Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi All

I hope someone can help me make an informed decision. I recently purchased a pajero Gen 3, 2000 model from a reputable specialist mitsubishi mechanic in the joburg area, with a CLAIMED 174 000km on the clock. I had the vehicle brought down to Cape Town and had a minor oil leak rectified at mitusubishi somerset west. I was shocked to find out the the actual kiliometers were more along the line of 320 000km after them picking up the VIN number on the system.

The engine was appently completely overhauled in the begining of the year (2011) to the tune of about R 20k by the same mechanic, verified by the previous owner.

My question is this, how reliable are the auto boxes, and how much are they to replace/recon? How many Km's can one expect out of them before they generally pack up, as I am worried about the auto box packing up on me.

I had the vehicle tested at Dekra/AA before I knew about the odo being turned back, and they said the vehicle is in relitvely good mechanical condition for 174 000km (claimed at that stage) on the clock.

The mechanic does not want to take the vehicle back even after numerous legal letters and phone calls from a lawyer, threatening litigation and fraud charges, so it looks like I am stuck with the car.

Nick

the autobox in the pajero is pretty tough. The only weakness is maybe the lock up clutch plates in which case you will barely notice and only suffer a little bit of extra consumption due to continuous slip.

The good news is that it is very unlikely.

I would recommend doing a flush ASAP.

I have made a writeup or get a dealer/workshop to do it.

https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... 115#p13263

NB: Insist on the genuine mitsu oil. The auto behaves funny if any other oil is used.

Hi 4ePikanini

Thanks for the reply, will do a flush as soon as possible, maybe over the next weekend or so.

Just a question. You mention using a soft wedge to split the autobox to get to the filter. What did you use, a timber wedge? Or is it something you need to buy from a auto spares shop?

On another topic, I recall seeing in another forum a type of 'float switch' one can install in/on the radiator that activates an alarm if the water lever drop below a specific level within the radiator, ie. if a water pipe bursts to allow you to stop before engine damage occurs. Any idea how this is possible; as my pajero is old(ish) now and I worry on a long or short trip of damaging the engine if I lose coolant due to some or other failure?

Thanks in advance

I used a rubber mallet to break the seal and then just my hands to pull it off.

The danger with a mallet is hitting to hard and having the sump catch the filter or a wire and causing bigger issues.

Just work with the knowledge that the aluminium is soft. You can even insert a wooden dowel into the drain hole for a bit of leverage but don't work/pull too hard.

Truth be told my filter was still good so you can maybe skip the filter unless the fluid is really bad!