Questions and Answers
Thar She Blows! Again
Q. Hi! I wrote you a couple of months back about my Eclipse, and you answered my question wonderfully, so I thought I would ask you another one that I have yet to find the answer to. Mitsubishi just sent me a check for 700 dollars due to my car going through 2 head gaskets in 20,000 miles. They said it is a known problem.
Well here is another problem. I thought that fixing it would solve my oil consumption problem and the smell of a mixture of exhaust and oil. Well, I went to check my oil level and it was low and the smell is so strong now. It seems like my car is running very rich. Also, when I am idle for a long period the smell gets worse and at times I will see an isolated little puff of white smoke. The same symptoms that I was told were related to my gasket. My idle also tends to run a lot lower than it should, no where near 750 or 800. I am so frustrated! The smell is driving me crazy. I hope you can help me.
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
2.0 liter
Automatic transmission
61,200
Fuel InjectionThank you for your time.
SuzieA. I don't know how long ago you had the head gasket replaced, but I would definitely take it back and tell them about the problem.
If it is a known problem, then it's quite possible the new gasket has gone the way of the old gasket. There is also the possibility that something was done wrong in the repair which could have also led to early gasket failure.
I wish I could offer you more in the way of advice, but I think this would be your next course of action. If the problem is persistent, you may also have recourse under your states Lemon Laws.
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