Hi everyone, what are some of the most common maintenance problems encountered with owning an L300?

FlossyPine · Post by **FlossyPine** » Thu May 25, 2017 6:51 pm

I am sooooo glad this community exists.

I'm going to be buying an L300 pop top in a couple months, I couldn't be more excited. With that being said, I haven't been able to find reliable information on the most common problems associated with owning an L300. I'm talking anything from electrical to the engine compartment to things that need to be regularly changed and checked. Aside from the obvious oil and other liquids.

Is there a common issue with any kind of leakage? Any repairs that have been commonplace amongst L300 owners? I have heard that head gaskets are a common repair/replacement. What kind of maintenance is necessary for a healthy and happy delica?

(P.S, this seemed like the kind of topic that would have been asked a lot by delica newbies. I searched and searched and still didn't find the answers I was looking for. I apologize if I'm continuing a string of already covered topics!)

Thanks for looking everyone hope to talk to you soon!

TRUTHautomotive · Post by **TRUTHautomotive** » Thu May 25, 2017 6:55 pm

Let's start from the top:
-head gaskets/warped heads
-leaking injector pump
-injector issues
-glow plug/cold start problems
-assorted oil leaks, mainly turbo and valve cover

Did I miss anything?

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FlossyPine · Post by **FlossyPine** » Fri May 26, 2017 8:03 am

TRUTHautomotive wrote:Let's start from the top:
-head gaskets/warped heads
-leaking injector pump
-injector issues
-glow plug/cold start problems
-assorted oil leaks, mainly turbo and valve cover

Did I miss anything?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Thanks a lot for the info TRUTH. Am I able to get any/all of these parts commonly in the usa? Or will I have to import all of the parts through a JDM parts dealer?

My biggest worry is that I will encounter an issue somewhere in Colorado or Nevada and find out that the work that needs to be done can only be done by someone who knows these JDM cars. Which, I've only ever heard JDM mechanics and parts importers being in BC and maybe Seattle.. guess it's time to learn some of my own stuff

I should mention I am American and plan to import the Delica to the USA.

Morgonzo · Post by **Morgonzo** » Fri May 26, 2017 9:37 am

Flossypine, on the main page of the forum is a link to delicawiki that has a very good rundown of the first things to do once your Deli's in the driveway. Most likely you will have to clean and reseal your seams on the front quarter panel. This is a notorious leak spot that will make your carpets wet and stinky and eventually rust your floors. It's not a hard job. Timing belt is a big one, all fluids and filters. When you get to the GP's, use ONLY Mitsu OEM. Cheaper aftermarket GP's are shite and can add way more problems than the cheapness is worth. Trust me.

Most of this stuff is not hard, just time consuming but we're all better Deli owners for knowing our vans so well. How deep you dive into the list depends on how much spare cash you have after the importation. Where in the Southeast are you? We're in GA. The only other sate-side pop-top that i'm aware of is LDiz in FLA. Congrats on an awesome van!

FlossyPine · Post by **FlossyPine** » Fri May 26, 2017 2:00 pm

Morgonzo wrote:Flossypine, on the main page of the forum is a link to delicawiki that has a very good rundown of the first things to do once your Deli's in the driveway. Most likely you will have to clean and reseal your seams on the front quarter panel. This is a notorious leak spot that will make your carpets wet and stinky and eventually rust your floors. It's not a hard job. Timing belt is a big one, all fluids and filters. When you get to the GP's, use ONLY Mitsu OEM. Cheaper aftermarket GP's are shite and can add way more problems than the cheapness is worth. Trust me. Most of this stuff is not hard, just time consuming but we're all better Deli owners for knowing our vans so well. How deep you dive into the list depends on how much spare cash you have after the importation. Where in the Southeast are you? We're in GA. The only other sate-side pop-top that i'm aware of is LDiz in FLA. Congrats on an awesome van!

Awesome, thanks a lot for the info! I'm not sure what GP is, though, enlighten me on that. I'm in South Carolina, awesome to see someone from the south east on here! Yeah, the van isn't around here, it's in Vancouver hahah. Maybe my search methods are noob too, but I can't find any in the united states except for one near Denver, CO. I'd love to check out your van sometime if you ever like to go up to the blue ridge MTNS or come my way towards Columbia!

Thanks again!

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Fri May 26, 2017 4:15 pm

GPs is shorthand for Glow Plugs. They help a diesel engine start up when the engine is cold.

Most of the mechanical issues raised above are simply due to L300s being 25 years old- any old engine is going to need the head gasket changed eventually, and most diesels will damage the head if you don't notice the head gasket failing . Factor in that diesel L300s were built for the Japanese market where average speeds are lower, and you can see why trying to keep up with 70mph traffic all day is a bit stressful for them.

The 4D56 engine is a conventional design, and uses many parts that are shared with more popular diesels- there's no reason why any diesel mechanic can't work on it, you just need to convince them to look past the wacky body.

You will probably end up getting good at googling part numbers and finding compatible parts, and will become comfortable with ordering parts from overseas (though I've used https://oemmitsubishiparts.com/ in TX before and they're great). Check out the FAQ and Technical Reference Library here for a bunch of "how to find parts" related posts.

Morgonzo · Post by **Morgonzo** » Sat May 27, 2017 9:24 am

FlossyPine wrote:
Morgonzo wrote:Flossypine, on the main page of the forum is a link to delicawiki that has a very good rundown of the first things to do once your Deli's in the driveway. Most likely you will have to clean and reseal your seams on the front quarter panel. This is a notorious leak spot that will make your carpets wet and stinky and eventually rust your floors. It's not a hard job. Timing belt is a big one, all fluids and filters. When you get to the GP's, use ONLY Mitsu OEM. Cheaper aftermarket GP's are shite and can add way more problems than the cheapness is worth. Trust me. Most of this stuff is not hard, just time consuming but we're all better Deli owners for knowing our vans so well. How deep you dive into the list depends on how much spare cash you have after the importation. Where in the Southeast are you? We're in GA. The only other sate-side pop-top that i'm aware of is LDiz in FLA. Congrats on an awesome van!
Awesome, thanks a lot for the info! I'm not sure what GP is, though, enlighten me on that. I'm in South Carolina, awesome to see someone from the south east on here! Yeah, the van isn't around here, it's in Vancouver hahah. Maybe my search methods are noob too, but I can't find any in the united states except for one near Denver, CO. I'd love to check out your van sometime if you ever like to go up to the blue ridge MTNS or come my way towards Columbia!

Thanks again!

We have a family cabin in Blue Ridge GA. Would love to meet up and say Hi! Not sure what kind of drive it is from SC.

gledhillpete · Post by **gledhillpete** » Sat May 27, 2017 1:16 pm

Check the gutters under your windscreen. I posted about them recently.

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Mazdax605 · Post by **Mazdax605** » Tue May 30, 2017 7:27 pm

The horn button foam fails on pretty much all of the L300's.

cosmo727 · Post by **cosmo727** » Tue May 30, 2017 8:57 pm

Just did my over sensitive horn. Coffee stir sticks, here is the link.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6762&p=122626&hilit ... ks#p122626

helibrian · Post by **helibrian** » Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:17 am

I would definetly change the flexible oil line going to the alternator. Mine went and left a trail of oil for a kilometre. Good thing I was going to Canadian tire down the street. I heard of delica's losing all there oil and the engine seized which basically scraps the van.