The first-gen Eclipse is a solid platform with a legendary 4G63 turbo option, but these 30+ year-old DSMs are now plagued by worn-out turbo components, chronic crankshaft walk on early 4G63s, and transmission failures — especially automatics paired with the turbo motor.
Crankshaft Walk (4G63 Turbo)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Clutch pedal feels softer or travels farther over time, Grinding noise on startup or clutch engagement, Eventually: catastrophic bottom-end failure, metal shavings in oil
Fix: Engine-out, crankshaft thrust bearing replacement or full bottom-end rebuild with updated bearings. 16-22 hours labor if you catch it early; full rebuild if ignored. Common on 1990-1992 4G63s before Mitsubishi revised thrust design.
Estimated cost: $2,800-5,500
Automatic Transmission Failure (F4A33 with Turbo)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Slipping between gears, especially 2nd-3rd, Delayed engagement from park or reverse, Burnt ATF smell, dark/discolored fluid, Check engine light with transmission codes
Fix: The 4-speed auto behind the turbo motor is grossly inadequate. Rebuild lasts 20,000-40,000 mi at best; most owners swap to manual or replace with used unit. Rebuild: 12-16 hours; swap: 8-10 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Turbocharger Failure (TD04/TD05)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke on acceleration or startup, Loud whining/grinding from turbo under boost, Loss of boost pressure, sluggish acceleration, Oil consumption increases noticeably
Fix: Shaft seal failure or bearing wear from age and heat cycles. Turbo R&R is straightforward but requires manifold/downpipe removal. 4-6 hours labor. Factor in new oil feed/return lines and gaskets. Upgraded turbos common at this point.
Estimated cost: $900-2,200
Head Gasket Failure (Both Engines)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, sweet smell, Overheating without external coolant leaks, Milky oil or coolant in overflow tank, Rough idle, misfires after warmup
Fix: Factory MLS gaskets were marginal; boosted motors often fail sooner. Head removal, resurface, ARP studs recommended. 10-14 hours labor. Timing belt, water pump, and all seals done simultaneously or you're an idiot.
Estimated cost: $1,600-2,800
Fuel System Issues (Filter, Pump, Injectors)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting when hot or after sitting, Stumble or hesitation under load, Fuel smell in cabin or near tank, Check engine light: lean codes or random misfires
Fix: In-tank pump weakens, filter clogs (often neglected), injectors gum up. Pump replacement requires tank drop: 3-4 hours. Filter is 30 min. Injector cleaning/replacement adds 2-3 hours. These cars sat a lot by now.
Estimated cost: $400-1,200
Transfer Case and Rear Differential Leaks (AWD)
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 80,000+ mi
Symptoms: Gear oil spots on driveway under center or rear, Whining from rear end during acceleration, Clunking on tight turns if fluid low
Fix: Output shaft seals harden over time. Transfer case seal: 2-3 hours. Rear diff pinion seal or side seals: 2-4 hours depending on access. Not catastrophic but neglect causes bearing damage.
Estimated cost: $350-800
Worn Engine and Transmission Mounts
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000+ mi
Symptoms: Excessive drivetrain clunk on throttle tip-in or shifts, Vibration at idle, worse with A/C on, Engine rocks visibly when revved in park
Fix: Rubber mounts disintegrate from age and heat. Front, passenger, and trans mount replacements: 2-4 hours total. Cheap insurance against worn bushings tearing other components. OEM-quality aftermarket widely available.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Buy a manual turbo car with documented crank work or a low-mileage NA model; avoid high-mile turbo autos and any 1990-1992 turbo without proof of bottom-end refresh — these are now project cars, not daily drivers.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.