Cheap Plastic Car :: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage DE (Garage entry)

[timw4mail]

Aside from me purchasing this cheap car for it's three cylinder engine, another motivation was that it has a timing chain. Timing chains last longer than timing belts.

I'd shoot myself if I had to replace a timing belt every 100k miles. In theory, a timing chain will last the life of the engine.

As far as replacement items go, once every 100,000 miles doesn't seem that bad. (Considering I commute 20,000+ miles a year)

[tytotheler92]

For him a timing belt replacement would have to happen way to often and he'd be down for atleast a day each time. (Sometimes more)

Now it's really just lets see how far it will go.

[stevedmc]

As far as replacement items go, once every 100,000 miles doesn't seem that bad. (Considering I commute 20,000+ miles a year)

Have you ever had to replace a timing belt? It's a $1,000 job if you pay someone to do it. The part costs about $20.

My car isn't even worth $1,000.

[Fummins]

Have you ever had to replace a timing belt? It's a $1,000 job if you pay someone to do it. The part costs about $20.

My car isn't even worth $1,000.

That's a big reason we went with the mirage too. But the vehicles we still have that use a timing belt can be replaced in 30 mins. I'm wondering how long the chain tensioners and or guides hold together for. Clearly longer than a ford 5.4 or nissan 3.5.

[inuvik]

As far as replacement items go, once every 100,000 miles doesn't seem that bad. (Considering I commute 20,000+ miles a year)

The worst thing about timing belts is that most engines are "interference" type design. Which means that if the timing belt breaks the valves and the possibly the pistons get damaged when the valves are jammed into the pistons until the engine stops. A timing chain was a requirement (at least for me) when I purchased the Mirage.

[stevedmc]

The worst thing about timing belts is that most engines are "interference" type design. Which means that if the timing belt breaks the valves and the possibly the pistons get damaged when the valves are jammed into the pistons until the engine stops. A timing chain was a requirement (at least for me) when I purchased the Mirage.

Amen.

[timw4mail]

The worst thing about timing belts is that most engines are "interference" type design. Which means that if the timing belt breaks the valves and the possibly the pistons get damaged when the valves are jammed into the pistons until the engine stops. A timing chain was a requirement (at least for me) when I purchased the Mirage.

There is something to be said about one less thing to worry about.

[tytotheler92]

I will say there are a few exceptions to that interference engine rule. But yeah, most are.

For example, the Ford SPI engines (Escort, SOHC) are timing belt, but non-interference. Timing belts would go on those at about 120k, buy them cheap, and resell after a new timing belt and water pump. They made for a very good car for very cheap.

Most if not all DOHC engines are interference though. Too much going on between the two cams not to be.

[stevedmc]

There is something to be said about one less thing to worry about.

Frankly I'm surprised we haven't heard of any weight weenies taking the timing chains off of these engines and adapting them to use belts.

[Fummins]

I'm considering replacing all the glass with saran wrap.