Buying a 1991 Eclipse GST today. Got a few questions!

[Dr Funkenstein]

Hey guys!

Checked out a 1991 Eclipse GST yesterday and even though it had high miles it seemed to pull pretty damn good. A lot faster than any car I've driven. I am going to pick it up after work today. Of course, it does have a few problems that need to be fixed before I'm able to drive it. I was hoping you guys could help clarify a few things for me.

I'm no expert mechanic, not even close to it. I like to tinker around with things though and am always willing to learn. So if I'm using any incorrect terminology or need to clarify about something further, let me know.

1. The first thing I noticed is that the intake system is missing. Or at least half of it. Basically, the part circled in yellow below is missing.

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I've been trying to find replace parts and came across Dejon. I was wondering if this is what I'm looking for. I was thinking about getting one with the BOV tube because I want it to be as stock as possible (aside from the Dejon intake pipe and air filter). For size (turbo end) I can either choose 2 3/4" or 3". Which one is the stock size?

2. The BOV wasn't plumbed into anything. I'm assuming its because its missing the intake pipe. Regardless, it drove fine and didn't stutter or stall out or anything, however I think it may be running a little rich because of it. What are your thoughts on this? Does leaving the BOV disconnected hurt anything? I plan on hooking it back up anyways.

3. The front driver's side caliper seems to be frozen in the closed position. I'm assuming out of all the things wrong with the car, this will be the easiest to fix.

4. The power steering pump is broken. The owner said that the power steering pump was leaking, so he just disconnected the belt and left it like that. I briefly read that the power steering pump is relatively easy to replace, as its only about 3 bolts and two lines. I'm just wonder, how easy is it to get at it? Meaning, is it underneath a bunch of other things I'll need to take off first, or is it easily reachable?


That's about it. Unless you guys tell me something like the power steering pump is ridiculously difficult to get at, I'll probably be buying this car later on today.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Now I know why it was recommended to me not to buy a DSM unless I have a daily driver!

Got a bunch of hoses from supravw the other day so I figured I'd put them on today. The lower intercooler hose he gave me wouldn't fit for some reason. It was about two inches too short, so I had to leave the radiator hose on it for now. In the Haynes manual, it shows the BOV outlet and the other nipple for the smaller hose facing the same way. I took apart the BOV to turn the top part with the nipple to face the same way as the BOV outlet but the holes wouldn't line up. The only combo in which the holes line up, the nipple is facing 180 degrees the other way. Don't know what the deal is there. It doesn't make any sense!!!

I used the clips he gave me to secure the air filter in place, so at least that works. The terminals for my battery were all chewed up so I got a new pair because the old ones wouldn't tighten around the battery posts. Replaced the terminals and now my battery is dead! Jumped the car via my brother's Taurus and it started right up. I put a volt meter on to the battery while it was juicing up connected to the Taurus and the voltage was declining from 11.3 to 7 before I said, "#### THIS!" At least I know its the battery and not the alternator, ### that looks like a PITA to take apart.

Any suggestions for a new battery?


EDIT: Just measured the voltage from the POS on the alternator to the NEG on the battery and it was reading .02, while the battery by itself was reading 11.90. So, I think its actually the alternator. I needed to get the power steering pump replaced anyways, so I might just have it towed to my dad's mechanic and have him do both.

EDIT: I just noticed the OEM alternator is only 75 amps. Anywhere to get a higher amp alternator that will fit?

 

[supravw]

It was too short?? That's really odd, I pulled it off my completely stock parts car, is your smic modified at all maybe? I'm not following you on the bov question. The outlet should face toward the intake pipe, the nipple really doesn't matter where it's facing as long as it's hooked up.

The stock alternator is only a 65 amp, the 75 amp are auto. But you can put the 75 amp on or a 95 amp alt from advanced or autozone. (Lifetime warranty, you'll need it)

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Yeah, its really odd. As far as I know the SMIC is completely stock, but the hose was a couple inches too short.

As far as the BOV goes, let me try to explain it better. With the BOV outlet facing the intake, the nipple is facing away from it. There are 3 screws holding the top part of the BOV where the nipple is. The only combination where the three screws line up, the nipple is facing away from the BOV outlet. So, when I connect the hose to the nipple it has to do a 180 degree turn, which I don't like at all. The diagram in the Haynes manual shows the outlet and the nipple facing the same direction, so I dunno why it won't line up.

Actually, looking at pictures online, I don't see any where the top part of the BOV has screws into the bottom part. I'm thinking maybe the previous owner did that? If so, I don't see how the top part of the BOV would stay on without them. I had to push down really hard to get the spring to compress and I don't think it'd stay on without the screws.


Okay, so I did some reading and I think I figured out what I need to get. Feel free to correct me if I'm forgetting something or have some information wrong. From what I've read, the 90a alternator from a Galant VR-4 will bolt right up to the stock alternator location with no modification. All I will need to do is replace the 80a fusible link with a 100a. Is this correct?

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

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Got my VR-4 90a alternator today. I hope it bolts right in like you guys said! While I was picking it up I ordered a power steering pump. The normal website CAP orders their parts from said it was obsolete! He had to call a few places to track one down, thank god.

 

[pj91gsx]

i find the intercooler piping off the jpipe humerous. must have came off a dyson vacuum. holds boost too.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Hmm. So as you all know my car is not running right now. I originally thought it was an alternator but I'm starting to second guess myself. Anyone care to weigh in?

A few weeks ago I replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires and battery terminals on my car. After I replaced them I test drove the car up and down the street and shut it off. When I turned it on again it struggled to start. I moved it into my driveway and shut it off again. When I tried to start it again it wouldn't turn on at all. When you turn the key you can hear a clicking noise, but that's it.

I measured the voltage on the battery while the car was off and it read 11.80. I was able to jump the car with my brother's car. As I was reading the voltage on the battery as it was charging, it kept dropping all the way to 7 volts before I shut the car off. I measured the voltage on the alternator (one cable on that and the other on the battery) and it read 0.02.

Now, my power steering pump is leaking, so I had originally assumed that when I drove it up and down the street some fluid might have leaked onto the alternator and fried it. If I turn on the headlights, the lights are still on.


So, do you guys think its an alternator issue or something else? I hope I made the correct assumption, since I went ahead and purchased a VR-4 alternator.

 

[pj91gsx]

check your alternator fuse under the hood. 80 amp. if your no careful on the alternator install you could arc the alternator power wire to ground and it blows that fuse.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Well, since I bought a 90a VR-4 alternator I also purchased a 100a fusible link to replace the 80a. I'm just waiting for the power steering pump to come in, so I can go ahead and replace both that and the alternator (and the fusible link). I'll obviously let you guys know if it works when its replaced. I was just trying to see if my assumption was correct of if it is something totally different besides the alternator.

EDIT: For clarification, I didn't replace the alternator (or fuse) yet. Just seeing if I had diagnosed the issue properly or if might be something totally different than the alternator/fuse.


\/\/\/ Thank you. Love this forum!

 

[pj91gsx]

alternator or a dead cell in a battery.

 

[Cspaintballer]

Alright, so I'm making a list of everything I need to check over and/or replace. Some things are specific to my car, but let me know if I'm missing anything I want to look at.

1. Missing a windshield spray nozzle. A kit is like $10 at AutoZone.
2. Replace seized brake caliper. Was thinking about doing the swap like you guys suggested, but I'm just going to keep it stock for now. I'm poor.
3. Air filter. I think I just need to buy a cone filter, probably go with K&N and bolt it back in.
4. Power Steering Pump. Will tackle this when I finish 2. and 3.
5. Window buttons on the driver's side door sink into the door when pressed. Going to pop the door panel off and see if anything is broken.
6. Driver's side window pops off the track when rolling up. Not sure what to do here.
7. Spark plugs, wires and an oil change. Got some research to do on what's recommended for my car.

mine does the same theres a screw holding it in place and then theres some glue that holds it in place. What i ended up doing was take out the little " hand cup thing" and stuffing a piece of cloth between the switch panel and i metal bar in the door frame. Works fine

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Removed the power steering pump. Working on getting the alternator out. What a pain in the ass. Not used to working on a car with all mm size tools. I've been to Sears like 5 times already today, haha. I need a 10mm wrench to get at the bolt that the battery cable connects to the alternator. I also need to get at the bolt behind/below the alternator pulley. I don't even know how my hand is gonna reach down that far!

EDIT: So I got the power steering pump and alternator out. Only took 5 hours! Was getting dark so I had to call it quits for tonight.

 

[fatalreaction]

when i replaced mine i did it from underneath on a set of ramps...

 

[millermanx69]

sounds like your coming around pretty good man

 

[Tanro]

What a pain in the ass. Not used to working on a car with all mm size tools.

Working on cars normally is. My ex had a camaro you needed two extensions and 3 swivels to change 2 of the spark plugs.

And I prefer working on imports because of them using only Metric tools. SAE is a headache. Harder for me recognise bolt sizes off hand so I just randomly guess. These cars it is usually a 10-12-14-17 with few other options.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

So, like an idiot, I waited 3 weeks between taking off my alternator and putting my new one from a VR4 in. I'm trying to figure out which pulley the belt hooks up to, haha.

 

[bastarddsm]

It goes to the outer grooves on the crank pulley, then to the waterpump then to the alternater.

Your lower intercooler pipe problems is becuase you probably got a pipe (in the mail) from a 1990. 90's are different from 91+.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

It goes to the outer grooves on the crank pulley, then to the waterpump then to the alternater.

Your lower intercooler pipe problems is becuase you probably got a pipe (in the mail) from a 1990. 90's are different from 91+.

Thanks! I got the alternator in and she started right up! I'm letting her charge right now! I'll be on the lookout for a 91-94 lower intercooler pipe.

I have ran into a problem with the power steering pump and could use some help! The part where the alternator plugs into the power steering pump is a little different on the new pump I got. The new one has a rubber grommet inside the hole where on the old one, there is so rubber grommet and its threaded, as well as theres a threaded piece in the middle where the spring goes around. What do I do?

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[Jrock11]

You'll never forget your first DSM I member mine it was awesome!! even though it was the non turbo haha

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

I have ran into a problem with the power steering pump and could use some help! The part where the alternator plugs into the power steering pump is a little different on the new pump I got. The new one has a rubber grommet inside the hole where on the old one, there is so rubber grommet and its threaded, as well as theres a threaded piece in the middle where the spring goes around. What do I do?

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Any thoughts on this?


Also, the battery tray I got with my car was in pieces and is in a box downstairs. It looks like its either missing a few things or is broken. Is there any place I can order a replacement or aftermarket battery tray for the 1G that will bolt right in?

EDIT: Although, this is going to be about the rice-iest question I'll ever ask. I need to buy some lug nuts, as a couple are missing. I want to buy a set of anodized red lug nuts. I understand that I need 12 x 1.50 size lug nuts, but I've read that for OEM rims we need an opened-ended lug nut? Is this true or will I be fine purchasing a set from Gorilla?

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Bump.

Any ideas on the power steering pump issue?

Also will these fit my car?

 

[dented_coffee]

Bump.

Any ideas on the power steering pump issue?

Also will these fit my car?

No they will not work on your stock rims. You need oem lug nuts for stock wheels. Even the Evo rims have a special lug nuts.

As for the power steering pump. Does that plastic grommet come out of the hole? Is that a power steering pump from Autozone or is it a used pump off of a junk yard DSM?

If the pump came from Autozone or something like that as a re manufactured unit. Try taking the plastic out of it. The worse that can happen is that you break something and you get it replaced under warranty for free. They might have given you the incorrect pump as well but I highly doubt it with the pump looking the exact same.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

I have these rims:

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So you're telling me I have to order them from a Mitsubishi dealership? What makes them so special?

Also, I tried pulling the black grommet off and it didn't easily come out, although I may be able to rip it off with pliers. The stock pump has a threaded piece in the middle of that hole where the spring rests around, and just looking at the new pump, I can tell with the black grommet that the threaded piece isn't in there.

 

[dented_coffee]

My stock pump don't have a threaded hole in the middle of the big threaded hole! Can you get a more clear pic of this. I will take a pic of my pump for you to compare.

Yes you need stock lugs with then OEM 2G turbo rims. The OEM lugs are like a pole with a flat cap on them as to where the aftermarket are tapered on the ends to align the rim better.

Here are the style of lugs you need.

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I know that DSMGraveyard should have the lugs you need and there really cheap in price for shure. Give Jon a call at (269)226-4463.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Hey guys, which of the two do you think is best for winter tires for my '91 Eclipse GST in New England? I'm trying to stay as cheap as possible, but if the more expensive set here is well worth it then I don't mind paying more money. If you have any other recommendations, let me know.

Pirellis
Dunlops

 

[4g63Powered]

Have you looked at Blizzacks? I do not know how much they cost in your size, but I have a set for my DD and they handled the snow without any issue last year for me. I can't imagine they'd be much more, as I paid ~$600 for all four tires, as well as 16" steel wheels from Tire Rack.