Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Morning All

Has anyone else experienced a temperetaure increase, especially when towing i.e. when the motor is working hard on an incline? Recently and not on all occasions I have seen the temperature needle creep up to the upper end when towing hard. Tapping off on the throttle the temperature comes done fairly quickly. Does diesel quality have an influence - I suspect this could be but I am not convinced. This increase in temperature is not ambient dependant as it has occurred in Lesotho where the ambient was 13 degress C. The car has only covered 95 000 km's so it is not suspected that injectors etc. could be the cause. There is also no indication of overfueling.
I have also taken the matter up on several occasions with Mitsubishi but am told this cannot be and these motors do not overheat and are indestructible, however I am not willing to test their staments and rather tap-off the throttle. Viscous fan is 100%, radiator is clear etc.
Perhaps a check on the injectors and timing will provide an answer, perhaps someone has also ready had a similar experience and had it sorted. Not sure how this will impact on the maintenance plan - maybe do a check without notifying or the consent of the agents?

Any advice out there will be appreciated as it is becomming extremely annoying to the point of wanting to sell the car.

Regards

Frans

In short this is due to EGT - Exhaust gas temperature.

If the engine is working hard and you keep your foot flat the injectors are just pumping more diesel. This creates higher EGT's ( up to 650 celsius and higher ).

By letting off the throttle the rich mixture leans out and brings the temps down.

Invest in an EGT gauge and you will be astounded how much heat gets generated by keeping your foot flat.

Take half a day and read into EGT's

Also read here for good info. Not everything said is true but after the whole thread you should have a good idea of what is going on.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sh ... hp?t=16483

Frans,

You don't say what model.
There were early models with a problem with the coolant additives blocking the radiator.

I would as a matter of preventive maintenance do the following:
* have radiator flushed by a specialist
* replace the coolant with a top quality product (I believe in Caltex's Extended Life Coolant)
* replace the thermostat with a genuine Mitsu part (keep the old one as a spare)
* check the air cleaner filter

The ECU does a reasonable job of controlling the EGTs, but prolonged hard work will push the coolant temp up.

Gents

Your comments are appreciated. For info purposes the vehicle is a 2005 GLX under maintenance plan until 120 000 km's. It has been serviced every 7 500 km's and is currently on 95 000 km's. I never flat foot the vehicle as it serves no purpose but rather use the tip tronic to maintain an approximate 3 000 RPM on climbs and do not allow the engine to labour.
This matter has been discussed with agents on numerous occasions, but what creates the confusion is that the occurence is intermittent and does not happen each time I therefore cannot pinpoint the cause.
As for EGT's I have a fair knowledge having paid a lot of money to Dastek to "enhance performance" on a B 2500 engine, only to realise they will destroy your vehicle. Fortunately Pretoria Diesel helped me out.
Perhaps I should fit an EGT Gauge and keep a comprehensive log of fuel type, ambient temperatures etc. and possibly ID the cause.

Thanks anyway

Frans

With that extra info in mind I think 4ePajero's take is closer to the truth.

Follow the steps he put out and see what happens. It is critical that you use genuine mitsu thermostat ( and it couldn't hurt replacing the cap as well - also use genuine mitsu )

Frans

I had a similar experience a while ago where my car's temp would go up way beyond normal when working hard at slow speed. (e.g towing in sandy conditions)

I eventually changed the Visco (after it checked out to be 100% by my friendly local agent ) and have not yet had this occurance again.

Maybe get a second opinion on that Visco!

Johan

LowRange wrote:Frans

I had a similar experience a while ago where my car's temp would go up way beyond normal when working hard at slow speed. (e.g towing in sandy conditions)

I eventually changed the Visco (after it checked out to be 100% by my friendly local agent ) and have not yet had this occurance again.

Maybe get a second opinion on that Visco!

Johan

Lowrange

Somehow I don't think Frans has the same issue as yours as he has this problem at speed when tackling an incline when towing. At these circumstances the visco should not make a huge difference, even if broken as the airflow entering the engine at high speed should be sufficient. Having said that a simple cowling over the fan makes a HUGE difference, so definately still have it checked out again.

I would not throw out injectors as the cause. At 95000km and with some dicey diesel every now and again(I know that Frans has visited many a neighbouring country) the injectors can easily be stuffed. This can cause higher EGT and the resultant temp in water increase. I will complain bitterly at the next service of high temp, high fuel ussage etc and try and get them to test the injectors under the waranty and possibly replace if found faulty(They are expensive!) Ask to see the report. They will probably send it to Alan Black for this test and you might have to leave the vehicle with them for a day or two.

Lastly, I had a similar issue on a petrol Colt many years ago. Overheating(actually cooked) when pushing hard at speed with heavy load. In the end it turned out to be the radiator that was blocked by mud! This was found after I had redone the engine due to the damage caused by the constant overheating . REMEMBER that the radiator that you see from the front of the vehicle is the AIRCON radiator. The real ENGINE radiator is situated behind this one and is not that easy to check ,without removal, for blockages due to grass or mud. On the 3.2Did in SA this is a VERY thin little item and I was VERY suspect of it being able to keep the temp down, but in my 2001 3.2 Did with just under 200 000km on I have NEVER had any rise in temp, even when pushing hard and the Xplorer in tow at speed, so I would say something is definately not as it should be!!. Maybe find out what it will cost to replace the radiator or at least have it removed and the system flushed PROPERLY. As reported by 4EPajero the guys in Oz had a similar issue in some models where a coolant gelling inside the cooling system was found to be the culprit.

PLEASE keep us updated on your progress. Definately invest in EGT as it is a very valuable tool in a diesel engine, especially when towing heavy loads.

CATS

Thanks for the info.
This could come in handy at a later stage as I am also learning from you guys.
Preventative maintenance still remains no 1 on my list and I am DEFINATELY taking note.
Mike

Morning All

Chapter 2.

Alas the overheating has not been resolved notwithstanding the fact that Mits Brooklyn have indicated that the car has been checked out and that the viscous fan coupling was replaced.

I am now at wits end as what to do, because if I begin to fiddle I might forfeit my extended service plan, yet I cannot feel comfortable when towing.

During December on a slight incline towing an offroad caravan the car again displayed a significant coolant temp increase to a point where it reaches the 3 quarter point necessitating that I tap off. The ambient temperature was 33 degrees C with approximate 3 quarter throttle postion, 3rd gear running at 3200rpm with road speed at 83Km/h - no flat footing at all.

Subsequently I had a MadMan EMS1 EGT installed the past weekend so that I can accurately monitor EGT's and water temp. On collection of my car I was informed that the car is running elevated EGT's and that the air intake filter is dirty 2500 Km after the 97 500 service in December.

The drive home was devastating for the lack of a better word. Driving southwards on the N1 from the N4 interchange to the Rigel offramp which is a gradual incline the EGT gauge registered 755 degrees C before I tapped off. The range had been set at 750. This occured under normal conditions maintaining a speed of 120Km/h only with an ambient of only 27 degrees C.

The question now arises what EGT's are being developed when towing and I begin to experience coolant temp increase, could this be due to excessive EGT's and that eventualy the coolant begins to absorb this heat being generated in the motor. Perhaps I need to take a run with the caravan to the Krugersdorp hill and record all details.

Yesterday I approached Mitsubishi Brooklyn who advised me that EGT's of 1300 degrees C are acceptable and that glowing red exhaust manifolds are not uncommon. This statement is contrary to any forum discussion and extensive research work done where it is recorded that an EGT of 720 degrees is the limit for all turbocharged diesels excluding trucks. Anything above this causes turbo damage and damage to pistons etc.
They however did offer to check the cooling system which in my opnion is now not the problem as there is no, and has never ever been any coolant loss. They also did admit that they have replaced an injector pump which had resulted in overheating.

I have the option of approaching Alan Black for a diagnostic testing but who carries the costs - can I force the agents to send my car or do I go ahead regardless carry the costs and obtain peace of mind and forfeit my extended Motorite warranty.
If there is latent damage already caused then this will also be for my account if the agents are unwilling.

Alternatively I cut my losses and go Toyota.

Any advice..........?

PS: I am not the only one in this postion my car = 2005 GLX 100 099 Kms and the other 2006 GLX with plus minus 110 000 Km's.

Regards

Frans Glanvill

Get that man to put the EGTs of 1300 C to be safe in writing.

I would guess that you have either a injector pump problem, or an injector pump timing problem.

The EGTs are not normal, and if it has not damaged the engine already, it will.