Questions before buying

Mitsubishi Delica L400 production commenced in 1994 -- After much anticipation, the L400 arrived on Canadian Soil in 2009!
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Tmax
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Questions before buying

Post by Tmax »

I am in the market for one of these fine vehicles but it seems that finding a decent lower mileage diesel delica is proving to be difficult these days. I have been in contact with a few importers about newer gas models. I have been told that the gas models are a much better fit for Ontario winters as the cold weather starting issues of these vehicles make gas engines a much better choice. I'd say that I'm a die hard diesel fan and would love the Diesel engine but if the gas engines are solid and I can get a vehicle in better condition with a gas engine then it might be the best choice. I've owned a diesel landcruiser for years and never had any problems with cold starts if you prepare with heaters and good fuel etc.
Q1. Can anyone in Ontario confirm that there are real issues with cold starts that in hind sight they would have preferred the gas option. I've read some threads about common starting issues but they seem to me to be issues that can be dealt with.
Q2. Can anyone speak to the durability, reliability and fuel economy of these engines?
Q3. I haven't been able to find actual mileage numbers for either the diesel or gas engines of these vehicles. These days the vehicles being sold are 1997 or newer.

Thanks in advance for any help
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Growlerbearnz
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Questions before buying

Post by Growlerbearnz »

I'm no help with the cold weather questions (it's currently 15C here and I think I might die of the cold), but the 6G72 3.0 V6 petrol engine is the same one used in a great many Mitsubishis and Chryslers. Fuel economy varies depending on the size and weight of the vehicle its installed in, but on Pajeros and Delicas it's usually around 11-14l/100km, though it can be quite thirsty if driven hard or towing (around 16-18l/100km).
Nothing says "poor workmanship" more than wrinkles in the duct tape.
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archieim
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Post by archieim »

I’m currently going though the whoa’s of figuring out these Delica’s.
It’s my first Canadian winter with my 94 L400. It started in -19 the other day. With no help other than it’s manual choke.
Sure there was some smoke [emoji100]
And my fingers were crossed.
But it did start.
It’s like you say it’s manageable. I do have an oil pan heater but no block heater. I’m looking in to it!
I also need my Injector pump rebuilt which is why I’m guessing it smokes so much when I start it! All future things that will only help it in this Canadian tundra.
I wouldn’t mind getting a second battery possibly just for the amps and cold cranking.
But it is like you say it’s can be managed.
It is producing pretty good heat and fast to warm up, I was surprised.
I also have a 08 F350 6.4 diesel so diesels are in my blood already. And cold starts are familiar to me.
As for gas /diesel, mileage/kms
I usually put in about $50 bucks
(I think it’s a 50 L tank )
And I’ll get 475 kms till it’s really empty and that’s city driving.
It’s half the cost of my F350 to fill and still the same kms per tank roughly.
4 cylinder Vs 8 cylinder.
I hope that helps you
If your familiar with diesels and what makes them tick than you be fine.
I’m not sure if your trying to buy right off the boat or locally
If you want a diesel you need to be pre 96 I believe.
Japan outlawed diesel within the city, claiming it was better for air quality. So Mitsubishi dropped their diesel and did the V6 gassers.
Anyone can correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s what I was told and lead to believe.






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sfd_656
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Questions before buying

Post by sfd_656 »

q1- Coldest successful start completely unassisted was -32oC plus wind chill we did not want to get out of our sleeping bags but she started. (should of left her idling through the night)has never not started when block heater was plugged in. We have had a few no starts at -25--30oC when no block heater was available (we carry a jump starter in the winter).

q2- We've owned our 96 l400 with diesel motor since 2011 and put on about 150k km we get slightly better mileage with summer fuel but averages 14-15l/100km combo city and highway driving. We have never had any major reliability issues only maintenance.

We are shopping for a truck right now as our family has outgrown sleeping in the back of the van in winter with all our ski gear 2 adults, 2 kids and a dog. Buying a low mileage, 0 rust, reasonably priced delica was easy in comparison to buying a high mileage, beat down, over priced NA market 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I wish they made a godzilla sized delica.
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archieim
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Post by archieim »

They do [img]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201711 ... d19ce0.jpg[/img]


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Thomasdontgiveacrap
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Post by Thomasdontgiveacrap »

Hi. I have 99 Chamonix. 3L V6
Google says that there is 75 l fuel tank but honestly, I never managed to fit more that 65 liters of fuel in there...... But anyway, with 75 l tank math brings me to 15l/100 km if you keep it about 3k rpm. That gives you about 110km on flat highway. [Love driving in national park where is 90 speed limit]
About 130 and your fuel consumption is going to be insane.
I went for gas over diesel mostly cose of I do a lot of outdoor activities and there is obviously no way how to plug in. Never had problem to start [but my locks got frozen one night in below -35 cold] once I managed to get in, she started on the first try.
As I'm first owner, I had to do some repairs at first [valve cover gasket] but that was most likely already damaged. I put about 60k km on in last year and haven't had any other engine related issue. [Some other stuff went wrong but that had nothing to do with gas engine]
dr_airtime
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Questions before buying

Post by dr_airtime »

It looks like Delicaclub has a good MPG thread here. From what I understand V6 Gas 3000cc is 10-15% worse mileage than a V4 Diesel (2800cc). You'll need to be a member to see the post.

http://www.delicaclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=35606

I would reccomend going through Stephen at Rising Sun in New Westminster or Mardy at Amazing Auto in Richmond. For $12,000 to $14,000 you'll get a fully "15 year" serviced van with all the major lifecylce parts fully replaced. If you're around Vancouver (which you aren't) there is no reason NOT to go to one of these two as then you have an ongoing mechanic who knows your car.

I'm dealing with Stephen now and he may have found me a gem outside of the Japan Auctions through his 10+ years of contacts there. Really the key variable you need to focus on for any L400 is No Underbody Corrosion I guess Mitshubishi didn't use as much zinc, etc. in steel frames and the L400s are more prone to rust than L300s. There are new dealers popping up around Vancouver who seem to be just blindly bringing in L400s into Vancouver and trying to charge $11,000 to $13,000 doing Sh#t F@##*ing all to the besides the reflectors, daytime running lights and new DOT tires to get them through the mechanical test. Probably getting the vans through inspection for $6000 to $8000 and then marking up 30-40% doing no mechanical. They have absolutely not idea you need to check for corrosion. I've a phoned a few up and they are clueless. Basically if you buy from one of thes spec importers you will get screwed.

Apparently Velocity Cars doesn't even the change the oil. This is the new dealer with lots of Delica L400s on Craigslist. These dealers are just looking at the profit and marking up their cars relative to Rising Sun and Amazing Auto and you are WAAAYY better advised to deal with Stephen or Mardy.
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