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2G Hello DSM owners. I just got my first Eclipse! Any important tools?

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MinicXeno

Probationary Member
3
0
Mar 28, 2023
Tønsberg, Europe
Im just wondering if there is any tools that i a godsend for this car, like how to easier maintain my engine and my overall car. Do you guys have any suggestions for good tools that i should buy?
 
Im just wondering if there is any tools that i a godsend for this car, like how to easier maintain my engine and my overall car. Do you guys have any suggestions for good tools that i should buy?
Not sure how indept youre trying to get.. .but for general maintainance,

Boost leak tester, for sure. youre gonna be doing a ton of that.

Small 90 degree pick. I use it to go around the inside of a hose and then use a upholstery tool w/ handle or a small prybar to assist in pushing the hose while I pull it. Works well for tight spaces.

hose clamp wire plier remover tool - just used this last week for the constant tension spring clamps on the heater hoses

A big box of various lengthed 10mm and ratchet sizes.... because 10mms are required to disappear after 2 uses.

Cheap wrenches, an angle grinder, and a torch. I shave cheap wrenches and heat them up to bend them to get into super tight spaces where i need to hold a nut on one side in place, while loosening the other side. One such case is the limited area in the rear control arm access holes for the rear sway bar links.

One of those cheap magnet/grabber/mirror kits from Amazon. Youre gonna drop stuff, youre gonna need to see stuff in areas that you normally cant and your gonna wanna grab something that you cant reach because the magnet will get probably get sidetracked by the engine or trans before itll ever get to that screw youre trying to get. I also have those small round magnets. Stick them in the fingertip of a glove and its easy to reach your hand down there and touch it without getting stuck to something on the way down.

Tiny gearless ratchets. Perfect for hard to get to bolts where a larger ratchet doesnt have enough teeth.

Oil filter removal pliers. Not necessary but im getting older and I can feel the hand strength getting weaker and weaker.

Big box of plastic/latex gloves. After watching painters at a recon company i worked for who didnt wear masks and just covered in paint, now suffering from health issues, i figure getting brake fluid/cleaner, coolant, motor and trans oil on you skin isnt great either.

Wife got me these for christmas and they actually have been really useful because you can never have enough light. I put them over mechanic gloves.
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oh.... and congrats on your purchase and welcome!
 
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Godsend, I don't know, but a few of the cheaper "specialty" tools I use:

torque wrench
breaker/cheater bar
magnetic extension
gear puller
bearing separator
o2 sensor socket
various metric size tap and die
valve spring compressor

Often times you can use the part store 'rent a tool' program for those rarely used but more expensive tools.

A few of the bigger tools I use are a pressure washer, small mig welder, battery charger, air compressor and floor creeper.
 
A complete METRIC tool set. Extra 17s, 14s and 10mm (as mentioned) wrenches/sockets.
Cam gear holding tool and tensioner tool when that time comes to do a timing belt (soon is recommended if not already done and documented).
 
Welcome. Unlike so many of the newer cars, the 2g dsms don't require any "special" tools (inverted 9-point aardvark plug puller). You can do 90% of the work on the car with a basic mechanic's set and metric sockets/wrenches. This goes for all models. Granted, some of the specially designed tools (cam holder) make life easier, but they aren't mandatory.

If you'll fill out your profile and let us know what specific year/model dsm you have and tell us your skill level and goals for the car we could provide more pointed advice.
 
Yes, I'd echo the multimeter. For a hobby car these still have a lot of electrical parts. You can get a reasonable DMM and that should get you through most stuff.
I only use a basic set of wrenches and sockets, but line wrenches are crucial to not destroying fittings on pressure lines (brake, some fuel). Lately I've been liking my set of offset box wrenches. Just a HF metric set, but very deep offset, and they go up to like a 19 or 21 or something, so they make a good back-up wrench with big sockets. These cars are often low working clearance (not like an old pickup, for instance), so be ready to find a special tool as things come up because of limited room to move, or you have to remove a bunch of unrelated stuff. A set of longer 3/8" drive extensions seems to save me a lot, reaching a fastener where the ratchet can't fit.
For mine at least, a can of liquid wrench...
 
If you are really on a budget, check with any local Pawn Shop for used tools (10mm wrenches for example). I check my Pawn Shop about once every two weeks, when I get paid. I buy wrenches for .50¢ and sockets for .25¢. Might even find some of the other stuff that members have mentioned while you are there like a used DMM on the cheap.
 
Im just wondering if there is any tools that i a godsend for this car, like how to easier maintain my engine and my overall car. Do you guys have any suggestions for good tools that i should buy?
Everyone’s replies have been exactly what I’ve been told when I first got mine a month ago!

If you’re running a 420a n/a I've heard it to be a good idea to invest in new gaskets and belts. This is pretty much rumor until someone verifies, but a poster once said that the torque specs from factory were questionable on the head gaskets. And on turbo models I’ve heard of boost leaks and some other headaches… I’m not too wide on 4g63 engines. All in all as long as you take care of the basics these cars last a while!

Congrats on the new car!
 
If you’re running a 420a n/a ...
You may not know yet that outside the North America the 2G NA cars got non-turbo 4G63 engines, not the Chrysler 420As. SO when you see a post from UK, Europe, and Asia that's likely the case.
 
You may not know yet that outside the North America the 2G NA cars got non-turbo 4G63 engines, not the Chrysler 420As. SO when you see a post from UK, Europe, and Asia that's likely the case.
Thanks for letting me know! I guess you learn something new every!
 
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