Hi all, first of all I would like to thank you for the invite at 4x4community.co.za. I’m now the proud owner of a 1994 pajero 3 liter. It has taken me from Cape Town to Katima Mulilo without real problems, and it drives very comfy. I plan to take it through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique before flying home in august.
As a new owner I have a couple of questions for those with more experience. As there are several, I chose to put them all her, instead of spreading them over the related topics.
First, the aircon broke at sossuvlei with 41 degrees. Mechanic said it would cost 7000 R to replace the leaking condenser. But that I would get it much cheaper back in RSA. Although my traveling days will come to an end by then, it is a good reselling point. Can anyone give me a figure on what a new condenser including fitting costs? And are there secondhands available?
Second, the seller said that he used both 95 and 95 with lead replacement. This seems a bit odd to us, isn’t one better than the other? Often the lead replacement comes only with 93 fuel. Which fuel should we use when considering both economy and engine life? And does anyone has other tips and tricks to improve fuel economy. We’ve improved considerably since the beginning, but still get not more than 7,5 km out of 1L of petrol.
Third, we hear very different stories about tire pressure. We now use 2,8 at the back, 2,5 at the front when on tar, and 2,2 at the back and 2 in front when on gravel, and a bit less when on rocky roads. We’re quite heavy loaded with roofrack, rooftoptent and jerrycans and so on. We also had a tire puncture, and we had different brands and sizes front and back, we bought one new tire and now have two goodyears (264) in front, and a goodyear (264) as spare, and at the back we have one bridgestone (31) and the one that was punctured is replaced by a Nakang (31), which was all they had in Opuwo. Will the different brands, sizes and wears give us any problems? Steering is fine, and there is not much difference in wear between the two front tires, or between the two rear tires.
Fourth, when we engage 4wd nothing happens on the dashboard. There is no light coming on, only when engaging difflock. We’re quite sure that 4wd does work, as it helped us a lot in the Richtersveld. We’re also wondering if we should hear anything when the free-wheeling hubs lock or unlock (we drive in reverse after 4wd as said in manual, but do not hear a click or anything, should we?)
Thanks for helping us out, we’re proud to be one of the pajero owners now. We will put up some nice pictures and everything at the end of our trip.
Kind regards, benjamin
