Ok, this is for all of you who are mechanically inclined. I'm relatively familiar with what happens under the hood, but I haven't the time energy or money at this point to figure out the latest problem with my car. So I'll toss you guys the ball and see if I can't get some info to work with.

I was driving my car (bout a month ago now) and my car was making a really horrible sounding grinding, thunking noise, coming from the timing belt casing. It ONLY made this noise under about 2500 rpms...once the car was over that, regardless of what gear i was in, or whether i was moving or not, the sound went away and the engine sounded perfect. I was concerned, of course, but as I said, after 2500 rpms, the car was perfect. I drove home, turned it off, and promised myself to bring it down and have it looked at.

The next morning, it wouldnt start. Period. And to this day, it hasnt started. Everything will turn on, the fuel pump sounds like its engaging, I checked the ignition sparks and all four were firing, and theres proper gas and oil in the car. On top of that, I found a good deal of oil in the fourth spark plug chamber, while the other three were bone dry. I assumed this was a bad thing.

Of course, let me give you my information. I have a 1995 Eclipse GS, with about 138K on the odometer. The timing belt was done at 100K, my oil changes are right on time, and I don't beat on the car all that much. All that said....does ANYONE have ANY idea what's wrong with my car???? HELP! I can't go any longer without her! PLEASE dont tell me i need new valves! What do i do? I've currently taken everything short of the underdrive crank pulley off, and am awaiting more info on what I'll need. I bought a new timing belt and tensioner...what else am i going to need!

THANKS EVERYONE!

First do a compression test. It will tell you a lot.

Does it turn over?

When did you replace the waterpump, if ever?

time to replace timing belt. My friend just had the same problem on her 1g eclipse. Timing belt went bad and believe it or not it woudlnt start. (Its fixed now)

Datalog your car and see what happened.

Obviously won't be able to datalog is since it's not starting.

As for a compression test, shouldn't the engine be warm?

Jen & Cody
-1995 Eagle Talon ESi
-1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD
-1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T
-1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
-1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX

simple but stupid idea.....

It's a high mileage car. Check the STARTER or the cellunoid on the starter. it's stupid I know, but hey, it happened on my old blue truck..... :)

U can buy a rebuilt starter/celluloid for around $50-60 I think at the local Hi-Lo or Autozone, etc....good luck

I really don't know if it's the timing belt, since it was done relatively recently (kinda, anyways)

Just try and see....hope it works out.

Well this is similair to something that happened to my 96 GS.. Same squealing noise.. clunking... all coming from the timing belt casing area. Except mine happened within a 1 block distance from my house. When i tore the whole "front" of the motor apart, i noticed the idler pulley bearing was disentegrated. And the timing belt was almost burned in half from the friction. Sounds like the reason it wont start is maybe the timing belt slipped a notch or two and threw the timing off... My opinion is either take it to a GOOD mechanic or get a buddy who is mechanically inclined and the both of you tackle it together. Hopefully you didnt mess up the internals like a bent valve or anything... I agree with MuRiX get a compression test that will tell you alot. Email me at urun4cvr@home.com if you want more details on what was broke and how i fixed it....