad... that being said, perhaps I didn't do a very good job of it! But i'm a few thousand miles into the job, and all seems to be running well. :smiley_drive:

 

[nwoods]

Ah, LA's not far. I drive to Lancaster from OC every day. It's all relative

Remember, I will definitely cover your costs on gas money, and lunch, and refreshments, and whatever else is negotiated.

 

[eurosonic]

would love to join this if I lived closer.

 

[grandpa]

Let's see.....air travel, shipping tools, a week in a 5 star hotel, you paying? Yea, we can work something out!

 

[nwoods]

No need to limit yourself to five stars. I have a nice good-sized backyard that will hold any sized tent you might have, and there will be plenty of stars out....

 

[eurosonic]

No need to limit yourself to five stars. I have a nice good-sized backyard that will hold any sized tent you might have, and there will be plenty of stars out....

haha..good one

 

[nckwltn]

Ah, LA's not far. I drive to Lancaster from OC every day. It's all relative

My concern is getting into a time crunch and not being able to get it done.... then someone is left with a truck that won't run, and someone who might not be able to make it back for a while to help out with the repair.

 

[nwoods]

Okay, so I went to the local Mitsu dealer to find out all the parts I might need for a Timing Belt job. I'm more confused than ever. RockAuto has the timing belt "kit" for $136, including the following: GATES Part # TCKWP287B More Info {#WPK42168A} PowerGrip Premium OE Timing Belt Component Kit W/Water Pump; 5 Components (1 Belt, 1 Hydraulic Tensioner, 1 Tensioner Pulley, 1 Idler, 1 Water Pump).

The dealer wanted nearly $500 for this. The dealer had listed just the water pump at $231, and it didn't even include a seal (that was extra). The dealer did not know to replace the crank bolt. I have no confidence in what they are telling me, but I don't have enough knowledge to know exactly what I need. I really need help!

Does anyone have a list of that parts I need?

 

[Smksignals]

Nathan, if your not doing the timing belt job this weekend, PM me the year, make, model, and engine size. I can help with the parts Monday or later.

 

[nwoods]

Here is what I pieced together from the dealer:
- Belt Valve, Timing - Part# 1145A043 / MD322641 Cost: $136.83
- Adjuster, Timing belt tensioner - Part # 1145A070 / MD197622 Cost $157.57 (do I need this?)
- Center Bolt, Crankshaft Pulley - Part #1100A141 / MD172725 Cost $9.30
- Water Pump Kit - Part #1300A012 / MD973162 Cost $231.05
- Gasket, Thermostat Case - Part #MD308723 Cost $11.61 (looks like it goes in front of the water pump)
- O-Ring, Cooling Water Line - Part #MD030763 Cost $3.45 (behind the water pump?)
- Oil Seal, Camshaft - Part #MD372536 (replaces part #MD13331) Cost $47.04 ($11.76 each, I need four?)
- Gasket, Engine Oil Cooler Tube (MB033054) Cost $2.57 (my oil cooler lines leak a lot, so I'm hoping this is a fix)
- Thermostat - Part #MD350415 Cost $26.20 (my engine overheats at slow speeds, and has 185,000 miles, seems like a good idea to replace the t-stat)

Total cost $675.67


Verses this from RockAuto for $136:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2762628&cc=1430290

 

[Smksignals]

I tried to send a PM. your box is full.

 

[stioc]

Hey Nathan, I just saw this and I'm certainly no ASE certified mechanic to be a mentor but mechanically inclined and have been working on my own cars for a long time. If you want to learn to work on your truck the first thing you want to do is get yourself a factory service manual (not Haynes/Chilton stuff) while that's on order take a look at a few youtube videos (there are plenty of timing belt replacement videos etc there) to understand what's involved. The only tricky parts to doing a timing belt are making sure you don't move the cams while the belt is off, even one tooth off will screw up the timing. This can be prevented by making sure you follow the directions in the manual (usually have the engine rotated to BTDC) to align the pulleys with the markings on the engine/frame etc then using a tool that locks the cams in place or slicing the old timing belt so part of it stays on as you put the new one on. The dual overhead cams require a bit more care and vtech/vanos etc are trickier still...I don't believe your montero has variable valve timing so that's not an issue.

As for the parts take a look at this diagram and all the parts listed by the item number marking in the diagram: http://lehmanmitsubishipartsonline....eid=1430290&diagram=F709059&diagramCallOut=22 the link is for a 1998 Montero, wasn't sure if your's is a 98 or a 99.

RockAuto stuff is cheap because it's generic (even inferior) parts, in some cases that works fine but in others OEM stuff fits perfectly and doesn't usually fail either. If there's a lot of labor involved or the part failure poses a risk of more expensive damaging I error on the side of caution and buy the OEM parts...e.g. waterpump, I've had PepBoys waterpump failed on me 1 week after I installed it in my old volvo, started leaking. It's a good idea to replace any seals while you're in there but you don't have to if they aren't leaking. To remove (not install) the crank pulley bolt you're better off having an impact wrench but not necessary- there are a couple of tricks such as the starter bump method. A small 5gal air compressor and a Harbor Freight impact gun is a good investment though if you can manage it. The $35 electric impact HF sells might be an alternative too.

Anyway, depending on when you plan to do this I'm certainly willing to help...if you want to bring the truck over to my place you're welcome to, I have all the tools (minus any Mitsu specific stuff that might be reqd) and a garage. May be SoCalMonty or anyone else might be willing to come help us ruin your truck...I mean fix your truck