another DSM problem....

[racer_rex89]

like te title states i have ANOTHER dsm problem......:killtard:
when i start my eclipse to let it warm up with the heater on low the car sounds like it want to die out.......when i take off from a stop sign or light it tries to stall...and when i shift to 3rd & 4th it does the samething its never done this until this week....

i've asked a few people and some say its the fuel filter and some say its the alterator

[M@]

Probably your alternator. Do your headlights brighten/dim as you rev it?

If it is, in fact, your alternator, take my advice - buy OEM. Don't waste your time with getting stranded using Checker/VatoZone replacements. I had 4 die in me in 2 weeks, and my OEM one was about $2 or 300, but it's lasted, and had a 1 year warranty.

[hrcDSM719]

Could be a slight vacuum leak as well, and once the cars under a load it causes a slight misfire. Get your alternator checked, then look for vacuum or boost leaks as well.

[FrankDMS]

good^ check both.

[Denkigroove]

more likely the alt since it (the heater) draws some of the most power out of your system. get a voltmeter, volt gauge or even a volt gauge that plugs into your cig lighter, will tell you a lot more about your charging system than we can off the bat

[racer_rex89]

well today i noticed that when its cutting out it starts to pour white smoke out the back.........could the still be from thew same problem???

[M@]

Uh oh. White smoke is coolant. Time to do a compression test. Head gasket might be on it's way out.

[hrcDSM719]

You can also diag a headgasket by pulling your spark plugs and pressurizing the cooling system with a coolant pressure tester. While under pressure, look into each sparkplug hole/cylinder. If your headgasket is blown or going bad, you will see coolant entering one of the cylinders.

Also, if you have access to a leakdown tester, that can be handy as well. When the cylinder is flooded with air, you will see bubbles forming in your coolant fill neck.

It seems odd that it only smokes when it starts to cut out. Typically if youre burning coolant from a faulty headgasket, it will be smoking constantly.

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

Sounds like there are some bad things going on there. Leakdown/compression test FTW. The symptoms sound like a vac leak of some kind, but if you popped a head gasket the same symptoms may be present. I will pray for you man....

[racer_rex89]

so should i just do the leakdown/compression test then change the head gasket....and not even worry about the altenator

[jackmode9316]

Well the alternator would not cause it to smoke like that. That is for sure.

[racer_rex89]

It seems odd that it only smokes when it starts to cut out. Typically if youre burning coolant from a faulty headgasket, it will be smoking constantly.
i really dont know if it smokes all the time i guess im going to have someone drive behind me to see if it does

[dsm king]

does it only smoke while its cold? if so then if it was your headgasket it will smoke all the time, if it only doers it when its cold then goes away after its warmed up its your valve seals

[hrcDSM719]

Worn valve guides/seals would cause it to smoke when first started, but the smoke wouldnt be white as he states.

What mods do you have?

[Denkigroove]

they have BHG testers at the parts stores that work pretty darn good, i suggest changign your oil soon though to make sure you dont have any coolant in that oil ;)

[sirtef9]

it's prolly building pressure from the gasket. How many miles on this? Do you know last time it was changed?

[racer_rex89]

i have no mods at all and currently has about 125,xxx miles and i changed the oil about a month ago

[sirtef9]

start it up, lett it idle till it gets to operating temperature. When it gets there watch the tail pipe for any sign of white smoke.

[racer_rex89]

should i just rebuild the head????
if i do and it doesnt fix the problem what next????

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

Well, there could be a few things that cause the white smoke issue. Some of these can be fixed by freshening the head up/new head gasket. If not, then you may have spent money unnecessarily. A bad seal in the turbo can cause white or blue smoke just like the head problems, but the turbo seal will not affect the idle. Have you performed a compression check or leakdown test? If I was you, I wouldn't make a move until that has been completed. Otherwise you may waste time and money, and possibly further damage the car. The DSM is a picky machine. They force you to play by the rules, or else your DSM will be in the garage collecting dust like mine.....Let us know what the results are on those tests, they will determine immediately weather or not you will need any head work.

[sbiggi]

should i just rebuild the head????
if i do and it doesnt fix the problem what next????

Maybe you should take it to a mechanic. It would be pretty dumb to blindly rebuild the head with out figuering what the issue it.

Its also pretty damn hard to blow the headgasket in a dsm. You would have to warp the head from over heating the shit out of it. Usually the stock ringlands would break from detonation before the headgasket gives out.

And are you sure it was white smoke and not grey?

Check for boost leaks with a leak tester.
Do a compression test.

[hrcDSM719]

With 120k on it, who knows how many times its been overheated in the past, not to mention how it has racked up those 120k also.

More than a few people have given you instructions on tests to perform in order to narrow your issues down to the cause. Give them a shot! Thats really the only way anyones actually going to be able to help you out. If you cant perform the tests then taking it somewhere to have them done would DEFINATELY be a good idea. EVIL is right in saying that theyre picky cars.

You really have to take care of them, otherwise they'll pay you back with smoke and ticking (and sometimes crankwalk....Haha)!

So, do the compression test, leakdown test, and/or coolant system test and let us know the results!! G/L

[racer_rex89]

i'll do the comp and leakdown test tomarrow....and i know i should have mentioned this before but its non turbo...its the 420a....sorry

[sirtef9]

Do a compression test today, dont forget to unplug your dizzy, if aplicable. Read the numbers later.

[racer_rex89]

the problem was fixed it was the headgasket....

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

Werd, glad to hear it. Keep an eye/ear on the bottom end. Those 420's are known for coming apart down there...

[hrcDSM719]

Yea, change your oil regularly...they like to eat bearings

[racer_rex89]

thanx for thie tips but hopefully i dont have this car for too much longer cuz its for sale

[racer_rex89]

IT FUCKING HAPPEND AGAIN....WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!.....I'M ABOUT TO DIRVE THIS FUCKING CAR OFF A CLIFF.........

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

Was the work done at a shop? Make them answer for it if so!

[hrcDSM719]

Damn that sucks!

I agree with Evil, OBVIOUSLY something wasnt done correctly. Where was it taken?

[jackmode9316]

HEad was warped maybe?

[95integraLS]

Vacuum leak or alternator, also check your 80 amp alternator fuse