New owner of the Eclipse GSX, need help

[Dominasian]

So i just recently bought an 1996 Eclipse GSX with 95.000 miles on the car and the body. Seemed like a good car to me, went to the mechanic, but that troll didn't say anything about the car (private mechanic). Anyways, I am new to the eclipse and have already registered on DSMtalk forum but now have to wait for their stupid approval.

Just today i found out that i have a small V shape crack in on the valve cover. So i found a valve cover for 125$, then i bought timing belt set with water pump and tensioned for 85$. I know for sure that my timing belt cover is broken, both top and bottom piece. My question is whether it is really necessary to install that cover ?
I have also noticed that my fuel tank can be half empty but the light on the dashboard will still light up, is this normal ? Since the car is running but not in a performance shape, i also noticed that car has a t28 turbo and running in on 16+ psi just rattles the car, do i have a boost leak ? if so, i know this question have been asnwere but can you please fast-lead me to an answer on how to do a boost leak test ?

The car has t28 turbo, custom exhaust, Boost and A/F gauges, turbo wastegate, g1 BOV, 18"rims on low profile tires

 

[StrokedSpyder96]

As far as the cover, yes you should have the timing belt cover on the car. If you are talking about the cam gear cover you can theoretically go without it, however for me its on of those not worth the risk things to go without when they are so cheap to replace.

Boost leak tests are pretty easy, you can check this link and it should give you everything your looking for.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-turbo-system-intercooler/169435-boost-leak-test-how-boostpro-net-tester.html

You can also do a quick google search and see how to make a boost leak tested with parts from home depot.

Good Luck

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

You don't have to install the cover but I do just in case. The fuel Gage just could be messing up. My light would come on until I took the assembly out and upgraded my fuel pump and now it works perfect. If you have a boost controller turn the boost down to 14 psi just to be safe until you have the proper supporting mods

 

[Joethefallen23]

It is absolutely essential to have the lower covers. If you cannot locate the cam cover, I suppose you could risk running it. I personally wouldn't. One small chip of gravel/pavement is all it takes to wreck valves.

 

[gieri002]

I don't want to start a battle but the general consensus on this site is that you should not use cheap timing belt kits (like the $85 one you purchased) as it is imperative that these parts don't malfunction/break. You might want to consider returning them and purchasing oem parts.

 

[Dominasian]

For now i am waiting on these parts, but really i mean belt can hold another 50k miles even the one from Ebay, people buy them because they are cheap, may not be as reliable as stock ones but the reason i didn't order stock belt is because this was the entire kit, so why not. Thanks for boost leak links i will check them out and see what i can do. I heard that without supporting mods you can run no more than 16 psi which is totally fine with me but now even at 16psi car starts to rattle and i think this happens because i don't have enough fuel to burn and cars just jerks off... What i want to do right now is to figure out whether i have 1g BOV or 2g, that way ill know if i don't loose any power because of my BOV. I else heard that installing fuel filter will help eliminate all the oil that is underneath my hood, and really i mean oil is all over the engine right now, and i will guess again that is because i don't have the fuel filter installed and since i have a crack in the valve cover that makes sense to my why i would have so much oil everywhere.

I will also have another question about SRI. Would just buying AEM filter help me keep flows clear and will it add anything to overall HP ? i have heard that it doesnt really add anything, but still what are your thoughts ? will it make it louder with AEM filter ? and if you would recommend me buying one of those filters, which ones do you prefer, and what things i will need to buy additionally to install it properly. I am pretty sure i have a stock filter with a sensor and all stock tubing right now.

 

[immortalmcf]

I don't want to start a battle but the general consensus on this site is that you should not use cheap timing belt kits (like the $85 one you purchased) as it is imperative that these parts don't malfunction/break. You might want to consider returning them and purchasing oem parts.

I agree timing belt set with water pump and tensioner for $85 is way too low it aint worth it if those parts fail ruining the engine. Spend a couple extra bucks and get quality timing parts. First inspect how your tensioner and pulleys are and take it from there.

 

[Dominasian]

And about covers... You said it is pretty easy to find one cheap, where can i possibly buy one cheap, and what do you consider cheap ? i am 21 years old university student and dont have tons of money to spend on parts... I have seen a set on youtube for like 160$ is this the price i should go with ? or i can find even cheaper deals somewhere else ?

 

[Lavery]

Once you are out of your probationary period you should check out the classifieds section and look for a timing belt cover. There are plenty of part outs going on and most everyone on here is running some type of cover, whether it be stock or aftermarket. $160 is a bit over priced for a used one if you ask me.

 

[Dominasian]

Anyways, you guys scared me with my order (timing belt kit) i ordered the kit from Mizumoauto and decided to look for some reviews on google, some people who work with subies have bought them and never had problems with them at least in 60k miles like it is recommended to change... I know some stuff is cheap and not worth buying but mizomuauto seem to have good feedback on ebay and other forums... I just check with my local import parts shop and they assembled a kit for 152 out the door which is almost twice expensive then Ebay one, besides that, Ebay order includes valve cover seal, half moon seals and 4 spark plug seals.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Is your motor worth that little bit your gonna save?

 

[BogusSVO]

A cheap timing belt and tensioner, will mean more expensive head work later, if/when one or the other fails, valves can and will bend, guides crack.

Then you will be buying timing compoants again along with having your head fixed, buying a reman or getting a used head.

 

[Awdspyderman]

YOU CAN BE CHEAP NOW,....... BUT YOU WILL PAY MORE IN THE LONG RUN! i.e towing fee's, rebuilt head, motor so on & so on. I am not trying to dog you but here is a piece of advice... CHEAP,FAST, & RELIABLE. PICK TWO. and as for the BOV just look at it, if it's metal with a green top. it's a 1g (better) if it's black and plactic (sucks) it's the stock 2g BOV. Good luck with whatever way you go, also a new FUEL filter isn't going to fix your OIL leak.

 

[pauleyman]

I am currently helping a friend fix a problem with a cheap timing belt kit. Tensioner pulley failed in about 15k. I've probably done about 100 timing belts, the job was correct. This was flat out an inferior part failure. I buy name brand parts or OEM.

 

[acorn3583]

Personally, I would just spend the extra for a Gates belt. You can never go wrong by doing it right. And thats a ridiculous price for a valve cover IMO. Check the marketplace or even Craigslist and I'm sure you could find one for half that. Also, you might want to look into a balance shaft eliminator kit as long as you're already doing timing work. It's a solid investment and, since you dont have to worry about the other belt anymore, makes timing a breeze. Comparatively, of course, . Good luck, man! Hang in there

 

[tarheels23]

I've been driving my car without a lower cover for almost 2 years now and haven't had a problem, but I desperately want lower cover because until you get one there's always a voice in my head saying "your belts going to snap or something is going to get caught in there" look everywhere for a cover you'll find one eventually.

 

[Dominasian]

I guess i am being naive right now, but, u guys keep scaring me when other say its gonna be just fine. Mitsubishi never had their own belt factory, so in fact they ask third party manufacturers to make belts for them, WHAT OEM you are talking about, have you ever seen legit Mitsubishi credentials on any of your new belts that you buy ?

I know i came for the advice on Ebay part, but it seems like non of you even asked what brand it is, or who sells it. It was sold to me by MizumoAuto which has 28k positive replies and only 3 negative in last 12 months. It seems like a reliable source to buy aftermarket parts. Correct me if i am mistaken.

 

[Boostdclips99]

I guess i am being naive right now, but, u guys keep scaring me when other say its gonna be just fine. Mitsubishi never had their own belt factory, so in fact they ask third party manufacturers to make belts for them, WHAT OEM you are talking about, have you ever seen legit Mitsubishi credentials on any of your new belts that you buy ?

I know i came for the advice on Ebay part, but it seems like non of you even asked what brand it is, or who sells it. It was sold to me by MizumoAuto which has 28k positive replies and only 3 negative in last 12 months. It seems like a reliable source to buy aftermarket parts. Correct me if i am mistaken.

OEM parts are built to spec for vehicles and have hundreds of thousands of miles to prove they have the credentials to last. These eBay parts do not have the R&D put into their parts to trust. These cars will treat you good if you perform maintenance with proven parts. If you want the possibility having to replace the valves or head because you added a bunch of mods to the car and rev it to 7k rpm frequently then the timing belt snaps that is up to you.

We are not hear to scare you but to inform you from experience passed down by the DSM Gods. That eBay seller might have 28k positive reviews but those parts a mainly going on cars that people will not boost to 15lbs on a regular basis. If you are looking to buy parts there are plenty of vendors under the vendors list that will sell quality OEM parts. Support them.

 

[Dominasian]

Update on Valve cover, I contacted Ebay seller to return an item because it is quite a rip off to buy a valve cover for that much money if i can find local deals here for 20-40$. I don't know if that is possible but i told the seller to return an item and if it is possible to not ship it back since i am still waiting on it. Maybe he can contact the shipping company and tell them to return. But yaah, i will be looking into used ones, unless there will be no other choice but installing powder coated one.

And final decision on timing belt kit. I will be using the one i bought on Ebay for the reason i told in my previous posts. All Mitsubishi belts are genuine from third party manufacturer and just because you have had heard some negative feedback about it doesn't mean its that bad. I know i have a performance car, but it is more of a daily car not a racing monster, i will never take it to a drag race, maybe some couple of hard launches on streets where i live, but that's it, its more of a daily driver. Thank for your advices, i will be posting updates here on whats going on with my ride.

 

[BogusSVO]

I guess i am being naive right now, but, u guys keep scaring me when other say its gonna be just fine. Mitsubishi never had their own belt factory, so in fact they ask third party manufacturers to make belts for them, WHAT OEM you are talking about, have you ever seen legit Mitsubishi credentials on any of your new belts that you buy ?

I know i came for the advice on Ebay part, but it seems like non of you even asked what brand it is, or who sells it. It was sold to me by MizumoAuto which has 28k positive replies and only 3 negative in last 12 months. It seems like a reliable source to buy aftermarket parts. Correct me if i am mistaken.

I have bought lots of parts from Mizumo, I would also bet that hundreds of DSM'ers have bought parts from them too.

Mainly the NPR pistons and rings they sell (That's OE) Gasket kits, (pitch the HG and get a felpro) All with out issue.

Now for the timing parts, that's a different story, Lots of threads on here how the auto tentsioner failed, or a bearing failed in the idler pulley. A few on belts too.

That is why OE parts with the Mitsubishi part number is such a hard line on this fourm. Then the next will be the gates or other premium parts line. Just so the china clone parts do not get installed.

Now if you are stock, or near stock, your $85 kit may last a year or so, and go 20k miles.

How long do you plan on keeping the car?

Some of the guys on the board have had a number of DSMs, and/or kept the one they have for 5 years? some ten years or more I am sure.

 

[Dominasian]

For now my car is almost stock except 1g BOV t28 garrett turbo and cat back. other than that everything is stock, i will try and keep this car for as long as i can but i have a problem with keeping cars, they usually don't stay with me for longer than a year. But so far i like this car and hope to keep this car for a long time.

 

[pauleyman]

I think the consensus is generally name brand. Too many ebay parts have no name at all. Id at least get gates or something. The kits are cheap. As cheap as what you are loking at on ebay.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

Don't cheap on the timing belt. I stripped teeth off mine before 10k miles. Spent 180$ on a kevalar I wish I spent first time. Like you though I didn't know better at the time.

 

[Dominasian]

actual timing belt from Dealers cost 17$, if it breaks ill install new one, but for now, ill use the one that i have ordered in the kit, everything in the kit has its name like for example water pump is from GMB etc. I will post updates with pictures on how parts look like and what condition they are.

 

[BogusSVO]

Yes if the belt breaks you will install a new belt.

But add to the parts list, valves and guides, commonly all the intakes. and a new head gasket.