2G What have I gotten myself into?

[Drachenblut]

Good evening DSM'ers.

I'm an old man, who just got himself into a car he's liked the look of and wanted since he was a savage youngin in the 80/90's. I'm brand spanking new to DSM ownership so please go easy on me, heh.

I'm Drachenblut. Just outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I know enough to do my own maintenance but learning the rest. Work as a building maintenance tech. This is my new baby, 1997 Eagle Talon TSi AWD that was sitting indoors since her previous owner worked on her in 2014. Timing belt was changed 1000 KM ago, according to the sticker. I just got fresh gas into her, fired her up with a new battery. Ran rough then smoothed out. Trailered her to my buddy's for a hoist check. Looks solid enough underneath. No major issues other than needing new tires due to dry rot.

However I'm new to what's under the hood. Last stuff I worked on was carbed so this is new to me. I'd love some pointers as to what you see right, see wrong, and can maybe name what the different mods etc are and how you would change it.

Cheers from the thawing North!
Drach

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[curt-s]

1000km but.. 11 years ago? I'd replace it anyway, just for piece of mind. Plus that alone will give a LOT of experience.

These engine bays are so packed, you really need to get in there with a small flashlight and look for oil leaks.

The strut towers are starting to rust, I'd be extra vigilant around inspecting those.

It clearly sat and was allowed to follow our seasons of humidity. A fresh oil and fluid change is a good idea, I would say even including transmission

Also you have a non circulating blowoff valve on a MAF system. Thats a general no-no as you're dumping metered air every time it opens, whether you're changing gears or not. This will cause many rich conditions whilst driving under different .. well, conditions.
Best to find yourself a recirculating style BOV and intake pipe that has recirculation capability. You can even use spa hose (literally, the hose that spa baths use, black and blue strip e from Home Depot) to connect the two.


..and maybe find a OE front bumper

 

[dwb]

You need a battery tie-down and those OEM vacuum lines could probably be replaced. I'd recommend a boost leak test, compression test, and maybe a leak down test. Cut open your oil filter to verify no bearing material is present.
I also agree about replacing the timing belt since age is just as bad as mileage and fix the BOV dump (recirc to intake) so you don't go pig rich coming off throttle.
Do you know what it's running for engine management (i.e. ECMLink)?

 

[Drachenblut]

1000km but.. 11 years ago? I'd replace it anyway, just for piece of mind. Plus that alone will give a LOT of experience.

These engine bays are so packed, you really need to get in there with a small flashlight and look for oil leaks.

The strut towers are starting to rust, I'd be extra vigilant around inspecting those.

It clearly sat and was allowed to follow our seasons of humidity. A fresh oil and fluid change is a good idea, I would say even including transmission

Also you have a non circulating blowoff valve on a MAF system. Thats a general no-no as you're dumping metered air every time it opens, whether you're changing gears or not. This will cause many rich conditions whilst driving under different .. well, conditions.
Best to find yourself a recirculating style BOV and intake pipe that has recirculation capability. You can even use spa hose (literally, the hose that spa baths use, black and blue strip e from Home Depot) to connect the two.


..and maybe find a OE front bumper

Hey there, if you wanna help me find an OE front bumper, and point me to the parts with links for that BOV then sounds good

You need a battery tie-down and those OEM vacuum lines could probably be replaced. I'd recommend a boost leak test, compression test, and maybe a leak down test. Cut open your oil filter to verify no bearing material is present.
I also agree about replacing the timing belt since age is just as bad as mileage and fix the BOV dump (recirc to intake) so you don't go pig rich coming off throttle.
Do you know what it's running for engine management (i.e. ECMLink)?

Sounds good. No clue what it's running for Engine Management or where to look at this time. Could be original computer.

 

[dwb]

Sounds good. No clue what it's running for Engine Management or where to look at this time. Could be original computer.

Underneath the radio is your ECU. Take it out, take off the cover, and post a picture of the board.

 

[curt-s]

Hey there, if you wanna help me find an OE front bumper, and point me to the parts with links for that BOV then sounds good


Sounds good. No clue what it's running for Engine Management or where to look at this time. Could be original computer.

Like the rest of us, watch the classifieds or put a wanted ad. For those that still go there (yuck) there's also faceblech.

 

[Drachenblut]

Underneath the radio is your ECU. Take it out, take off the cover, and post a picture of the board.

Sweet, will do. I'll be at the car on Friday evening so Sat morn might have that posted here.

 

[jdxnc]

Hello fellow Canuck,

My word of advice = if it's made of rubber, change it now. Or you will be on the side of the road sooner than later

 

[Drachenblut]

Hello fellow Canuck,

My word of advice = if it's made of rubber, change it now. Or you will be on the side of the road sooner than later

Alright, what first though?

 

[dwb]

Alright, what first though?

Things that may leave you stranded like tires and coolant lines

 

[curt-s]

So... everything?