How Hard To Fix

[MakeItHappen]

Forget the no engine rs,

Im picking up a 98 eclipse that runs and drives but overheats,
the guy said it was the water pump but all jeeps i have touched needed new thermostats.

if it is the water pump how hard is that to fix?
a quick google search said they cost like $60-$80??

the car only costs $600 so im getting it.

 

[bryanwheat]

It's hard to tell you what the problem is without messing with it, but if it is the water pump they are a bit of a pain for someone who is new to these cars. You will have to remove the drive belts, crank pulley, motor mount, outer timing cover, timing belt, cam gears, and inner timing cover just to get to the water pump. It's pretty rare for the water pump to just not be pumping coolant any more. It is a lot more common to have a bad head gasket.

 

[zcoh2gdsm]

easy way to test it is take off the top radiator hose, start it up and see if it's pushing coolant out.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I'd not want to be the guy that has to clean that up.

 

[zcoh2gdsm]

I'd not want to be the guy that has to clean that up.

i didn't think i'd have to mention using a bucket. but i guess i was wrong .

 

[johnovision27]

*** Wait until the car is completely cooled off, then take the rad cap off, start the car, watch for coolant flow. (might have to rev it a bit) And there is your waterpump testing technique.

 

[bcjjones]

Yea how long was it driven overheating? Might have started off as a water pump/thermostat but could now possible be a blown head gasket and even a warped head. 600 bucks isnt a huge gamble though. Even with a rebuilt head replacement you'd be getting a decent deal.

Water pump is kind of a pain but if your mechanically minded its not hard. Just some work!

 

[slayer450]

Could also be something as stupid as the system wasn't burped or a bad cap.

 

[MakeItHappen]

i talked to someone at work today who said a while back they had to stop every 10 minutes to cool the engine and all they needed was a new thermostat

 

[bryanwheat]

i talked to someone at work today who said a while back they had to stop every 10 minutes to cool the engine and all they needed was a new thermostat

There are many different reasons for a car to overheat don't assume anything until you have tested everything out.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

If you think its a, thermostat remove it and run without out it, and,see if it overheats,or not. As, bryan said,no point in buying parts before finding the problem.

 

[MakeItHappen]

Soooo i called the guy today to get his address and he said he sold the car to someone last night who showed up with $500 cash,

even tho i said i would be there tomorrow with $600

 

[H@xtGSX]

Well... He's a dumbass then.

 

[MakeItHappen]

Well... He's a dumbass then.

i feel like i could have counter offered him with $400 and i would have won

 

[psx]

Could be a cracked head.

Well... He's a dumbass then.

true

 

[spyderdrifter]

easy way to test it is take off the top radiator hose, start it up and see if it's pushing coolant out.

Kinda wish I knew about this back in May when I replaced mine Oh well, but for future reference, and to ask a retarded question I think I know the answer to, it would be pushing the coolant out of the water neck and not out of the radiator right?

 

[MakeItHappen]

Kinda wish I knew about this back in May when I replaced mine Oh well, but for future reference, and to ask a retarded question I think I know the answer to, it would be pushing the coolant out of the water neck and not out of the radiator right?

.yea.

 

[Cj'srs]

Maybe the car had other problems since price was really low

 

[MakeItHappen]

im not sure, the original price was $1000 and i got him to 600,
now im just gonna save up and buy one with no problems

 

[92AWDHX40]

sounds good my timing belt broke when i was in college parents had to tow it from indiana but that was my first major job on my car so it wasnt too hard got everything right the first time, just took a bit of work, saved a lot of money just had to get my head redone that was the biggest expense not bad for a first timer with anything that major on any car.

 

[nubi4life]

I think 600 was a great price for that car. I use to have an Evo 8. Ever since I got my dsm I'm in heaven. Parts are so cheap for these cars.