L400 2.8L Diesel Expected Lifespan

[psilosin]

Just wondering what the general feeling is about the expected lifespan of the L400 Spacegear 2.8L diesel engine (and the rest of the drivetrain)? Seems like many of the L400 Spacegears coming in have well over 100,000km which seems at odds to the normaly low km JDM vehicles that are typically imported. [!!!Please no discussion that low km examples are rollbacks!!!] In general, are these vehicles getting a bit long in the tooth at 150,000-200,000km or do they tend to have lots of life left in them? A couple recent incoming L400's have me tempted but the km's are holding me back.

[loki]

Just wondering what the general feeling is about the expected lifespan of the L400 Spacegear 2.8L diesel engine (and the rest of the drivetrain)? Seems like many of the L400 Spacegears coming in have well over 100,000km which seems at odds to the normaly low km JDM vehicles that are typically imported. [!!!Please no discussion that low km examples are rollbacks!!!] In general, are these vehicles getting a bit long in the tooth at 150,000-200,000km or do they tend to have lots of life left in them? A couple recent incoming L400's have me tempted but the km's are holding me back.

it's my impression that Australia took most of the low KM L400s as they where able to import them long before us. I would imagine the engines should average 300K but could get much more if not a lemon and treated well. the up side to the higher KM ones are that it's less likely to have sat to a long time and all the seals are dried and cracked, and also a lemon would be less likely to make it that far at least with out the problems being fixed. But I could be just deluding myself for reasons that will become apparent soon enough :)

[Green1]

I suspect that the high demand for L400s right now, coupled with the fact that we are one of the last places in the world allowed to import them, is what is contributing to the high mileage examples you see. Not all L400s are high mileage though, I just brought mine in at 68k.

As for expected lifespan... that's always a tough number to guess at, however in general, a well maintained diesel such as these should have no trouble reaching 500k I would think.

[White Mule]

As for expected lifespan... that's always a tough number to guess at, however in general, a well maintained diesel such as these should have no trouble reaching 500k I would think.

Add salt, gravel and whatever toxic chemical they throw on our roads, coupled with bad drivers and bad driving techniques.

Not to mention shoty parts, shoty repairs and plain old bad advice....

69,001kms

[Green1]

As for expected lifespan... that's always a tough number to guess at, however in general, a well maintained diesel such as these should have no trouble reaching 500k I would think.

Add salt, gravel and whatever toxic chemical they throw on our roads, coupled with bad drivers and bad driving techniques.
Not to mention shoty parts, shoty repairs and plain old bad advice....
69,001kms

Gee thanks for the reassurance!

[Golf Cart]

I"ve had 2 Ford full size pickups, both diesel. My 1986 is still running last time I talked to the owner, which is a 6.9 litre. It is well over 600k. The truck I just sold this past summer was a '93 Ford, 7.3 litre which I purchased with 260k on it. It had 530k on it when I sold. Both engines original with no internal , or head work except each had a new injector pump at about 400k. 1 was actually my doing when I made the mistake of not using a smaller bolt on a new water pump.

My 1.9 Jetta had over 300k with no ill effects or problems. If you look at a Jetta motor and Deilca motor (L300) they almost look identical. The only difference is the timing belt set up for the most part. Everything else is more or less in the same place.

I'd buy a Delica tomorrow with over 250k on it and wouldnt think twice. I wouldnt expect an L400 to be any different, other that their looks

[jessef]

I think a realistic lifespan would be between 6-800,000 kms

Based on a few things

Diesel engine
Chain timing
Good oil cooling passages
intercooled and water-cooled turbo
2800 4cyl is a large block for a 4 banger

I would expect at least 4-500,000km's with regular maintenance

Oil changes are obviously the most important

3-4,000 km intervals will extend the life of your engine

[Green1]

I"ve had 2 Ford full size pickups, both diesel. My 1986 is still running last time I talked to the owner, which is a 6.9 litre. It is well over 600k. The truck I just sold this past summer was a '93 Ford, 7.3 litre which I purchased with 260k on it. It had 530k on it when I sold. Both engines original with no internal , or head work except each had a new injector pump at about 400k. 1 was actually my doing when I made the mistake of not using a smaller bolt on a new water pump.

My 1.9 Jetta had over 300k with no ill effects or problems. If you look at a Jetta motor and Deilca motor (L300) they almost look identical. The only difference is the timing belt set up for the most part. Everything else is more or less in the same place.

I'd buy a Delica tomorrow with over 250k on it and wouldnt think twice. I wouldnt expect an L400 to be any different, other that their looks

just to add to that, my 1983 Mercedes Turbo Diesel (I believe it was a 3L) I sold it 3 years ago with over 500,000km on it, I've seen it since still driving around. no engine problems at all (wish I could have said the same about the electrical system!)

[josh]

My dad has 990,000km on his '89 cumins turbo diesel which has never had any work done on the engine and runs better than the day he bought it new (or so he claims, it gets better mileage now!). Of course I drive a gasser L300 though...

Josh

[jessef]

Just wondering what the general feeling is about the expected lifespan of the L400 Spacegear 2.8L diesel engine (and the rest of the drivetrain)? Seems like many of the L400 Spacegears coming in have well over 100,000km which seems at odds to the normaly low km JDM vehicles that are typically imported. [!!!Please no discussion that low km examples are rollbacks!!!] In general, are these vehicles getting a bit long in the tooth at 150,000-200,000km or do they tend to have lots of life left in them? A couple recent incoming L400's have me tempted but the km's are holding me back.

over 100,000km is normal. Most will have around 80-150k.

Expect them to be really broken in around 150k mark.

To be certain it will last, be sure to change the timing chain/tensioner, valve cover gasket, belts, filters, fluids, etc.... The normal stuff that should be done when it lands.

If the timing chain and has been replaced, expect between 300-500,000 km's with just simple regular maintenance :

Frequent oil & filter changes. 3k best. 4k good. 5k average and use synthetic 15w40 from spring to fall and 5w40 in the winter.
Transmission/transfercase/diff fluids check and replace as needed
Every fall before winter I'll check my glow plugs and replace as needed
Have injectors cleaned once a year. It will help in the long run.
Fuel filters

The above stuff is just regular maintenance. If done at the right intervals, then your 2.8 4M40 engine should last a very very long time.

My preference would be to buy a well used L400 with 120-150,000 km's with shaken on it. That way, at least I know it's being used in Japan as opposed to sitting for years.

And I would expect the 4M40 to outlast the 4D56 because of the timing chain and larger oil passages. Larger exhaust + intercooler + water cooled turbo will help aspirate the engine easier as well compared to the smaller 4D56.

As for drivetrain, well the L400 Spacegear underneath is a Gen II Pajero/Montero.

There's guys running 92+ Montero's with over 500,000 km's in the US.

My old Montero is still kicking on it's 2nd engine and the body has well over 800,000 km's.

The drivetrain is stout and just like the engine, if maintained properly, will last a long time. Probably longer than the body.

[Kei King]

Engine is the least of your concerns on the L400.... Generally bulletproof and doesn't "explode" due to the timing chain system.

Parts and labour on things like ball joints, tie rods, bearings, seals, boots, bushings, mounts can add up $$$ faster than anything else.

Whether 50, 100 or 200,000km.... and no matter who you buy from, you need to get a mechanical inspection on the vehicle you purchase.

PS: Many 1994 models had the timing chain swapped out in Japan due to a recall.

[Green1]

PS: Many 1994 models had the timing chain swapped out in Japan due to a recall.

Although Mitsubishi did improve the timing chain since these vehicles were produced, they never did an official recall on them, so don't expect that it was done! If you hear the famous "chuffing" sound (another user posted a YouTube video of it earlier) get it replaced. If it has been replaced, a timing chain should be good for about 300,000 km. (the original ones were not as good, and seem to be more like 100,000km but vary a fair amount)

[FalcoColumbarius]

It's like anything. If you look after your friends ~ they will look after you. Your tools are your friends. Simple as that. There are people out there that are driving Model Ts & As. These cars have been around for almost 100 years and their mileage will reflect that. Eventually the timing belt on a Delica is due for replacement. If you don't replace it you will be replacing the engine a little further down the road. If you don't do the scheduled oil changes you will get the same results. As far as wearing of parts ~ they can be replaced. If you wanted a non-mantainance car ~ don't get a Delica.

For instance: What happens if you don't brush your teeth at all, or if you don't put the correct nutrients into your body? If you decide to install mods into your body you have to think it out, no? I mean you can't just eat a couple jars of steriods, expecting to outrun a speeding train or leap tall buildings and not expect repercussions of some sort or another.

If you boost out your turbo and add an high calibur intercooler along with 35" tyres on 16" rims ~ how is your tranny going to feel about it?

You gotta ask yourself: What would Mister Mitsubishi say?

Falco.

[Meanman]

You gotta ask yourself: What would Mister Mitsubishi say?

Falco.

I would think something in Japanese that I couldn't understand!

[Modsqwad]

My dad has 990,000km on his '89 cumins turbo diesel which has never had any work done on the engine and runs better than the day he bought it new (or so he claims, it gets better mileage now!). Of course I drive a gasser L300 though...

Josh

Hey Josh:
Might be a good idea to tell your dad to get the bearings on the vacuum pump looked at. We lost one in Mexico last year with
less km's on it because the front bearing in the vacuum pump blew up. The balls made it into the gear drive in the front case and nocked the front right off the camshaft. To bad it was a good old work truck. We switched it over to an old 360 gas motor and are
going broke putting gas in it. Suerte.
Andy Wilson Sayulita , Nay, Mx.