Known for their reliability and efficiency, Japanese cars have long been known for their superb engineering. The same can be said for Mitsubishi vehicles. As one of the most popular Japanese car brands, Mitsubishi is well known for making vehicles that can last you a lifetime. This auto manufacturer has been around for a long time. Mitsubishi vehicles come with a set of technologies that they have perfected over the years. Dating back to 1917, Mitsubishi has come a long way, and they still stick to their core beliefs.
Mitsubishi vehicles are not just known for how well they operate, but they are also well known for how stylish and futuristic they look. Most Japanese cars have a modern look, but Mitsubishi has always taken that a step further. Usually, Mitsubishi vehicles come with great warranties, with a 5-year warranty being the standard package, whereas some Mitsubishi vehicles can come with up to 10-year warranties. But to ensure your Mitsubishi runs at its best, you need to keep its most crucial parts in top shape. These are the parts that typically comprise the engine, and as you probably know – the engine is the heart of every vehicle.
Conrods
What are They?
The connecting rods or conrods, as they’re also known, are the components that link two other crucial Mitsubishi engine parts together. Connecting rods are essential Mitsubishi car parts that help transfer the motion sent by the piston to the crankshaft. This motion is what makes your Mitsubishi move and the power that makes it move is generated by the combustion of fuel. A conrod helps create the motion from the piston, which is the reciprocating motion that gets transferred to the crankshaft by turning it into a rotary motion. The small end of the conrod is connected to the piston, and the other end is held by the crankshaft thanks to a crank pin.
Types of Conrods
There are two types of connecting rods. I-beam and H-beam. While on the outside you can’t see that much of a difference between the two, their insides are somewhat different. The inside of an I-beam conrod is filled up and it has raised edges. Cutting it in half will reveal that the rod looks like the letter “I”, hence the name.
H-beam conrods have flat and larger sides than I-beam conrods since they have their rods inside shaped like the letter ”H”. This makes them stronger and heavier than I-beam rods, but also better for high horsepower and cylinder pressure applications. On the other hand, I-beam connecting rods are most suitable for higher revving and RPM applications since they are not as heavy and provide extra clearance.
Pistons
What Are They?
The piston, we mentioned earlier, is an engine component comprised of moving circular pieces made of metal with rings. Pistons are Mitsubishi engine parts made to achieve an air-tight seal and they are placed in the engine cylinder. Pistons are attached to the connecting rod thanks to a dudgeon pin. The piston helps compress the air which then causes an explosion when it gets in contact with the fuel and electric spark.
What Are They Made of?
These Mitsubishi car parts are most often made of aluminium alloy since they need to be both hard-wearing and lightweight to make for a powerful and efficient engine. The piston rings mentioned above are made from either cast iron or steel. This is why you’ll also find pistons used in external combustion engines.
Starting from the bottom up, the rings on the pistons are comprised of an oil ring, a wiper ring, and a compression ring. All of these work together to make sure that not a drop of fuel or the tiniest amount of air escapes when the spark plug generates a spark. In a way, the rings on the pistons are as important as the pistons.
Crankshafts
What Are They?
Like pistons, crankshafts are also moving Mitsubishi auto parts. The main function of crankshafts is to help transform linear or reciprocating motion into rotational motion. Crankshafts are mounted within the engine block, but unlike pistons or conrods, they are made of multiple different Mitsubishi auto parts.
What Are They Made of?
Crankshafts have journals, thrust washers, counterweights and a flywheel flange. The flywheel flange sits at the end, keeping everything together, while the journals are what the engine rotates around. There are other journals that connect to the conrod, also known as crankpins. The counterweights are there to balance out the strong rotational forces, ensuring the crankshaft works smoother and thus, the engine too. The thrust washers are there to prevent the crankshaft from moving lengthwise as that’s not needed.
Is Mitsubishi a Luxury Brand?
No, Mitsubishi isn’t considered a luxury brand, but despite that, it has been the fastest-growing non-luxury brand as of recent.
How Long Do Mitsubishi Engines Last?
While not all Mitsubishi models are made the same, you’ll find that most of them have a life expectancy between 240.000 and 320.000 km.
