Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi There,
I have a 2000 3.2 DiD Manual with 240 000km.
It was running perfect until we did a 500km trip when the troubles started.
* Starts and idles perfect.
* Slow pull off it shudders and lacks power as if in fourth.
* Above 1500rpm it runs smooth, power as normal.
* Drove back, checked what I could and spoke to some diesel repair shops, took out the pump and injectors send to Alan Black, had it serviced and repaired/ replaced the pump and injectors, but no change!
* Took the car to Henk close to Wonderboom Airport.
* He said that he replaced a vacuum solenoid and 2 x pipes
* Now the low down power loss has vanished, but reappeared at the higher rev range - above 2000rpm. ( It runs exceptionally well up to +- 2000rpm and then stays static irrespective of throttle position )
* Henk said that he did notice it, so he checked the turbo pressure - all seems fine.
* We removed the pump again to make sure the timing marks was correct - under instruction of Allen Black - no problem.
* We blanked off the EGV - No improvement,
* Removed, cleaned and replaced the Throttle plug.
* Checked the Throttle body flap action - OK
* Will remove the Cat Converter next?

Any suggestion Please!

Have you replaced the diesel filter? Often the root of a problem.

Diesel filter changed, full service given!

Removed Cat this morning, no change!

check air filter condition.

Unplug both vacuum pipes that go the the throttle body, blank the pipes with two golf tees and go for a drive. (you will get a CEL at idle once the car is up to temperature - don't stress about it, once you reconnect the vacuum pipes and restart the car it will clear)

I unplugged and blanked off both pipes without any change.
Will be testing the turbo boost pressure later today.
Does anyone know what the boost pressure should be?

While driving up a slight incline, I note that it feels as if the throttle only works up to 50%. Any further pressure on the throttle has no increased response?

So I fitted a boost gauge today and tested.
Pressure 1.1 Bar at around 3000rpm.

I came across the article "Found my 120kW" - Very similar to my situation!
No apparent damage to any of the mentioned pipes on my engine.
Will be doing a Dino test shortly.

Since last post:
* checked the fuel pressure.
* I then decided that the diesel pump might be at fault, obtained a workshop manual, removed and sent it to Allen Black Springs
* They suggested a rebuild and injector tip change! It was done and paid for.
* Refitted the pump and injectors, No Change!
* Phoned Alan Black, took car to them to check for proper fitment and timing, put on dyno, admitted only about 70% power!
* After no luck from my local workshops took it to Henk at Wonderboom
* Good communication, said it was fixed, but ABS lights remain on, sluggish pull offs has disappeared!
* The ABS brakes did work very well
* Henk also told me that he fixed the sluggishness - replaced a solenoid & vacuum pipe.
* When I picked up the car he said that it didn't pull as it should
( up to this stage my Pajero pulled exceptionally well for the last 150 000km)
* The lack of power was obvious in each gear above 75% of throttle position
* Communication with Henk? "That problem is out of my depth"
* Took it to Dastek near Waterkloof, very good reception and communication, couldn't get it any better.
* Decided to take it to Mitspro, they even fetched it from Dastek
* They started working on the brakes as a diagnostic test indicated 9 errors, car might go into limp mode?
* They "worked" on the car for "7 months", but could not solve the brake problems,
* They replaced some harness, had the guys from Mitsubishi over several times, tested spares from other Pajeros. no luck
* I asked them to leave the brakes and concentrate on the lack of power.
* It was decided that the lack of power must be the "diesel pump"!
* Removed and sent to Randburg Diesel, tested and found that it needed a rebuild (200km since last rebuild)
* After lots of communication between parties, Alan Black undertook to pay for the work to be done by Randburg Diesel?
* Refitted pump by Mitspro, no change!!!!!!!!!
* After a couple more weeks they decided that it must be the "neutral switch" on the gearbox ??
* I told them to stop any further work, reassemble the car and fetched it after another week of waiting.
* The invoice amounted to R 4200,00 - NO RESULTS !!!!! Sorry the car was very clean.
What next?

Eish,that is a heavy one

I also have a power problem with my 3.2 and we found the probleme on the pickup in the feulrank.

? Herman Raised eyebrows! How did you identify and solve the problem? It does sound like a plausible explanation and much easier to cure. And less expensive by far! Diesel pump rebuild must be about R 27 000 now... A most interesting suggestion Tx