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97 Eclipse - Something went awry
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avatarati
New User
Jun 21, 2012, 5:18 PM
Post #1 of 8
(1929 views)
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97 Eclipse - Something went awry
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Hi guys, I'm a little frustrated because I just rebuilt this engine 10,000 miles ago. Sucks to drop $1,100 into something only to have it break shortly after. Anyway, here's the info:
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (2.0 DOHC) 152,000
I rebuilt my engine about 10,000 miles ago and after about 5,000 miles I noticed that oil was starting to leak on the backside of the block. Shortly thereafter, it developed a slight "knocking" sound but it didn't sound too major to me. Not a hard knocking or anything. It would also "click" slightly on the front side of the engine, somewhere around the power steering pump.
Anyways, I was driving down the interstate last week and all of a sudden the oil pressure light comes on. I'm two miles from my house so I decided to see if I could make it...maybe not the best decision. About a mile later, my engine starts stalling out during acceleration and the RPM's drop to zero - the engine died. I pull over, start the engine again, then make it about another 1/2 mile before the engine dies again. Try to start it, and it seems to sieze up. Instead it made this slight grinding sound (like my bearings were spinning out) before it comes to a dead halt. By this time, I'm thinking...it ran out of oil and now my car is toast...great.
I get it towed back to my house. The next day, I check the oil...it's full! I try to turn over the engine, it makes about half a rotation (the crankshaft IS turning). Checked the timing belt, it's still intact. Battery has voltage, starter is making contact with the flywheel. It won't try to start that well...it makes a quick "swoosh" and then nothing. Wont' even try to fire. I turned on my ignition and tried to listen for the fuel pump...didn't hear anything. This is a little odd, considering the grinding noise it made the last time I tried to start it on the highway, plus the fact that there was a little smoke coming out from underneath my hood after it died the final time. I figured the engine massively overheated due to an oil pump failure and the engine was ruined.
Don't think it's the coil pack or the plugs...all are new. Fuel filter was changed about seven years ago though...lol :(
I'm a little confused. Does this sound like the oil pump failed? I re-used my old oil pump, but I inspected all of the internal parts and cleaned it thoroughly. It seemed pretty solid when I put it back on the engine during the rebuild. Granted - it had 140,000 miles on it, but it looked and operated like brand new back then.
Anyone have any ideas what I could check? I'm not even sure if my car makes a fuel pump noise during key on. Never noticed it before.
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avatarati
New User
Jun 21, 2012, 5:47 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1903 views)
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Re: 97 Eclipse - Something went awry
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We all start out somewhere. I didn't rebuild the engine because I had to. It was working just fine. I rebuilt it because I wanted to learn how to. And I had a 30 year mechanic by my side. He did advise against using the old oil pump though. I was just getting cheap by that point. For good reason though. It was a learning experiment. I was just seeing if I could get it running because I like fixing things and learning.
Thanks for the condescending remark though.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 21, 2012, 6:19 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1881 views)
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Re: 97 Eclipse - Something went awry
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That is one route to go and it is a good way to learn BUT you don't want to do this with your everyday driver. Its best to get an old project car and tear into it...It way more fun, you aren't pressured by time because it has to get back up & running, etc, etc....
Sound like this one is going to have to come back out again
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avatarati
New User
Jun 21, 2012, 6:26 PM
Post #6 of 8
(1877 views)
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Re: 97 Eclipse - Something went awry
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It was the lasting bonding moment I had with my father before he died in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. So yea, it was worth the $1,100 to do one more thing with him before that happened.
Do you think it's the oil pump or not.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 21, 2012, 6:37 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1870 views)
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Re: 97 Eclipse - Something went awry
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Sorry to hear about your father...
If I read the post right, it only turns 180 degrees & locks up? If thats right something came loose and that traced down 1st.
With everything that went on before it died, it might not be a bad idea to drop the pan and take a peek....
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 21, 2012, 8:38 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1851 views)
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Re: 97 Eclipse - Something went awry
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Pull the valve cover. Usually the first thing that goes when there is lack of oil pressure is the cam bearings and or camshafts.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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