The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

olderrol · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:34 Post subject: Can't start after repairs

Hi folks. I'm a new member and struggling with navigation through this very big forum so need a bit practice so please be patient with me.
I've just completed changing the rocker cover gaskets on my 2002 Pajero 3.5v6 along with a new timing belt and water pump. All went real well till I tried to start it for the first time. It cranked over just great, sputtered a few times then stopped. Well it never really got going. I tried again but it would not even try to start. This was all accompanied by a very strong petrol smell. I checked and rechecked the timing belt installation, all the electrical connections and etc but could not find anything wrongly installed. Gave up, came inside and did some googling to find that if flooded the old flat to the floor would fix it. Tried that the following day with exactly the same result.
I am not a mechanic, clearly, but have rebuilt quite a few engines over the years, incl motorbikes all carby type, and have never had this happen before. I have read quite a few of the posts and seen all sorts of things but nothing quite like what I'm experiencing. Can anyone help me? Please! I'm getting way too many splinters from too much head scratching.

Google · Sponsor

Simon_W · ******* Joined: 21 May 2013 Posts: 4881 Location: Watford

I don't own a petrol Mitsi, so I hope that somebody who knows these engines will come along and help.

Have you found and read this post? 3.5 V6 Petrol 1998 SWB Will not start - URGENT

olderrol · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 0:25 Post subject: 3.5V6 won't start

Thanks Simon much appreciated.

I have checked out the link you forwarded to me can see some real similarities to the issue I am having. I have tried disconnecting the battery but didn't leave it as long as overnight. Will certainly try that. I have also rechecked my cam timing, twice, and it's all good. Interesting that the crank positioning sensor is called into question because I took mine off, after my initial post, because it is the only electrical item that I could not see to check, after completing the repairs, and the only item that was disturbed in any way during the fitment of all the new parts. It all looked ok but I have a new one on the way just to make sure. I have not checked things like the injectors or compression yet because the engine, although having done 288000 kilometres with an oil leak from the rocker covers and in need of a new timing belt, was running beautifully. The compression actually feels very good when trying to turn the motor over using a spanner on the crank.
By the looks of brucemillar's efforts I have a long way to go. I'll be watching this space and if I get this thing going I'll certainly do a post to let everyone know what I did to sort it.

It was surely much easier to find an issue in the old days of distributors and carbys. Ah the good old days.

Cheers.

Mark3 · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:21 Post subject:

The roll pins that locate the sensor flag plate to the cam belt sprocket often sheer leaving the sensor flags in the wrong place.

olderrol · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:35 Post subject: Can't start after repairs

Thanks for your input Mark. As soon as I got your response went straight out to check since the harmonic balancer is off at the moment. I was hoping you were right and it would be simple to correct but every thing is in place and solid. Sad

Afraid there's no shortage of splinters from a lot of head scratching going on here.