420A 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 420A Rebuild

[Saiwan]

Eligah here, new to the DSM forum

I recently got a 1998 eclipse RS from my befriends dad, it has been sitting since 2005. The only thing he told me about the car is that the car was running one day and it just gave out on him. Late last year I brought it to the shop I intern at and got the engine to turn over. I'm trying to piece together a list of maintenance / engine overhaul parts to get the car up and running. I'm not looking to do anything to it just want it to run like original for a daily. Me not having enough experience I was wondering what I should replace, look out for and any tips that'll be useful for the build.

What I Have down so far to replace i....

1. Fuel Filter
2. Tune up (Spark Plugs, Ignition coils,
3. Water Pump Timing Kit
4. Distributor Cap and Rotor
5. Replace any gasket

For now I would like to just get the car up and running, Thanks in advance

 

[Canadian_CD9A]

You're going to have to find out why it stopped running, first of all. The first 3 items on your list are fine; don't replace gaskets that you don't have to just yet. The 420A doesn't have a distributor, either. It's probably going to need the fuel system and injectors cleaned out from the 17 year old fuel, but again, I suspect that something more serious is wrong with it if it had a bottom end failure or skipped a few teeth on the timing belt, you're going to need a lot more than small maintenance items.

 

[Saiwan]

Hey canadian_cd9a Thank you for responding

I know the car is going to be a lot of the time and effort needed, this is my first project car and the engine area is just the first area i wanted to knock out first, then move down the car.

For the gaskets do you recommend that i only change them when they leak, i just thought that since it was sitting for so long thought that they might needed it
Definitely wanted to clean out the fuel System and probably do that along with the tune up if possible. I also plan to replace hose and other lines along with the engine mounts.

I wanted to originally pull the engine out and replace critical parts but i was advised to change out parts and work your way down till i find the issue. Somewhat of a good way to start? Or should i adjust the way im approaching it

 

[Canadian_CD9A]

Usually you do basic troubleshooting to find out why a car isn't running - check that it's injecting fuel when it cranks over, and then check if it's delivering ignition spark when it cranks. If both of those things are present, it's likely a cam timing issue, and that gets complicated (and expensive). A lack of ignition spark while cranking could be so many different things. For all you know, it could be a faulty coil causing it to not start, and it might run just fine with a replacement. You won't know until you do the diagnostic process to find out what's missing.

If you're planning to pull the engine, sure, do gaskets, why not. Full kits aren't expensive. But still, it might be pointless if the no-start problem is simple and there isn't anything leaking.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

If the seals and gaskets haven't been conditioned by engine oil in 15+ years then they are probably dry rotted/cracked and will leak. But the only way to know is get the engine running and build some oil pressure.

 

[Saiwan]

If the seals and gaskets haven't been conditioned by engine oil in 15+ years then they are probably dry rotted/cracked and will leak. But the only way to know is get the engine running and build some oil pressure.

Gotcha, thats kind of what was going through my mind when checking them out. But definitely will let the car run a bit to see what happens
Thank you for your time

 

[Saiwan]

Usually you do basic troubleshooting to find out why a car isn't running - check that it's injecting fuel when it cranks over, and then check if it's delivering ignition spark when it cranks. If both of those things are present, it's likely a cam timing issue, and that gets complicated (and expensive). A lack of ignition spark while cranking could be so many different things. For all you know, it could be a faulty coil causing it to not start, and it might run just fine with a replacement. You won't know until you do the diagnostic process to find out what's missing.

If you're planning to pull the engine, sure, do gaskets, why not. Full kits aren't expensive. But still, it might be pointless if the no-start problem is simple and there isn't anything leaking.

Cool thank you will check