The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

[tutor52]

I spent some time this afternoon reading through various threads relating to the auto box and there were a few suggested tests/checks to see if all was well.

Having been working this evening I tried the checks on the way home and all seems to be OK. The torque converter locks up as it should, the O/D is working properly. all 4wd options function correctly so my assumption is that everything is OK.

My question is, when I checked the gearbox fluid level I noticed that the fluid was more of a brown than the usual new red colour. Is it worth changing the fluid or is this a case of "if it ain't broke - don't fix it"?

Dave

[Google]

[nz3500]

While changing oils etc can upset the balance you car has got into, the dirty oil is a sign that things are not wonderful and they will not get better without intervention.
At a minimum I would change the oil.
Auto gearbox servicing I do not do, I leave it to the experts. Mind you, it is not expensive here so may be a different proposition for you.
Some talk of having to change the oil twice as the first change stirs things up. With the independent service I have had no problems over the years and usually small adjustments plus an assessment can be made at the time.

[Rob Barker]

I'd change the oil, remove the sump and change the filter if I were you, that way you get rid of most of the oil and it gives you the chance to check the filter for debris which indicates brake bands breaking up.
Filters and a new sump gasket aren't expensive but it is a bit of a job to do cos you have to remove the gearbox cross member

[Doz]

I just change the oil every 20,000 klicks Box seems ok and the oil dosen't go smelly or brown.