Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi Guys,

I'm new here and this is my first post. I've been searching the internet high and low for answers to my question but can't find any reputable help. I'm sure you guys would be able to point me in the right direction.

I've bought my baby (2.8TD Pajero Gen 2 1999 model) just over a year ago. The idea was and still is to use it as a third/weekend/holiday vehicle and to do some 4x4 routes along the way as my whole family owns a Mitshibishi (Colt and Triton).

I always noticed that I don't have low end torque or power but never relised that it was so bad. We went to Baraka and I couldn't do the rockies. Hill climbing etc as the Pajero needed some revs to gain power. The colt 2.8 was fine and drove like a charm, so did the Triton all in lower revs (low speeds). My Pajero however wanted some revs on the engine before I could climb the rocks which means I've got speed too. The only way for me to control the speed was to play with the clutch, but at least I could get over without having to speed over the rocks. I almost burnt the clutch as you can imagine. The Pajero just don't have power low down. I then took the colt as it's supposedly the same engine and it had enough power at lower revs (800rpms) to climb over the rocks. The pajero needed to be up to 2000rpms to do the same thing. Difference is because the revs are higher, so is the speed.

I tried to find information and one guy told me that the Colt uses a variable geometry turbo and that it's computer controlled whereby the Pajero uses the older generation turbo. He also told me that there's nothing I can do about it and if I'm seriously into 4x4ing that I should sell the vehicle and get another.

I can't believe that there's nothing I can do to fix this as the colt 2.8TDi 2002 model seems fine.

Any advise would really help.

get a boost gauge and check the boost.

Listen for boost leaks when revving the engine with bonnet open.

Best thing is to get it to a diesel specialist to check the boost and diesel pump timing.

Maybe get a compression check done as well.

Thanks for the reply. I am taking the vehicle in tomorrow for a service. Just a normal oil service for the holiday .

I'll have a look at what you've mentioned. Just a question though. Is the vehicle supposed to do well on inclines and 4x4 routes? I supposed it should otherwise what's the use of making a 4x4?

I'll give you feedback once I've taken it to a good diesel specialist. Any recommendations in Midrand, Centurion, Jo'burg area?

From what I have learned there are only 2 sets of hands I would feel comfortable with working on my car.

1. My own!
2. Freek at Mitspro Centurion

I agree with you on that one. I'm actually taking it for the service to Freek tomorrow. Can and will he be able to check out the boost and look for leaks etc...?

The 2.8 TD engine is practically the same as the engine used in the Colt 2.8, so it should perform similarly (taking gear ratios and wheel sizes into account).

If you want to get even more low down torque, get a variable vane turbo off a 3.2 DiD engine, and adjust the waste gate to the correct max. boost.

I was thinking of doing something like that, but it's going to be a bit more costly. Depending on what's wrong with her now and how she performs once things are sorted out. Who knows, maybe I will do that.

The vehicle is back and driving like a dream in the higher rev ranges as said before. I've spoken to Freek and he says that according to him there's nothing wrong with the vehicle. He did check the boost, but can only do the diesel pump timing next year which is understandable.

He doesn't however think that there is a problem. He also said that although the Colt and Pajero have the same engine, I should not forget that there's a gear differantial difference between the two and that the Colt actually would perform better in lower revs than the Pajero, whereas the Pajero would reach better top speeds than the Colt.

That might explain the fact that the Pajero isn't so powerfull in lower revs, but having nothing down there is a great concern to me. I've watched some youtube videos and came across a few where guys filmed doing some offroading. I don't know if I can post links, but here is a link to one of the videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqlZIOOzuTE

Seeing what that guy does in that video with his 2.8TD Pajero and admitting that I can't do it at those speeds because my Pajero would just run out of power unless I rev it up to about 2000rpm and keep it there by playing with the clutch I won't be able to do that incline. There must be something wrong surely. Do you think that the diesel pump timing might be the cause as Freek did look at the boost and says everything is fine there or do you think it's something bigger?

I just don't want to get rid of her, but what's the use of keeping her if she can't perform and do what I bought her to do? Some offroading

are you sure you were in low range?

Even the little jimny with a tiny 1300 engine can crawl up pretty steep obstacles in 1st gear low range.

Yes I always climb steep inclines in low range. That's why I'm saying, she's dead down low. It's actually worse in low range. She would get up to about half way on a hill like that and keeps loosing revs until about 600-800rpms and then stalls. That's in low range first gear.