[Freshman]

Hi all,

Was looking for a simple sump washer last week and Pinetown Agents had nothing so I drove to Umhlanga and somme bought a few.
Over the weekend my thermostat popped and guess what - they tell me 2 month waiting period min!!
That is unacceptable. Apparently due to the Imperial "take-over".

I popped into AutoZone but their book only shows thermostats for the 2.8 and 3.0 - nothing for my 3.5.
Do they have the same ones?
Can I remove the thermostat or drill holes in it while I wait for a new one to arrive ex-Japan.

Are you guys experiencing the same problems with regards to parts available in general?

Thanks

[4ePajero]

Hi all,

Was looking for a simple sump washer last week and Pinetown Agents had nothing so I drove to Umhlanga and somme bought a few.
Over the weekend my thermostat popped and guess what - they tell me 2 month waiting period min!!
That is unacceptable. Apparently due to the Imperial "take-over".

I popped into AutoZone but their book only shows thermostats for the 2.8 and 3.0 - nothing for my 3.5.
Do they have the same ones?
Can I remove the thermostat or drill holes in it while I wait for a new one to arrive ex-Japan.

Are you guys experiencing the same problems with regards to parts available in general?

Thanks

• A sump washer is a sump washer is a sump washer. No need to buy it from the agents.
• Thermostat: take the sample to Autozone etc and get a reputed name replacement until the Mitsu one arrives. Then swop them and keep the 3rd paty part as an emergency spare.
• drilling holes in thermostat? Yes it can be done, but it's not a good idea! Rather a cheapy part than a Heath Robinson fix!

[CATS]

Hi all,

Was looking for a simple sump washer last week and Pinetown Agents had nothing so I drove to Umhlanga and somme bought a few.
Over the weekend my thermostat popped and guess what - they tell me 2 month waiting period min!!
That is unacceptable. Apparently due to the Imperial "take-over".

I popped into AutoZone but their book only shows thermostats for the 2.8 and 3.0 - nothing for my 3.5.
Do they have the same ones?
Can I remove the thermostat or drill holes in it while I wait for a new one to arrive ex-Japan.

Are you guys experiencing the same problems with regards to parts available in general?

Thanks

I have also heard some low stock level stories due to the Imperial takeover, but it seemed that a shipment was cleared recently and all is back to relative calm now. I hope this is only a once off thing with teething problems from the Imperial takeover being sorted, and not an indication of things to come in the long run.

From a positive side regarding the Imperial takeover. I recently saw a Mitsu add on TV. Something which was not done in a long time while Mercedes Benz was still the agents for Mitsu.

CATS
PS - now they must just make sure they have the parts to service the cars they sell through the ads!

[Freshman]

I hope this is only a once off thing with teething problems from the Imperial takeover being sorted, and not an indication of things to come in the long run.

I agree - Imperial should be better at running things so I hope this is just teething problems.


PS: 4e - I agree with the fact that any sump washer would do, but I was only using that as an example that some agents don't even have run of the mill parts like that - eish!

Thanks guys - hope to have my truck back as soon as they stripped and compared to find an aftermarket one.

[4ePikanini]

The 3.0 24 valve and the 3.5 engine uses the same thermostat. Look for one with an 82 stamped on it.

In my experience I have had failed pirate thermostats in both my mitsu and VW. Get the real deal ASAP. Even if you have to ship it in from elsewhere in the country.

[Freshman]

The 3.0 24 valve and the 3.5 engine uses the same thermostat. Look for one with an 82 stamped on it.

Thanks for the info Marius but it turned out not to be that easy:
I drove to AutoZone and checked the spec: stamped "82" so I was happy and bought it, took it to the Mac who by then already gave up looking for one, and gutted and re-fitted the old one as a temp measure.
When he saw the one I bought his remark was that it is way too small in size.

I then called the Regional Parts manager to check on progress since I called him in the morning to moan about the parts delay issue. He had good news - he sourced a part and I'll have it later on in this week which means I will have to book the car in again to swop parts but that is fine as long as I got it.

So the story ended with a lesson: Escalate your issues beyond the guy behind the parts counter

[4ePikanini]

If you get stuck give me a PM. I have built up a good relationship with one of the sales guys at Mitsu East London. He gets stuff couriered overnight (he checks all dealers in the country) if he hasn't got stock for me.

[Freshman]

If you get stuck give me a PM. I have built up a good relationship with one of the sales guys at Mitsu East London. He gets stuff couriered overnight (he checks all dealers in the country) if he hasn't got stock for me.

Thanks I might just do that. It seems like their online stock checking system is not that good or else the guys are lazy to use it. As I said - the sump washers I got from Umhlanga in spite of Pinetown stating that they don't have any anywhere.
The same with the thermostat which they said they did a national search, but how come the Regional Part Manager can now suddenly get them. I smell a rat!
It makes me scared to send the Paj for big jobs in case they come across a part they need which I didn't order beforehand and which then causes a delay.
This whole thermostat issue is costing me double labour while if they told me this morning they can get it from elsewhere overnight I would have told the Mac to wait for the part.

Anyway - what can you do.
Cheers