I have a 1998 Eclipse RS, and I've been having a few issues with it. The sunroof leaks, but that's not really why I'm making this thread (I've temporarily fixed that with silicone). I have two major issues though.

1) The check engine light comes on randomly, and sometimes when I'm on the highway, it will actually start flashing at around 70-80mph. According to the code reader, it just says "RANDOM MISFIRE". Went out and got brand new spark plugs and ignition wires, still does it. Only way to make the light go off is to clear the codes with the code checker.

2) I have a killer oil leak that I cannot pinpoint. All I know is it's coming from somewhere up inside the car that I cannot pinpoint. Recently my valve cover was leaking (it looked like some oil got into the spark plugs, but I'm not sure), so I replaced that along with the gasket. There's no leakage from there anymore, but I'm definitely losing oil. At the suggestion of a friend who is a mechanic, I switched from my synthetic 10W-30 to conventional 20W-50 in an attempt to slow the leaking. I haven't really noticed a difference though.

Any ideas? I'm really at wit's end with this car, but I do like it for the most part and would like to keep it if I can afford it.

 

being that it's an rs with a 420a the misfire might be the coil pack on top of the valve cover. i heard something somewhere when i had mine that you should put washers under it to all get air under it because the heat from the motor screws it up.

 

Yeah, find the oil leak and fix it. Are you really expecting people over the Internet to tell you where an oil leak is? It could be the HG, cam seals, front main, VC, pressure switch, etc.

Get up in there and look. If it is all nasty, spray the bitch down with some degreaser or brake parts cleaner and start fresh.

As for the misfire you have not checked all your components in the ignition system. As posted above the coil pack can fail. Replace that with a known fuctioning one.

 

I never had issues with my coil packs . I guess i got lucky. How common is that?

I've owned my fair share of 420's in the neons and this car. The cars with the 420 have been more then just fair they have been awesome more reliable them my d16 that i had in the honda. Guess i'm lucky ?

 

definitly start with the coil pack man. and noone on here is gonna be able to tell you where you leak is, not psychic. and how fast is it leaking? try putting cardboard or something under your car and run it in neutral and see if you can atleast pinpoint around what area it's dripping from, if its even an external leak.

you just need to try to figure out a little more and then post what you've tried or if you've atleast found where the leak is coming from and then ask if anyone maybe knows whats causing it.

best of luck tho

 

I had a leak in a strange spot thats hard to notice... the cam angle sensor o-ring. But that was my case. As far as the missfire thats a common code that could be anythinglike fuel or intake filters, leak on the intake end(aftermarket intake system coupling is ripped), injector cleaning, bad vac hose, ignition wires plugs, you would feel hesitation and missing if it was a serious miss from a coil pack problem.

...and im with Got_bst? on 420a quality! Very reliable and easy.