Finallyyyy! My Car!!!!

[Oblivion02]

THis weekend, I finally got to drive my 1991 Eclipse GS-T! Feels great! Transmission shifts very smoothly, air conditioning is great, everything is looking pretty smooth. I got my car on Friday. That same night, when I turned it on after running it for a few hours, it started making a loud squeeeeeky sound... Pissed me off pretty bad, my Dad said it could have been a belt or something... but the noise stopped. Its the only time it has done the noise. I ran it all night, I ran it with the mechanic, and NOTHING. I'm hoping it was just a one time thing.

The mechanic suggested I run it a week or two with the same oil and coolant, then start changing hoses, oil, flushing the radiator, etc...

But I love the car. I'm just not used to it... I've droven my Grand Prix 1998 3.8L for soo long... like 3 years... It takes some getting used to. BIG ASS car... to a coupe, 4 cyl, 2.0L car. From supercharged - to turbo. But I feel good... I have a good feeling... Specially because I found this community. So many 4G63 enthusiasts... I'm quite pumped!

I'm officially FLAT BROKE! Its father's day tomorow, and all the money I have is going into my dad's present. Believe it or not, all my money sums up to: "4.00 US Dollars". Thats just enough for one of the new frosties in Wendy's, which is what he's getting for father's day. Sux to be broke. But once I get some cash flow, time to start modding and making my car sexy

 

[Oblivion02]

Turned it on just now... Squeeked again! Ahhhh! Any suggestions?

 

[Chrono64]

I'd say check your serpentine belt, mine was squealing terribly before my rebuild, then no sounds afterwards with that replaced as well. Serpentine belts are cheap, too, and at least it's nothing worse than a squeak. Wouldn't hurt to check the timing belt while you're at it, though, it really sucks when those go out.

 

[Oblivion02]

I've never heard of the serpentine belt. Can you link me to a tutorial? Or some pictures at least? The timing belt is brand new, and a few other belts as well. I'm thinking it might just be slipping every once in a while, because the car was without use for around 6 months. Thats my guess. Once it warms up, the noise stops. I'm going to try 2morow to spray some of that BELT Spray thats suppose to make them not slip... I'll let you guys know how it works out. Thanks

 

[crimsondragon]

DSMs do not have serpentine belts. We have AC belts and accessory belts. I would lift the car up, pull the driver side wheel, and check your harmonic damper. Usually squealing belts mean either the damper is going out the door and/or your belts are loose. You do not want your damper to break when driving. It WILL leave you stranded because the accessory belts run power steering, water pump, alternator, and I believe the brake booster is also effected. Check the damper. Replace it if necessary. Then tighten your belts a bit more.

 

[Oblivion02]

Will have a check at the damper as well I'll let you know how that goes...

 

[cturok7]

That mechanic sure gave you some good advice. Dude! Take all that advice. These cars can be time bombs. Learn as much as you can before you start modding. These cars can have enought problems without mods. DO THE REPAIRS BEFORE THEY ARE NEEDED. That's the thing that works the best. Oh, and another suggestion...get a secondary vehicle. If that thing breaks you'll be very sad.

 

[Oblivion02]

. I have my GP anyway, its just that now it is "technically" my Dads car... The eclipse is mine.

Anywho, after a little check I did today with my father (he knows ALOT more than I do about mechanics), he confirmed my guess that it was the power steering belt. It looks pretty wasted...

Anyway, I'll let you guys know how it turns out. Right now, the cash flow is horrible, so I may not be able to fix it right now... But its definitly the TOP PRIORITY for now... I HATE SQUEEEKY CARS!

 

[cturok7]

Yeah man! It's good that you've got a secondary vehicle. If I were you I would drive that GP until you KNOW what your eclipse is really like. You never REALLY know until you look at it. Know your car! Nothing will teach you more than taking an engine out. Trust me. Before my DSM I was an ignoramous about cars, but now I know so much more. There are great books at Barnes and Noble about Turbochargers. They really help. There's one caller Superchargers, Turbochargers, and Nitrous Oxide performance Guide. It's sweet. Also go to howstuffworks.com and you can gain so much knowledge. They have models that show you how everything works.

 

[Spyder4g64]

Those books at Barnes & Noble are addictive. After reading Superchargers, Turbochargers, and Nitrous Oxide, i just can't stop reading. They are well worth the money. Before buying my DSM, I knew basically nothing about cars. 4 years later, I've moved onto Flame Speed and Volumetric Efficiency. Moral of the story, learn as much as you can. It'll never go to waste as long as you own that car.

 

[cturok7]

good call spyder! I'm not at that point yet, but it has made think of a career in engine tuning.

 

[GsXtacY325]

Any belts on the car NAPA belts? reason i ask is i ran napa power steer+alt. belts and they both squealed for several minutes upon startup. I switched to oem belts and the squeal is no more.

 

[Oblivion02]

Nah, they are OEM. The reason its squeeking is because it is very deteriorated. I will change it 2morow... It only costs 5 dollars.

I'll let you guys know how that goes!

I'm very new to cars(mechanic-wise), I'm just starting to learn. 2morow I will be putting in the belt, changing the radiator (putting in a new one), changing the alternator, etc... Getting my hands dirty, with the help of my Dad. But anyway, thanks for the help!

 

[Chrono64]

Whoops, my bad on calling it a serpentine belt a while ago, meant accessory belt, oh well, looks like you've got things solved and are about good to go now. Don't forget to have some fun out there.

 

[Oblivion02]

The car is tons of fun! Love it.

Only thing is, I seem to have a leaking radiator, or some of the radiator hoses. Because of this, sometimes the car heats up a bit... I also have a tiny oil leak. I hope I can get this fixed ASAP. But I love the carrrr!!!