Mitsubishi Pajero
Long-lived 3.0-litre V6 naturally aspirated engine with timing belt drive. Solid construction; check for cylinder head cracks at high mileage. Replace timing belt and water pump every 90,000 km or 6 years — mandatory interval as it is an interference engine.
V6 petrol with character
The 3.0 V6 sounds great and runs smoothly. Not the most frugal, but a refined companion for off-road adventures.
Engine Weaknesses 3
At high mileages the aluminium cylinder heads can crack between the valves. Water gets into the oil and compression drops. A new OEM head costs around 1,600 EUR per unit.
Symptoms: Whitish oil sludge on the cam cover, fine water mist on cranking, compression drop
Interference engine: if the timing belt breaks valves hit pistons — total engine failure. Must replace every 90,000 km or 6 years; always replace the water pump at the same time.
Symptoms: Engine won't start or runs roughly after belt failure; no warning sign beforehand
Moisture on the distributor cap, ignition leads, and ignition coil causes tracking currents and cold-start problems. Particularly in wet weather. Preventable with regular maintenance.
Symptoms: Poor cold-start performance, engine hunts when starting, runs normally afterwards
Vehicle Weaknesses 6
Completely inadequate cavity and underbody sealing from the factory. Floor panels with box reinforcements, doors and wings rust quickly. The spare wheel carrier chafes and corrodes. Aftermarket protection in the first year strongly recommended.
On the 200 hp version the electronics throttle torque to protect the automatic gearbox. The gearbox is considered a weak point and responds sluggishly under high load. Regular gearbox oil changes are essential.
Water enters the cabin during deeper water crossings. Door seals and cable glands are not sufficiently waterproofed. Electrical damage from moisture in the footwells is the consequence.
ABS wheel speed sensors oxidise and deliver false signals. The four-wheel-drive electronics (Super Select II) show sporadic failures. Surface rust on suspension components accelerates corrosion of sensor cables and connectors.
The suspension is set up very firmly from the factory; every road imperfection is felt clearly. Unlike its predecessor, there is no adjustable damping. Shock absorbers and bushings wear faster with frequent off-road use.
The plastic bumpers are too fragile for off-road use and crack quickly on contact with stones or branches. Many owners upgrade to steel bumpers, although this can affect the vehicle's type approval.