Buying 1997 Pajero NL GLX 2.8 Turbo Diesel. Pointers?

[dusty_nz]

Currently looking at buying 97 Pajero. Anything to look out for?

Took it for a test drive and at idle oil pressure seemed to sit at 1kg/cm? 2kg/cm while driving. Seemed low. Okay? Also smoked under power but dark and couldn't see if over fueling or oil?

Other than that seemed okay.

Strengths or weaknesses?

[-Scott-]

One typical weakness is the oil pressure sender reading low.

I think the biggest problem with the 2.8td is cracked heads, but I'm not sure how common they are. Check for oil in water/water in oil, if in doubt, walk away?

[bakerboy]

my pressure guage works ok, i dont know what exactly it means but i know when it drops down to far in goes more oil lol

[GQAndrew]

is it the factory pressure gauge, if so i wouldn't rely on it? My GQ used to show low pressure all the time, then i installed a mechanical gauge and it was perfect! The electric ones are useless and i seriously doubt it would be a mechanical one if it is still the factory one.

With regards to the smoke, all diesels do blow smoke...

could you just see the smoke in the mirrors, if it was dark it will look excessive. I test drove my GQ during the day and didnt notice any smoke, then when i picked it up it looked like smoke was pouring out as i could see it in their headlights

[mikeyoda]

I have heard they do heads , but I have never had any probs , I always let it warm up before a shutdown though as I think it need to get to temp to prevent head damage no short shop trips in the paj.

[4x4 suzi]

hi
i have this exact same pajero and have owned it since new, i wouldnt trust the oil pressure guage either... mine broke years ago, just stopped working all together, and as said already i dont notice black smoke in the mirrors in the day time but i do at night in headlights, mine has 294000 kms on it and is still a really good car, pretty econimical. with 31" mud terrains still getting 11.8 L/100km around town driving. well i rekon thats ok. but yea great car and not bad offroad. the only problem i have had is a bad batch of fuel.
later

[Vman]

I have nearly exactly the same as 4x4 suzi - same colour, 2.8td and all.

Got it late last year and couldn't be happier for the price!! Awsome to drive around town - not too slow - great on the open road especially now ive gone to 31 inch tyres - makes the gearing work a lot better.

Havent been off road too much lately but it hasnt let me down. I was umming and arrring but am glad I made the choice to go diesel over petrol. However prices are starting to get scarey!!