Advice on Buying Pajero

[Tadao]

Hi. I've been researching 91-93 Pajeros and getting close to buying one. Are there any known problems or bugs with Pajeros that I should watch for? Any advice on 2.5 vs. 2.8 (whats the mileage difference?)

I'm also planning to run biodiesel in it. Can I switch back and forth between bio and petro diesel if biodiesel isn't available on long trips?

Thanks,
Mark

[bae146]

I will have a nice pajero for sale in a couple of weeks. (Sorry shameless plug) It will be priced for quick sale as well. If you are looking for a pajero you need to identify what you want. 2 door or 4, standard or automatic. What price range do you have in mind? What area of the country do you live in? The 2.5 pajeros are better known and have a supply of parts already in canada. The 2.8 has more power however it is computer controlled and I have been told they are prone to cyl head cracking. They are fine if you have a pyrometer and watch you cyl head temps...... When you buy a pajero from a dealer or a private sale you need to find out what servicing has been done. This is very important, preventitive maintenance is the key to happy mitsubishi ownership. Timing belts, tensioners, oil seals, wheel bearing, brakes, cooling system (hoses, rad, block heater,) Air conditioning, drivetrain complete fluid change. And don't forget making the vehicle compliant to canadian standards. I don't mean to overwhelm you but I have done all of the above and have never been let down by my truck. That is not to say there have been no issues but you need to do what is reasonable and it doesnt all have to be done at once, it took me over a year to complete everything above. Just puttered around in the garage. Great learning experience. Give us more info on what you are looking for and we will help you out best we can. The nice thing about this site is the wonderful people you meet and the community of mitsubishi owners.....

[Tadao]

Thanks for the tips! I live in Vancouver and want a 4 door, automatic diesel. I'd rather go 2.5 for fuel economy but I may tow a small trailer on summer holidays (but not very often). Also planning to run biodiesel if I can pull it off. Maybe the 2.8 would be better for towing. Some people on the biodiesel forum are reporting power loss, which may be another reason to go 2.8, but I do not want to deal with a cracked head!

Mark

[jessef]

The 2.8 has more power however it is computer controlled and I have been told they are prone to cyl head cracking. They are fine if you have a pyrometer and watch you cyl head temps...... When you buy a pajero from a dealer or a private sale you need to find out what servicing has been done. This is very important, preventitive maintenance is the key to happy mitsubishi ownership. Timing belts, tensioners, oil seals, wheel bearing, brakes, cooling system (hoses, rad, block heater,) Air conditioning, drivetrain complete fluid change.

Exactly what I was going to say.

The 4M40T (2.8 TD on the Pajero & Delica L400's) is prone to head cracks if pushed too hard (ie. up hills at full throttle, under loads,etc...)

With that said, I prefer the 2.8 over the 2.5 providing it's maintained properly and not pushed too hard (install a pyrometer).

Fuel economy is similar between the two. Sometimes better or worse depending on how heavy your right foot is.

Pajero's are great vehicles.

They have been sold in North America for the past three decades as a 'Montero'.

[flyfishn]

What is a pyrometer and what do they cost installed? Is it easier to put a block heater itno a Pajero LWB then what I have seen on here with the Delica's?

[jessef]

What is a pyrometer and what do they cost installed?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrometer

1/2 - 1 hr labor

Is it easier to put a block heater itno a Pajero LWB then what I have seen on here with the Delica's?

yes

[PHIL]

Well, as an owner of every Pajero power plant up to 94, except the 3.5L gas engine, my opinion is this is the power plant to have, esp in a LWB. Torque is higher, and more "usable" than the 2.5. MPG (so far) is around the same, as stated above.

As far as the heads being prone to cracking, I'd submit they are no more prone to cracking than any other 15yo vehicle in need of maintenance. I had a 2.6L gas Mitsu in my 88. Put two heads on it. Bought my 89 LWB 3.0V6 with blown HG. I've seen two 2.5 TDi's with blown HG's. The common denominator in all these cases was maintenance, or lack of. If you get a 15yo vehicle, you should definitely have the cooling system serviced. But to categorically classify the 4M40 as a sure bet for head failure is incorrect, IMHO.

I've been around 3.0V6 4runners and diesel Hilux Surfs. These two are documented, prone, and eventually will lose their HGs or heads. Toyo even did a recall on the V6s. But I think the Mitsu cases are more a maintenance issue, combined with abuse (Paj is a great tow vehicle, which means it sees more heat/abuse than average too).

Again, my opinion, but based on owning all the (Mitsu) ones I've referenced.

As far as electronics, the 4M40 was mechanical injection until I believe 96.

In summary, I really liked my 2.5, but the 2.8 (in my opinion) is in a different category, in terms of cold starts, acceleration, towing power, etc.

Look around, try to drive a few different ones, read lots, and form your own opinion. You won't go wrong either way.

[PHIL]

Oh, forgot, block heater is a no-go on the 4M40, afaik. I checked many sources, but the best I could come up with was a CAT application <tim allen>(this engine was used in some cat machines, argh argh argh)</timallen>. This used a screw-in immersion type heater, from Philip/Temro.

BUT, no dice for the passenger vehicle version. There is a heater hose which uses this hole.

For this winter, I've installed an oil pan heater (big one, 250watt), which helps. This summer when I have more time, I hope to shoe horn a coolant recirculating type heater (the bigger one, not the rad-hose heater, which is useless, IMHO) inline with the heater hoses...

Just FYI.

[RaddCruisers]

I'm going to chime in on a few things here...

No matter where you buy it, get it thoroughly checked out by a shop that is fully independent of the dealer or person you're buying it from.

In diesels, a smaller engine does not usually net better fuel economy. Bigger is usually better - both for power and economy. Eg: the Land Cruiser 4 litre 12H-T found in full sized 60 series Land Cruisers get better fuel economy pushing a heavier vehicle than the 2.4 Liter 2LTE engine in the Prados and Surfs (hint: avoid any Toyota with the notoriously bad 2LTE engine).

Make sure that ALL of the basic maintenance has been done OR a selling price that is reflective of the work that needs to be done. The shop doing the inspection should be able to spot most of it, but timing belts and related parts cannot be verified without extensive removal of covers etc...

All JDM cooling systems need to be checked carefully. This applies to every single vehicle coming over, no matter what make.

Expect the injection pump to leak on any rotary pump equipped diesel (of this vintage) and budget for re-sealing/re-building. It will happen, it's only a matter of time.

All timing components: 5 years or 100,000 kms - which ever comes first.

Although I really like the Delicas, I am not a big fan of the Pajeros. I think there are better options available to the Pajero for a little more money.



~John

[jessef]

I think there are better options available to the Pajero for a little more money.

Average cost after all the mechanical work has been done :

92-93 Pajero (2.5L) - $7-10,000

91-94 Nissan Safari (4.2L) - $9-14,000

91-94 Toyota HDJ81 (4.2L) - $11,000 - 18,000

There is a big difference between all three with regards to price/mpg/reliability/stoutness but all in all, the Pajero is the cheapest with the Safari being the best bang for the buck right in between the Paj and the king of the hill 80's cruiser.

I've owned a SWB Montero, LWB Pajero, 89 Safari and 92 80.

Out of all of them, the 80 series is the best for hard/long driving but the Safari is my favorite. Pajero being the underdog. With some modifications you can outfit a Pajero that is just as capable/comfortable as a Safari or 80. You'd just end up spending similar amounts of cash to bring it up to that level.

[loki]

I think there are better options available to the Pajero for a little more money.

Average cost after all the mechanical work has been done :

92-93 Pajero (2.5L) - $7-10,000

91-94 Nissan Safari (4.2L) - $9-14,000

91-94 Toyota HDJ81 (4.2L) - $11,000 - 18,000

There is a big difference between all three with regards to price/mpg/reliability/stoutness but all in all, the Pajero is the cheapest with the Safari being the best bang for the buck right in between the Paj and the king of the hill 80's cruiser.

I've owned a SWB Montero, LWB Pajero, 89 Safari and 92 80.

Out of all of them, the 80 series is the best for hard/long driving but the Safari is my favorite. Pajero being the underdog. With some modifications you can outfit a Pajero that is just as capable/comfortable as a Safari or 80. You'd just end up spending similar amounts of cash to bring it up to that level.

I'm a big safari fan myself.

[bob blake]

In the UK 1996 2.8 pajeros are going for about £1600 UK pounds
Down side we pay £1 a lt for fuel
bob blake

[normaltype]

[GISdood]

I imported a 1993 2.8 Exceed LWB auto from Brave Auto International and had Mardy at Amazing Auto do the servicing and compliance work for me. After purchase cost, shipping, insurance, duty, brokerage, GST, compliance, maintenance and licensing (including new tires, batteries & headlights) the total was still under $11,000 CDN. (for a vehicle with 110,000km on it and in mint condition!)

This is my first JDM vehicle so I don't have much basis for comparison, but even living up here in Prince George where it gets down below -30 frequently, the Pajero has run like a top. Also very capable 4wd with the locking rear diff - I pulled my friends Ford Econoline E-350 out of the ditch and up his icy driveway with it once already this winter when he slid into the weeds taking a run up the hill to his house. Didn't even spin a tire.

I'd highly recommend the Pajero, but obviously I'm biased :)