Just purchased a 1990 Eclipse GST

[KrazeeGST]

Hey everyone....I'm new to the forum and my Dad just purchased me a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST for a car to go to college. It's not so pretty looking since the paint is pretty much faded to hell and also the major dents on the uni-body and driver side fender. The car is a 5spd and has about 180k miles on the clock. Can anyone tell me where to start as far as maintenance is concern?

So far the things I've done for maintenance is:

Timing Belt
Water Pump w/ Thermestat
Changed Motor Oil
Valve Cover gasket
Spark Plug Compression Test w/ New Spark Plugs

That's basically it for now...oh yeah another thing I have to ask as a start off question is why does my car burn oil? I've owned the car for nearly a week and a few days and the oil starts to burn. I've probably lost about a quart. Is this normal? Is this really a big problem? I read the rules on the forum and it says to use the Search Button located at the top of the page but I'm just getting used to this site. Also what else do i need to maintenace before I can call this car a reliable car?

 

[Spoolin98]

Just a few ideas...
Flush the radiator
Check all coolant lines for cracks/leaks
Pull the intercooler and clean it
Do a boost leak test and fix leaks
New air filter
Check the brakes and rotors out
Change brake and clutch fluid
Change the fuel filter
Clean battery terminals

As far as the oil problem goes, keep a close eye on it and make sure it is always at the correct level. If you want a reliable car I would find the source of the problem and fix it, but as long as the motor has oil everything will be ok.

 

[girlieracr4g63]

Change the balance shaft belt. This is a MUST. Unless its just been recently changed. Because if it breaks you could be in a world of trouble. It can take out your timing belt, and I guess I dont need to explain the rest. As long as you know these are interference motors.


Wendy

 

[KrazeeGST]

is there a pic somewhere of the balance shaft belt?

 

[1990telawd]

i know it will be hard to tell but you should check your turbo. When i got my 90 it still had a stock turbo and the oil seals were bad, i would lose a quart of oil about every 1000 miles. An easy way to tell is if you get to about 8+ lbs of therhetical pressure (assuming you dont have a aftermarket boost gauge) you will shoot some smoke out the exhaust. To fix this replace your turbo. Also your balance shaft belts are the smaller belts with the timing belt. If you didnt change it be prepared to soon.

 

[unlmtdndeavor]

what exactly do you mean by burning oil. do you see blue smoke out the tailpipe? if so, the turbo seals are going. just take the intake off the turbo, and try to wiggle the wheel inside the turbo. if it moves inwards and outwards, it's time for a new turbo

 

[KrazeeGST]

i did what you told me to do and wiggle the wheel in the turbo and it moves a little not a lot....Is that a good thing? Bad thing? Also last night where I live was raining really hard and when I went to check for the turbo I felt my floor on the driver side is wet including the rear floor behind me.....As I went to open the trunk and look where the spare tire is there's a puddle of water all in the spare tire area. How can I fix this water leak too.

Also when I rev the car.......instead of seeing blue smoke like what you guys said I see black smoke coming at the muffler.....is that a bad thing as well?

 

[titogs95]

To fix the water leak, just make sure where is coming from. and make sure to clean the drain holes in the trunk.....
Black smoke mean the car is runing rich. So, is the bov venting to the atmosphere? read here why.

Also, change the caps in the ECU.

Welcome to dsmtuner and enjoy your stay.

 

[KrazeeGST]

when i open my trunk lid the two sides near the spoiler end was dripping water like crazy.... PLus where is the drain hole btw?

 

[creed1857]

thats just b/c the water was from when it last rained

 

[KrazeeGST]

Could it be the weather strips? Or is it something else that needs to be fixed? Please can anyone take a pic of what needs to be done to fix this leakage cause it's going to be my daily driver and I don't want to be soaked because of this.

 

[KrazeeGST]

Can anyone help me on this?

 

[creed1857]

I don't think you have anything to worry about unless your seats are wet, I have a 96 and my trunk does that, my brothers 95 does it too.