Your 2.0-liter Mitsubishi Lancer uses a timing belt to drive the camshaft, ensuring that the valves open and close at the proper time. If this belt stretches, it can cause this precise timing to be disrupted. Stretched timing belts also have a tendency to skip teeth, which causes even more problems with valve timing. If the ignition timing on your Lancer is correct (as checked by a timing light), and the engine still doesn't run properly, you should replace the belt.
Remove the accessory drive belts. Rotate the belt tensioner counterclockwise to pull the pulley off the belt and remove the belt. Mark the belt's outer edge so you know which way to reinstall it. Loosen the pivot bolt and adjuster nut on the alternator and remove the belt. Mark the outer edge again.
Remove the power steering pump by rotating the bolts securing it to the bracket counterclockwise with a ratchet and socket. Without disconnecting the hoses, move the pump out of the way. Rotate the two or three pump brackets bolts counterclockwise with a socket and ratchet and remove the bracket.
Rotate the crankshaft bolt counterclockwise with a large socket and ratchet and remove the pulley. Place the block of wood on the jack pad and slide the jack under the passenger side of the engine just behind the pulley and raise the jack to support the engine.
Rotate the bolts securing the engine mount counterclockwise with a wrench or ratchet and socket and remove the bolts and the mount. Remove the bolts securing the timing cover to the engine by turning them counterclockwise with a ratchet and socket and remove the cover.
Reinstall the crankshaft bolt by turning it clockwise by hand and tightening it with a ratchet and socket. Turn the engine clockwise to line up the timing marks. These will be notches and arrows on the sprockets and either marks or holes on the engine.
Remove the two bolts on the timing belt tensioner by turning them counterclockwise with a socket and ratchet. These bolts are just to the left and above the crankshaft sprocket, as viewed from the passenger fender area. Remove the tensioner. Remove the old belt and discard, making careful note of the routing. Carefully turn the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets with a wrench to fully line up the timing marks
Insert the timing belt tensioner in a vise and slowly collapse it. Insert the Allen wrench or pin in the locking hole near the bottom. Rotate the crankshaft sprocket ½ tooth counterclockwise using a socket and ratchet. Install the new timing belt, starting at the crankshaft and going clockwise around the belt. Make sure the belt is installed properly around the pulleys and sprockets. Make sure the camshaft timing marks are still properly aligned.
Turn the crankshaft ½ tooth clockwise using the ratchet and socket to take up tension on the belt. Hold the tensioner in place and insert the bolts, turning them clockwise by hand until finger tight. Rotate the tensioner pulley towards the water pump using the torque wrench and socket, applying 21 foot-pounds of torque. Hold tension on the pulley and push the tensioner against the pulley. Torque the tensioner bolts to 23 foot-pounds and remove the pin from the tensioner.
Rotate the engine clockwise using a wrench through two full revolutions and check to ensure that all timing marks still line up. Correct any discrepancies. Lock the crankshaft pulley in place using the locking pin or other suitable tool and rotate the bolt counterclockwise with the wrench to remove it. Install the timing cover and bolts, turning the bolts clockwise by hand until finger tight. Torque the cover bots to approximately 10-15 foot-pounds.
Install the crankshaft pulley. Install the crankshaft bolt by hand, turning it clockwise. Torque this bolt to approximately 20-25 foot-pounds. Install the engine mount, threading the bolts by hand until finger tight. Torque these bolts to 20-25 foot-pounds. Lower and remove the jack.
Reinstall the power steering pump bracket and pump, threading the bolts by hand and torquing them to approximately 30-35 foot-pounds. Reinstall the drive belts. Tighten the alternator belt by turning the adjuster bolt clockwise with a wrench. Torque the pivot bolt and adjuster locknut to 25 foot-pounds. Rotate power steering belt tensioner counterclockwise and install the belt.
