found this in my engine bay...

[ILLiCliPSE]

heard a crackling/ tapping noise coming from the motor...didnt sound like anything metal-on-metal...just figured it was a torn belt. and what do you know i pop my hood and find this laying on the right side of the top timing belt cover, just "north" of the accesory belts. Its about a 6 inch section of some sort of belt. what belt could this be? should i replace it right away? I notice how it says "(Mitsu emblem)SS...." on it, so i tried to look for other belts with the same letters, but couldnt. Ive also noticed that my belts have been whinning since my mechanic did my timing belt.

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[tfoti]

It doesn't even look like a belt. Especially with the mitsu emblem and SS on it all stretched out. If you really think it's one, look to see if one is missing.

 

[brandonzero0]

CHeck all belts please its hard for me to tell withot a part numbe rI can see on it check the Ac if you have it, power steering/water pump, and the main alt, water pump belt turn over the engnie by hand to check the t belt and if it is then obviously replace it with a new belt and all new timing belt components, doing all of this could minimize potential damage to the car and wallet.

 

[DSMunknown]

You can drive around and not even notice the balance shaft belt missing.

 

[ROOKIE1]

+1 . where is the rest of it ? Need to get it out before it takes out the timing belt .

 

[ILLiCliPSE]

if its my balance shaft belt, what would be the side-effects and result(s) of that? remember guys the pic is a little decieving...its about 6 inches long it looks bigger in the pic since its a close-up.

 

[CrazyM]

From what I know. If it were your balance shaft belt. You would feel a bit more engine vibrations, and the downsides. Pieces of it could get into the timing belt and make it skip a tooth or 2...as ROOKIE1 said. That would be the major damage to wallet and car! Bent Valves, chipped pistons, scratched walls...all that fun stuff

 

[Chuck_3]

I am pretty sure that is your A/C accessory belt.

It seemed strange to me that it would be the balance shaft belt as suggested, because it didn't sound like you pulled off your timing cover or anything. I have all my belts off now and just ran down to the garage and my A/C belt has the Mitsubishi logo with SS and some more numbers on it and looks just like your picture. So I'm 99% sure thats what it is. And my balance shaft belt has small numbers on it that are barely visible and doesn't match that picture.

I would take a look in your engine bay and verify the A/C belt is gone. Its the one pretty much straight down from the brake fluid reservoir.

 

[90gst_sean]

At first glance it looked like maybe part of a car bra. But now that we know its only six inches long; It look like a belt of some kind. You need to check the balance belt, but I don't see it working its way out of the belt cover with out messing up the timing belt. Although it is only six inches. I've had belts disintegrate when they brake and go into pieces. It could just be from a old one and nothing to worry about.

You don't want to risk a timing belt. I'm guessing your mechanic could have left the balancing belt on when doing the timing belt.

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367565[/ATTACH]"]

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Here's a picture of the balancing belt inside the belt cover. It doesnt look like the piece you have pictured, but I'll let you be the judge.

 

[TurboAnything]

looks like A/C or ALT

 

[tkelly27]

Don't turn the car on again until you find what belt it's from. Turn the engine over by hand. You'll be able to see or feel a chunk missing like that. If you don't find it, then it's under the TB cover

 

[95TalonOwner]

It doesn't run the oil pump, the timing belt does. There are two balance shafts which one of them is on the same gear as the oil pump and that one is run by the timing belt. I am also 99% sure that is not your balance shaft belt. Looks exactly like an original accesory belt to me.

 

[90gst_sean]

If it is your balance shaft belt it can cause problems. With my old 1g n/a, when mine broke, I lost all sorts of oil pressure in the top end. I was told that the balance shaft belt also runs the oil pump (I never did confirm this, so I appologize if I'm wrong), but when we put a new belt on it, oil pressure was good again. That may just be a 1g thing, Im not sure, but its something to be on the lookout for.

92dsmtalon, has a good point. Although it doesn't turn the oil pump; I believe it can affect oil pressure. Something to watch out for. I don't think it could cause catastrophic loss of oil pressure as long as the bal. shaft is still where it should be. I'm not really sure what affect a non turning shaft will cause when it comes to pressure. But if the shaft is removed and the oil passages aren't covered properly. It will cause problems.

There are two shafts, one has a belt of its own to drive off a crank sprocket (pictured and in question). And the other runs OFF the oil pump. It doesn't run the oil pump, more like the pump runs it. The shaft is attached to the front case; which is more or less the oil pump unit. It is turned internally by the oil pump gears them self. If that shaft was tosome how stop turning. I'd call that, a catastrophic loss of oil pressure!

 

[Bigglesworth87]

looks like A/C or ALT

+1

If your not entirely sure of where it came from, snap a bunch of pics of the engine bay and we can help figure out whats missing. I am sure if you lifted the front end, took your driverside front wheel off, and removed the dust covers you can clearly see where it came from.

 

[Chuck_3]

I am pretty sure that is your A/C accessory belt.

It seemed strange to me that it would be the balance shaft belt as suggested, because it didn't sound like you pulled off your timing cover or anything. I have all my belts off now and just ran down to the garage and my A/C belt has the Mitsubishi logo with SS and some more numbers on it and looks just like your picture. So I'm 99% sure thats what it is. And my balance shaft belt has small numbers on it that are barely visible and doesn't match that picture.

I would take a look in your engine bay and verify the A/C belt is gone. Its the one pretty much straight down from the brake fluid reservoir.

Nobody read my post?

 

[90gst_sean]

Nobody read my post?

Your 99% could be the end of his engine. Post him a pic of this belt your "PRETTY SURE" is the one, and let him check it out.

I'm starting to think he got his info and we're all just talking to ourselves now anyway.

Until he leans over the front end of his car to see for himself, and gets back to us. I don't think we need to be waisting any more time on this one guys.

 

[oldman]

Looks like the skin of a Mitsu king cobra.

 

[Swift86]

im gonna have to go with chuck3 on this....may as well check it to rule it out...

 

[Chuck_3]

Your 99% could be the end of his engine. Post him a pic of this belt your "PRETTY SURE" is the one, and let him check it out.

I'm starting to think he got his info and we're all just talking to ourselves now anyway.

Until he leans over the front end of his car to see for himself, and gets back to us. I don't think we need to be waisting any more time on this one guys.

Yeah I totally understand what you're saying, my apoligies. Here is the pic as requested:

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[TearsForTalon]

It could almost pass for a thong. You dog, you!

 

[oldman]

dude check your bal shaft belt

looks like A/C or ALT

im gonna have to go with chuck3 on this....may as well check it to rule it out...

do u have all the covers covering ## timing belt or is it open

All you guys need to follow the forum rules, use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization when posting in the tech sections, the hangout section is the only exception.

 

[ILLiCliPSE]

Hey guys thanks for all of your help here and sorry that I havent followed up about this.

I have looked inside the engine bay, and under, and havent found any belt with a chunk taken out of it. I cant even find a belt with the same markings. Where would this belt be? I figured it'd be real simple and that itd be near the pulleys on the right side of the motor. Its the belt that Chuck 3 posted a picture of....I belive its the A/C accessory belt. Where can I find this belt because I cant find it. I still drive the car because I pretty much have no choice since I have school and work.

sean-
sorry i havent followed up on this. ive just been very busy with work since i just started a new job, and go to school. its not like i got my info and left...i just havent checked it.

 

[SOADweskey]

The AC belt is on the drivers side of the engine with the others but it is lower down and closer to the firewall.

 

[Defiant]

If your current belts are healthy, it's probably from a previous owner. It's not looking very fresh.

 

[carsaval]

Its not a timing belt or your balance shaft belt. The balance shaft belt is much narrower than that and it looks like that belt is smooth with no teeth to speak of. And from where you found it I'm going for ac belt. Questions did you have the ac on when it broke? If yes then replace the belt and if it happens again your compressor may have locked up. Is there someone more knowledgeable about cars than you, that you can call to come over and help you locate your missing belt. It should be safe to drive to the nearest auto mechanic.