1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse is making a loud screaching noise at startup and then dying

[sherry775]

I am looking for some advice on what could be wrong with my car...

Last week I had a mechanic replace my therometer and since then I had been hearing a slight knocking sound (or so it appeared to me). I took the car to a different mechanic and he informed me he couldnt hear any sounds that would indicate anything was wrong with my car. For that week my car has driven fine, nothing wrong, even passed DEQ 2 days ago.
Yesterday I heard a slight noise but then it went away...
This morning as soon as I started my car I heard a loud screaching noise...I immediatly popped my hood but as soon as I did the car just died. I checked the oil and antifreeze and both were at normal levels. I also tried to look at the belts but didnt see anything broken.
I attempted to start the car again but it made the same noise so I powered it off.

Is there any advice anyone can give me?
I have already put a lot of money into this car so I am a bit stressed....

[EstoMax]

a belt could be loose.. my friends car does this for up to 10 seconds on his 1990 accord when it's cold out. How long has it been since the belts have been changed?

max

[yohan4ws]

Was the car plugged in? .. I get a screeching noise as well ... it goes away after the car warms up some ..

[huffer]

It sounds like a belt of some sort, the easiest way to determine if it is the belt that is screeching it too either:

A. take a bar a soap and when you turn the car on and the screeching starts takes the bar of soap and place it against the belt(s) and see if the screeching stops, or

B. if you are lucky enough to own any aerosol lubricants (ie: WD-40) spray them on the belts instead of using the soap.

Try that out and see if it corrects the noise, very common on alot of cars when it is cold to hear the belts squeeling. If it is the belts it is nothing major to worry about.

[^SkylinE^]

Could be the distributor. THis happened to me when my car reached 210 000km. The distributor just seized. Is it a loud inconsistant fingernails on the choke board (spelling) sound?
may be the distributor

[sherry775]

Thanks for everyones reply but would a loose belt really not let the car start up?
After 10 seconds of the car being turned on it dies so I dont even have a chance to let it warm up....

[Zero102]

Hrm, it almost sounds like something has siezed.
How cold is the weather there, and do you have a block heater if it is cold?

[turboMiata]

A water pump that's going south will make that kind of noise too. Check for coolant leaks around it.

[sherry775]

Alright I took another look at my car and i think its with the clutch.
When the clutch is engaged, there is no noise as soon as i start to dis-engage the clutch the grinding screaching noise starts.
I checked the brake fluid and clutch fluid and both look good...
Even checked the manual to confirm the clutch fluid is at the correct level...

I recently havent had any problems w/ the clutch while driving. It's been a bit difficult to switch to the 2nd gear only a few times and that was when the car was 1/2 quart -1 quart low on oil...

As this is a 98 I am pretty positive there isnt a clutch cable so linkage shouldnt be a problem.

Any of you have any further suggestions upon knowing this info?

[MaEsTr0]

turbo or non?

[sherry775]

non turbo... model: gs
2.0 dohc engine

[Ducati]

A cat has gotten into your air cleaner.
When you crank the engine over, it's tail gets caught in the fanbelt. Then it freaks out and blocks your air intake and your motor starves for air and stalls.

Open the hood, get the cat out. Poor thing!

[^SkylinE^]

Get some one to start it and put your ear but the distributor! seriously this sounds very farmilar! How many KM on the car. And are you positive its only toing it when you depress the clutch! My car screeeched for a while and one day just seized up. take off the distributor. Then take off the distributor cap and if you can't spin the part that lock into the cam then shes seized and you need a new one! hoep this helps ....its probably not even the problem sorry! thats all i got!

[Daxin]

I have the same loud squeek. Its the power steering belt in my case. The loud squeek happens sometimes only on very cold start ups and disappears after a couple of seconds. Look underneath the belt to see if the belt is worn, cracked, etc.

Originally posted by ^SkylinE^
Get some one to start it and put your ear but the distributor!

I don't think the GS has a distributor. Eclipse's has a coil pack. I know that the 1.8 L in the 1Gen had distributors but I'm pretty sure that they just stuck with coil packs after 94.

[cbr_ryder]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Daxin
[B]I have the same loud squeek. Its the power steering belt in my case. The loud squeek happens sometimes only on very cold start ups and disappears after a couple of seconds. Look underneath the belt to see if the belt is worn, cracked, etc.


Yeah that's what I was thinking, but I think it would be the pump itself, not the belt...My friends 2002 Civic does the same thing. Try, when it's making that noise, to turn the steering wheel and see if the sounds changes pitch.

[Freebs]

If you are starting it up in Cold cold weather and your heater/fan is on that would be why. Just make sure its turned off befor you turn the car on and give it a minute or so then turn the heater on and it should be all good

[cobber112879]

Read his posts guys. His car will not run. Pretty hard to let it warm up.

If you believe something is seized, take the belt off and try turning the pulleys by hand to see which. Try starting it with the belt off for a few seconds to see if the squeal is gone. At least then you will know if your problem is accesory related or not.

[sherry775]

Thanks for everyones replies...
I found out what it was... bad news...
The tranny went out... w/ only 73k miles on it...
So now I get to deal with having it rebuild...
Hopefully this never happens to any of you.

Thanks again for your replies
Have a good weekend,
Sherry

[Ducati]

I worked at a Mitsubishi dealership until May 03'. They are no Honda.