Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi, Mitsubishi dealer in Paardeneiland has done diagnostic test and informs me that the fuel pump is faulty and needs to be serviced or replaced. According to them service can only be done by specialists in Jhb (at some R21000+). Replacement of the pump comes in at about R42k. Anyone know where I can get the fuel pump serviced in Cape Town or surrounds - at a more reasonable price? The problem being addressed is a "flat spot" when accelerating to overtake - e.g. 4th gear at 100km/h - no more boost. Any advice would be highly appreciated. And BTW - I am not a particularly technically minded person.

don't fall for it.

Chances are your pump is fine.

Have the injectors checked out. The pre common rail injectors can be checked for spray pattern by any decent diesel workshop.

If they are shot then buy new ones at R6k for the set from the dealer as servicing them will only save you about 5% of new ones.

Other than that change the diesel filter and the auto fluid.

Those pumps are VERY reliable and the dealers like to just send the pump away. When it comes back and you mention there is still a flat spot they'll just say.. "must be in addition to something else as well. Leave it with us". Only then do the properly start to diagnose the issue.

The thing that works me up is that most parameters on the pump can be read while the car is running and they can compare the values to what it should be when you experience the flat spot. Same for the boost etc. They can measure engine parameters while you are in there.

Perhaps it's just the wastegate diaphragm spring that's tired leaking boost.

Thanks! I must admit, I don't quite know what to make of the "Fuel Pump Timer Control Valve" fault diagnosis. The car does indeed go into "limp mode" when accelerating - and once you lift your foot off the accelerator and press down again, there's more power, so maybe it's not the wastegate?? Fuel starvation due to the pump timer control valve?

I had the auto box fluid replaced today, and a new filter was fitted less than 2000km ago (made no difference to the flat spot). On one cowboy's recommendation we even removed the cat converter. No difference...

Will get someone to check the wastegate diaphragm - apparently thus means dismantling the whole turbo and doing a visual check? 3hrs labour, plus gaskets etc.

Thanks again for your response. Instead of spending R40-R50k on repairs, I'd rather consider upgrading to a 2010/2011 model with low km?
Rgds

If it goes into limp mode a code will be stored. It may be overboost. Check the little pipe that goes from the turbo cold side to the wastegate diaphragm. If that is perished pr loose the turbo will overboost and cause limp mode.

Google "pajero diagnostic without scan tool diy" for my diy on checking error codes.

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Hi, It appears that it is indeed the diesel injector pump that needs to be serviced / replaced. Quotes for refurbishment range from R18000 to R25000 - and of course it depends on what parts are needed (all parts apparently not always so easy to source - Alan Black).
Replacement unit comes in at about R46 000 - R50 000 incl VAT & labour.
Anyone suggest a solution - or tell me where I can source a new pump at a decent price?

Hi
Just did the same exercise see: https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/view ... 936#p25692

Found a site where you can order direct from China at half price(need the part number), but I thought it a bit shady looking as it is a Chinese manufactured unit and no Guarantee or Returns Might just get a box of bolts and odds… Also try second hand parts from UK scrap yards.

As far as I could gather, Alan Black is the only local crowd that does the servicing, Mitsubishi JHB sends the units there as well. Ditto for the Bosch agents.

If it is the Diesel Pump, I would consider the Lexus V8 conversion, rather than replacing the Diesel pump (Have a look at the two users who are busy with theirs now). I had a cracked cylinder head, which rolled on into a broken injector pipe, holed piston, “must” service diesel pump exercise.

This is already more than triple than the conversion cost. Hindsight is always such a female dog!

If it is a VRZ pump they are not reliable, every Mitsubishi dealer I have spoken to is only allowed to take them off and send away for repair. Bosch told me there are only 6 agents in the UK equipped to properly diagnose and repair these.
Second hand pumps are rare and have no known history, almost as dear as a rebuild with no come back.
Mine is now awaiting a repair having been properly tested, getting stripped down to find whats needed.

Many thanks for these responses. Got a "second opinion" diagnotic test done yesterday. Unfortunately, same result as the agents - Code 43 and Code 49. Already had the turbo replaced (albeit second-hand - low km). Injectors were pulled out and deemed okay, not in need of refurbishing. So, we're down to the timing control valve in the injector pump. Just have to bite the bullet and get it sorted out asap (circa R20k?). A reliable source just told me that parts may be hard to come by... Hopefully Alan Black can get it sorted out first time, because I have also heard sad tales of pumps that have been stripped and repaired three times over... You only know if it's right once it's back in position and you take the vehicle for a test drive! More advice before I commit to the pump service?

Before you refurb the pump try to replace the 2 speed sensors first. If it isnt that you have 2 new sensors for the refurb pump anyway.

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Thanks! I'll do that. The auto-box doesn't switch gears properly under full throttle, whilst there are no problems when accelerating normally. Limp mode kicks in somewhere around 3500rpm and probably 2nd or 3rd gear (accelerator floored). May indeed relate to speed sensors.

I take this still means pulling out and refitting the pump, which is 8 hrs labour at R638p/h = R5100. Is it worth risking a second labour charge of R5k to do the complete refurb job a week later? One guy says "just buy a new pump and get it done with" - well, at R41k for a new pump (plus labour), I am shying away from that option for now.
Tx.