Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Not sure if this topic is covered elsewhere but would appreciate some advice on my 3.2 DID 2008 SWB.

My engine warning lamp has come on for no obvious reason.
Owners manual says take to a dealer asap.
It's a 200km round trip to my nearest and am hopeful someone has some advice that may help avoid the inconvenience (but I don't want to risk causing a bigger problem)? Is there anything I could check before making the trek?

It may or may not be connected but I have noticed a soft metallic 'pinging' ( as best I can describe it) coming from the left hand side of the engine when at idle (when standing in front at the radiator) . Not sure if this was there yesterday before the light came on!

Many thanks

Do you perhaps have the means to get any bluetooth OBDII reader from someone? With that you would be able to read the faultcode which might shed some more light on it. Whereabouts are you by the way?

Metalic sound from left front of engine? Only thing I can possibly think of is timing chain tensioner maybe? Not sure if it will throw a CEL though?

CATS

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I am in Plettenberg Bay but unfortunately have no access to an OBDII reader. Nearest dealer in George.

I imagine being able to read the fault codes is exactly what the dealer will do?

As to the noise I am hearing, if it is a timing chain tensioner, would that mean it is not connected to the the engine fault light?
Trouble is I don't recall hearing it in the past.Could have been there. Is it normal?
Stupid question maybe but I need to ask it.

On the timing chain. Not sure if engine sensors will pick it up and throw a fault code. I just saw that in Aus there seem to be a recall on the timing chain tensioners but we did not get any in SA. Also the gen3 had a top timing chain guide which was changed somewhat in later models as it wore through, so just thought it might be a possible cause for your cluck noise.

If you cant access a OBDII reader then it would probably be wise to get it to the dealers asap. The drive to George from Plett is beautifull enough to warrant a drive in any case. I am up in Gauteng so cant help with the OBDII reader as it is a bit far.

You can possibly try and reset the CEL condition by disconnecting the battery overnight, but this might just last a few kms before the CEL reappear.

CATS

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Just a heads up here. A large % of mechanical faults cannot be picked up by the ECU and displayed as a fault code. IE if a system is controled by the ECU (egEGR) and somethings goes wrong with it, The ECU will turn the CEL light on. However certain mechanical systems that develop a fault will not be identified by the ECU and the CEL will not be activated. In other words if you sense something might be wrong and the CEL light is not activated do not presume it safe to simply continue driving.

Thanks very much for the input.
I have managed to find someone in Knysna who can diagnose the fault codes. Taking the car in tomorrow.

As to the beautiful drive to George, I am afraid to say, beautiful as it is, it becomes a chore when you live down here in paradise
Knysna is just around the corner and a regular commute.

Hopefully I will have some answers tomorrow.
Thanks again.

Some feedback on the warning light.

Loose wire (connector plug) on/above the fuel filter!!
Was not completely disconnected just slightly pulled out.
Reset fault codes and all looks fine so far.

The metallic tinkling sound on the left side of the engine bay is definitely not the timing chain.
So I suppose that is good news.
Bad news is the mechanic does not have any idea where it is coming from.
Suggests I wait and see if it gets louder.
So that's what I'll have to do I suppose.

Thanks for the help.

Cool. Thanks for the feedback. Glad it turned out not to be a costly repair. By the way, do you by any chance know what the actual fault code number was that led you to the loose wire?

On the tinkling sound. Well I agree. Wait a while. Maybe it goes away with the next oil change?

CATS

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I'm sorry I didn't think to ask him what the fault code was
The tinkling sound is weird but I think it may have been there a while. You can't hear it when idling with the bonnet closed.

Hi everyone,

My 2001 Gen3 3.2did LWB engine light doesn't come on. Also it had a major service about 1000km ago, replaced oil pressure sender but oil still leaking somewhere from behind engine, its visible from right side facing engine looking down towards gearbox. Oil come on for a few minutes while driving. What could this be? Crank seal?
Also vehicle is sluggish, lacks power but doesn't smoke.
Heavy on fuel, around 560km of 80litres.
Mechanic also told me to replace vacuum solenoid below battery, because 4x4 doesn't work.
Please help (wife traded in car for Pajero so please don't blame me!!!)