I'm having some trouble trying to fix this car, its a 94 eclipse, 1.8 non-turbo.

The car has been running fine for a long time, then a few days ago it started making a weird noise in the engine compartment, then a day or two later, it lost all power. It wouldn't accelerate past like 40mph. Yesterday, it died.

You can try to start it, the starter turns over fine, but it doesnt even try to fire.

I have checked the spark plugs, they are firing fine, fuel is getting to the fuel rail.

What should I check next?

I'm thinking maybe the timing belt slipped or something, but I havent taken of the timing cover yet to see

 

if it was out of time it would be making a clunk noise when trying to start it, if you say it lost all power it might be internal, check compression.

 

You checked the plugs,but did you check to see if you are getting spark to the plugs? might want to take a look at the cap and rotor, hows the plug wires? if you have never changed it might be worn out.

 

yes, I made sure they were getting spark, it seemed to be a pretty strong spark too.

It may be unrelated, but this happens right after getting the oil changed too, is there anything they could have unplugged that would cause this to happen?

I was thinking maybe TPS or something?

 

Gut feeling is that the timing belt is snapped. I'd like to test this theory the easiest way possible.

Please tell me if this will work..

If I remove the valve cover, and have someone bump the ignition.

If the cam/valves move, timing belt is still intact. If they dont, nothing will move.... Does this sound like the easiest way to check?

 

thats one way but it would not tell you if your timing was off. i would feel the timing belt and see if there is play . if there is no play find your timing marks and see if they line up...

 

yeah, im just not looking forward to taking all the accessory belts and pulleys off just to get to the timing belt to SEE if its the issue...

 

the top cover does just come off from what I remember on the oen car I did. just a couple of tens . You dont even too pull the valve cover on some cars, just unscrew the oil filler cap and look inside, if its not baffled, like most Mistus arent, you can see the valves and check that way. I think thats an interference motor too

 

dude you dont need to take all of that off the crank pullie has timing marks . your cam gear has a timing mark . you dont need to take off your valve cover to see the gear..

 

the belt is not broken. you wouldnt have spark if cam doesnt turn. you can put screwdriver in #1 and find pistons tallest point TDC. check timing marks on gears to see if it jumped