Mitsubishi Eclipse / Eclipse Spyder (2000-2002). Service and repair manual — part 50

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

TSB Revision

ENGINE MECHANICAL <3.0L ENGINE>

11C-9

9. If there is a cylinder with compression or a compression

difference that is outside the limit, pour a small amount of
engine oil through the spark plug hole, and repeat the
operations in steps 6 to 8.

(1) If the compression increases after oil is added, the cause

of the malfunction is a worn or damaged piston ring and/
or cylinder inner surface.

(2) If the compression does not rise after oil is added, the

cause is a burnt or defective valve seat, or pressure is
leaking from the gasket.

10.Connect the crankshaft position sensor connector.

11.Install the spark plugs and spark plug cables.

12.Use the scan tool to erase the diagnostic trouble codes.

NOTE: This will erase the diagnostic trouble code resulting
from the distributor connector being disconnected.

MANIFOLD VACUUM CHECK

M1111002700116

1. Before inspection, set the vehicle in the following condition

•

Engine coolant temperature: 80

−

C (176 - 203

)

•

Lights, and all accessories: OFF

•

Transaxle: Neutral (P range on vehicles with A/T)

2. Connect a tachometer.

3. Attach a tee-fitting union to the vacuum hose between the

fuel pressure regulator and the intake manifold plenum, and
connect a vacuum gauge.

4. Start the engine and check that idle speed is within

specification. Then check the vacuum gauge reading.

Idle speed: 700

100 r/min

Minimum limit: 60 kPa (18 in Hg)

LASH ADJUSTER CHECK

M1111002900132

If an abnormal noise (chattering noise) suspected to be caused
by malfunction of the lash adjuster is produced immediately
after starting the engine and does not disappear, perform the
following check.

NOTE: An abnormal noise due to malfunction of the lash
adjuster is produced immediately after starting the engine and
changes with the engine speed, irrespective of the engine load.
If, the abnormal noise is not produced immediately after
starting the engine or does not change with the engine speed,
or it changes with the engine load, the lash adjuster is not the
cause for the abnormal noise.

NOTE: When the lash adjuster is malfunctioning, the abnormal
noise is rarely eliminated by continuing the warming-up of the
engine at idle speed.
However, the abnormal noise may disappear only when seizure
is caused by oil sludge in the engine whose oil is not
maintained properly.
1. Start the engine.

AKX01200

VACUUM GAUGE

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

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ENGINE MECHANICAL <3.0L ENGINE>

11C-10

2. Check if the abnormal noise produced immediately after

starting the engine, changes with the change in the engine
speed.
If the abnormal noise is not produced immediately after
starting the engine or it does not change with the engine
speed, the lash adjuster is not the cause for the noise.
Therefore, investigate other causes. The abnormal noise is
probably caused by some other parts than the engine proper
if it does not change with the engine speed. (In this case, the
lash adjuster is in good condition.)

3. With the engine idling, change the engine load (shift from N

to D range, for example) to make sure that there is no
change in the level of abnormal noise.
If there is a change in the level of abnormal noise, suspect a
tapping noise due to worn crankshaft bearing or connecting
rod bearing. (In this case, the lash adjuster is in good
condition.)

4. After completion of warm-up, run the engine at idle to check

for abnormal noise.
If the noise is reduced or disappears, clean the lash adjuster
(Refer to GROUP 11D-Engine overhaul

−

Rocker Arms and

Camshaft

−

Inspection

P.11D-27

.) As it is suspected that the

noise is due to seizure of the lash adjuster. If there is no
change in the level of the abnormal noise, proceed to step 5.

5. Run the engine to bleed the lash adjuster system. (Refer to

P.11C-10

6. If the abnormal noise does not disappear after air bleeding

operation, clean the lash adjuster (Refer to GROUP 11D-
Engine overhaul

−

Rocker Arms and Camshaft

−

Inspection

P.11D-27

Bleeding lash adjuster system

NOTE: Parking the vehicle on a grade for a long time may
decrease oil in the lash adjuster, causing air to enter the high
pressure chamber when starting the engine.

NOTE: After parking for many hours, oil may run out from the
oil passage and take time before oil is supplied to the lash
adjuster, causing air to enter the high pressure chamber.

NOTE: In the above cases, abnormal noise can be eliminated
by bleeding the lash adjuster system.
1. Check engine oil and add or change oil if required.

NOTE: If the engine oil level is low, air is sucked from the oil
screen, causing air to enter the oil passage.

NOTE: If the engine oil level is higher than specification, oil
may be stirred by the crankshaft, causing oil to be mixed
with a large quantity of air.

NOTE: If oil is deteriorated, air is not easily separated from
oil, increasing the quantity of air contained in oil.

AKX00328

GOOD

MINIMUM

MAXIMUM

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

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ENGINE MECHANICAL <3.0L ENGINE>

11C-11

NOTE: If air mixed with oil enters the high pressure chamber
inside the lash adjuster from the above causes, air in the
high pressure chamber is compressed excessively while the
valve is opened, resulting in an abnormal noise when the
valve closes.
This is the same phenomenon as that observed when the
valve clearance has become excessive. The lash adjuster
can resume normal function when air entered the lash
adjuster is removed.

2. Idle the engine for one to three minutes to warm it up.

3. Repeat the operation pattern, shown in left figure, at no load

to check for abnormal noise. (Usually the abnormal noise is
eliminated after repetition of the operation 10 to 30 times. If,
however, no change is observed in the level of abnormal
noise after repeating the operation more than 30 times,
suspect that the abnormal noise is due to some other
factors.)

4. After elimination of abnormal noise, repeat the operation

shown in left figure five more times.

5. Run the engine at idle for one to three minutes to make sure

that the abnormal noise has been eliminated.

AKX00329

HIGH-
PRESSURE
CHAMBER

AKX00330

OPEN THROTTLE
VALVE GRADUALLY

CLOSE
THROTTLE VALVE

APPROXI-
MATELY
3,000 r/min

IDLING
OPERATION

ONCE

15s

AIR BLEEDING OPERATION PATTERN

ENGINE ASSEMBLY

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ENGINE MECHANICAL <3.0L ENGINE>

11C-12

ENG IN E A SSEM B LY

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

M1112001000173

CAUTION

*: Indicates parts which should be temporarily tightened, and then fully tightened after placing the
vehicle horizontally and loading the full weight of the engine on the vehicle body.

Pre-removal Operation

•

Hood Removal (Refer to GROUP 42, Hood

P.42-7

•

Fuel Line Pressure Reduction [Refer to GROUP 13B, On-
vehicle Service

−

Fuel Pump Relay Disconnection (How

to Reduce Pressurized Fuel Lines)

P.13B-556

•

Engine Coolant Draining [Refer to GROUP 00,
Maintenance Service