L400 crank issue

[adventurguy]

Hello all and thanks for all the info I have gleaned from this site. My tale of woe goes like this: saw an l300 researched for 2 years,bought an L400 from Craig at Bonsai Rides (excellent experience, including help sourcing insurance) in Oct. Love my Mitsu!!
Today, I ask my mechanic about an odd grinding sound at the front end. He shows me where the harmonic balancer? is grinding the front of the engine at the crank shaft and says " you need a new engine" Apparently there is a key that wears and causes the balancer to run crooked. He believes that the crank is scored and says that just replacing the crank( if this is indeed the case) is not an option. He want 3 hrs labour to pull the front end apart to access the balancer and find out if the crank is damaged beyond use. I am considering bringing her home and pulling the front end myself to do this. The questions : Is the crank likely to be ruined? If it is not'what is the course of action? I am,by no means a mechanic, but am capable with tools and can/have done repairs in the past. Thanks for any input Karl

[jessef]

it takes max 1 hr to pull the crank shaft pulley off
this is a common issue
the outer pulley separates from the inner and causes it to grind on the timing case (what you are experiencing)

3 hrs is retarded

either go to another shop of DIY

you can buy a new pulley for that much money

read here:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/harmonic-bal ... ght=pulley

http://www.delica.ca/forum/bigger-probl ... ght=pulley

http://www.delica.ca/forum/crank-pulley ... ght=pulley

[adventurguy]

You sir are a calming voice of reason. I have decided to bring my baby home and DIY her. (I believe our love will only deepen) The links you posted will be of great assistance. Thank you. Once I figure out how to post pics I will do so.

[adventurguy]

Pics of timing chain housing and crank pulley http://s1079.photobucket.com/albums/w501/adventurguy/

[adventurguy]

update : following directions from the links provided, I have gotten as far as removing belts, at which point this: http://s1079.photobucket.com/albums/w501/adventurguy/ dropped to the ground.The next challenge is to remove the rest of the pulley. I've made 2 attempts at the "tie a strong wrench in place and turn the engine over" method without success. The strap method suggested only led to the pulley turning counter-clockwise as the strap stretched. How serious is this re: timing issues? I stopped immediately. I think my next option is to make a tool unless I can find one that fits. Any suggestions ?

[jessef]

the outer pulley has separated. better there than while driving on the highway!

take a 1/2" breaker bar / pipe and impact socket on the pulley bolt. Rest the pipe or bar on the frame at the battery tray. touch the ignition to crack the nut loose. Don't crank the engine over. Just a touch at the starter to crack it loose.

[Strada 92]

Exactly the same problem with the Spacegear of my cousin.
Ok for replacing the damper pulley,crank is ok,but i need to know the place to buy one quickly at good price,any suggestion?Dealer e-mail welcome.
I've seen the one of Rising Sun at 399$(a bit pricey but quick shipping and,as usual,very quick reply from him)and i've seen some other on E-Bay for around 100-150$(low cost but longer shipping time).

And the worst thing is that the front cover is worn and leaking.What do you think about special epoxy for aluminium or welding?
The front cover is also a bit pricey,Rising Sun 490$ for a new one.

No problem for doing the job but we wish to keep the cost as low as possible...

[jessef]

There are two different crank shaft pulley's. Make sure you note the Mitsubishi OEM part number on yours before you order one.

The difference between the two is the timing mark on the outer pulley.

[psilosin]

Exactly the same problem with the Spacegear of my cousin.
Ok for replacing the damper pulley,crank is ok,but i need to know the place to buy one quickly at good price,any suggestion?Dealer e-mail welcome.
I've seen the one of Rising Sun at 385$(a bit pricey but quick shipping)and i've seen some other on E-Bay for around 100-150$(low cost but longer shipping time).

And the worst thing is that the front cover is worn and leaking.What do you think about special epoxy for aluminium or welding?
The front cover is also a bit pricey,Rising Sun 490$.

No problem for doing the job but we wish to keep the cost as low as possible...

RMI had the lowest price when I was shopping for mine. They didn't mention 2 possible part numbers just L400 crank pulley.

update : following directions from the links provided, I have gotten as far as removing belts, at which point this: http://s1079.photobucket.com/albums/w501/adventurguy/ dropped to the ground.The next challenge is to remove the rest of the pulley. I've made 2 attempts at the "tie a strong wrench in place and turn the engine over" method without success. The strap method suggested only led to the pulley turning counter-clockwise as the strap stretched. How serious is this re: timing issues? I stopped immediately. I think my next option is to make a tool unless I can find one that fits. Any suggestions ?

The starter trick is great for loosening the bolt...but thats only half the battle....be aware that you will be in a similar situation when you come to tighten the bolt again if you have auto trans (engine will simply turn while trying to tighten bolt). I tried the strap method you mentioned for tightening and it was a fail on every attemp.

To tighten back up you will need a two pin universal pulley holder, make your own tool or as was suggested to me...two bolts and a crowbar (worked but was tricky to keep in place) so you may as well get one sooner than later and can also use it for loosening if the starter trick makes you nervous.

[jessef]

This is the thread I was looking for that was buried.

This has all the information you need. Cheers

Searching helps

Removal:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/possible-har ... -6312.html

Two different part #'s:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/harmonic-bal ... 10475.html

[Strada 92]

So i've take the pulley from Rising Sun.Nice guy,he down the price to 385$ and shipping fees are free through greyhound.The price of other dealer were higher+shipping.
For the cover,i will repair it with aluminum epoxy putty.Seems to be the solution.

To be continued...

[tonydca]

update : following directions from the links provided, I have gotten as far as removing belts, at which point this: http://s1079.photobucket.com/albums/w501/adventurguy/ dropped to the ground.The next challenge is to remove the rest of the pulley. I've made 2 attempts at the "tie a strong wrench in place and turn the engine over" method without success. The strap method suggested only led to the pulley turning counter-clockwise as the strap stretched. How serious is this re: timing issues? I stopped immediately. I think my next option is to make a tool unless I can find one that fits. Any suggestions ?

Bloody hell. I hear a nice metallic *thunk* every time my engine shuts down, which I have always associated with the usual quirks of a diesel. Now it's got me wondering.

Is there any way to check the integrity of this pulley?

[jessef]

Negatory

Unless the rubber casting is pretty much gone but by then it's Sayonara pulley

[psilosin]

Bloody hell. I hear a nice metallic *thunk* every time my engine shuts down, which I have always associated with the usual quirks of a diesel. Now it's got me wondering.
Is there any way to check the integrity of this pulley?

Diver gave the tip that when installing a new pulley you should paint a line across the front as an early warning device...if you see the line starting to get out of wack then you know the pulley is coming apart. You could also do that on your existing pulley and see if the line moves.

Here is the pic Diver provided showing a pulley that is in an early state of coming apart. Pulley looks fine but you can see it has slipped as the lines are no longer lining up. Time to replace.



And for tightening the new pulley back up, I wasn't super confident in the job I did in holding the pulley in place with two bolts and a crowbar so I dropped the $17 on ebay for a universal pulley holder. Worked awesome and I should be able to use it on my Hilux when the time comes.

universal 2pin pulley holder

pulley_holder.jpg (9.34 KiB) Viewed 6222 times

[Strada 92]

We have received the pulley from Rising Sun on monday afternoon via Greyhound.
Repair the front cover with special epoxy,put the pulley on,torqued to 140 lbs/ft,install clutch fan,belts,shroud,intercooler,skid plate,etc...
By the way,change engine oil and filter and...All works fine!