Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi Guys,
I posted a let's say a thing here about my 3.5 and the oil pump change as well as the possible consiquent open of the motor and bearing and ring replacement.
The question is from a service perspective or reliability perspective should I go ahead and do this or will it be dtremental to my motor life in the long term.
I mentioned that the block(sleeves) still looks perfect but was not measured but Mitspro suggested that it be done as the oil pump is going to be changed anyway.
Would just honing the sleeves do the trick or will this shortcut create problems in the future
You technical gurus please
Please advise me on this one.
Regards

A hone with new rings AND new pistons should be OK but a good engineering shop should be able to check the roundness of cylinders.

An even beter workshop will be able to use a torque block (it's like torqueing the head down and then checking the cylinders - torqueing the head distorts the cylinders slightly - good quality pistons compensate for this so the workshop should actually check the pistons for roundness and then proceed appropriately according to the piston shape) and then check the roundness of the cylinders. Any discrepancy and I would bore one size larger and get associated rings and pistons.

Torque block

Hi Marius,
Thanks for your reply.
The thing is that visibly there is no signs of marks or ridges on the sleeves hence the suggestion that honing only will be the way to go and that worries me a bit.
As for the pistons it is the standard pistons in my 3.5 like it was delivered and the kilos is +_ 200 000 . I do not know what the pistons would have to look like in a 3.5 with this kilos.
As far as performance goes there was enough power and fuel consumption were quite good before I decided to have the heads done.
What Mitspro suggested is merely like a precaution because the oil pump has to be changed anyway.
Maybe I should ask them if measurements will be taken and how they are planning to determine what size rings will be fitted.
Regards

what was the events that took place that led up to the engine being opened.

That way we can advise more in detail.

Marius,
The only event that led to this was the fact that I removed the heads to be re-done and as coincidence would have it discussed the fact that I want to change the oil pump and it was suggested by Mitspro to remove the engine whilst it is in the already stripped state.
On their recommendation that whislt you replace the oil pump and the engine has to be taken out for that (according to them) I must as well do the bearings and honing as well as new rings knowing that my whole engine is in a good state of repair.
I was just wondering if I must spend that money to have that done and will it be worth doing it that way and if it is not a quick shortcut that can probably cost me more in the long run.
I can honestly say I am not in a position mechanically to determine if there might be a problem and I will probably have more piece of mind as the vehicle was bought second hand and I am also not sure if the kilos on the clock is the real kilos .
Seemingly I have spent a lot of money already by buying virtually all parts on engine already except for internals but every pulley, cam belt and tensioners except hydr tensioner , new spark plug wires, all gaskets new, new waterpump, pipes, and so on .now the heads are renewed with new lifters and skimmed. etc, etc.

Thanks again for your advice and interest.
Regards

I'm not skilled to assess the engine but based on my experience and reports over the web I would trust the Freek's at Mitspro and their recommendations.

By the sound of things you have already spent some money on most of the peripherals so it would be beneficial IMHO to go the whole nine yards and have the bearings and cylinders done.

When all is said and done (are you replacing coolant hoses as well? - They are not too pricey at the dealers and I'd hate that your new engine fails because a R45 hose burst and cause an overheat) you will then basically have a new engine. Consider a radiator pressure test as well and invest in a new thermostat and radiator cap.

While the engine is out I would replace the clutch release bearing (if it's a manual) and also replace the welsch (freeze) plugs if the engine has shown signs of rusty coolant due to lack of antifreeze.

An import may be cheaper than a proper rebuild but I'm happier with a proper rebuild as you everything is covered and taken care of.

I rebuilt my gen2 engine and spared no cost and I was sleeping well for the time I had it and had no isuues until the day I sold it.

As you would have noticed by the lack of a ridge your motor is barely run in @200k. But... it is out and open, a hone and rings are not so expensive and throw in a set of bearings with the welsh plugs and you have a new engine for the next 300k........don't open it again unless it is broken

Remember to replace the heater hoses as well, one of them cost me a motor.

Marius on the import side I am going to take you on. I opened my import to check what I had bought and also to change the sides on the motor. You see the Imports are from front wheel drive vehicles and most of them automatics as well so the sump and hanging sides are not the same as our pajero ones. I have some pretty hectic measuring equipment as I inherited my late uncles when he passed on. I miked the import from back to front and side to side in every possible way and the results were well within mitsu specs and wear was at an absolute minimum, good enough for another 300k at least.

I have more faith in an import than in the mechanics of today, guys like Freek are few and far between and engine re builders are even scarcer. If you had to pay market related time for the rebuild you did it would have been a different story Thank your Oubaas for the skills he taught you

Hi Paw-by-Paw

I concur with the above as well, however on the whole debacle of honing, it is not something to be taken lightly. The issue with only honing a sleeve and replacing rings alone, is that if the company doing the honing is not carefull, and have measured the IDs perfectly, they han hone past a certain tollerance. This will affect the ring gap and may even lead to piston slap. Same story on the bearings, especially on the crank. Just fitting new bearings may not be all that much gain in having new parts fitted, as the crank may also need polishing. Now the same story as with the sleave honing applies, take off too much and the specifieed clearances become too much, resulting in failure down the road. This is the reason why so may "rebuilds" fail, as e incorrect processes were followed.
So, before I get too many reponses on my statements above, let me put ts out there: I am a qualified Motor Fitter and Turner(from the old days), have been my business for 12 years -- many years ago though
My advise is that if you decide to go the full road of reconditioining the motor, go all the way and have the cylinders rebored, fit oversize pistons etc. And do the same with the crank and conrods etc.

Since you are in Secunda and not too far from Centurion, you could have the engineering done by Andre at Centurion Motor Engineering. I will even help with the assembly if you want.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Johann

I suppose an import is safer for the majority but for me I prefer a "proper" (albeit scarce) rebuild as I can oversee the process.

Anyway. Each to his own. The OP should be able to make an more knowledgeable decision now.

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the replies and with some serious stuff to look at.
I think the best is to ask Mitspro how they are intending going with the procedure and what they is going to be done and how..
I have all the waterpipes brand new and radiator done with new cap.
Once motor issue is sorted everything around motor will be brand new.yip welsh plugs is done , waterpipe in the v is new,
waterpump new , all pulleyes new, cambelt new and tesioners,the heads are done.
Now it is just a question of the motor and I will take heed of all warnings here and ask the questions. Only if the answer is satisfactory I will proceed otherwise will take Jotto on on his suggestion , Thanks Jotto will keep in mind.
Thanks again you guys are great help.