How reliable are 99 Mitsu Eclipse
- Thread starter wn1998
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Don`t know about the Eclipse,but my 96 3000GT was the most reliable car I ever owned. I`d definitely own another Mitsubishi.
In my findings knowing people who have owned them, they are either reliable, or they are NOT.
I think the newer iterations are better than the first gens probably though.
I think the newer iterations are better than the first gens probably though.
I had a 1991 Eagle Talon (mitsu) with a 5 spd. It was a fun car to drive with a great engine but not built for long life. Good example of a car that is reliable in that it generally ran without lots of things breaking, but not durable. Transmission was whining badly by 75k and needed rebuilding. ECM was designed to last about 12 years and then went pffft with a puff of smoke. Very expensive to replace. I was looking for parts in a junk yard and found the Talon/Eclipses only lasted 120-to 140k miles. Emission controls were a weak spot. Last emission test it passed with 399 ppm versus a limit of 400. Lots of little weird designs on them, like the caliper piston screws back in, you can't just push it like on other cars.
From what I've seen on Mitsubishis from the era, watch for oil smoke (valve guide seals). It seems that the 3.0L engines were the worst for that, but I've seen many an Eclipse and Mirage smoking as well. If it doesn't smoke now, the seals have probably already been replaced, or they never will leak.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
From what I've seen on Mitsubishis from the era, watch for oil smoke (valve guide seals). It seems that the 3.0L engines were the worst for that, but I've seen many an Eclipse and Mirage smoking as well. If it doesn't smoke now, the seals have probably already been replaced, or they never will leak.
Absolutely +1 on the Mitsubishi valve guide seals. Just make certain the engine is absoulutely cold before starting it. If it's a 4G63 (Eclipse GS-T/GS-X) it will blow smoke. Just like Hokifyd said. If it doesn't, it's already been fixed or you got one in a thousand Mitsubishis that got good seals.
The Eclipse RS/GS models have a variant of the Dodge Neon's engine (420A) Chrysler had pretty much fixed it's head gasket scrubbing problems but you gotta' follow the maintenance schedule on the timing belt. I've seen so many 420As get trashed with 100,000+ mi on the original timing belt. (interference engine)
I've seen lots of 200,000 mile Eclipses with the 420A as well as it's bigger brother the Dodge Avenger.
The A604/41TE? Sketchy. I've had one last well over 120,000 miles on just the addition of an oil cooler and regular fluid changes. Still running as far as I know. But I've seen 'em die an early death a lot more often.
From what I've seen on Mitsubishis from the era, watch for oil smoke (valve guide seals). It seems that the 3.0L engines were the worst for that, but I've seen many an Eclipse and Mirage smoking as well. If it doesn't smoke now, the seals have probably already been replaced, or they never will leak.
Absolutely +1 on the Mitsubishi valve guide seals. Just make certain the engine is absoulutely cold before starting it. If it's a 4G63 (Eclipse GS-T/GS-X) it will blow smoke. Just like Hokifyd said. If it doesn't, it's already been fixed or you got one in a thousand Mitsubishis that got good seals.
The Eclipse RS/GS models have a variant of the Dodge Neon's engine (420A) Chrysler had pretty much fixed it's head gasket scrubbing problems but you gotta' follow the maintenance schedule on the timing belt. I've seen so many 420As get trashed with 100,000+ mi on the original timing belt. (interference engine)
I've seen lots of 200,000 mile Eclipses with the 420A as well as it's bigger brother the Dodge Avenger.
The A604/41TE? Sketchy. I've had one last well over 120,000 miles on just the addition of an oil cooler and regular fluid changes. Still running as far as I know. But I've seen 'em die an early death a lot more often.
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Their very iffy
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
From what I've seen on Mitsubishis from the era, watch for oil smoke (valve guide seals). It seems that the 3.0L engines were the worst for that, but I've seen many an Eclipse and Mirage smoking as well. If it doesn't smoke now, the seals have probably already been replaced, or they never will leak.
i have the 3.0L v6 in my eclipse with 123,xxx miles. i doesnt burn a single drop of oil over 8,000+ mile oci's, doesnt smoke, gets driven hard, plenty of cold starts in the winter, etc etc.
the only time it has refused to start was when i blew the fuse on my battery terminal so the starter wasnt getting power.
From what I've seen on Mitsubishis from the era, watch for oil smoke (valve guide seals). It seems that the 3.0L engines were the worst for that, but I've seen many an Eclipse and Mirage smoking as well. If it doesn't smoke now, the seals have probably already been replaced, or they never will leak.
i have the 3.0L v6 in my eclipse with 123,xxx miles. i doesnt burn a single drop of oil over 8,000+ mile oci's, doesnt smoke, gets driven hard, plenty of cold starts in the winter, etc etc.
the only time it has refused to start was when i blew the fuse on my battery terminal so the starter wasnt getting power.
Very junky. [censored] car itself and all the parts and bolts break in you hand. Had to replace 6 lug nuts on one, all stripped.
I think they were good cars when new but I wouldent buy a used one. Too many kids out there think they know stuff about cars and would do funny things to them. Also its a 99, what year did Fast and Furious come out??? Don't risk it!
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Very junky. [censored] car itself and all the parts and bolts break in you hand. Had to replace 6 lug nuts on one, all stripped.
sounds like you dealt with one that wasnt taken care of and possibly owned in the rust belt.
the parts are easy to come by, cheap to replace, cheap to fix etc. the 4G63 4cyl is one bulletproof engine given you do change the oil every once in a while and general routine maintenance.
Very junky. [censored] car itself and all the parts and bolts break in you hand. Had to replace 6 lug nuts on one, all stripped.
sounds like you dealt with one that wasnt taken care of and possibly owned in the rust belt.
the parts are easy to come by, cheap to replace, cheap to fix etc. the 4G63 4cyl is one bulletproof engine given you do change the oil every once in a while and general routine maintenance.
I have heard that they are very hit or miss. I've heard better things about the 2000+ Eclipses.
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
I have heard that they are very hit or miss. I've heard better things about the 2000+ Eclipses.
2000-2005 was the 3rd gen eclipse. love mine, very reliable. trying to run it into the ground.
I have heard that they are very hit or miss. I've heard better things about the 2000+ Eclipses.
2000-2005 was the 3rd gen eclipse. love mine, very reliable. trying to run it into the ground.
The eclpise in question has an automatic transmission and the 2.0L 4 cyl engine. I am going to take a look at in on Friday. I would also like to hear it run and start it cold to see if it smokes.
Should I ask if the timing belt has been changed already since it has 117k? Should I take the car out of consideration if the timing belt hasn't been changed?
Should I ask if the timing belt has been changed already since it has 117k? Should I take the car out of consideration if the timing belt hasn't been changed?
I wouldn't take it out of consideration if the belt hasn't been changed, But I would have him knock off...let's say $300. off the price to have money to get it changed.
If he balks at the idea you can remind him that it is an interference engine and snapped belt means bent valves.
On the 3rd generation Eclipses? I always thought our 2001 GT 3.0 V6 was kinda' odd looking but my wife LOVED it. It was kind of a PITA to do the back 3 plugs and typical of other 6G7X motors the timing belt was horrible to do. (fortunately I had already practiced with my 6G73 and my brother in law's Diamante's 6G72) But it was dependable and the oil filter was easy to access. Transmission filter was a spin on. Too easy to do. No excuse for neglecting transmission maintenance.
If he balks at the idea you can remind him that it is an interference engine and snapped belt means bent valves.
On the 3rd generation Eclipses? I always thought our 2001 GT 3.0 V6 was kinda' odd looking but my wife LOVED it. It was kind of a PITA to do the back 3 plugs and typical of other 6G7X motors the timing belt was horrible to do. (fortunately I had already practiced with my 6G73 and my brother in law's Diamante's 6G72) But it was dependable and the oil filter was easy to access. Transmission filter was a spin on. Too easy to do. No excuse for neglecting transmission maintenance.
I'd find something else. Much better cars for the money.
Only do it if you absolutely love the car and it has a great service history.
Only do it if you absolutely love the car and it has a great service history.
There's no way to tell on a ancient, last century '99 - but it last THIS long
I find mitsus trans dont stand up to abuse but engine can be pretty reliable. Did the girl ever have the oil changed? The t belt may require changing again even if it was done at 70K. esp if itz been more than 5 years time on it.
Duuuhhh....I just re-read the original post.
If you have a decent transmission in your Grand Cherokee, just keep that.
It's not an even trade. Not even close.
If you are looking for something sporty with good mpg, you should be able to get a similar year Celica with a 5SFE 2.2 or maybe well maintained Acura Integra LS. Much better cars. Maybe an Accord Coupe or Monte Carlo 3.4
I know the MC is a hit and miss arrangement on styling. Not everyone likes it...but my ex's Lumina was very reliable, (ecept for a string of 3 sketchy alternators)could average 20 mpg, and got a legitimate 30 mpg on freeway trips. The MC should do just as well and that's a bit better than the Grand Cherokee with a 4.0 and considerably better than the 5.2.
If you have a decent transmission in your Grand Cherokee, just keep that.
It's not an even trade. Not even close.
If you are looking for something sporty with good mpg, you should be able to get a similar year Celica with a 5SFE 2.2 or maybe well maintained Acura Integra LS. Much better cars. Maybe an Accord Coupe or Monte Carlo 3.4
I know the MC is a hit and miss arrangement on styling. Not everyone likes it...but my ex's Lumina was very reliable, (ecept for a string of 3 sketchy alternators)could average 20 mpg, and got a legitimate 30 mpg on freeway trips. The MC should do just as well and that's a bit better than the Grand Cherokee with a 4.0 and considerably better than the 5.2.
If I remember correctly the timing belt is a 60000 mile time change, that means both belts, water pump and tensioner is due at 120000 miles. Forget it the Eclipse is at the end of its life cycle.
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