when I turn on my car, 420a 2g eclipse, I hear a sound like ticking, Ive been searching around and im pretty sure its valve slap, 2 questions, how bad is this for my car, is it bad like poor performance bad, or bad like tomorrow it might explode in a giant ball of fire. Also what can I do to fix it, do I need new valves, or could it be a timing belt issue, Im fairly sure the original timing belt is still in there, im at 90k miles, its not that loud, but when I pull up to a toll booth, or if i stand outside the car I can clearly hear a sound like someone tapping lightly on a table.
thanks in advance

can you put up a video or sound clip?

If you're still running the original timing belt, how many miles are on the car? Usually, those things should be changed at least every 60K miles.

the car has 90k on it, I got it at 81k, and Im betting the previous owner didnt change it. Ill post a clip when I get home, Im at school for the remainder of the week

With 90K on the original timing belt/s, what you are driving is essentially a time bomb. The engine could be destroyed at any moment. I recommend changing it ASAP!

how can i check if its the original/ look for wear, I don't have any maintenance records / how much will this costs total, I will defiantly have to take it to a shop im not messing with the timing

I'm no expert on this, but if you can't verify through the original owner, then all that's left is inspection. Any significant rounding of the belt "teeth" or fraying or greater signs of wear or damage would indicate it should be replaced.

If it kinda sounds like its ticking it could be a small exhaust leak.

Go on the side of caution. Replace the timing belt.

timing belt service from our local dealer cost me about $400 5 years ago.

Its about 4-500 for your car. add a little more for the water pump...

I recommend doing the water pump as well as if that goes then your motor could become fried and to replace it the timing belt has to come off and would end up costing you the same as just the tbelt. Basically add another half an hour labor plus the part.

this may be the issue with my car also... besides lookin and the teeth, hwo else can you tell if the belt needs to be replaced? tension? if i grab the belt and move it up and down i have about a inch or so of play in the belt... this is between the 2 cam gears...

I'm going to say this once. And once only.

There is no way to check a belt's condition.

If the belt is cracking or fraying and you got lucky enough to catch it before it broke, you got lucky.

If you are worried, change it.

^^^^^ Laid down the law..... :gunsmilie:

That's much like my situation some three years ago. My crank pulley/damper fell apart and I ended up having the car towed to the dealer. Since it was about 120K, I asked them to replace the timing belts while they were at it. Turned out the belt tensioner was leaking (as did the original) and the water pump was seeping. I authorized replacing both. I also had them replace the left front CVJ (was rumbling in tight turns -- split boot), reseal the pan (had begun to seep), and replace the right boot -- purely preventative given the left had split!

If it's been 60K since the last replacement, replace it!

well the guy i bought it from said that it was replaced at 100,000 so that would only be 16000 miles on it... But, thats just what he says... just wanted to know if there was any way to check it.. thats all.. i know how critical they are.. :thumbsup:

Beat him down?...

no, just a thought.

I have noticed emc, that you always resort to violence before kindness.. :gunsmilie:

(IMG:http://www.mitsubishiforum.com/upfiles/smiley/chairshot.gif)(IMG:http://www.mitsubishiforum.com/upfiles/smiley/icon_beat.gif)(IMG:http://www.mitsubishiforum.com/upfiles/smiley/pcwhack.gif)



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Shoot his knee caps out

He'll talk