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Mitsubishi: Sluggish Laser

  1. #1
    Nirodac
    Guest

    Sluggish Laser

    I need a second opinion.

    1991 Laser, 1.8 liter, 265,000 Km

    Problem:

    Loss of power when climbing hills.

    Seems to be OK on level roads.

    History:

    I changed the timing belts within the last three months.

    Before the belt change, the car sat idle for 5 months (periodic starts

    about every couple of weeks). Driver (my son) claimed that there was no

    loss of power before the storage.

    Attempts;

    We've changed the air filter.

    Next is a injector cleaning.

    But the question I have is:

    Could it be that the catalytic converter is plugged, and how do you

    test it.





  2. #2
    Bob
    Guest

    Re: Sluggish Laser

    You sure the timing belt is on correctly? Sounds like it may be off a tooth
    or two causing the retarded timing condition. It may be worth removing the
    cover to take a look and make sure all the marks are aligned exactly as they
    should be...



    "Nirodac Yar" <com> wrote in message
    news:fb0Jd.48561$.. 



  3. #3
    Nirodac
    Guest

    Re: Sluggish Laser

    "Bob Shuman" <worldnet.att.net> wrote in
    news:mCgJd.82400$ops.worldnet.att.net:
     

    When I replaced the timing belt (with 120K Km on it), I checked the new one
    three times. When I removed the old belt from the balance shaft, it seemed
    to be out about 1/2 to 3/4 of a tooth, I aligned all the teeth on all the
    sprockets and even rotated the crank by hand to make sure that the markes
    lined up on the next revolution (also replaced the tensioners). But I
    guess it could still happen. Can this be measured in some way with the
    engine running.

    Car starts OK, in the morning now. Immediatly after the belt change it
    would stall, but it only did it a couple of times and doesn't do it
    anymore.

    I haven't checked the gas line (pump and filter) or the emissions system
    yet.

    Thanks for all the input, now I have something to check.


  4. #4
    Nobody
    Guest

    Re: Sluggish Laser

    You can check it with a timing light. I'm not really familiar with the 1.8L,
    but I would bet it is supposed to be 5 degrees of basic timing like all
    other Mitsus. You will need to ground the base timing terminal and then
    start the car. The terminal is a brown connector behind the battery (check
    vfaq.com for more).
    --
    Todd Honea
    "Nirodac" <com> wrote in message
    news:80.55.250... 
    one 
    seemed 



  5. #5
    Nirodac
    Guest

    Re: Sluggish Laser

    Yea, it occured to me after I sent the post that a timing light would work.
    Actually I had though of measureing the output of the TDC sensor, then
    looking for the timming mark on the pulley. Then the light when on and
    said,just use a timing light, god I hate old age.
    Sometimes I get to complicated for my own good.
    But I didn't know about the connector by the battery. My history is with
    old American V8's.



    "Nobody U. Know" <com> wrote in message
    news:OHpJd.24007$columbus.rr.com... 
    1.8L, 
    the 
    markes 
    system 



  6. #6
    Nobody
    Guest

    Re: Sluggish Laser

    If you don't ground that connector, it will vary a bit and be about 15
    degrees. I had a similar problem with my GT/VR4 and I had it off a tooth on
    the crank. It was obvious with the timing light. The good thing was it was
    very easy to loosen and slip it back into time. It's not as bad as a whole
    timing belt job.

    --
    Todd Honea
    "Nirodac Yar" <com> wrote in message
    news:6SCJd.149642$.. 
    work. 
    (check 

    new 
    the 
    it 



  7. #7
    Nirodac
    Guest

    Sluggish Laser

    I'd like to thank all those that made suggestions about my problem with
    the 91 laser with poor performance after the timing belt change. It
    wasn't the cat as I suspected.
    The problem was indeed the timing belt. It was out by one tooth. The
    fix was easy, just slacken the timing belt, pull it off the cam
    sprocket, advance the sprocket one tooth, reinstall the belt and
    readjust the tension. I thought I checked that belt three times before
    I reassembled it, but shit, I guess I should have checked it four times.
    One tooth makes about 20 degrees difference.
    Got a new timing light out of the deal, as my old one packed it in just
    as I started the repair of the repair.

    Thanks again




 

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