Mitsubishi Repair: 1991 eclipse..clicking when idling then no power going down road...then!!, timing belt, loud noise

Question
My car was running fine...next am when i tried to start it, it didnt want to stay idled, finally when it did it started making a clicking noise so i road down the road and it felt like it wasnt getting ne gas, went bk and let it idle a while longer then started out, seemed to pic up speed, tac was reading ok, then all of a sudden made a thud thud noise under the hood and it just shut off!! Rolled to side of road n tried to turn it over, gave it gas and acted like it wanted to start then mad a horrible load noise under the hood and nothing!!...when id try to turn it over, nothing, all the lites windows etc worked...had it towed last nite and it clickes when u try to start it!!...HELP!!!...Whats wrong with my car???

Answer
Linda: Have you ever had the timing belt replaced in your car? I am thinking that maybe the timing belt has broken or moved. But yet that clicking noise that would be a sign that the starter had died. Still you need to get the car into a shop. Because the noise you talk about while driving it down the road makes me think the timing belt needs to be replaced. But please stop trying to start it, because if it is the timing belt you do not what to mess up the valves in the engine. I think you will have to pull it to a shop and get them to check it over for you. But your car is a 1991 model and if you never had that timing belt replaced; it is most likely your problem. The horrible loud noise under the hood and then nothing sure does sound like a timing belt going. And the fact that the engine will not start. So I would start there. Sorry wish I had better news for you and God bless: Linda