I got a 1996 eclipse gs from this lady for $700, i'm thinking of swaping a 4g63 in but for now I would like to fix the regular engine 420a, she was telling me that when she was driving all of a sudden smoke started coming out of the hood. When I took the car from her I tried starting it up and it seems the smoke is coming from the intake manifold, what is wrong with the car and how can I fix it? I need to fix this engine because i'm low on cash and can't purchase the new one. She also said one time the engine didn't have any water, or she would run it with low water Any info will help Thanks

 

Sounds like a bad headgasket, the 420a is infamous for a leeky headgasket, an avrage shop will charge you 1500 or so for the replacment, but 120 bucks and 4 hours of hard work yeild the same product. If this is the first thing you are doing(car repair wise) I reccomend that you take it to a shop. Improper adjustment of the timming will ruin the cyl. head and possible the bottom end. Also for the 4g63 swap... possible... if you have 5k to throw down. If you dont belive me go to the search section on this fourm or on 2 g n t .com(all one word), its a site dedicated to the 420a eclipse, there are about a million posts about the swap and why its nearly impossible.

 

dude if u are getting charged 1500 for a head gasket than buy a new longblock it is cheeper 1500 sounds steep for a head gasket when u can have a whole motor overhauled for that.

 

did it my self and spent 120 on a new gasket, I was just curious to see how much it would cost seeing how I work 40 hours a week at my job and I am also a full time student.

 

if it only cost around 500-600 for a timing belt and waterpump replace at the dealer i say 500-700 for the gasket installed. if it is any higher than that call a macinest or machanic and see what they will charge most likly less than the dealer.