4 cyl engine advice needed

[Darryl Snover]

I hafta chime in on these 2.6 engines:  While working full time as a
mechanic (before I started computer programming, but that is another
story<g>), I observed _way_ too many of the 2.6 Mitsu based engines with
severe head-related problems, and also more than a fair share of timing
chain related failures.  The heads usually crack in a number of places, and
so the engine will first overheat.  The Chrysler minivans with these
engines seem to fail the most (probably because of the load factor).
Cylinder heads are available at salvage yards, but it is hard to find one
that isn't cracked.  Most yards know this, too.

Just my $.02

Best,

Darryl Snover


>Frederic Breitwieser wrote:
>>
>> > Trust me, you do NOT want the 2.6 Mitsu. It is a pig from the word go -
>> > severe timing chain/balance shaft problems, along with oil consumption
>>
>> See, I gotta disagree here... had a 81 reliant (college car)
>> that died at 160 with only a head gasket and a timing belt
>> being replaced, aside from the usual maintanence stuff.
>>
>> Noisy, but very reliable!
>>
>> --
>> Frederic Breitwieser
>> Bridgeport, CT 06606
>>
>> http://www.xephic.dynip.com
>> 1993 Superchaged Lincoln Continental
>> 1989 500cid Turbocharged HWMMV
>> 1975 Dodge D200 Club Cab (soon to be twin turbo 440)
>> 2000 Buick GTP (twin turbo V6)
>Has no timing belt - has six feet of chain and half a dozen tensioners -
>all of which stretch and / or break. Mine broke the counterbalance drive
>chain (actually, took the teeth off the crank sprocket - the chain came
>out in one piece but about 2" too long!!!), which also drives the oil
>pump. The idiot light did not work, so the crank spun a main bearing and
>the cam ate the bearings out of the head. All because of a design flaw
>in the oil flow at the rear countershaft bearings. The cam and dist run
>off the OTHER chain, so the engine didn't quit till it was DEAD.