Which Delica Year.....94 or earlier?

[tinykiss]

Hello
How is everyone?

Just wondering as I have heard from a few dealers that the 94 Delicas have a number of issues so they won't bring them in.

I see a number of people here seem to have a 94 model. What sort of issues should one need to worry about on a 94?

Thanks for everyones help. I will be buying a Delica within a week or 2.

TK

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hi Tinykiss,

There are two basic types of Delicas that are currently available in Canada. One is the L-300, the other is the L-400. The L-400 originally made it's debut in 1994, that was fifteen years ago and due to Canadian laws that require foreign domestic vehicles to be fifteen years old, the 1994 Delica L-400 is now making a Canadian debut. Being the first year of production there were some issues that needed to be ironed out, as with any vehicle, generally. Unlike the differences between models such as the L-300 Exceed or L-300 Chamonix where the differences are of a minor nature. The L-300 "Starwagon" (right picture) and L-400 "Space Gear" (left picture) are pretty much two different vans.

One of the issues that has been reported with the Space Gear is a bolt that connects a skid plate ~ if landed on could be thrusted inward, thereby puncturing the engines oil pan. I understand this to be only in the '94s. The engine in a Space Gear, a 2.8 litre diesel, is located in the front of the vehicle where the 2.5 litre engine in a Starwagon is located between the front seats. There are pros & cons in both cases. The L-300 production ran from 1986 to 1998; The L-400 started production in 1994, received a "facelift" in 1996 and is apparently still being made to this date.

Falco.

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Delica

[loki]

One of the issues that has been reported with the Space Gear is a bolt that connects a skid plate ~ if landed on could be thrusted inward, thereby puncturing the engines oil pan. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Delica

Not that it makes a huge difference if you don't notice it in time but I think the bolt punctures the oil filter. http://www.delica.ca/forum/design-fault ... tml#p49825

[FalcoColumbarius]

Thanks Loki, I slouch corrected.

Cheers!

Falco.

[loki]

Thanks Loki, I slouch corrected.

Cheers!

Falco.

lol, it's all in the interest for knowledge no offense intended in the slightest :)

[Green1]

Looking at the bolt in question, there's still a fair amount of clearance before it gets to the oil filter... I can certainly see how it could be an issue, but unless you're doing serious off-roading, I doubt you'd have an issue (You'd have to land pretty hard at the right angle to do any real damage here), and if you DO serious off-roading, it's a relatively simple fix to deal with anyway.

[jessef]

Similar to the L300 Delica with the exposed A/C radiator in the front and the heater core lines in the rear control unit.

I ripped one of the lines open and fortunately found out before my cooling system was fully drained = blown engine.

Both of these 'potential' problem areas can be remedied with a little armor.

[konadog]

*Looooves his 1992 L-300... hopes it lasts FOREVER!*

[FalcoColumbarius]

The way I see it, Konadog ~ there are two questions you must ask yourself: A/ What time is it?; B/ Where are we? These questions are quite simple: A= Now; B= Here ~ NowHere. You've got to be in a NowHere state of mind at all times, but especially Now. Next you have to come to terms with "Now" ~ have you ever noticed that it has always been "Now"? That makes "Now" equal with "Eternity". So if "Now" is "Eternity" and you have Hazel Now.... You have the Hazel FOREVER . Just be sure to change the oil on time, &c..

Falco.

[konadog]

You're a wise man Falco my friend, yes you are

[Erebus]

...but unless you're doing serious off-roading, I doubt you'd have an issue (You'd have to land pretty hard at the right angle to do any real damage here) ...

<cheap shot>If memory serves me right, you have been known to crunch under-Delicas bits and pieces on more than one occasion, so a LOT of armour might be in order </cheap shot>

[Green1]

...but unless you're doing serious off-roading, I doubt you'd have an issue (You'd have to land pretty hard at the right angle to do any real damage here) ...

<cheap shot>If memory serves me right, you have been known to crunch under-Delicas bits and pieces on more than one occasion, so a LOT of armour might be in order </cheap shot>

I never said that I didn't plan to do something about it, only that not everyone will need to...

[peterh]

Things to look out for on an L400 (94 onwards)

Timing chain wear, I think should be replaced at 200,000 Km????

Cooling system
In particular, the expansion tank. The japs put it in a place that gets some sun-light and the plastic perishes. Always fit a temperature monitor to the engine, when these things over-heat they go quickly.

Dual air-conditioning system can be tricky and expensive to fix.

TPS (throttle position sensor) has known issues.

Definately get a bash-plate - less than $300 and fit it yourself - easy :)

Front sun-roof. The bolts that hold the motor come loose!

ECS suspension is good while the shocks are ok but expensive to replace.

Drive shaft boots (front) split and break all the time.

The front sliding cup-holders break

The facia panel around the centre binical breaks

The over-drive button fails.

Injector pump (diesel) can have problems delivering adequate fuel (to itself), a number of guys and gals have had to have there pumps over-hauled. Some like me have added an electric "lift" pump to assist the main injector pump.

Japanese centre touch screen/ climate control/ GPS. I don't think these can be converted to english (check other forums)

Dual batteries. Many L400s have two batteries, they are hooked up in parallel for extra starting grunt not as a primary/secondary system. You can still do that but I believe it gets cold in Canada :)


I know this sounds like a big list of issues and it would be un-fare to say all L400s suffer from them. These are just some items that keep popping up on the Australian forum and most I have experienced as well.

Don't be put off tho, the L400 is a great vehicle, I love mine to death and every drive is an adventure - it just pays to be aware of some of these thing before you buy, you could end up saving allot of money.

Cheers,

[FalcoColumbarius]

Cheers Peter ~ much appreciate the info.

Falco.

[jessef]

Timing chain wear, I think should be replaced at 200,000 Km????

Once replaced, it should last 4-500,000 km's

This is a plus and not something that is rated against the L400 with the 2.8

Cooling system
In particular, the expansion tank. The japs put it in a place that gets some sun-light and the plastic perishes. Always fit a temperature monitor to the engine, when these things over-heat they go quickly.

There are many vehicles with the same closed-loop system both domestic (NA) and Euro/JDM.

Just like with any of them, the coolant expansion tank should always be checked when doing routing maintenance for brittleness, cracking and color fading.

Also check the radiator <-> expansion bottle plug for breakage. (see my old one below).



While you're at it, also check the coolant pipe that goes from the water pump/thermostat to the turbo.

This is a small banjo bolt that will tell you if your coolant system is on it's way out. The banjo bolt coolant passage hole will be either clean (like my picture below) or it will be full of calcium/rust deposits. If it is plugged, get a coolant system flush at the very least.
This is a very easy check to do.

Dual air-conditioning system can be tricky and expensive to fix.

No different than pre-94 and post-94 L300/L400 Delica's. They are all alike. Same goes with almost any new vehicle. Most vehicles nowadays have dual climate control. They are all expensive to fix depending on what needs to be done.

TPS (throttle position sensor) has known issues.

The TPS on my old Camaro, Jeep and Suzuki had the same problem. They just quit. Almost all 2nd Generation Trottle position sensors are the same. They either work, or they don't. Again, just like any injection system.

Good thing is that they are easily accessible, replaceable and to diagnose.

Definately get a bash-plate - less than $300 and fit it yourself - easy :)

Agreed. Protect the oil pan/filter.

ECS suspension is good while the shocks are ok but expensive to replace.

$285 CDN / ea . Already checked. EXPENSIVE and not worth the 4X price of a good shock.

Drive shaft boots (front) split and break all the time.

This is a common issue with every single IFS (independent front suspension) vehicle made on this planet.

That is because the rubber compound had a lifespan that will only last so long. Once it starts to crack, it will tear open which will dry out the grease and destroy the CV ball races inside.

Look at mine below.

What a worn/cracked open CV boot looks like :



What it should look like :

The front sliding cup-holders break

The facia panel around the centre binical breaks

Yep. Unfortunately, the brittle plastic is suspect to cracking over time.

See my thread below to remove/install it without damaging it.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/l400-center- ... -7079.html

Injector pump (diesel) can have problems delivering adequate fuel (to itself), a number of guys and gals have had to have there pumps over-hauled. Some like me have added an electric "lift" pump to assist the main injector pump.

To prevent seal deterioration in the injection pump, use a fuel additive and/or oil (veg oil) to constantly lubricate the seals.

Common on all Delica's both L300 and L400 that have been sitting for some time in Japan.

Dual batteries. Many L400s have two batteries, they are hooked up in parallel for extra starting grunt not as a primary/secondary system. You can still do that but I believe it gets cold in Canada :)

Since the L400 is only a 12V system, running a single, good battery is sufficient for the coldest of Canadian winters.

I prefer one single battery as opposed to a pair of batteries. There is no need with the battery technology these days.

I know this sounds like a big list of issues and it would be un-fare to say all L400s suffer from them. These are just some items that keep popping up on the Australian forum and most I have experienced as well.

Don't be put off tho, the L400 is a great vehicle, I love mine to death and every drive is an adventure - it just pays to be aware of some of these thing before you buy, you could end up saving allot of money.

Cheers,

Almost everything listed is suspect on any vehicle, whether it's 20 years old or 2 years old.

Proper maintenance will prevent issues like the one's above from rising in your vehicle, be an L300, L400 or whatever.

Just wondering as I have heard from a few dealers that the 94 Delicas have a number of issues so they won't bring them in.

You're talking to the wrong dealers then.

The L400's are great vehicles. They just need normal maintenance like any other vehicle.

The only 'real' known issue is the timing chain and tensioner on the first month to November 1994 production run, on all 2.8 4M40's (L400/Pajero).

The timing chain will wear against the right-side chain guide and the plunger on the tensioner is 2mm too short.

To counter this, Mitsubishi changed the timing chain and the tensioner on all 4M40 2.8's from November 1994-onwards.

If you have a 94 June to November manufactured L400 and the timing chain has not been replaced, it will have to be sooner or later.

This is not something that is catastrophic, unless it is left unattended.

There is plenty of 'audible' warning.

See my post below :

http://www.delica.ca/forum/2-8-timing-c ... -6579.html

All the other 'issues' are not issues. They are just normal wear and tear items.

Cheers
Jesse