Eagle›Talon (Turbo) - FJ›1998›Overview/eagle/talon-turbo-fj/1998/base/
FJ platform

1998 Eagle Talon (Turbo) - FJ

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Talon (Turbo) - FJ.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Eagle Talon Turbo is an FJ-platform passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 city and 28 highway mpg for a 22 combined average. Its 4.5-quart oil capacity with a filter accommodates API viscosities of 5W-30, 10W-30, and 20W-40, though these standard maintenance parameters are overshadowed by a problematic reliability record. With 18 owner complaints heavily concentrated in the engine and engine cooling category alongside four separate recalls, this model year represents a difficult chapter in the Talon's lineage where powertrain reliability demands significant scrutiny from researchers.

Model year19981997199619951994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 TURBO · 525 TURBO CCA battery, OE oil filter 05142416AC. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 TURBO · 525 TURBO CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05142416AC alt 05281090AB
Engine air filterMB906051 discontinued
Fuel filterMR188221 discontinued
Spark plug05269899 alt 68304142AA
Front wiper blades04746318 discontinued · alt 04723444
Serpentine belt04668223 alt 05093735AA
ThermostatMD315301 discontinued · alt 04573560AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height51.2 in
Wheelbase98.8 in
Curb weight2729 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.8 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14-15 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 20 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Turbo: 65.0, Non-Turbo: 75.0 ft-lbs
Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts11.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 Turbo ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)5.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17-25 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.53-1.63 lbs
Oil TypePAG
Standard BCI Group Number86 TURBO
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 TURBO cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-53.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance2-3 @ 68 degreesF Turbo ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 87-101 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness1.040 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages
1Long bolts25 ft. lbs
2Short bolts20 ft. lbs
3Long bolts50 ft. lbs
4Short bolts20 ft. lbs
5Long bolts50 ft. lbs
6Short bolts20 ft. lbs
7All bolts90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Long bolts25 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts completely
314.0 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1998 Eagle Talon (Turbo) - FJ lead in one area — the engine & engine cooling, 4 of 18 reports (22%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
53
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
18
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 18 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Steering2
Power Train1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Structure1
Tires1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E055000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 26/07/2007

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING… Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

00V421002Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 18/12/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 53 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Talon (Turbo) - FJ. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 86 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filterFJ-platform vehiclesEngine oil filter 05142416ACEngine air filter MB906051Fuel filter MR188221Spark plug 05269899

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Talon (Turbo) - FJ take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 32 F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Talon (Turbo) - FJ have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Talon (Turbo) - FJ get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.