Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

My buddy was driving my 1999 pajero 2.8 and I believe the head gasket went.

No indication just bellowing white smoke and loss of compression. The radiator had a small leak but nothing crazy. radiator looks kind of dry now from the top. Oil levels have risen past the top notch.

Worst /best case scenario??

New head... new gasket new radiator. Possible new rings


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi RichWalt

Where are you based?
I had to redo the head on my 3.2 DID last week.

If you are in JHB, let me know I can send you the required contact details.

Warning: It is seldom worthwhile redoing the head on a 2.8... If you are 100% sure it is not damaged you can take a change. But normally they crack - and even a pressure test does not reveal these cracks..

Thanks guys. I just took it to my mechanic in Pietermaritzburg. Hayden at RNS Motors has done all my services and is incredibly thorough.

After further inspection the problem stemmed from a burst, rusted welsh cap on the head. This in turn pointed to the use of water instead of coolant in the radiator. I always thought the use of coolant was more of a guideline and an antifreeze! Turns our using water accelerates rust in the engine and various parts causing damage just like the rusting of the welsh plug.

Needless to say, Hayden says you cannot fix a head and it HAS to be replaced with any blown gasket. The surgery is underway and we will find out what further damage has been caused from heat. Hopefully its under the R 20k mark.

Glad you have a good mechanic like Haydn He comes with a good reputation on the forum...
Indeed Antifreeze is not only "anti-freeze" - but indeed does a lot for protecting your water system. Therefore always use a good quality! I suspect that sometimes even "topping" up with tapwater can be dangerous - as it contains a lot of chemicals - and in some cases (like us who use a borehole) can even contain salts which increases the rust!. Have a bottled of pre-diluted antifreeze at hand for top-up.

And off course when you need to add water - start looking for the leak!

llec999 wrote:New head... new gasket new radiator. Possible new rings


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The second piston took a beating and has some play. To change the rings wouldn't you need to overhaul the entire engine?

RichWalt wrote:

llec999 wrote:New head... new gasket new radiator. Possible new rings


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The second piston took a beating and has some play. To change the rings wouldn't you need to overhaul the entire engine?

What is you mileage?
You can drop the sump. Remove pistons. Fit new rings / bearings...
Depends in how bad the sleeves are worn...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

llec999 wrote:

RichWalt wrote:

llec999 wrote:New head... new gasket new radiator. Possible new rings


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The second piston took a beating and has some play. To change the rings wouldn't you need to overhaul the entire engine?

What is you mileage?
You can drop the sump. Remove pistons. Fit new rings / bearings...
Depends in how bad the sleeves are worn...


Mileage is 298 000kms. My mechanic doesn't recommend doing that. He says we need to replace the bottom end, replace the block, pistons, etc.

The vehicle is back on the road and running pretty well. Lost 1 bar in compression from the collapsing piston. Probably going to buy a used block and build up a new engine then replace the one I have. The knock from the loose piston is pretty gross.