1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS oil leak. What can I do?

Question

I have a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS that has had a pretty significant oil leak for some time. I am losing more than a quart every 3 months. The last time I took it to have the oil changed, I was told that I have a main seal leak. The car smokes from underneath the hood on the driver's side. Does this sound like a main seal leak? Are there any treatment products that I can use to stop or slow the leak, or do I need to have parts replaced? I tried Stop Leak, and that didn't seem to work. Is it possible that the problem is the head gasket?

Answer 1

Chances are it's the head gasket. The GS and the RS of the 2G Eclipse suffers the same misfortune due to the fact that the engine from Chrysler came with a substandard gasket. The Neons had the same problems as well. Nothing works to quell the leak when the gasket is tore up. Bottom line, it needs to be replaced. You are looking at around a grand for parts and labor. When they are in there, you might as well have the timing belt taken care of as well as the water pump. Good Luck!!!