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.

 

[Calan]

You said it looks like the person ran new lines so I bet that the pic is just the old lines that was just cut off there and never completely removed. Im not 100% sure but thats what it looks like to me.

^ You may be onto something.

OP - If that is the stock fuel feed line (green arrow in your pic), it would have originally been more to the left and entering the fuel filter on the bottom. I outlined what looks like the stock filter bracket; the line would have been roughly where I drew the heavy red line.

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Is there a new stainless line going from bottom of the filter back to the gas tank?

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Hello everyone!

Well, today was another day of negative progress. I decided to tackle the radiator today and of course, nothing went according to plan.


First off I snapped one of the top bolts holding the radiator in. More on that later.

I finally managed to get the old radiator out. It was pretty nasty.

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The coolant looks like oil was mixing with it. There was also a rainbow tint in the liquid. I fear that my nightmare of a blown head gasket has finally come to a realization.

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Does anyone know what size this is? I'm going to have to buy a deep socket to get it off.

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Okay, now the snapped bolt. I went to Sears and bought a Drill-Out kit. It didn't work. And eventually my dad drilled all the way through the bolt. What are my options now in terms of getting what's left of the bolt out?

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And I took another picture of that cut pipe for your Calan.

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I'm pretty fed up with this car at this point. I'm honestly just thinking about saying, "#### it." and having it towed to a mechanic and have him finish up everything.

 

[NightRiderSRT4]

you've come so far, dont give up yet! by the time you're done you will be an expert at working on these cars

 

[Pozobyt]

Hello everyone!

Well, today was another day of negative progress. I decided to tackle the radiator today and of course, nothing went according to plan.


First off I snapped one of the top bolts holding the radiator in. More on that later.

I finally managed to get the old radiator out. It was pretty nasty.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

The coolant looks like oil was mixing with it. There was also a rainbow tint in the liquid. I fear that my nightmare of a blown head gasket has finally come to a realization.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Does anyone know what size this is? I'm going to have to buy a deep socket to get it off.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Okay, now the snapped bolt. I went to Sears and bought a Drill-Out kit. It didn't work. And eventually my dad drilled all the way through the bolt. What are my options now in terms of getting what's left of the bolt out?

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

And I took another picture of that cut pipe for your Calan.

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I'm pretty fed up with this car at this point. I'm honestly just thinking about saying, "#### it." and having it towed to a mechanic and have him finish up everything.

I wouldn't do that haha, I got fed up with mine and brought it to a mechanic, and he hasn't even looked at it yet, where if I would have just done it myself, would've been done already.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Update!

So I called a few shops today. The first shop, which is like 5 minutes from my house quoted me $3,000 for a head gasket, timing belt and water pump. I started laughing, told him to go #### himself and hung up. My dad's mechanic, who knows his way around DSMs quoted me $1,300. So once I get my first unemployment check I'm going to have it towed there and have that all fixed. Downside is then I'll have no money to get it registered or to get tires.

 

[Misterbeechy]

Good luck bro.. and dont give up.. but if you feel that you are going to put more money than it is worth or maybe if its getting in the way of finances and family .. i dont have to tell you.. im pretty much sure your a smart guy but ive seen people lose girlfriends and use rent money on a 6 bolt build but its only a car and if you need a car moving that bad find yourself a beater honda/toyota that will make you the money you need... then work on the dsm when you have time.. but as i been on this thread following you.. i can see stress building and trust me... im pretty sure EVERYONE has done a few mistakes where they spent more either time or money then they were supposed to..

dont mean to discourage you if any.. again good luck..

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Got the radiator in today! It was a pain in the ass aligning all the fan bolts, but I finally got them all bolted down.

I think I found out why I was grinding between 1st and 2nd gear. I dropped the transmission fluid bolt and... well NOTHING came out. So either its empty or all gunked up.

Is this the transmission fluid intake bolt? I believe I need a 19mm socket to get at it.

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[Dr Funkenstein]

Bump.

So aside from the timing belt, water pump and head gasket what should I get replaced that won't cost too much? I was thinking about getting the valve stem seals replaced as well as a balance shaft eliminator kit and 3G lifters.

Can anyone direct me to good websites I can refer my mechanic to to order the eliminator kit and lifters?

 

[joe_mopar]

Nice looking car. Might want to flush out the old brake fluid and go to synthetic.

 

[Dr Funkenstein]

Nice looking car. Might want to flush out the old brake fluid and go to synthetic.

Already did that, sir!

Anyways, I'm pretty much done with working on the car until I have enough money to get the engine work done. Which may be awhile since I got laid off. I need to get a car cover for my car so I can keep it in the driveway for the winter. Hopefully so the rust holes won't increase in size..

Should I just go to AutoZone and buy a car cover?