I have a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS (4cyl). I was driving at about 50mph, and the car did not accelerate when I stepped on the gas. I pulled over, and tried starting it again, and it did not turn over. I checked the timing belt, and there was no tension. The car was not overheating.

Is it possible that I did not damage the engine? I'm pretty sure it is an interference enging. Can I simply replace the timing belt?

That is definitely an interference engine and the likelihood of bent valves is over 80%. You won't know until you replace the belt though.




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Thank you for the response.

If the valves were bent, would you hear something in the engine when you tried to start the car?

Just a little bit of lifter tapping but a solid misfire




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