2000 MITSUBISHI FTO

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Loud ticking or tapping from valve covers at idle, Noise increases when cold, may quiet slightly when warm, Loss of power if lifter collapses completely, Check engine light with misfire codes in severe cases

Fix: The 6A12 MIVEC uses hydraulic lifters that wear out or sludge up from infrequent oil changes. Requires intake manifold removal, valve cover removal both banks, and replacing all 24 lifters as a set. Plan 8-10 hours labor. Must also inspect cam lobes for scoring. Use OEM or quality aftermarket lifters only—cheap ones fail within 10k miles.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Loud clunk when shifting or engaging clutch, Excessive drivetrain movement felt through shifter, Vibration at idle in gear, Difficulty getting into gear smoothly

Fix: The rubber transmission mounts deteriorate from heat and age, allowing excessive movement. The rear transmission mount is most prone to failure. Replacement requires lifting the transmission slightly with a jack. 2-3 hours labor. OEM mounts last longest; aftermarket polyurethane gives firmer feel but transmits more vibration.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating under load, Oil milkshake in coolant reservoir or on dipstick, Rough idle and misfires

Fix: The 6A12 V6 can blow head gaskets between cylinders or into coolant jackets, especially if overheated. Requires both heads off, resurface at machine shop, new gaskets, timing belt service while apart, and coolant system flush. Check for warped heads—resurface adds $150-250 per head. Total job is 14-18 hours labor. Strong case for replacing timing belt, water pump, and all coolant hoses during this job.

Estimated cost: $2,500-4,000

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Progressive loss of power and throttle response, Rough idle that worsens over time, Ticking noise that doesn't respond to lifter replacement, Poor fuel economy, Failed emissions test

Fix: The MIVEC camshafts can develop worn lobes if oil change intervals were extended or wrong oil viscosity used. Inspection requires valve cover removal; replacement requires cylinder head removal on the affected bank. If one cam is worn, replace both intake and exhaust on that bank—mixing old and new causes uneven valve timing. 12-16 hours labor per bank. Must use OEM cams; aftermarket quality is hit-or-miss.

Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Visible wobble of crank pulley at idle, Rubber ring separation from hub, Squealing belt noise that moves around, Vibration felt through steering wheel at certain RPM ranges, Serpentine belt wearing unevenly

Fix: The rubber damper layer in the harmonic balancer degrades over time, causing the outer ring to separate or wobble. This can damage the crankshaft if not caught early. Replacement requires removing serpentine belt and requires a puller/installer tool—do NOT hammer it off or on. 2-3 hours labor. Always replace with OEM or quality brand like Dorman—cheap ones fail quickly.

Estimated cost: $350-600

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid spots under car near radiator area, Low transmission fluid on dipstick, Transmission slipping or slow engagement when fluid gets low, Burnt smell if driven low on fluid

Fix: The steel transmission cooler lines rust through where they pass under the car or connect to the radiator. Manual transmission FTOs have a small external cooler; replacing lines is straightforward. 1.5-2 hours labor. Inspect all hard lines and rubber hoses—if one failed, others are close behind. Aftermarket stainless lines available but OEM steel works fine if undercoated.

Estimated cost: $200-400

Symptoms: Hesitation or stumbling under hard acceleration, Loss of top-end power, Difficulty starting after sitting, Stalling at idle after deceleration, Poor fuel economy

Fix: Many FTOs have never had the fuel filter changed, especially JDM imports. Located along frame rail or near tank depending on model year. Restricted filter starves the engine of fuel under load. Replace every 30,000 miles or immediately on purchase of used example. 1 hour labor. Relieve fuel pressure first and have fire extinguisher handy—these are 25+ years old now.

Estimated cost: $100-200