Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi, I had a similar problem only to find it was the viscous clutch, the car would over heat in traffic but driving on the high way it was fine. I think there are few ways to check the clutch pressure

Have you had the test done to check for exhaust gasses in the cooling system?
If not, there can still be suspicion that the head(s)has a hear line crack, or the gasket leaks.

Thanks a lot for your last messages.
There is a place where they do radiators here in Mpauto.
Colin, thanks a lot mate for your point regarding the auto gear box. No, my Pajero gear box uses its own coolant and not the one from the radiator.

4epajero, please tell me (again maybe and sorry) how can I do the gas-in-the-water test?
Stan

At Silverton Rad in SA , they remove the radiator cap and insert a glass plunger with a coloured liquid, if I remember correctly, it will change colour as it finds gasses in the coolant and moves up in the glass plunger type device which goes in the place of the radiator cap. That is what I understood when I had mine tested a few months back.

Hello and Merry Merry Christmas!
A brief review of this thread:
2002 3.5 GDI Pajero showing overheating.
Gauge varies from overheat to mid scale while driving it.
Buyer (myself) in need of urgent assistance and solutions before paying for the car.

Actions taken:
Replaced the gaskets and cylinders heads, water pump and t-belt, flushed the radiator and checked the thermostat.
After mechanic in Maputo said it's not a problem driving it to SA for Christmas holidays, I have taken the car for a second opinion to Tommy Madden in Nelspruit on the 20th.
Have it thoroughly diagnosed, pressure test, temperature monitoring.
CONCLUSION: NO PROBLEM AT ALL WITH ENGINE OVERHEATING!! IT IS THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE.

Since 20th of December I have done over 15000 Km with the nasty temp gauge doing its thing...
The engine proved to be very reliable, although a bit too thirsty - I have got an average of 6Km/L (how ab yours?)

I will try to get the system tested with an external temp gauge and based on Mark (Tommy Madden - Nelspruit) advice will take the car to Hi-Q to remove the CO2 filters from the exhausts which apparently cause high fuel consumption and lower power especially with lower quality gasoline.

Your thoughts on the above please?

P.S. On the 29th have to drive 700km. Should I?

Senache, have look under the electrical and electronics section, I updated a post there on the faulty temp gauge issue recently, or also use the view active topics button to find it. I drove my Paj for 3000km with the faulty gauge but I new it was definately the gauge and had no doubts that this was the fault.

Hope it is the faulty gauge, a possible solution is also listed as a possible dry soldering joint on the green board behind the instrument cluster.

Happy soldering.

Seasons gretings

David

Many Thanks David!
Changed the dash board/completly and BINGO!!! That was my problem!!! The indicator stays calm and frozen just below mid scale!!!
Yes, it may be a wrong diagnostic.
However, looking at the bright side, I have got a new w-pump, new gaskets, radiator flushed, new t-belt. Plus more white hair...

Anyways,
Before I move to electrical and electronics SOMEONE PLEASE tell me how can I replace the temperature gauge on the Pajero 3.5 GDI dashboard?
A very detailed answer will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Stan

P.S. Sorry everyone to bother you with a false problem.

Stan,

That is great news and glad you have found the root cause, there is a small board behind the instrument cluster which will most likely be faulty, that will need to be repaired or replaced. Try the soldering route first, also notw if you replace the board you lose your mileage and will reset to zero. The cost of the nboard was just over R1200 or there abouts, but would be good to try and solder the problem, believe it may be a bad joint.

It is important for the guys to know of this issue which is a scary one to witness yourself, with the gauge doing crazy things, just another with a similar fault.

Please keep us updated on the green board and if you try the soldering route and get it to work.

Will be a very good one to detail, my board was left at garage to play with, but the nevere tried re soldering all the joints.

Cheers

David