Bent valves at a minimum, if the heads are interference type, not sure if 3.5 is or not.

Carlos, have you checked compression?
Does the engine sound different than normal when you crank i?, besides not starting that is.

BTW, I have a compression gauge that you can use, if you need one.

Are you referring to the crank or the crank sensor? I don't know about the firing chain on this particular engine, but on my rig, a bad crank sensor will break the firing chain. The rig will act just as you describe in your original post.

While I don't think your timing belt would break simply by going through a water/mud hole, you can check to see if it is still in tact by checking some point on the top end of the engine that would only move while turning the crank if the timing belt was still connected. I'd disconnect the coil packs and pull the fuel relay while doing this, though, if you are going to crank it with the starter.

I'd lay my money on an electrical problem. I don't recommend troubleshooting by changing parts as that gets expensive real quick (been there). Try to get ahold of the literature explaining the firing chain and methodically check the components/connections. Mud/water gets in all kinds of places...

The fact that it cranks without even trying to start leads me to believe that it is probably not a problem at the cylinder level. It is highly unlikely that they all simultaneously failed. I also doubt that you lost compression in all cylinders at the same time. I it's a control problem, but knowing nothing of your engine, I can't help you narrow it down any more than that.

My unsolicited .02...I hope you get it figured out.

You better believe it's an interference engine!

I also doubt the timing belt has broken. Sounds electrical, sorry.

John B.

timing belt

Sure could if timing belt broke, or if the engine sucked in water.
...hence the compression test on all cylinders. Would reveal bent valves, blown head gaskets or other mechanical failures.
Simple process of elimination, that's all I'm suggesting.

BTW Any one remember what happened to the brand new Jeep on the Mojave run a couple of years ago, when it sucked in water. It wasn't pretty.

So I went home and try to see if the spark plugs were getting wet with gas, turn the ignition and sounds like it wants to start and all of the sudden stops! Now it won't crank any more. I tried cranking by hand counter clock wise and clock wise and it can only turn so far and it comes to a dead stop. Don't think is electrical issue any more! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
The timing belt is not broken, maybe tensioner fail and jump timing?

I had that timing belt done at f..... Mitsubishi dealer less than 30k miles ago! They are long gone now!


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> sad day for me!!!!

1) Check your oil dipstick to see if you have water in the oil.
2) Pull ALL spark plugs and see if you are able to manually crank the engine.

Also, when you manually crank the engine, do you hear a metal noise when it stops?

1- I checked oil looks clean/normal
2- I'll take the spark plugs out tomorrow and try that
3- Can't tell, I turn it slowly so could not hear much.

If they were a official dealer and if this problem is due to their workmanship or defective part the next dealer in line assumes responsibility. They won't like it and they may try to tell you otherwise but that's the truth, Mitsubishi dealer warranty is warranty doesn't matter where you are. Good luck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> don't forget i'm on call 24-7 for all your Montero needs

timing belt....... check the timing belt timing marks