Three problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
(1) bought car used, it had a bad rear main seal. (2) car passes georgia emission inspection (3) replace rear main seal (4) now vehicle blows smoke while standing still in traffic. (5) repair of leaking valve cover gasket (6) still smoking while in gear (7) informed of valve seals being bad. . (8) never buy mistubishi again.
White smoke comes out of the tail pipe when vehicle is running. Engine is knocking and oil has to be put in vehicle every 3 days. Took to dealer, and they have not found cause.
Maintained regular oil changes and was notified that I had an oil leak in my engine. I saved enough money to have the head gasket replaced to fix the oil leak. The head gasket was replaced (new) in March of 2000. 4 months later my car started to smoke from the exhaust when standing still in traffic. I contacted the dealership about the problem because I thought that this was due to the work that they did. I was then informed that I need my value guides replaced. I was going to have this work done until I was informed that in order to replace the value guides in the engine, I must purchase another new head gasket. I asked why this was not inspected at the time that the head gasket was replaced. My answer was that I did not ask them to check the value guides. If this would of been corrected at this time, I would not be spending tons of money on oil for my vehicle. Since 2000, I check the oil in my car every other day and add oil to the engine. This has been a major problem for me. I do not have another $1000 plus to fix this. I've spoke with other friends and people who own the same type of vehicle and they as well have problems with their leaking head gasket and value guides, making the car smoke.