Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

You’ve got the failure codes, so follow through on them and you should be able to establish the cause. Sounds like it could be a crankshaft sensor.

I think you will battle to get any compensation on this, unless you can prove conclusively that the pressure plate is out of specification. The only people who know what the specification for the clamping load, which might be where the problem lies, is Mitsubishi. What makes it difficult in a case like this is that car companies don't warrant clutches, they are considered wear and tear items as Mitsubishi has told you; added to which you have had the clutch replaced by a someone other than a Mitsubishi dealer.

In the old days mechanics would probably apply a little grease like Vaseline to the belt and send you on your way, and you could try the same, but I reckon yours might need to be re-tensioned or it might even need a new belt. If you install a new belt, re-tension it after about 1000 km because it will stretch a little in the first few kays.

A four-cylinder car is the way to go when you're learning; toomany young drivers buy turbos, V6s and V8s and often get into troublewhen they outdrive their skill and experience. The Astra is one ofthe cars I would certainly consider, but you need to be aware of thecam timing belt problems they had with that model. To avoid breaking the belt, and causing massive internal damage to the engine, the beltneeds to be replaced every 60,000 km. With that in mind it'simportant to makesure that any car you consider has had the beltchanged according to that schedule, and be aware that he will have toreplace it every 60,000 km in the future. A 10-year-old Astra willset you back $8000-$9000. Others to consider are the Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Pulsar, Mazda 323 and Toyota Corolla.

IF YOU drive normally it won't have any great impact on the life of the transmission or driveline, but if you thrash it you are likely to have an impact. It's the same with the fuel economy, the mode of changing gears won't have any impact, it's the way you drive that could affect consumption. Drive it hard and you will use more fuel, drive it conservatively and you won't.

THE MILEAGE is a little less than the average for a car of its vintage, so that's good, and the price is reasonable. The Lancer is generally a sound little car and it should continue to be reliable, provided it has been well serviced and you continue to service it regularly.

NOWHERE I'm afraid. When you modify a vehicle by fitting aftermarket springs you are deviating from the manufacturer's specification and taking responsibility for that modification yourself. You should talk to Lovells about any warranty they might have that might cover you. As for the concept cars, they are attention-grabbers that carmakers use at shows to increase traffic through their stands, and should not be taken to suggest you can do the same with your car and expect the maker to pick up the tab should anything go wrong.

THERE shouldn't be any rattling noises when you start a car, whether it's a Lancer or any other brand. The noise could come from a valve lifter that is taking an unusual amount of time to pump up.  Sludge in the engine could be affecting the supply of oil to the lifters. Or the problem could be caused by incorrect oil used at service or, in the worst case, a lack of proper servicing.

NOWHERE I'm afraid. When you modify a vehicle by fitting aftermarket springs you are deviating from the manufacturer's specification and taking responsibility for that modification yourself. You should talk to Lovells about any warranty they might have that might cover you. As for the concept cars, they are attention-grabbers that carmakers use at shows to increase traffic through their stands, and should not be taken to suggest you can do the same with your car and expect the maker to pick up the tab should anything go wrong.