help buying car

[MistyShower]

So last sunday I went and checked out this 1997 gsx from this guy who is selling it on craigslist and he seems real friendly. The car is completely stock except for a BOV and an exhaust & the paint on it is fading on some parts but besides that it looked and sounded good. He posted it up on craigslist for $5000 and Is willing to take $4000 for it. That seems a little strange and I DONT want to get a lemon. The only thing i noticed was that a part was missing and wasnt sure what it is or if it even mattered since he started the car up fine. (pic below) but its my first car so I dont want to get duped. While I was there he recommended that if I do get any sort of dsm, to go to this website becuase it would have everything i'd need help with (which I already knew of the site). So he seems pretty cool especially compared to this other dude who was acting like a used car salesman that was also selling an eclipse. so any advice? (and this is NOT the engine of the car, its just a pic of a random one so I can show the part that was missing)

 

[DSM_Texas]

thats just a breather brother. no big deal. i would advise picking one at autozone or an equivalent auto store for relatively cheap. dont want dust and gunk everywhere. cheers!

 

[007jimmy]

Did you test drive it or only hear it idle?

 

[MistyShower]

ooo cool just a breather, thanks! and No I have not test driven it yet, only heard it idle. The reason being that when I went to see it, the tire was way too flat to drive and he was lending his air pump/compressor to someone so we could only hear it idle. He said the reason he is selling it is ### it only collects dust and he never has time to mess with it. when I do test drive it, anything specific I should listen for?

 

[007jimmy]

Listen for anything out of the ordinary. Obviosly knocking and clunking is bad. Make sure the trans shifts smoothly through all the gears. Give it some boost to see how the car behaves and look for any dash lights that might come on. When was the timing belt last changed?? These are just a few to look for.

 

[Twinturbo120]

If you can, do a compression test.

Also check the turbo for shaft play.

 

[boost97gst]

Get rid of the breather anyway and route the hose through a catchcan or like its supposed to be: directly to the intake pipe. I hate those things, they let in unmetered air. They will mess up your maf adjustments in most of non-boost driving. Anytime the mani is pulling vac. 4k for a gsx is not bad at all. If its in decent shape. Check all drivetrain components, maybe do a comp test and make sure to warm it up fully and see that it doesnt overheat: idling or driving.

 

[LouieAWDTSi]

Drive it, drive it, drive it. Ask questions, which people told you to do above. You can fix that breather filter thing up with a nice 3 dollar fuel filter (Fram g2 series[walmart]) that will collect oil for you and allow you to dispose of it in a clean matter every oil change or so (or yes, put a hose on it and route it back into your intake pipe if you'd like).

How many miles?

Also, post some pics if you got the time or even a video of it. It will help us help you. Gluck!

 

[4g63tc]

When purchasing a used car, ask the seller if they are willing to let you take it to a dealership/trusted mechanic to do a once-over. This is usually done at your own cost. They can give you the rundown on leaks, bad bushings, cv axle condition, etc, etc, etc. So that way you know what you're getting into.

IMO if it's your first car, then honestly don't get a DSM.

Sure these are fun to drive, beautiful, and can make monster power, and most probably leave you stranded on the side of the road. As a dad with a daughter about to get her first car I'm giving her my Miata. Reliable, Cute, and a blast to drive.



Or....find a reliable member here that is willing to go with you to check it out

 

[MistyShower]

Ok will do! thanks for all the help! Ill definitley get some pics and/or maybe a video. Ill also see about getting a once over by a mechanic or dealer. And whats the benefit of routing it back to the intake pipe instead of a fuel filter? I also heard that these cars will run forever if you just keep it stock and not upgrade too much, any truth to this? Again thank you all for the help!

 

[Cox Abele]

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

Install a catch can for your DSM (2G)

The other end of the hose you can't see should be attached to a nipple on the intake pipe between the MAF and the turbo.

The filter "catches" the airborne oil particles being sucked out of the valve cover via the intake pipe while not in boost. Over time, without the fuel filter mod or a catch can, the intake pipe, turbo and intercooler pipe will be coated on the inside with sludgy oil. The filter reduces the amount of air born oil sucked out of the valve cover back into the intake track.

A breather filter does this also, but as previously mentioned, it also allows unmetered air into the engine via the PCV valve. It also disables the PCV system from being able to keep the engine block in a vacuum state while not in boost. This can lead to premature ring failure. ...and it's ricey.

 

[Dhan]

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX

This one? Looks all right, but without hearing it, seeing the engine, and driving it, it's just another shiny car on the internet for us.

It just passed its timing belt mark (done every 60k miles), so ask if that's been done. Does any smoke come out of the exhaust? When you test drive/inspect it, look for rust (unlikely if it's an AZ car), feel for grinds when shifting, look for smooth acceleration and deceleration. Also, pay attention to how it idles and sounds after driving and getting warm.

It's an older performance car, so don't be a perfectionist, but be mindful of things that may be an issue down the road.

GL

 

[MistyShower]

O ok, thanks for the help cox abele! and another thing I forgot to mention was that the air filter pipe thing was loose and you could move it back and forth.. not sure its normal.. see in the pic and thanks for the help

will do, and haha thats the one, nice detective work!

 

[Cox Abele]

If you can see the air filter like what you have pictured, the air [filter] canister has been removed for more airflow. The filter canister is how the pipe work, maf and filter are attached to the body of the car. This isn't really a huge problem. Just be sure that the intake pipe isn't loose on the turbo (just tighten it) and there are no rips or tears in the flexible pipe.

That pipe is what you'd remove to inspect the turbo for shaft play and compressor damage. With the car off and the pipe removed, you should be able to spin the fan blade by hand with little effort. Grab the center shaft and try to wiggle it up/down/in/out. A very little amount of up/down play is normal, any in/out is bad. Don't just feel the blade, but look at it also. If it has any rough edges or any of the blades look beat up, the turbo will likely need rebuilt.

While you'd technically be disabling the owner's car for inspection purposes, he/she shouldn't have a problem helping you get the intake pipe off unless they have something to hide. The same goes for if they won't let you do a compression test, test drive, or take it to a pro-mechanic for a second opinion. If the seller won't let you "kick the tires," run!

 

[crand]

couldnt agree more, look everthing over and ask questions, these cars are sweet but nearing 20 years old, make sure its been maintained.

 

[boosteclipse]

Never mind guess I need to read better. Comment removed

 

[Bojangles465]

it looks clean as hell, i would try to get it for 3500, that gives you some wiggle room in case you need to get some aftermarket parts to pimp yo' ride

 

[4G63madness]

Its looks "ok". I think 4,000 is too much for a stock gsx with mediocore interior. The bodys in good shape atleast. Like buddy said above get it for $3,500 cash he wont turn it down. Test drive it of course. If all checks out ok spend that $500 you saved and do maintence. Oil pump, water pump, belts, spark plugs, tranny flush, etc. OR personally if i were you id wait and be patient. Look around more and get something thats a bit nicer. If youre in the $5000 budget range you can really get something dam decent. Check out the classifieds and get an idea of what $5,000 can get you.

Also tell us what your goals are for the car. Track, DD, WW?

 

[MistyShower]

HAhaha. well as of right now I just want to do the maintanance for everything before anything else. so first, whenever I start the car after its been sitting a while, It does this high pitched squeeling noise for like 15 seconds and then its done. and it seems whenever I come to a stop, I can smell gas fumes . and here are pics of the engine and a leak I just saw a few minutes ago. any help is greatly appreciated. and right now Im going to connect that valve cover hole to the little nub thing () with a filter inbetween like the picture above. thats the right place right? thanks for the help!

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Did you test drive it or only hear it idle?

Jimmy.. give me your front bumper.. nao.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

The squealing is most likely a belt that needs to be replaced. Check your local parts store.

The leak seems like A/C run off to me.. i'm 99% sure that's water so if you were running your a/c thats what that is.

As for the gas fumes, I noticed that you have a HKS SSQV BOV, which is vented. Thats where your gas smell is coming from. When your shifting gears and the BOV vents the excess pressure, the engine is spilling in more fuel to compensate for the lack of air (that the BOV just spit out) instead of it being re-routed back into the intake tube. If you recirculate that back into your intake, you should fix that issue.

 

[MistyShower]

Sweet thank you much!

 

[talon2gbuyer]

No problem

 

[4G63madness]

I'd put a cam cover on it as well, and get a dipstick for it. How much did you end up getting it for?

 

[danielkile]

good idea to get one but they are fairly cheap and not a big deal