Been a while.. And car hasn't moved.

[ishnish]

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted on the forums. And that's because I didn't have the funds to work on my car and life just got in the way. Now that I'm gonna be getting my car back from my friend, I don't know what I should do. The car has sat for almost 4 years and I don't know if it's worth it to even try getting it to run again so I can use it as a daily.

I saw other forums online and, in general, people say it's a huge waste of money and to just trash the car. This makes me extremely sad though. But if it will cost too much, then that is what I have to do. I have a 1999 eclipse gsx and it has 99k original miles. So, should I take the time to get it running again or just forget about it? I've read other threads on here but I just need to be sure. If so, what preliminary checks should I do?

Thank you guys!

 

[spyderdrifter]

With mileage like that, you should get it running and then sell it if you don't want to keep it. But if you do want to keep it, find out why it's not running first. Of course you'll need to do the basics like new spark plugs and wires, oil change, coolant flush, change the atf or gear oil depending on the transmission you have, change the t-case and rear diff oil, and flush all the old fuel out of the fuel tank and lines, and replace the fuel filter while you're at it. What was the reason the car was not used in the first place? That should be where you start anyway.

 

[arrowhead]

Going thru similar situation except this car has been out of circulation for 7 yrs. To the above I would add, get a new fuel pump and have injectors cleaned.
It would all depend on original reason that car was put away.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Yeah, extremely vague question. It all depends on what is wrong and how much you care about the car. Like people already said, just change all the fluids.

 

[AlexGsxCummins]

Yeah, ill give you scrap price for it! Dont scrap the car, unless there major issues. Have you tried firing it up?

 

[donniekak]

What's wrong with the car?

 

[ishnish]

Thank you for the responses guys!

Sorry if it may have seemed to vague. So my car started to blow out white smoke. It was very light white smoke but I figured maybe the head gasket had started to go bad. So I stopped driving the car because I didn't wanna make matters worse. After that life got in the way and made it very hard to save.

Right before I had it sit again though I had all the transaxle and transfer case seals changed along with the all fluids and also clutch disk, pressure plate, flywheel. But it sat ever since not even driven for 3 years. Apparently, the guy who worked on the car said just one of the valve seats went bad and compression is perfect on all 4 cylinders. Idk what the problem could actually be or the cost of fixing it because I don't have all the tools and know how to do it myself. Does that help as far as info?

Sorry guys but to add, it's always started up just fine. No problems with starting. It's been years though so I'll see what happens. But I shouldn't just start it right? I should do some of the major preliminary stuff.

 

[ishnish]

Anyone have any more advice or input for me?

 

[ishnish]

Hey guys, the end of the semester is coming up and I'm really trying to compile a list of what to do for my car that's been sitting for 3-4 years. Any advice would be appreciated. From what I know, it needs a new valve stem seal so the head will have to come off. Other than that, I know I will have to change the fluids and change the belts. The gas tank is practically empty so idk if it will even need to be cleaned. But I will get a new fuel filter. Idk if a new fuel pump is necessary

 

[Vegas Smith]

It's hard to say because we don't know your goals, budget/mods. It can't hurt to grab a walbro 255 and a rewire, afpr and new filter and you you'll be set fuel-wise. That stuff usually isn't too expensive.

 

[boostdawd]

U don't need to remove the head to replace a valve stem seal.

3-4 years sitting takes a toll on some parts. Drain the old gas, replace the fuel filter and pump(most likely corroded). Change the oil and plugs. Do a preliminary check on all the coolant and vacuum hoses. Boost leak test. Fire her up and check for leaks. Enjoy it.

 

[josh408]

I'd definitely pay scrap price for the car. but truthfully. it sounds like you can get it running fine. I have one valve stem seals I don't need that I can sell you, have you also looked into the turbo? Does that white smoke appear only under boost or even at idle? Good Compression is a good sign. You losing any coolant?

 

[ishnish]

It's hard to say because we don't know your goals, budget/mods. It can't hurt to grab a walbro 255 and a rewire, afpr and new filter and you you'll be set fuel-wise. That stuff usually isn't too expensive.

It's been so long since I've been on the forum that idk how the new UI realy works . I had my mods on there. At this point my only goal is to get the car driveable as a daily again. I already have a fuel pump rewire installed on my car with stock fuel pump.

 

[ishnish]

U don't need to remove the head to replace a valve stem seal.

3-4 years sitting takes a toll on some parts. Drain the old gas, replace the fuel filter and pump(most likely corroded). Change the oil and plugs. Do a preliminary check on all the coolant and vacuum hoses. Boost leak test. Fire her up and check for leaks. Enjoy it.

Sorry I don't really know much about how to work on a cars internals or engine components because I don't have the tools and space necessary. Also, it's either the valve stem seal or valve seat that was leaking. I was under the impression that they were the same thing because someone told me that.

The rest of the list you gave me sounds simple enough. I guess my biggest concern is how many seals will start leaking. Had all my transmission seals replaced right before the car sat and I never got to drive it. So I hope it didn't all go to waste.

 

[ishnish]

I'd definitely pay scrap price for the car. but truthfully. it sounds like you can get it running fine. I have one valve stem seals I don't need that I can sell you, have you also looked into the turbo? Does that white smoke appear only under boost or even at idle? Good Compression is a good sign. You losing any coolant?

That's also what I think. My turbo is just fine. The white smoke would come from the exhaust and little from my engine bay even at idle. I'm not losing any coolant from what I know. I did notice that when I would crank the car (this was about 4 years ago before I stopped driving it), the area where the turbo manifold and head would join is where a puff of white smoke would come out. This was every time I'd crank it. Don't know if that helps.

 

[Vegas Smith]

My old laser had bad valve stem seals and it would output white smoke at idle and such. I actually was coaxed into taking it to a huge indoor car show in Houston and I reluctantly agreed. I was so embarrassed when I was leaving in the big line of cars exiting the arena.....that and the misspelled giant sticker on my windshield "EOS PERFORMAMCE"