Timing my 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST

You have to have a thermostat in the system. Have a compression test done to check for head gasket or cracked head/s. Check the flow rate of the radiator ( blocked cores) check the condition of the cooling fins on the radiator. Check the radiator cap. Check if the fan is working when hot.. If you have a viscous fan hub on the fan then replace it . run the fault codes to check for air/fuel problems . Check for load and speed conditions as high speed when fully loaded will cause your problem . Check that it is actually engaging over drive and not over reving the engine.

buy a Chiltons manual it has pictures and all the how to stuff. it is well worth the $20

The 1,2,3,4 preset buttons on your radio toggle up only through the digits 0-9. The 1 preset button is the first digit holder, and so on for the 4 digit code. If you go too far just keep pressing the button, and it will go back to 0, and you can get back to the right number. If your unlock code has a 0 in it you have to press the button once to get to 0. It starts with a dash (-). This doesn't count as the 0. For instance if your unlock code is 0873, you will press preset 1 once, preset 2 9x, preset 3 8x, and preset 4 4x. Once you have the correct number in the display press the "CD" button, and it will unlock your radio. If you didn't do it right, it will display "ERR1" before going back to the "CODE" display. Don't mess up more than twice. After the third failed try things get a lot more complicated. Good Luck Tim

When was the last time you had your engine tuned up? Could be out of time. Have a mechanic change your wires, plugs and rotor and then check the timing.

your distributor where you put back on is 180 degrees off fix that and it should start.

This is the direct definition of this code
Mitsubishi DTC P1390 - Timing Belt Skipped 1 Tooth or More.
Probable Causes,
-Timing belt improperly installed
-Camshaft position sensor improperly installed
-Camshaft position sensor connector improperly connected
-Crankshaft position sensor connector improperly connected
-Camshaft's relative position not relearned after one of the following have been serviced: Camshaft, Camshaft sprocket, timing belt tension-er, cylinder head, head gasket, crankshaft sprocket, crankshaft cylinder block or the PCM.

Sounds like something to do with the timing belt it self. You can go to any Autozone or Checker and ask for a code reader (they will let you use it for free) and it will show this code again. You can also reset the cars computer with the code reader to see if it comes back with the same code.

this link has a step-by-step DIY for changing the timing belt on your car. 2G TURBO TIMING BELT PROCEDURE

usually when you get white smoke its because ur head gasket blew mixing antifreeze and engine oil look at ur oil and see if its a milky white color.car will not start beacuse ur loosing compression threw the gasket blowing..

To me it sounds as though the timing is off a tooth or two, Thats all it takes to cause a driveablity and idle problem. As frustrating as it may be I would recheck the timing marks.

Good luck, I hope this helps you.

get a haynes manual at local auto parts store