My friend has a 99' GS-T Eclipse. Last week sometime the car started to overheat every time he hit boost. It will literally overheat within 3 minutes of hitting boost. Got any clues??? I've tried pretty much everything I can think of to fix it, but so far nothing has helped. Any suggestions would be appreciated. <edited><editID>Spyderman9803</editID><editDate>38092.955150463</editDate></edited>

 

Check the Thermostat, and maybe the fluid level. Also, now that summers coming around, and maybe you're friend hasn't replaced his coolant, now would be a good time to do it. It's recommended you change the coolant mixture every 5 years or so on normally driven cars. Remember, it's a 50/50 water/coolant mixture.He won't gain anything by putting in more coolant or more water. See if that helps, if not then we can diagnose from there.

 

Yep it could be the thermostat stuck closed they do this whenthey had its days andcould be the most common problem of why your car is overheating.</P>


Seth <IMG src=smileys/smiley15.gif border="0"></P>

 

I worked on it more this weekend non-stop and still haven't solved the problem. I tried 2 different thermostats and now decided to go without one all together until the problem is fixed. I replaced the radiator and the water pump also. The car is still overheating after holding boost for a short period of time. I'm starting to think it might be the head gasket. Perhaps it has a really small slice in it somewhere that only opens up when in boost. </P>

 

....perhaps....but then it would show signs of burning coolant. Does your buddy have an aftermarket turbo that's water cooled? Or any water lines going to the turbo? does the fan come on?

 

Yea he's running big 16g. The car puts out white smoke when warming up occasionally but it doesn't emit any after it is warm or while it is driving. I cannot tell if it is burning anti-freeze when under boost because it puts out alot of black smoke right now(needs new rings). I even got desperate and replaced the radiator cap too knowing thats an occasional problem.

 

haha...I KNEW IT!!....I ripped the head off of the car today and of course it is the headgasket. There is an extremely tiny crack maybe half a centimeter at cylinder #1. I put the new headgasket on and torqued everything down right and the car runs great. Its holding boost with no problems and stays within proper terperatures. I wish I'd have thought of that before he bought a new radiator. Oh well, I guess he has an extra he can sell now. lol<IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0"></P>

 

Cool, Head gaskets seem to be kinda common on dsm's now....back in the day, the factory stuff used to last. But i suppose the gaskets have their limits. Did you use a stock or aftermarket?

 

He was using a stock headgasket. He knew it was a matter of time before it blew, but he took the chances. Now he gotta find a new one. Not my job though. I just install for him.<IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0">