Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Howzit.

I finally had the top timing chain guide and oil pressure switch replaced on my 2004 3.2did today. The valve clearance was also adjusted (apparently this was much needed) and the EGR was closed off.

It was done at Malcolm's Auto in Maitland, Cape Town - I've attached the cost fyi.

The old top chain guide showed little wear apart from two slight grooves in the plastic - see attached.

Malcolm said he didn't blank the EGR off, but rather placed a ball in the tube (if that makes sense?), which apparently has the same effect.

Peace of mind at last...

Hi D,

I am very interested to know what milleage your car had done at the time you changed the timing chain guide. Your guide hardly showed any wear. Has it perhaps been changed before? The general advice I have had so far is to start checking for chain guide wear only from about 150000 km. Does that tie up with your experience?

Hi Bigwill,

I had the chain guide changed at 150, 000 km.

I don't have a lot of experience, but from what I've read people start thinking about changing it from 150k. Correct, my guide showed very little wear. I wasn't that surprised by this - excess chain guide wear and failure does not happen in every 3.2 did (I'd say it's quite uncommon IMO), but it has been identified as a weakness so people replace them in higher mileage motors.

My old guide was the original. The new guide is made from white plastic (not orange), which is also slightly thicker and wider than the original part.

It's not an expensive procedure and if you can do it yourself its even cheaper. The guide only costs about 90 bucks.

There's a great step-by-step guide (with photos) on how to replace it on the aussie forum if you're up for it.

Cheers,
D

Does anybody know if you get a warning when the guide is worn. Like a noisey chain perhaps? or is it best to visually inspect?

I doubt whether you will get a warning lasting longer than part of a second!

It is such an easy item to check, rather do a visual inspection once every 6 months.

3.2 DiD Upper Chain Guide Replacement How to..
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/sho ... hp?t=17446

You guys put the wind up me with all this talk of cam chain guides and thank the pope for that.

Check my top guide My Paj is on 246000K's now. looks like the guide has never been changed. Thanks so much for starting this thread and prompting me to check it.

My dealer says there's no stock he can back order it will take about four weeks, problem is I'm going to Etosha in two

If I can get a replacement, do you think I need to reset my chain tensioner with such agressive wear?

Thanks Wilddog

Found a guide at Mitsubishi at Grovener crossing sandton R76.00 +VAT awesome.

any thoughts on resetting the chain tensioner?

the tensioner on the side needs to be reset.

It unbolts with two bolts on the side of the head and pulls out.

You then unclip and push the tensioner all the way back and hook the little hook.

Best is to then pull the tappet cover, turn the engine via the crankbolt clockwise and make sure the tensioner releases from the hook.
also a good writeup here (need to register to see images and need google translate if you don't speak french)

http://forum.le-pajero.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=13634

Thanks Marius, Do you know where I can find the specifications and procedure for setting the valve clearance? I might as well attend to this while I have the cover off.

Thanks Wilddog