1995 Eagle Talon Engine Problems

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AND NOT MOVE. ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. THEN, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN VEHICLE ON. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JERKS AND BACKFIRES. WHEN DRIVING OFF FROM A STOP VEHICLE HAS NO POWER. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED IT WAS A LEAK IN HEAD GASKET.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER STATEED HAD TO PULL CAR OVER. CONSUMER FEELS LUCKY THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES. CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE CRANKSHAFT THRUST BEARING BECOMES SEVERLY WORN DUE TO A *KNOWN* DESIGN FLAW IN THE OILING SYSTEM (MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW AS EVIDENCED BY THE TSB'S SENT TO ITS DEALERS REGARDING THE ISSUE). THIS WEAR EVENTUALLY CAUSES EXCESSIVE LATERAL PLAY IN THE CRANKSHAFT WHICH DAMAGES THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MOUNTED EXTERNALLY TO THE ENGINE BLOCK (THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OCCUR AS EARLY AS 10,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER OR AS LATE AS 100,000 MILES). THIS WILL, WITHOUT WARNING, KILL THE ENGINE. ON AN EXPRESSWAY DOING 70MPH, IT'S A DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TASK TO NEGOTIATE 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC DOING HALF THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IN A CAR COASTING ON ITS OWN DEAD WEIGHT WITH NO POWER-ASSISTED BRAKES OR STEERING (I'VE HEARD OF MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE WHERE THE FAILURE CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE). THIS PROBLEM ONLY AFFECTS THE *TURBO* ENGINE DESIGNATED "MITSUBISHI 4G63 2.0L TURBO" IN THE EAGLE TALON AND MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE MANUFACTURED DURING AND AFTER THE 1995 MODEL YEAR. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER TURBO TALON/ECLIPSE OWNERS IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA ALONE THAT HAVE HAD THEIR CAR JUST *DIE* WHILE DRIVING. SOME HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM "FIXED" UNDER WARRANTY ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RETURN AFTER THE WARRENTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE RATE IS PRETTY MUCH 100% AND *WILL* HAPPEN TO *EVERY* 4G63 EQUIPPED TALON AND ECLIPSE MADE DURING AND AFTER THE 1995 MODEL YEAR EVENTUALLY. UNFORTUNATLY, THE NUMBER OF TALON'S AND ECLIPSE'S ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL TURBO ENGINE IS A TENTH THE NUMBER EQUIPPED WITH THE BASE MODEL ENGINE MANUFACTURED BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER WHICH DOES NOT EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM. THAT, ALONG WITH THE UNREPORTED WARRENTY REPAIRS, FALSE ACCUSATIONS BY DEALERS THAT OWNERS HAVE "NEGLECTED" THEIR VEHICLES, AND SEEMINGLY WIDE VARIATION ON THE MILEAGE THAT IS ACCRUED BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURS HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO PROVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET IT HAS BECOME EVIDENT THAT I HAVE WHAT IS NICKNAMED OR CALLED "CRANKWALK". THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT RESULTS FROM THE CRANKSHAFT OR THRUST BEARINGS ALLOWING THE CRANKSHAFT TO MOVE FREELY. THIS MOVEMENT ALLOWS THE CRANKSHAFT TO MOVE, WHICH WEARS A GROVE INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OR ALLOWS THE CRANKSHAFT TO HIT THE CRANK-ANGLE SENSOR AND BREAK IT, BOTH OF WHICH RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT MITSUBISHI AND CHRYSLER HAVE NOT COME FORWARD WITH THIS MANUFACTURING FLAW. MITSUBISHI HAS SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT MADE ANY REPARATIONS TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BEING PUT TOGETHER AS A TYPE THIS, BUT I AM HOPING THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH ME AND REPLACE MY ENGINE BLOCK AT THEIR COST. THANK YOU FOR THE SPACE WITH WHICH I AM EXPRESSING MY DISPLEASURE. THE RESULT OF THIS AND MY DISCUSSION WITH THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY, WILL DECIDE IF I OR ANYONE ELSE IN MY FAMILY WILL EVER PURCHASE A CHRYSLER OR MISTUBISHI PRODUCT EVER AGAIN.

MISMATCHED SIZES BETWEEN CRANKSHAFT AND BALL BEARINGS, ENABLING THE CRANKSHAFT TO MOVE. THE MOVING CRANKSHAFT DESTROYED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, AND THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WEAR IN THE BALL BEARINGS. ALL THREE INDEPENDENT DEALERS I CONTACTED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM DEEM IT BEYOND NORMAL WEAR--A DEFECTIVE PART. FURTHER RESEARCH AT THE DSM CAR CLUB (HTTP://WWW.DSM.ORG) REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN TALON/ECLIPSES, MODEL YEARS 1995-1998. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE CAR ENGINE WILL STOP WITH NO WARNING, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT ASSISTED STEERING. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, BUT THEY DISAVOW ANY RESPONSIBILITY.*AK

DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE MECHANIC FOUND A OIL LEAK ON HEAD GASKET. VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME.*AK

INTERMITTENT - WHILE STOPPED, VEHICLE VIBRATES/STARTS TO STALL AND STOPS - "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" COMES ON. CAR WILL RESTART INSTANTLY AND RUN O.K. (LIGHT GOES OUT). INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" COMES ON AND ENGINES HESITATES - WILL CLEAR UP OR STALL. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE HAS NEVER LISTED A CODE IN THE SYSTEM. ON 05/21/2002 DODGE DEALER RECOMMENDED THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT PURSUANT TO SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 18-04-96 (ERRATIC IDLE AND MIL ILLUMINATED) EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (COST: $335.50 FOR THROTTLE BODY PART, $40.00 INSTALLATION AND $65.00 FOR DIAGNOSIS). PARTS REPLACED IN 2001 TO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS: SPARK PLUGS, VALVE COVER GASKET, IDLE AIR CONTROL, TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, FUEL FILTER; FUEL INJECTION AND THROTTLE BODY WERE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OPERATE WITH THE PROBLEMS NOTED AND IS UNRELIABLE. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK

THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING ON TO THE MANIFOLD AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF. ESTIMATE AT THE DEALER WAS FOR APPROX. $1,000. MECHANIC AT A LOCAL GARAGE SAID HE HAS REPLACED MANY ON THIS MOTOR FOR CHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHI. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER ALSO HAS REDESIGNED THE GASKET 3 TIMES IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF FIRE AND THE ORIGINAL DESIGN DEFECT.*AK

RELATING TO THE ENGINE:MAINBEARING PROBLEM, THIS IS THE THIRD CAR OF THIS TYPE I HAVE OWNED (ALL VINS AND RECIEPTS AVAILABLE) THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. IT IS REFERREDD TO BY MANY AS "CRANKWALK". THE OIL PRESSURE TEST SHOW A NORMAL PRESSURE, YET THE #4 BEARING HAS BEEN DEPRIVED OF OIL AND SEEMS TO GRIND THE BEARING DOWN SLOWLY UNTIL THERE IS SO MUCH EXCESSIVE CLEARENCE THAT THE PISTON STARTS HITTING THE CYLINDER HEAD AND DESTROYS THE ENTIRE ENGINE ASSEMBLYL. I HAVE READ ONLINE POSTS AT HTTP://WWW.DSM.ORG FROM HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF OWNERS OF THIS SAME CAR AND ITS TWIN - THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX/GS-T - ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND WONDER WHY IF THERE IS SO MANY REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING, WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN RECALLED. *AK

"CRANK WALK". *AK

I AM WRITING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE MY FRIEND RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH HIS ECLIPSE KNOWN AS "CRANK WALK" EVER SINCE THE 2ND GENERATION (95-99) TURBO ECLIPSE AND TALONS CAME OUT THEY HAVE BEEN WITH FAULTY CRANKSHAFTS. THE CRANKS EVENTUALLY WERE OUT THE THRUST WASHER AND SHIFT TO THE POINT THAT IT DESTOYS THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR, SHUTTING OFF THE MOTOR. MITSUBISHI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ITS THEIR FAULT. THE VEHICLES ARE BAD FROM THE FACTORY BUT YET MY FRIEND HAS BEEN DENIED A WARRANTY CLAIM BECAUSE HE MADE A FEW UNREALTED PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS. PLEASE, I URGE YOU TO FORCE MITSUBISHI TO RECALL THE CARS WITH THESE BAD CRANKS BEFORE SOMEONE MOTOR SHUTS OFF AND AN ACCIDENT IS CAUSED. YOU KNOW HOW BAD MITZ IS WITH RECALLS AS WITH THE LEAKY TRANSFER CASE. PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.ROADRACEENGINEERING.COM/WALKINGCRANKSHAFT.HTM FOR OTHER PEOPLES EXPEREIENCES WITH CRANKWALK FAILURES. ALTHOUGH I HAVE A 92 AWD TALON MYSELF (WITH A LEAKING TRANSFER CASE) I HAVE WITNESS THREE OF MY FRIENDS SUFFER CRANKWALK FAILURES. OF THEM ONLY ONE WAS ABLE TO GET HIS DEALER TO COVER THEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE'S CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE THEY ARE DRIVING AND AN ACCIDENT IS CAUSED. ALL THREE OF MY FRIENDS ESCAPED INJURY BUT WHO KNOW WHEN SOMEONE ELSE WONT BE SO LUCKY. THANK YOU. *AK

HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE TURBO-CHARGER TWICE, HEADGASKET ONCE AND ENGINE BLEWOUT. *AK

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY THAT ENSURED ME THE VEHICLE WAS MECHANICLY SOUND. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND IT SHUT DOWN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE HAD BENT VALVES. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS TOO OUTSTANDING. I ASKED THE SELLER IF THEY WOULD HELP IN ANY WAY AND THEY SAID "IT IS ALL YOUR PROBLEM NOW." IS THERE ANY HELP TO MY SITUATION? *AK

ENGINE BEARINGS WERE NOT RECIEVING OIL. ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE FREE FROM BLOCKAGE AND DEBRIS. OIL PUMP WAS WORKING AS SPECIFIED. NO CAUSE COULD BE FOUND AS TO WHY BEARINGS WERE NOT RECIEVING OIL. BEARINGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE CLEARENCE THAT RESULTEDD IN THE PISTON BEENING ABLE TO PHYSICALLY HIT THE CYLINDER HEAD LEAVING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD, REQUIRING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I CONTACTED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND MY DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMMON OCCURANCE SO THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. HOWEVER, I HAVE DISCOVERED ON WEBSITES SUCH AS WWW.DSM.ORG THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL.*AK

ENGINE BEARINGS WERE NOT RECIEVING OIL. ENGINE WAS REBUILT WITH NEW OEM CRANKSHAFT, BEARINGS, PISTONS, RODS, AND CYLINDER HEAD. NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN. ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE FREE FROM BLOCKAGE AND DEBRIS. OIL PUMP WAS WORKING AS SPECIFIED. NO CAUSE COULD BE FOUND AS TO WHY BEARINGS WERE NOT RECIEVING OIL. BEARINGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE CLEARENCE THAT RESULTEDD IN THE PISTON BEENING ABLE TO PHYSICALLY HIT THE CYLINDER HEAD LEAVING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD, REQUIRING THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I CONTACTED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND MY DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMMON OCCURANCE SO THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT. HOWEVER, I HAVE DISCOVERED ON WEBSITES SUCH AS WWW.DSM.ORG THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL.

CRANK SENSOR AND TIMING BELT FAILED.

ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD FAILURE. *AK