1988 Pajero 2.6

[Bluefreak]

Hi guy's, after some info on a 1988 Pajero. Friends are looking at getting into a little bit of off roading, albeit on a budget. They need to be able to get a little further than their commondore will take them. This is a link to what they are looking at but I have no knowledge about the early jabbers.
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/addisplay ... r=W1002960

Any info re: reliability(yes I know it old and will have it's issues), longevity of the 2.6, common probs/faults etc, gretatly apreciated.

[mrx78u]

That looks good. The mitsubishi 2.6 is a tough engine, if it's looked after. We have a magna with 400 and something thousand k'm on the clock and it runs beautifully, I mean that too. It had a head overhaul at 360,000km's because it was using a tiny bit of oil, but nothing major.

Make sure the timing chain tensioners are intact. (You'll hear the timing chain rattling away if they aren't. 2.6 isn't the smoothest engine, but it's got reasonable torque, being a big 4 cyl.

You will find that the auto choke on the carbys may play be malfunctioning, they seem to all do it when they're getting on a bit, starts and over revs for to long while warming up, can be thirsty too.

Oh, I have an 88' SWB 2.6 by the way. I've got a weber carb sitting on the shelf, i'm just putting the bits together, so I can get that all installed. I've got some jets and things coming soon, and i have to do a major overhaul of the carb, and i'll be ready to go. Mech fuel pump has to go though. Hoping this will help the fuel economy a bit.

I've got mine running on 31's, and it might be getting a 2" lift soon, if I can find a way to do it well on a budget (maybe someone can help with this).

Issues i've had with mine below

• Auto choke malfunctioning a bit, takes too long to warm up
  
  Vehicle had been sitting with diluted coolant when I bought it. Blew a metal coolant pipe on the back of the engine, and made a right mess, cost $400 to have fixed
  
  Big flat spot on acceleration, caused by excessive choke. I replaced the thermostat and it heats up a little quicker now. No major flat spot once it's warmed up.
  
  Two bolts that hold the front bash plate on had come loose and fallen out, replaced and stopped a nice knock underneath
  
  Bashed the exhaust up well last weekend, looks like there was probably some rust, and made a nice hole to add to the collection. Got quoted around $500 for a full new exhaust system, will need new mounts too, they're a bit old.
  
  Alignment was terrible when I picked up the vehicle, was really hard to steer. When the 31's went on, I had the alignment reset, it was quite bad, but is really east to drive / park now. Even without power steering.
  
  I hate the positioning of the horn buttons on the big steering wheel, I always manage to hit the horn while i'm turning the wheel tight.

Oh and that vehicle doesn't have alloy wheels, they're sunnies

By the way, I absolutely love my SWB it's heaps of fun. Seems to be quite tough and looks good too in my opinion. I used to have an early jackaroo, and i think the paj is heaps better.

[NCpaj]

i got an 86 paj, with the 2.6ltr petrol 4.

ive found the 2.6 very reliable and not to bad on power. if you keep it tuned its not to bad on fuel i got roudn 13l/100km but 2/3 of that was highway driving and the rest was 4wding with sum lowrange.

i had a full exhaust from extractors on. its sounds great has a little bit more power.

i reckon its a great engine/vechile.

[Bluefreak]

Thanks a lot guy's, I'll print all this out and go have a look with them... Was aware about the sunnies and NOT alloys, might be a bargaining point.