Three problems related to radiator have been reported for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Squealing belts at startup, inconsistent small leaks of coolant, hesitation at 2k rpm were only pre-cursors. Out of nowhere, while driving on highway, I looked at gauges for no particular reason. . . . Noticed the temperature was rising, eventually going as far as it could above h. So I look for smoke in rear view. . . . Nothing. I turn down the radio to listen for noises. . . . . . Nothing. Everything seems fine. Hoping that air through the radiator would cool the engine. . . . . . Not working. I decided I better pull over. . . . . The second I safely stopped, huge puffs of white smoke billowed out the hood edges. I jumped out, opened the hood. . . . . . Huge clouds of smoke and smell of burning rubber, I thought the car was on fire. Once the smoke settled, oil could be seen splattered all over the engine. Tow truck comes and while putting on flatbed. . . . . Oil drained out like a water faucet. Found out later from the dealer that oil line burst, causing the head gaskets to blow and most likely damaged totaled the engine. New engine quoted at $5000, used 71,000 mile engine in some salvage yard in alabama quoted at $2-3000. Nice chunk of money and the engine still needs to be shipped and installed. What a deal? I actually spoke highly about Mitsubishi's in the past, but now I'm having second thoughts. Too bad Mitsubishi company has such a bad history of failures, recalls, and poor repair service. I was actually thinking of buying a 2006 Eclipse. . . . . . . . Not any more. I'll miss my 97 Eclipse. . . . . . It was pretty good to me, but this recent event with no warning, did me in and it is just wrong that I have read similar incidents on the internet and Mitsubishi does nothing. Time for an american car. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Too bad we don't have the sense to make oil and gas-free vehicles though. . . . . . . The technology is there. Oh well. . . . . . I guess I better start figuring out how I am going to get to work on Monday.
About a week after purchasing the car, it sat for 3 days while I was away on navy business. When I returned, I had to sit in heavy traffic. I noticed the engine temp gauge was full hot. I finally got to a road to let the engine breath, and the gauge didn't go down. I took the car to kelly Mitsubishi the next day and told them what happen. I also told them that the heater didn't put out hot air. They replaced the thermostat and everything was fine. No problems since then.
At high velocity rock went through the air opening, hit the radiator,broke it, causing fluid to leak and making the vehicle to stall out. There was no warning of this defect.