nodoubtarion
Probationary Member
- 11
- 1
- Mar 18, 2013
-
Howell,
New Jersey
Hey everyone, I currently own a black 1998 Eclipse RS manual with only about 90K miles. I actually just recently purchased it 3 months ago and is very clean and been running very well. Unfortunately last week I got into an accident which was not my fault where a driver in front of me came to an abrupt stop and I hit on a skid rear ending with damage to my front bumper, hood and driver side tail light.
I found 1 thread related to the same situation but figured I could ask for more in depth ideas on temporary repairs to get the car running considering my insurance cant do anything about this because rear ending someone by law is always your fault.
Setting that aside, I immediately took the car to my local mechanic to see if it was still driveable and they did a code scan which said nothing was wrong with the car whatsoever. My car did need a thermostat housing replacement like 2 months ago because of a minor leak that would start if I ran the car for a long time (traveling 40+ miles at once), but I held off because the mechanic ordered the wrong part which I took home to do myself and realized it wasnt right.
After driving to work after the mechanic confirmed my car was fine, the thermostat started smoking and leaking like crazy so I put antifreeze in it and it drove fine on the way back from work but continued to leak heavily. After finally being able to get the hood unlatched the day after, the core radiator framing is obviously pushed in a lot and therefore the radiator fans are also pushed in. The left fan (closer to passenger side) has a broken shroud, although the fan itself is fine. The right fan (driver side) survived but since pushed in, has a small dent in the shroud causing the fan to grind against it once it starts moving creating a grinding noise.
My goal right now is to at least get the vehicle running the way it should before I start saving and shelling out a few thousand dollars to repair the hood, bumper and framing. I know it needs engine-coolant work so the thermostat housing will be replaced within a week. I read something about using a crowbar to reshape/pull back some of pushed in framing, maybe that can work in getting that one fan to start moving right. The left fan is only for air conditioning I believe? I havent tested if it works yet. The radiator itself appears to be fine with no leaks as examined by the mechanic. Will post pictures very soon.
Any advice, recommendations or ideas to creatively get the vehicle running smooth before doing major cosmetic work will be appreciated as I need it for work. Im in Howell, NJ by the way incase anyone knows of any local DSM experts in the area who could help too. Unfortunately all the ones I do know are not around or too busy for me : (
I found 1 thread related to the same situation but figured I could ask for more in depth ideas on temporary repairs to get the car running considering my insurance cant do anything about this because rear ending someone by law is always your fault.
Setting that aside, I immediately took the car to my local mechanic to see if it was still driveable and they did a code scan which said nothing was wrong with the car whatsoever. My car did need a thermostat housing replacement like 2 months ago because of a minor leak that would start if I ran the car for a long time (traveling 40+ miles at once), but I held off because the mechanic ordered the wrong part which I took home to do myself and realized it wasnt right.
After driving to work after the mechanic confirmed my car was fine, the thermostat started smoking and leaking like crazy so I put antifreeze in it and it drove fine on the way back from work but continued to leak heavily. After finally being able to get the hood unlatched the day after, the core radiator framing is obviously pushed in a lot and therefore the radiator fans are also pushed in. The left fan (closer to passenger side) has a broken shroud, although the fan itself is fine. The right fan (driver side) survived but since pushed in, has a small dent in the shroud causing the fan to grind against it once it starts moving creating a grinding noise.
My goal right now is to at least get the vehicle running the way it should before I start saving and shelling out a few thousand dollars to repair the hood, bumper and framing. I know it needs engine-coolant work so the thermostat housing will be replaced within a week. I read something about using a crowbar to reshape/pull back some of pushed in framing, maybe that can work in getting that one fan to start moving right. The left fan is only for air conditioning I believe? I havent tested if it works yet. The radiator itself appears to be fine with no leaks as examined by the mechanic. Will post pictures very soon.
Any advice, recommendations or ideas to creatively get the vehicle running smooth before doing major cosmetic work will be appreciated as I need it for work. Im in Howell, NJ by the way incase anyone knows of any local DSM experts in the area who could help too. Unfortunately all the ones I do know are not around or too busy for me : (
