[JohnnyD]

Greetings. This is my first posting on this forum, although I have benefited enormously from those of others over the past 3 years. Vehicle in question is a 2002 SWB 3.2 DiD Auto with 100k. Time to have the injectors checked. I've had the vehicle 3 years. It's always been underpowered and vibrates between 2200rpm and 2800rpm in neutral and all gears. Removing BOTH dynamic dampers solved the vibration issue (1 under transfer case, and the other attached to the rear diff). Excited by my success I decided to drive to Springs - from Howick - to get Bradley at Alan Black to do a dyno test. I assumed that the power issue must be injector related as no engine management lights have ever come on. I arrived at 7am on Monday morning 2 weeks back. By 7.45am Bradley showed me the bad news; a dramatic drop-off in power after 2500rpm. Even worse; it wasn't the injectors. Instead - the dreaded TCV (Timing Control Valve in the injector pump). Nothing for it but to give the go-ahead. An hour later the pump is out and Johan is dismantling it in their 'operating theatre' (that's how clinical and spotless their specialist pump section is). We've caught it in time; the bearing is on its way out, as well as other bits and pieces, but the pump-housing is good - together with mission-critical elements. Two hours later it's re-assembled and calibrated (great job Johan) and ready for re-installation. Isaac is a genius when it comes to this part of the operation. By 2pm it's all done - and a new fuel filter is installed. I head off, unbelievably excited by the new turn of power and smoothness. It's as if I've bought a new car for R14000, until... I hit a massive storm en route to stay with friends in Jhb. Intermittently I feel the car juddering, but assume it's the wheels 'cavitating' on the wet road - given the 'massive' increase in power!! I coast into Jhb - worried, but convincing myself that all is well. Wednesday I'm on my way home; 500km to go. The pump 'imploded' 1.2km from the Springs off-ramp! A call to Bradley and a flatbed tow-truck was with me within an hour (amazing). No fuel coming from the pump. Within half an hour it's back on the bench, and it's not a pretty sight. It's pretty much disintegrated. Brand new bearing 'stukkend' - and the rest doesn't look too good either. No worries; they quickly find another pump - already calibrated - and install it. By now they've established the cause of this 'tragedy' - a dirty tank; with iron filings nogal. The tank is removed and cleaned - thoroughly. By now it's late, but by mid-morning the next day I'm ready to leave. NO CHARGE!! Not even for removing and cleaning the tank. UNBELIEVABLE. I head off and manage to get within 1km of the Heidelberg on-ramp. Engine management light comes on and we judder to a halt. Clouds of smoke. I switch off and wait a few seconds. Fire it up and all seems normal - sort of. Limp back to Alan Black. It's now 1pm. They can't believe it. A quick test establishes that the pump actuator has died; almost unheard of! Within 3 hours I'm on the road again - with another pump installed. Again - NO CHARGE. Suffice to say that I am a very happy - and relieved - chappy. I can't say enough about the service and generosity I received from Bradley and his team. It was quite exceptional. What's more I was allowed to observe and question and learn from everything that was happening. It's as good as it gets. I will be back, and we will stick with our Pajeros (we have 2 of them; the other is a 2001 LWB 3.2 Manual). They are awesome vehicles and now that we have found a place that can deal with anything we throw at them - we have peace of mind too. If there's one lesson I've learnt from this - change filters and clean your tank out every couple of years!!

[Bosvark]

Thanks for the reply.Now I know where to take my Pajero next time I have problems with it...And it's also nice to hear there are still companies out there that will go the extra mile to make sure they have a happy customer....Well Done to them

[4ePajero]

Alan black's reputation has always been very good.
This thread just re-inforces that!

Well done!

PS Remember that Alan Black work on diesel systems only, so don't book the Pajero for service, brakes, etc

[andrew.ashton]

By now they've established the cause of this 'tragedy' - a dirty tank; with iron filings nogal.

There was post recently - similar story re the tank contaminants. Fuel tank lining failure (Gen 3 fuel tank rebuild?)

These stories get me worried.