Ok,

When I sit still or just idle, my temp. hand goes up. When I give it gas it goes back to normal. Another thing, I have NO heat, and there is a sound that originates under the timing cover somewhere. It sounds like a metal ball rolling around and being shaken in a plastic cup. It is kind of a dull sound, and it isn't hardly noticeable except for when the hood is up.

I changed the thermostat, but it didn't seem to help anything.

Could it be my water pump??? If so, here are some questions:

1) Would it be hard to fix it myself? I have good mechanical knowledge.

2) How much would a dealership usually charge to do this?

3) The timing belt looks to be in good condition, but should I just go ahead and have it, the tensioner, and other related things changed since my car does have a 156k miles on it.

4) How much would just the parts alone run from say AutoZone??

Thanks for the help!!!!!!

>I changed the thermostat, but it didn't seem to help
>anything.
>
>Could it be my water pump??? If so, here are some questions:

Could be, yes.

>
>1) Would it be hard to fix it myself? I have good mechanical
>knowledge.

The water pump is turned by the timing belt. if you can do the timing belt, the water pump is just a few more bolts and a rubber gasket to add to the job.

>
>2) How much would a dealership usually charge to do this?

Scheduled maintenance on the timing belt usually includes the water pump because its right there. I've seen anything from $400 to $800 for the timing belt mainteannce. Depends on your local satan more than anything. Do it yourself. You'll learn something (like how to make damn sure the timing is right)

>
>3) The timing belt looks to be in good condition, but should I
>just go ahead and have it, the tensioner, and other related
>things changed since my car does have a 156k miles on it.

Yes. never reuse a timing belt if you can possibly avoid it.

>
>4) How much would just the parts alone run from say
>AutoZone??

It's cheaper to order them from mitsu online at either www.partznet.com or www.worldparts.com/tallmits than to get them from your local stealership. Do you really want an autozone timing belt holding the life of your car together?

>
>Thanks for the help!!!!!!

Anytime...

Before you start replacing the water pump, try flushing out the coolant. It could be something as simple as a clog. This has happened to me twice in the past two years.

i went through it all, its not that hard. My cooling system has had everything happen to it. First the water pump goes, then the heater hose cracks and makes my engine nasty. The water pump took me 12 hours straight, but i was a virgin to the timing belt material.


Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

Can I just pour antifreeze directly into where the thermostat is located?? How much should I put in it?? Most of the time I just put it in the overflow, but maybe that would help??

Also, how would I flush the coolant? Where do I do that from on the engine?

Thanks for all of the responses and help!!!!!:-)

That sound like what happened to my father's Vette. When sitting still the car would over heat, but when you got moving the temps would go down. It turned out the radiator fan relay was fried. Check to make sure the radiator fan is working before you tear into the engine.

I second that.

Check out the fans, and their corresponding relays. Also check out the Engine coolant sensor which triggers the fans, IIRC.

Yes, you pour the coolant into the cap where the thermostat is located... not the reservoir.
Under the radiator, on the right hand side (passenger side), there's a little knob facing the engine. Turn it and coolant should run down through a clear plastic hose. You can buy a bottle of radiator flush at any auto parts store.

Try the flush, but I bet you $5 it's the water pump. In fact if you put it on a lift or ramps and then get under the car, you may see coolant trail comming from the weep hole in the pump. I traced down my problem for months before I found out it was the water pump that I had just installed. Appearently it was dead when I put it on.

My '97 RS did exactly the same thing. My problem, though, turned out to be SO much more simple.

Change the oil.

My overheating usually had the little oil light associated with it though. I thought it was strange, since I had changed the oil not even 2,500 miles or so before. Anyway, when it started overheating, I just changed it and its fine ever since.

If you're revving it up, and its cooling down (not moving), then it may have something to do with the oil, since oil pressure increases with revs. There may be a spot in the engine not getting enough lubricating goodness, and that friction is both very hot and very bad for the engine.

Just my 2 cents. Do what the other guys say if that doesn't work. Soaring temps are never good.