Virtual Mechanic

Ruby
State & Suburb Omak, WA

Type of Vehicle Mitsubishi
Model Mirage
Month/Year 1989
Kms 121,300
Problem When starting my car a belt is squealing and then it will quit. When I accelerate after stopping or slowing down it squeals again. Please give me an idea what belt would be making this noise. I know there are 3 belts in this car.
Second e-mail
When starting the car or accelerating after stopping or slowing down one of the belts is sqealing and making noise. It quits after awhile or until you have stopped and accelerated. Please advise which belt could be making this noise. Thank-You
Third E-mail
When starting the car or accelerating after slowing down or stopping one of the belts is squealing and making noise. It will quit after a few minutes after starting it or not accelerating.
Forth E-mail
One of the belts squeals when starting the car and accelerating after slowing down or stopping. Please advise which belt it could be.

Answer
Ruby,

It sounds like the alternator belt if you press on the belt (WITH THE ENGINE AND IGNITION OFF) you may feel a loose belt but check to see if its cracked inside.
If so replace the belt.

You sent 4 e-mails I got the point on your first e-mail

PURPOSE
The tank is designed to store liquid gas, and depending on the country, may come in many different shapes and sizes, providing different capacities.  An LP gas tank is checked before it is sold and is best checked every ten years for leaks or wear.  Gas tanks are designed to hold eighty percent of their capacity to allow for expansion.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
An LP gas tank may be checked with warm, soapy water for leaks as well as dents.  It is important that the tank is positioned correctly to allow the gauge to maintain an accurate measure of the liquid gas inside the tank.  Tanks must be secure and the gas tap must be easy to turn on and off. 

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
If a gas tank requires replacement it’s best to purchase a new tank or a reconditioned tank as this will show a certified ticket to ensure it is a safe tank to use.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If the gas tank appears to be leaking, turn the gas tap off and take it to a qualified gas installer for a check up.

PURPOSE
The petrol solenoid is designed to allow petrol through it when energised, may be applied when starting  up the vehicle on gas.  Some vehicles fitted with electronic fuel injection may automatically start up on petrol, then when the rpm reaches 2000 the engine will switch over to gas.  Therefore it is important to keep at least a 1/4 tank of petrol for this reason.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Petrol solenoids are only as good as their connections.  Petrol solenoids are usually mounted to a heater hose or are just freely connected to the fuel line making it very important for the earth and the positive to have enough slack to move with the solenoids.  So when you rev it, the engine moves and so will the solenoid.  A common problem is the connections become loose or the terminals are just crimped and not soldered then it is just time before the petrol solenoid will not operate.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
If you know how to solder terminals, this is the cheapest way.  Otherwise visit your local mechanic or auto electrician.  The cost is around $30.00 to solder a few joints.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If it seems to be impossible to get the power to energise the petrol solenoid and you just want to drive to your local repairer then carefully connect a fuse wire from the battery to the petrol solenoid to drive it on gas.

PURPOSE
The mixer is designed to mix the low pressure gas with the correct measure of air creating a specific air fuel ratio, providing a combustible mixture ready for the combustion chamber.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The mixer rarely goes wrong so long as it is connected correctly.  Over a period of time the air gallery lodged under the tubing may work loose and the tubes need to be resecured.  If the tubes are cracked on the ends it will be necessary to replace these rubber tubes.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
If the mixer is 5at fault it may cost around $60.00 fitted.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If the large rubber tubes are torn or cracked it may be possible to gaffer tape them so you can drive to your local qualified gas installer or spare parts outlet.

PURPOSE
The gas solenoid is designed to allow liquid gas to pass through when it is energised.  The gas solenoid is energised by 12 volts supplied from the safety switch.  The gas solenoid switch is most reliable when the earth connection is secure and the positive connection to it is soldered.  The gas solenoid may also carry a filter.  This filter ishould be checked every 10,000Kms to prevent it from clogging up. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
A very common problem is the gas solenoid bracket, which is mounted to the body, becomes slightly loose and the mounting screws holding the earth lead may also be loose, making it a bad earth connection.  Another common problem is the positive terminal connection is not soldered to the positive lead making it a bad connection.  It is only time before these problems prevent the liquid gas from flowing through.  When travelling at a moderate to high speed you notice that the vehicle slows down,  it might be a sign that you are low on gas or it may be a gas filter clogging up.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Servicing the gas solenoid filter or resecuring the connections is not expensive.  If you get a qualified gas installer to do this, make sure they do it properly, so you are not going back 2 or 3 times with the same problem.  It is very important to have all connections soldered.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If the power has trouble coming through from the safety switch don’t bypass it as it is the safety switch, which in case of an accident, will turn off the gas if the engine stops.

PURPOSE
The gas converter is designed to receive high pressure liquid petroleum gas and convert it to a low pressure gas.  This is achieved by water passing through this component to prevent it from icing up.  The gas converter consists of two chambers, a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber attached to a diaphragm which is connected to a needle valve to allow the low pressure gas to the mixer thus mixing the air at the correct ratio ready for the combustion chamber.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The converter requires the cooling system not to leak because the converter uses the flow of water to prevent the converter from icing up.  This is the most common and dangerous scenario because the icy converter body may distort, allowing high pressure gas through the unit.  If you find the converter icy turn the gas tap off at the tank and get it attended to  A.S.A.P.  Another common problem is the cooling system connections begin to leak.  Get it attended to A.S.A.P. as this will affect the function of the converter.  Another problem is the converter malfunctioning, if it does this it will stop.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Repairing or replacing a converter may cost around $180.00 depending on the brands.  Because there are so many parts in a converter you can go either way, repair or replace it.  But it has to be done by a qualified gas installer.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If it is found that the converter is icy do not pour hot water over it as this may crack the converter body.  Allow the temperature to go down by itself with the gas tap turned off at the tank.  This may take about 30 minutes to an hour.

PURPOSE
Welsh plugs are part of the engine block and the head.  When the engine block and head are manufactured, part of the casting process is that these parts have the welsh plugs fitted where the machines are able to enter and then when the casting is finished a welsh plug is fitted to seal off the cooling or oil system.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Welsh plugs can leak at normal operating temperature.  When this happens, stop the engine and get the vehicle towed to the garage.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Nearly all welsh plugs are expensive to repair as they are hard to get to.  The welsh plugs themselves cost only a few dollars each but the labour is the expense.  Welsh plugs are either made of brass or steel, cup or dish.  It is best to consult your motor reconditioner to work out which is the best one to fit.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If a single welsh plug is found to be leaking it may be a consideration to get all the welsh plugs replaced at the same time.  It really depends on how long you intend to keep the vehicle.  Once any welsh plug is replaced, always change the water and add corrosive inhibitor on a regular basis, eg every 12 months or 10,000-20,000Kms.

PURPOSE
The water recovery bottle is designed to recover expanded water and store it and when it has cooled down, the water flows back into the radiator.   Check radiator and the water recovery bottle at the same time. It is best checked when the water is cold. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The water recovery bottle is part of the cooling system.  For this reason caution should be taken when checking the levels as the bottle, if warm, is under pressure.  The best way to completely check the cooling system level is when the engine is cold.  Radiator and water recovery bottle are best to be checked at the same time.  If you need to top up the water level when the engine is warm or hot use caution, as hot water will cause severe burns.  When opening the radiator cap use gloves or a rag or a radiator protector opener.  When filling the radiator or water recovery bottle, leave the engine running as you fill the radiator.  This will prevent the cooling system from any damage to the head.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Replacing the water recovery bottle is around $30.00.  But try to work out why the bottle needs replacing as it may be a repeat situation which may be caused by a cooling system fault.

PURPOSE
The water pump is designed to circulate water around the cooling system when required.  The water pump is usually driven by a pulley that’s connected to a fan belt and it may also have a fan blade attached to it.  The water pump is usually cast aluminium and designed to operate under a temperature parameter of 13-16 lbs per square inch (psi) at normal operating temperature. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
A water pump, over time, may start to leak at normal operating temperature or it may leak several hours after being switched off with no or low pressure.  These are signs not to drive the vehicle and replace the water pump ASAP.  The bearing inside the water pump may fail causing the water pump seal to leak.  This is an urgent sign that it needs repairing as the pump shaft may end up towards the radiator causing more damage to the cooling system.  If the shaft bearings collapse then the whole shaft may move away from the water pump and end up with the fan in front of the radiator.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Replacing the water pump may be expensive if the pump is connected to a timing bell or behind several brackets, it could cost up to $300.00.  But if it’s an easy water pump to get to it may only cost around $150.00 provided that no bolts snap and some bolts may be corroded.  The cost will also vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If a water pump is leaking from a pin hole then it may be welded but this could affect the seals as it’s being welded.  But it’s worth a try if the pump costs around $300.00.

PURPOSE
Water is designed to maintain normal operating temperature.  Water will only perform this function if all other components are operating correctly.  Water should include an additive to prevent corrosion and erosion.  If your vehicle is driven in either a very cold or very hot climate it may be necessary to add either an anti freeze or anti boil solution.  This will only work effectively if the corrosive inhibitor is changed every 12 months.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The colour of the water tells a very good story about the condition of the cooling system.  Brown water is the worst, clear water is not good; green water is best and it needs to be changed every 12 months to keep the colour at its best.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
If your vehicle is pre 1990 then a good corrosive inhibitor, eg Castrol, may be okay.  If it is after 1990 then contact your dealer as the seals and welsh plugs require specific inhibitors to protect these components.  These additives may be expensive.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If your vehicle has brown water, disconnect the heater hose and remove the radiator cap and secure a garden hose in the heater hose and turn on a moderate pressure.  This is the best way to reverse flush the cooling system.  Please note: this should only be done when the engine is cold.  It may require several applications until the water runs clear.  It is a good idea to turn the heater tap as this will also flush the heater core, in case it might be partially blocked.