I am sure you will find that the mechanic is ......... let me rather not
Affiliate Member
if it is related to the glowplugs then just put a voltmeter to the glowplugs and see if the bad running starts when the glowplugs no longer get voltage.
I am sure you will find that the mechanic is ......... let me rather not
I am sure you will find that the mechanic is ......... let me rather not
Thats precisely the reason why I am asking this on the forum. When you start mentioning the problems the mechanics eyes sort of glaze over and I swear they see dollar/rand signs floating around. 
I really hope that it is not the compression but I cannot see how it can be as the motor uses no oil, does not smoke unless you put your foot down on an uphill ( then they all do that ) and has plenty of power and returns excellent economy figures of 10.3l/100km average. When my engine coughs it produces white smoke, not black which I believe indicates a worn engine.
The engine starts normally when cold but after a short while starts running rough and dies. As regards your experience, Marsharo, I suspect the hot and cold compression readings are taken to factor in expansion as the engine heats up but low compression cold will also equal low compression hot so I do not understand the mechanics point. Your experience is exactly what I am trying to avoid because it looks like you spent a whole lot of money and still the problem persists.
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Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8
I really hope that it is not the compression but I cannot see how it can be as the motor uses no oil, does not smoke unless you put your foot down on an uphill ( then they all do that ) and has plenty of power and returns excellent economy figures of 10.3l/100km average. When my engine coughs it produces white smoke, not black which I believe indicates a worn engine.
The engine starts normally when cold but after a short while starts running rough and dies. As regards your experience, Marsharo, I suspect the hot and cold compression readings are taken to factor in expansion as the engine heats up but low compression cold will also equal low compression hot so I do not understand the mechanics point. Your experience is exactly what I am trying to avoid because it looks like you spent a whole lot of money and still the problem persists.
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Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8
If we follow a simple process of elimination to get to the origin of this problem, then wat is there left to fix, change or adjust. My vehicle is the guinea - with all the same symptoms as Andre's Paj. Now i'm no expert but as far as I know ,for a diesel motor to start & run it needs 3 things, 1. fuel 2. air 3. compression.
As previously mentioned i've had the fuel system (hoses, pump & injectors) changed/fixed.
The air supply is 100% with a new air filter & no restrictions through intercooler & plumbing.
So what's left - compression. When the motor is cold and the compression is not what it should be, the glow plugs will assist with the combustion process getting the motor to start & tick over at first, but as soon as they switch off the motor must have the correct compression to continue running. This compression is reliant on the rings, sleeves & valves. My vehicles cylinder head has been checked & is fine. I honestly don't have money to throw around but what's left following a process of elimination ? ! ?
Seen as how this problem is common to some 2.8's, somebody must have the solution.
By the way, now that summer is here the problem is non-existent & my Gen2 is purrrrrrrrrrrring
As previously mentioned i've had the fuel system (hoses, pump & injectors) changed/fixed.
The air supply is 100% with a new air filter & no restrictions through intercooler & plumbing.
So what's left - compression. When the motor is cold and the compression is not what it should be, the glow plugs will assist with the combustion process getting the motor to start & tick over at first, but as soon as they switch off the motor must have the correct compression to continue running. This compression is reliant on the rings, sleeves & valves. My vehicles cylinder head has been checked & is fine. I honestly don't have money to throw around but what's left following a process of elimination ? ! ?
Seen as how this problem is common to some 2.8's, somebody must have the solution.
By the way, now that summer is here the problem is non-existent & my Gen2 is purrrrrrrrrrrring
Affiliate Member
my bet would be on the diesel pump seal or a small leak in one of the rubber fuel pipes.
see if you have enough play in the rubber hoses (in the engine bay) to cut an inch off all the ends and redo the hose clamp connections. They tend to leak right by the hose clamp connections.
see if you have enough play in the rubber hoses (in the engine bay) to cut an inch off all the ends and redo the hose clamp connections. They tend to leak right by the hose clamp connections.
Hi, as the "cold start" issue continues for some owners of the Pajero's with the 4M40 engine, I thought I'd throw in a small glimmer of hope ( well it is to me ) I have discovered, thanks to YouTube, that this is a problem experience by many, each describing the same symptoms & taking the time to video it all. And it's not just a Pajero problem but wherever the 4M40 motor has been installed.
Take a look for yourself; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KPvA2RkWpk
I think Andre will identify with this video immediately; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo-SC4CiVnI&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iqe8YoC ... re=related
It doesn't fix the problem, but I almost found it comical to see other Pajero's in other parts of the world doing the same thing - it's not just in "Africa" !
I'm going to take Marius advise during my Xmas leave and recheck the fuel lines for leaks & will keep you posted.
Take a look for yourself; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KPvA2RkWpk
I think Andre will identify with this video immediately; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo-SC4CiVnI&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iqe8YoC ... re=related
It doesn't fix the problem, but I almost found it comical to see other Pajero's in other parts of the world doing the same thing - it's not just in "Africa" !
I'm going to take Marius advise during my Xmas leave and recheck the fuel lines for leaks & will keep you posted.
I just thought I would update on the cold start issues.
I replaced the fuel lines and what a total waste of time and effort. No change at all. Nothing has changed and the engine still behaves the same.
I am honestly getting to the point where I am questioning the choice of a diesel and that of a Pajero. Every single mechanic I have spoken to has a different theory, all the theories on this forum I have tried and nothing has helped at all.
All I get is mechanics wanting to pull everything out and replace and test and I can see this is going to cost plenty. And even then as Marsharo has found out, spending vast amounts of cash and the problem still exists.
It is beyond me that there seems so little knowledge or consensus about such a "common problem with the 4m40 motor."
I am at my wits end.
We drove up to Joeys and the vehicle ran superbly, economy at 10l/100km and power all the way, smooth and lovely, yet ruined the first morning with the starting issues......
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Soon to be an ex Mitsubishi Pajero if this carries on.
I replaced the fuel lines and what a total waste of time and effort. No change at all. Nothing has changed and the engine still behaves the same.
I am honestly getting to the point where I am questioning the choice of a diesel and that of a Pajero. Every single mechanic I have spoken to has a different theory, all the theories on this forum I have tried and nothing has helped at all.
All I get is mechanics wanting to pull everything out and replace and test and I can see this is going to cost plenty. And even then as Marsharo has found out, spending vast amounts of cash and the problem still exists.
It is beyond me that there seems so little knowledge or consensus about such a "common problem with the 4m40 motor."
I am at my wits end.
We drove up to Joeys and the vehicle ran superbly, economy at 10l/100km and power all the way, smooth and lovely, yet ruined the first morning with the starting issues......
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Soon to be an ex Mitsubishi Pajero if this carries on.
Uhm .... have you replaced the seals (as suggested by many)?Andre Plant wrote: all the theories on this forum I have tried and nothing has helped at all.
Until then you have not tried "all the theories".
It is a cheap fix, and a known "problem" with the injector pump.
Gerhard Fourie
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
Hi Gerhard,
that was the first thing I did. I gave a mechanic ( my neighbour who has his own workshop )all the printouts of the replies from the forum including printouts from the UK Pajero club that Simon sent me on the relacement of the seals and according to him he did exactly what was required.
Now I never saw what he did and he is not a specialised diesel mechanic but as a qualified mechanic and an honest one as I have known him and his family for years, he assured me that the job was not difficult and that it was done so I have to believe him.
Do you think I should take it to someone else in Cape Town to re-do the seals in case he missed something? The problem I have is that when I try to tell a turbo diesel specialist mechanic what I think the issues are they smile in that irritating way as they are the specialists and I am the sucker, er customer and say that they want to go through a lengthy ( read - lots of time = money ) process of elimination, compression check, injectors out and tested, strip and rebuild the fuel pump, drop the fuel tank etc. etc. and when I try to tell them that all I want is for them to replace the seals as suggested on the forum they all wave the suggestion away and I know why. They will not make a lot of money doing the seals only as it is a fairly quick and simple job.
I am just so wary of being ripped off or spending lots of money as others have that was not necessary.
Is there any specialist or private person in Cape Town I can use as I am leaving Joburg soon and did not have time to send it to anyone here.
Thanks for all the suggestions and replies.
Also to all on the forum, may you all and your families have a most blessed Christmas.
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Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8
that was the first thing I did. I gave a mechanic ( my neighbour who has his own workshop )all the printouts of the replies from the forum including printouts from the UK Pajero club that Simon sent me on the relacement of the seals and according to him he did exactly what was required.
Now I never saw what he did and he is not a specialised diesel mechanic but as a qualified mechanic and an honest one as I have known him and his family for years, he assured me that the job was not difficult and that it was done so I have to believe him.
Do you think I should take it to someone else in Cape Town to re-do the seals in case he missed something? The problem I have is that when I try to tell a turbo diesel specialist mechanic what I think the issues are they smile in that irritating way as they are the specialists and I am the sucker, er customer and say that they want to go through a lengthy ( read - lots of time = money ) process of elimination, compression check, injectors out and tested, strip and rebuild the fuel pump, drop the fuel tank etc. etc. and when I try to tell them that all I want is for them to replace the seals as suggested on the forum they all wave the suggestion away and I know why. They will not make a lot of money doing the seals only as it is a fairly quick and simple job.
I am just so wary of being ripped off or spending lots of money as others have that was not necessary.
Is there any specialist or private person in Cape Town I can use as I am leaving Joburg soon and did not have time to send it to anyone here.
Thanks for all the suggestions and replies.
Also to all on the forum, may you all and your families have a most blessed Christmas.
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Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8
The fact that the engine runs fine after it has warmed up, are the typical symptoms of pump seals leaking.
The only other problem could be a leak in the diesel feed pipe, but since you have checked that, I think that one is eliminated.
Take it to a specialist, but leave it over-night to cool down, so that he can see the problem.
PS Make sure he understands which seals you are referring to. Most think it is the seals which fit to the injectors, which it is NOT.
The problem lies with the seals in the injector pump itself.
See attached how-to.
The only other problem could be a leak in the diesel feed pipe, but since you have checked that, I think that one is eliminated.
Take it to a specialist, but leave it over-night to cool down, so that he can see the problem.
PS Make sure he understands which seals you are referring to. Most think it is the seals which fit to the injectors, which it is NOT.
The problem lies with the seals in the injector pump itself.
See attached how-to.
Attachments:
4m40 Pump Seal Fix.pdf- (593.18 KiB) Downloaded 431 times
Gerhard Fourie
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
If you want to shoot somebody, make sure you aim at his head, not your own foot.
Me
Thanks for the reply, Gerhard.
You have hit the nail on the head. What I am going to do is go to my nearest specialist which is Constantiaberg Diesel in Tokai and state clealy what I want them to do. I will give them the PDF you sent and get it in writing that what I want done is only that, and no more. I will make sure on the job card.
You are correct in that leaving it overnight will be the only way they will see what the problem is the next morning.
It is quite possible that my neighbour mechanic may have missed something as by his own admission he is not a diesel specialist. I must say that I got the impression it was a fairly simple job, though.
I will be back in Cape Town early Jan and will do it then and report back on this thread.
regards
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Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8
You have hit the nail on the head. What I am going to do is go to my nearest specialist which is Constantiaberg Diesel in Tokai and state clealy what I want them to do. I will give them the PDF you sent and get it in writing that what I want done is only that, and no more. I will make sure on the job card.
You are correct in that leaving it overnight will be the only way they will see what the problem is the next morning.
It is quite possible that my neighbour mechanic may have missed something as by his own admission he is not a diesel specialist. I must say that I got the impression it was a fairly simple job, though.
I will be back in Cape Town early Jan and will do it then and report back on this thread.
regards
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Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8