Five problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I went out to start my 1999 Eclipse spyder and the drive belt came off. Took the car to a dealer was informed that the harmonic balancer had broken off.
Crankshaft/ pulley failed, inner & outer rings separated.
Crankshaft pulley failed because inner and outer rings separated. Dealership contacted and reported that they are seeing this on a frequent bases. Mechanic and dealership agee that insuffencient glue used to seal rings together.
My car just started making a squeaky noise one day right after it started raining and I had only had the car for 4 months. But I thought nothing of it seeing that it would stop 2 days after it rained kinda like it had to dry out. But after a while it starte getting worse I changed my belts it stopped but then it came right back. In feb2002 the belts was changed with my timing belt the noise stopped but came back a month later. These noises have continued til now 2004 I've just been waiting on a recall to solve the problem because replacing belts is costly.
The upper pulley has squealed for some time now. I took it the dealer where they replaced the belts and blamed the problem on them. This stopped the problem for a short time and has persisted since. I have tried tightening the belt, using belt dressing, and lubrication the pulley. Most times the sound stops, only to return. It occurs mostly when it rains or heavy moisture is in the air. The date of first incident is inaccurate, I am not sure of the first occurrence at this time.