The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

[SLHJ]

Hi everyone
I’ve reached that time of life where I want a car to tinker with
Seeing as I use a new shogun every day at work (yes one of those black and yellow ones).

I’ve been looking at a 1999-2006 shogun but 1 issues causes me dread

The diesel fuel pump

So can I ask how much of a problem is it. Is it a case of when not if.

How can you find a good one

How cheaply can you get one sorted at less value than the cars worth

If I must steer clear how good or bad is the petrol model for comparison

I won’t do a high mileage and reliability is the prime concern


Great forum by the way

When I’m allowed to post pictures I can put some up of my work cars if you want (not everybody’s cup of tea but I will if you want)

Thanks for any advice and help

[Google]

[SteveW-DID]

Get an automatic,check very carefully for corrosion-wheel arches front and rear,under the air box and battery tray,rear sills.
Remove the plastic lining from the rt hand rear wheel arch and check the fuel filler pipes for corrosion.

They are very reliable cars. I have had 2, both done 200k before sale with no fuel pump issues. Buy one that has spent its life down south but away from the sea, and driven daily,they tend to have the best body. Automatics avoid the dual mass flywheel issues and the jumping out of 1st gear problem.

Dont buy one with a tow hitch if you can help it. Towing heavy trailers long distance with a hard right foot will crack cylinder heads. Ive cracked several doing this and I have a top notch cooling system with a custom 3 core copper RADS. Budget on getting the timing chain and guides replaced immediately after purchase (about 1K) and and getting the cambre adjusters done (again prob about 1k). If you can find one thats had this done already great, but still do the complete timing chain again unless you can verify exactly what was done with the garage concerned. They are very easy cars to work on if you are good with the spanners. Engine will come out the top unlike landrover rubbish, you just need an engine hoist. Fuel pumps are about 1.5k but often broken fuel pumps go with a rusty body.They are a great buy if you can work on them yourself. If you are going to have to pay someone else to do the work, forget it.

[SLHJ]

Thanks Steve W

I will certainly take all that into account.

As I drive these at work I know how reliable they are.

Just for comparison sake what about petrols versions?

[alienidea]

Also check for brake disc guards all 4 corners as they will have rusted away   And the sidestep frame can and will rot /fill pipe to tank / 3 pipe piece breather to tank .Leave the plastic guard off as it,s a water trap.

[Craig-SM]

Definitely check the rear brake dust covers. I didn’t and need to replace them, they’re not cheap and part of handbrake mechanism

[alienidea]

I just changed all 4 and the rear one,s are a pain ..top tip don,t use the haynes  manual  it lie,s   .I  also changed out the shock /top balljiont/ drop link/ shoe,s .On the front strut /balljionts / disc guard /drop link/.So now no more feeling seasick as i,m driving     .If you do renew the rear pin the the shoe,s to backplate BEFORE bolting the bearing carrier ..it far easier moving the carrier in to place than trying to replace the brake shoe bit,s and bobs.

[SLHJ]

Thanks everyone.

Some good advice when I start looking

With all the problems with the fuel pump and the associated costs
Is the Petrol version better for reliability?

I will want to put some slight mods on it with wheels and tyres

Maybe a hidden winch

And some extra lighting.

[alienidea]

After owning a mk2 2.8 for over 10 years i honestly never looked at the petrol model ..both have pro,s and cons ...As far as the mk3 diesel the pump issues is a known fault like the rusty bit,s   .Keep inmind landcruiser/land rover etc all have issues.From what i,ve read on here the older more high milage mk3 get this problem normaly due to rust/rubber piping in the fuel ...mostly.I can,t speak for the petrol version but i guess there,s a reason why mits don,t have a mk4 petrol   .

[Craig-SM]

[alienidea]

A lot of the info is already on here ..problems are rusty bolts and no room to get an impact in which does help   .Haven,t done the camber bolts as mine are still good .A  good selection of tools 2 trolley jack .I keep my trucks for a long time so all the work i do just keeps the MOT guy happy   .