Mitsubishi Repair: 1997 Eclipse GS convertible, eclipse gs, mitsubishi eclipse

Question
I have a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse gs convertible with a 2.4 engine, it has a manual trany and I noticed the engine mounts needed to be replaced I replaced the motor mount in the front and has helped a great deal. I do allot of work myself I'm pretty good but sometimes i need help with. Anyway I start my car and it starts kind of ruff but once it starts the motor runs smooth but there is a rattle in the engine area somewhere don't know where. I'm pretty sure it's not a rod because it comes and goes. Plus when I hit the gas the noise does not get loader or faster with acceleration I hope I'm RIGHT. Could this mean I need a timing belt replaced? I'm not sure what to watch out for or listen for when a timing belt needs to be replaced please help me. Also when I turn on my ac it does not blow cold air and it makes a crazy pitched noise when I turn the cold air on please help me with this. Kevin

Answer
Kevin,
Sometime rattles could simply be coming from loose exhaust shields.  If you get under your car, look for metal exhaust shields.  If any are loose, just remove them all together.  I've taken them off of all my cars because the all end up rattling over time.  It's not easy to know when you have a bad timing belt.  Mainly go by looks and mileage.  If it looks worn and you're close to 60,000 miles without a belt change, it's time to do it.

If your A/C is not blowing cold air, that can indicate either your compressor isn't working or perhaps your system has developed a leak and your refrigerant has leaked out.  you'll want to get your lines pressure tested.