by Ed (Virginia)
2004 Spyder GTS
2004 Eclipse Spyder GTS suffers burnt timing belt. I was going down the highway at 60 or so, and saw white smoke behind me. The cruise shut off, then the engine died. I coasted to a stop. Under the hood, there was still white smoke and the smell of burnt rubber coming from the timing belt cover. The mechanic said either the water pump or one of the pulleys locked up to cause it to burn like that. They are recommending a used motor be installed, since they say they could attempt a repair, but this type of damage is difficult to fix without further problems not too far away, caused by the heat generated in the engine when the belt was completely gone. I understand that some or all of the valves are probably bent. They quoted me $1800 for a used motor, $2400 for labor to install it and do the usual 60k mileage items (new timing belt, new water pump, new pulleys if needed) also new valve cover gaskets, plugs, wires, engine flush. The parts on top of the $4200 labor and motor are another $1300, all totaling $5500. The 2004 spyder gts had $122k miles on it, and the failure I’m sure was from inferior, non-manufacturer parts a local mechanic threw in at about the 80k mark. He also did a rear wheel bearing replacement, which I had to have redone by the Mitsubishi dealer (about $450 dealer cost), and he didn’t adjust the timing belt tensioner correctly which caused the belt to jump a few notches, and forced a replacement of the tensioner (that episode cost about $945 dealer cost).Is the used motor quote reasonable? They said it will have under $100k miles on it, and only a 90 day warranty. All other parts and labor have a year warranty. Would replacing the valves be just as expensive, if not more?
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1996 eclipse spyder alternator
by Drew (delaware ohio)
1996 eclipse spyder
I have a 1996 eclipse spyder. i just bought a new battery and a new starter and a new alternator. the car will not stay charged. I bought the new alternator at auto-zone it lasted 2 days then got a new one it still wouldn’t work it only lasted 1 day got another one it lasted 20 days now my car is just sitting because it has to be hard on my battery every time i drive it. It will stay charged when it is just sitting. I am having a guy look at it now. he checked all of the fuses and checked to see if the wires were getting power every thing looked Okay. I have checked all of the grounds. I am half tempted to just drop it off at a auto repair shop and have them look at it because it is killing me. there is a plug that goes into the alternator. And only two of the wires are getting power not sure what the other two do. He is supposed to be looking at the wiring diagram to try to figure it out. if you have any suggestions it would be very helpful thanks.
Eclipse interference motor
by jason (edgewater fl)
1997 eclipse
I have a 1997 eclipse. The mechanic shop did the water pump and timing belt needless to say it is an interference motor. I pick the car up my wife kids and I go out of town an hour later. Well 70 miles into our trip the timing belt tensioner breaks . I have it towed to the shop were it is still sitting for a week now almost all the valves are bent. They are fixing the motor but refuse to pay for new valve guides and seats for the head. Now that these valves were bent really bad is it mandatory to put new guides and seats when you bend the valves?