Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hey all.

I'll be returning to Calgary after many years in Central America. Here I drive a Hyundai Terracan 2.5 TD (based on pre-2001 Montero / Pajero drivetrain) and a 1995 3.0L Montero.

I'd thought about buying a 2003 Pajero 2.8TD here and driving it up, but they're more than 10K CAD here. Thought about a LC as well, but they're more than $20K CAD here - and I reckoned there might be issues with diesel in Calgary, especially winter time.

Other option is to buy a RHD Delica / Pajero in Alberta, but again, my fear is that diesel will start hard in winter, and possibly be prone for expensive repairs.

I do love the idea of a weekend machine .. but perhaps a staid Toyota minivan might be more reliable (I had a Previa AWD 5-spd that I drove to Guatemala and back a few times, plus trips to Belize, etc - but it was so low to the ground).

Thanks for any and all advice!

Dave

Calgary doesn't often get so cold that diesels won't start. If all the systems are in good shape, you use some fuel additive and you have a block heater, recirculating heater or polar pad, you're set. If you often leave it for days at a time and you can't plug it in, there could be issues, but that is generally an unlikely scenario.

Ralph in Winnipeg

I'll concur with a Deli in the cold. A proper battery set-up helps as well.
in -10c mine would start but it always took 10+ attempts.

They key is letting it warm up properly and keeping it warm. I invested a few bucks on a piece of sheet metal and made what I call a "Winter Damn" that I mount down low in front of the engine compartment. It blocks the direct flow of air going into that area. So the engine stays a little warmer and it's not so drafty in the cab.