Mitsubishi EVO X Problems: Common Issues and Solutions

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, or Mitsubishi Evo X, is a high-performance car that is built for extreme driving. Even if you're planning to own it for street use, this vehicle still has the rally DNA of previous Lancer Evos in it. As a result, you're in control of a rugged, capable vehicle.

Despite how capable the car is, it has a reputation for needing constant servicing and repair. However, that doesn't mean the Evo X isn't still a dependable vehicle. If you're planning on buying a Mitsubishi Evo X, or you've just bought one, then you'll need to know the most common issues that come up with this car.

If you perform the proper maintenance, the Mitsubishi Evo X is a reliable car that will continue to impress you with its high performance for many years. In this article, we'll discuss the common problems you may encounter with this vehicle. We'll also mention the best ways to prevent and fix these issues when they come up.

What are Some Common Issues with the Mitsubishi Evo X?

The Mitsubishi Evo X is a performance car that requires a bit of attention and work to keep it running at its best. It's a dependable car that can experience some problems if it is not maintained properly.

Many of the issues with the car are a result of some defective parts that Mitsubishi included. Other problems are the result of the location of certain parts, and the extreme conditions this vehicle often operates in.

Many of the problems with this vehicle are common in models manufactured before 2011. By mid-2011, Mitsubishi started addressing the issues with the vehicle, so you may not experience some of these problems in an Evo X manufactured after then.

It might sound like a lot of trouble to maintain this car, but its high performance is worth the effort of maintaining it.

Let's take a look at some of the common issues that you need to look out for.

1) Active Center Differential (AYC/ACD) Pump Failure

The AYC/ACD pump in the 2008-2015 Mitsubishi Evo X is prone to failure because of corrosion. This is a result of the location of the pump. It is exposed to rain and snow which quickly corrode it.

The main function of the pump is to transfer torque between the rear tires. When the pump fails, the differential will no longer work as it should. This results in the handling becoming less responsive.

2) Bad Fuel Pump Relay

A common problem with this car is the fuel pump relay. The black relay is the one that tends to go bad and needs to be upgraded to the blue relay. New Evo X models may come fitted with the upgraded fuel pump relay.

The contacts inside the black relay tend to burn out. This prevents the relay from making a good connection.

3) Differential Pin Failure

In Evo X's from before 2011, there is an issue with the differential pins. The differential pins are liable to snap. This failure can cause the differential pins to damage or destroy the differential.

Some signs that you have snapped differential pins are noticing noise coming from the differential, especially a rattling noise. You might also notice a puddle of differential fluid beneath the rear end of your car.

4) Stretched Timing Chain

The timing chain in the Evo X is prone to losing tension and becoming slack. When this happens, you will notice problems with the way your car runs, such as rough idling and decreased power and fuel efficiency.

5) Clutch Master Cylinder Crack

Another common issue in the Evo X is a cracked clutch master cylinder. The stock master cylinder is made of plastic, and cracks easily, especially if you have an upgraded clutch.

6) Suspension Issues

The Evo X has some issues with the front suspension. While cornering, you might hear a knocking noise coming from the front of the car. In most cases, this is caused by the front suspension struts being low on lubrication. This causes the struts to move in a jerky manner, rather than having a clean, smooth movement.

Another front suspension issue that causes a knocking noise is the dampers. A knocking noise coming from your suspension could also indicate that the stock Bilstein dampers in the Mitsubishi Evo X have broken down.

7) Cracked Exhaust Manifold

The Mitsubishi Evo X stock exhaust manifold cracks often. The stock exhaust is built with poor heat management, and the heat cycles the exhaust undergoes will often cause cracks to develop on the manifold.

Solutions for Common Problems with the Mitsubishi Evo X

The Mitsubishi Evo X might have a rather lengthy list of common issues, but most of these issues are solved by regular maintenance and one-time fixes. Taking good care of this car will give you a high-performance vehicle that can take punishment and deliver results.

To keep your Evo X at top performance, you'll need to know how to deal with the common issues that this car faces. Let's get into the common maintenance practices and replacements you'll need to make on the Mitsubishi Evo X.

• Upgrade the Fuel Pump Relay

When the fuel pump relay goes bad, you will need to replace it. Fortunately, you can replace it with an upgraded fuel pump relay that will eliminate this problem.

If you would rather avoid the downtime of having a bad fuel pump relay, you can go ahead and upgrade the relay right away.

• Rebuild or Relocate the ACD/AYC Pump

The ACD/AYC pump is prone to corrosion because of its mounting location. To protect it from corrosion, you can use a relocation kit to replace it in the trunk. This keeps it away from the dirt of the road, and also prevents getting damaged by bumps and debris on the road.

If the pump has already been damaged, you will need to use a rebuild kit to repair it.

• Upgrade the Clutch Master Cylinder

Whether your clutch master cylinder is cracked or not, it is a good idea to upgrade it with an aluminum replacement. This is especially important if you're an energetic driver; the stock clutch master cylinder doesn't hold up to vigorous use.

• Lubricate the Front Suspension

Eliminating the knocking noise from the front suspension is typically very easy. All you need to do is lubricate the front suspension struts. Once they are adequately lubricated, the knocking noise should disappear.

If the knocking noise occurs even when you aren't cornering, then your stock dampers are probably broken. If this is the case, you can choose to have them rebuilt, or you can upgrade them for a better alternative.

• Repair the Differential

If you manage to catch a snapped differential pin on time, then you might be able to get by with just replacing the broken pin. A broken differential pin will cause damage to the differential, usually in a very short amount of time. This means that you will have to repair the differential in most cases.

• Upgrade the Timing Chain

Proper timing chain maintenance will keep the timing chain in good condition and prevent it from prematurely stretching. The best way to take care of the timing chain is to perform frequent oil changes. The timing chain is less likely to stretch when it is well-lubricated.

The timing chain in the Evo X is not perfect, and is still likely to stretch, even with proper maintenance. To prevent having to deal with a stretched timing chain eventually, you should upgrade the chain as soon as you can.

• Repaint or Wax

The most effective way to deal with the peeling paint is to change the paint job. Once you put some high-quality paint on the vehicle, you won't have to worry about it peeling later.

Repainting the entire car might be more expensive than you're prepared for. A more affordable way to deal with this issue is to wax the car regularly. This will protect the paint and keep it intact for much longer.

• Upgrade the Exhaust Manifold

If the exhaust manifold cracks, you can fix the problem by welding the crack shut. This is a temporary solution though, and more cracks are likely to form. You'll also suffer reduced performance the more you weld the exhaust shut.

The ideal way to deal with a cracked exhaust manifold is to upgrade it. You can get a replacement exhaust manifold that has better heat management. While replacing the exhaust manifold, you can also aim for one that has a better flow rate to increase your Evo X's performance.

Conclusion

The Mitsubishi Evo X is a reliable vehicle that boasts high performance in all sorts of conditions. However, it comes with some issues that may require expensive repairs. It's possible to get ahead of many of these issues with preventative measures, like upgrading stock parts before they fail, or performing good maintenance.

Most of the issues with this vehicle exist in models from before 2011. If you have a model produced after 2011, then you won't have to worry about most of these issues affecting your EVO X.

Keeping the car well-maintained with frequent oil changes and replacing faulty parts will keep your Evo X in good condition for many years to come.