Hi All,
Mitsubishi service told me that the Outlander needs it cheesy (not their words) rubber timing belt replaced every 60,000 miles.
Am I wondering, is there a retrofit kit that used a metal chain and metal gears next time the belt need replacing?
Many thanks,
-T
No.
Tens of millions of engines have been built with rubber timing belts. Its a proven, inexpensive and pretty reliable solution, and yes, there have been problems for some people, and dealers charge like wounded bulls for stuff that maybe does not always need doing right then. I've had and seen belts break and jump teeth, and its a royal PITA when it does.
Have you considered WHAT would be involved, aside from the gears and chains.
-All the existing plastic covers and backing plates on the front of the engine have to be replaced with oil tight pieces.
-The lubrication system has to be updated to get oil to the chain and gears. You don't expect a gear/chain system to run without oil do you?
- Existing components under the plastic covers that don't like oil contamination have to redesigned/replaced.
- The front pulley and external belts would require repositioning ie redesign.
- All clearances for engine bay items affected by a longer / changed engine front would have be adjusted.
No-one (other than the engine manufacturer, for a new model) would even bother trying to do this, when all you have to do follow the maintenance schedule. And even if someone did design and build a kit, the price would be so high no customer would ever buy it.
regards Stewart DIBBS
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