Once again I need the knowledge/advice of our engine fundi's.
I drive a 1997 3.5 V6 DOHC LWB. As it's 200 000km service is due and to avoid a possible fruitless expendature, I approached the previous owner to find out if maybe the cambelt/timing chain had recently been changed (I've been driving her for the last 10 000km). He then came up with a remarkable statement.
He had also been wondering about the same thing before selling the Pajero and had approached a "senior" Mitsubishi technician somewhere north of Durban who then told him that it was not such a big issue on this vehicle/model. Firstly, he said, it's a chain and not a belt so it lasts much longer. It would probably have streched a little and would only need adjustment and, secondly, the design of this engine was such that in the unlikely instance that it broke, the damage would not be so "catastrophic" as any other engine; it would only need to be replaced. (That is over and above the inconvenience of been stranded somewhere of course).
Could this be true?
It is a belt.
It is crucial.
Change it ASAP if in any doubt. Also change the tensioner pulley assembly.
It is an interference engine so major damage will occur if it snaps.
It is crucial.
Change it ASAP if in any doubt. Also change the tensioner pulley assembly.
It is an interference engine so major damage will occur if it snaps.
That "senior" Mitsu person has "junior" knowledge.
- The V6 engines use serpentine belts. (The 4m4* diesel engines use chains)
- All the Mitsu V6 engines (3.0 and 3.5) are interference engines, except for the 3.0 SOHC engine (6G72 12V) which is a non-interference engine. "Interference" means that the valves will hit the pistons in the event of a belt failure.
- read this
- There is a discussion on this here
Attachments:
As said above - it uses a belt, not a chain.
Bought all my belts, tensioners and adjusters from Mitsu-dealers for the 190,000km service and it cost me over R3000-00 (this included as set of valve stem seals that I bought extra I remember now). Expensive yes, but I did not know how good the non-dealer parts were.
Bought all my belts, tensioners and adjusters from Mitsu-dealers for the 190,000km service and it cost me over R3000-00 (this included as set of valve stem seals that I bought extra I remember now). Expensive yes, but I did not know how good the non-dealer parts were.
PS: When in doubt, change the belt. You will enjoy your holidays a lot more without that constant worry of "it could break" and save a lot of money -VS- if it does.macjohnw wrote:As said above - it uses a belt, not a chain.
Bought all my belts, tensioners and adjusters from Mitsu-dealers for the 190,000km service and it cost me over R3000-00 (this included as set of valve stem seals that I bought extra I remember now). Expensive yes, but I did not know how good the non-dealer parts were.
Did mine at 165000 complete with a new tensioner,it's not worth the cost and prevention is better than the cause,the belt I was told is replaced on time not mileage so do it and it's one less thing to worry about. 

Thanks guys, I get the drift. Changing the cambelt and everything that goes with it, is definitely going to be part of the service!
Just shows how somebody that you expect to be able to trust ("senior" technician) can lead you astray and into a lot of trouble!?
Thank you once again, you al have certainly been a lot of help!
Just shows how somebody that you expect to be able to trust ("senior" technician) can lead you astray and into a lot of trouble!?
Thank you once again, you al have certainly been a lot of help!

Henk Bannink
Some people are wise, some people are otherwise
Some people are wise, some people are otherwise
Mine is on 200k. When the last service was done I asked my mech for an objective opinion on whether the belt needed changing (last one done at 100k)
I did this because some financial issues are preventing an immediate change.
He said cambelts are not exactly like brake pads which can be judged to last another x km (rather than the dealers "must be replaced every x km" - as is the case with Renault). However, good visual inspection can at least judge whether a belt is in danger of parting very soon.
I am not by any means countering the advice posted before, but I am saying if you have a trustworthy mechanic who knows his salt, you don't necessarily have to go with service schedules. But, judging by the advice you have been given by a "Snr" B/S artist, you would be well advised to get it done as a matter of course, or seek a trustworthy mechanic.
As an aside, several members of this forum know who my mechanic is.. and have been thrilled at the service they have received when referred by me.
I did this because some financial issues are preventing an immediate change.
He said cambelts are not exactly like brake pads which can be judged to last another x km (rather than the dealers "must be replaced every x km" - as is the case with Renault). However, good visual inspection can at least judge whether a belt is in danger of parting very soon.
I am not by any means countering the advice posted before, but I am saying if you have a trustworthy mechanic who knows his salt, you don't necessarily have to go with service schedules. But, judging by the advice you have been given by a "Snr" B/S artist, you would be well advised to get it done as a matter of course, or seek a trustworthy mechanic.
As an aside, several members of this forum know who my mechanic is.. and have been thrilled at the service they have received when referred by me.
Simon Bloomer
While we are on the subject of serpentine belts, has anyone been able to find "non-Mitsu" equivalent belts?
Mitsu service parts are usually cheap, but it might be that the belts are cheaper from 3rd party suppliers?
What are the costs for
Mitsu service parts are usually cheap, but it might be that the belts are cheaper from 3rd party suppliers?
What are the costs for
- serpentine belts
- tensioner
- pulleys