Dead 3.5 LTR - where do I head.

[Rugrat]

OK, killed my 3.5ltr NL on Sunday (well the No 1 Cylinder is farked)
Not 100% on exact fault. No loss of power but at around the 2500rpm there a lotta banging going on unda the bonnet .

The guys I've taken it to all agree that its the No 1 cylinder and that all the rest looks ok - on the surface - but whether its the piston cracked, a gudg pin or the skirt - who knows until the things ripped apart.

Where do i head ?

I dont want to go down the RPM / HM path nor do I want an import. Mitsu would mean a remortage I think (even with club discount) or maybe I sell both the kids.
Preference is for either a rebuild on mine or a conversion.
Someone's sugested a Commodore 3.8 either the standard or the supercharged.. (hmmm probably wants me to sell the Paj and buy a GU ---- or worse a Disco.. )

Not being mechanical minded. I really have to trust the spanner twirlers so fire away - with reasonable suggestions. Located in Melbourne (West of the river) But will nurse the beast to anyone if anyone has a suggestion.

What can be done reasonably to a NL? The Gearbox, Clutch etc are in good knick. The engine has 150k on it - Standard service every 10,000.
This is a work and pleasure car so dont want anything to radical (nothing like Frank's Jabber)

[Bitsamissin]

Gee sorry to hear about that.
My $0.02 worth :-
Being a NL it is still reasonably new and holding a good resale value.
Therefore I would have the 3.5 bottom end rebuilt to keep things standard.
The 3.5 SOHC V6 is a good torquey motor and worth the rebuild IMHO.
A conversion will cost a lot more and may not be that much better anyway unless you use the supercharged 3.8.
Take it from me once you customize your car to that extent you have to be able to do a lot of work yourself or be prepared to shell out endless $$
A motor conversion for something with a standard underpowered dog of a motor (eg 4 banger Lux) is a good option with plenty of examples but for a late model Gen 2 Paj it doesn't really make sense.
Sure the rebuild will cost but at least you will know the history of the motor and what's been exactly done. You will also preserve it's resale value by keeping things factory.
Good luck and let us know what you decide and how things go.

Frank.

PS - if you do decide to upgrade to a more powerful motor be comforted by the fact the 3.5 V6 drivetrain (gearbox, t/case, rear axles & diff) is as tough as nails and well up to the job.

[Miyagi]

have you had the compression tested? could be a burnt valve, happened to mine about 2 years ago. had both heads off, all valves reseated, decked and serviced. cost a few $ but easier than going a full conversion. No need for engineer cert either.

[OnPatrol]

(hmmm probably wants me to sell the Paj and buy a GU ---- or worse a Disco.. )

Hi Rugrat,

Don't knock the Disco. It did alright on Sunday once I remembered to switch the Centre Diff Lock.

cheers
Alberto.

[Rugrat]

(hmmm probably wants me to sell the Paj and buy a GU ---- or worse a Disco.. )

Hi Rugrat,

Don't knock the Disco. It did alright on Sunday once I remembered to switch the Centre Diff Lock.

cheers
Alberto.

How can I knock the Disco
I limped home on Sunday with the knock remember...
Really I just fancied a decent Breaky in Mansfield.... .
Next time i'm Navi as the Winch (handbrake doesnt suit i feel ) is going to show me / us hows its done...

[Bitsamissin]

Alberto, why were you driving a Disco
Sean what exactly happened (and what were you doing) when your motor died ??

Frank.

[Rugrat]

Alberto, why were you driving a Disco
Sean what exactly happened (and what were you doing) when your motor died ??

Frank.

Doing Exactly?.... hmmm reving the engine not toooo hard but hardto get up an incline when the knocking started... Oil was low.(no warnings prior). had to put in 1.5ltrs to get it back to normal. Engine would have only just been warm..

Anyway's - she's off to see the boys in Nth Melbourne for a strip down and fix up.

Why was Alberto driving a Disco? Because he's not allowed to play in the Paj....

[4ePajero]

Delay any decision until the damage has been determined.
I agree with Frank. Rebuild is always first choice, if you have a good engine, which the 3.5 is.

[OnPatrol]

Alberto, why were you driving a Disco
Sean what exactly happened (and what were you doing) when your motor died ??

Frank.

The 2001 Disco V8 is my new daily driver. Why a Disco? Well that's a long story

The tracks were wet, so the poor 3.5 ltr engine must have been working pretty hard all weekend. It was blowing smoke at me all weekend, but it was still going.

The 3.5 ltr is pretty good. My wife drove a Verada that was only serviced once a year and it just kept on going. We decided to sell it just in case it died through lack of attention. She now drives a Paj and I'm not allowed to play with it

[Bitsamissin]

Ah ok, speaking of Verada's mine has got a serious problem.
It stalled on me on the way to work early last week. The motor would turn over but not fire (no spark).
Had it towed to my local auto eleccy, they had it for a week and checked absolutely everything - couldn't find any problems.
Every sensor was removed and checked, ECU, dizzy, immobiliser sent away and tested everything checked out ok but still no spark. The main loom was removed and each wire checked for continuity - no shorts.
Now it is at Dandy Mitsu and they are scratching their heads..................
They are plugging in new sensors etc to try and find whats causing it because everything checked out on their diagnostic tools as well.
They have their guru tech guy working on it now and he is confused as well. The car is a 99 model and only done 78,000K's

[Rugrat]

Yeah, the Paj always blew a little when at altitude (even though we were down in the Valley) she has only ever puffed up in the 'High Country' - so presumes it was altitude related -- didnt do it in Wombat, Otways, Tolangi or Grampians.
The Oil Gauge was still reading about the 3 / 4 KG mark. Reving - probably hit close to the 5k but that would have been when she lost traction on the track. I wouldn't have even said the track was steep at that point... a climb but nthing major.(Stony Crk from memory)
Once the thumping was heard we backed down checked the oil - not reading on the stick, put in 1ltr and she registered then limped into Jamieson for some more. Dropped in another ltr and she's stayed at the same level since.

All weekend she hadn't missed a beat. Only 'fogged' the Disco when taken out of low range and then the revs hit about the 3500.
All Saturday she worked - some hard some easy and wasn't any unusual signs. Only needed assistance the once (there goes the $$ for the lift and lock)
Anyway - i drop her in at Officers in Nth Melb tomorrow. Once they have her checked her fully -- then we'll know what were up for.
Definately heading down the rebuild path - as I have some confidence in my engine. Not looking seriously a a conversion.

Will keep you posted and thanks for the advice guys.

[Noisey]

Ah ok, speaking of Verada's mine has got a serious problem.
It stalled on me on the way to work early last week. The motor would turn over but not fire (no spark).
Had it towed to my local auto eleccy, they had it for a week and checked absolutely everything - couldn't find any problems.
Every sensor was removed and checked, ECU, dizzy, immobiliser sent away and tested everything checked out ok but still no spark. The main loom was removed and each wire checked for continuity - no shorts.
Now it is at Dandy Mitsu and they are scratching their heads..................
They are plugging in new sensors etc to try and find whats causing it because everything checked out on their diagnostic tools as well.
They have their guru tech guy working on it now and he is confused as well. The car is a 99 model and only done 78,000K's

Put a Piranah wiring loom in it Frank - that sorted out all your problems and the car went ahead in leaps and bounds after you got it back. Can't hurt a Verada.

[Bitsamissin]

Blair, there is no way in hell I'm doing a SAS on the Verada

[PajeroSRV]

Aww come on.

Imagine the FLEX!

[Rugrat]

Ok... have the Beasty back - FULL Rebuild. Yes it may have been cheaper and easier to either put in an import, a rebuilt but I knew what had been done to this donk prior.
The Guys at Villiers in Nth Melb re built her and from first impressions its a nice job.
Did the budget a bit so no ARB blue buttons for me for a while .

So ready to go play up in the Vic H.C. again in the warmer months with On Patrol and Red Mav..... Promise I won't 'fog'the disco anymore maybe just dust it..........

[pajero97]

So, can you tell us how much the rebuild was?

Just curious as I have the same motor and would like to get shocked before something like this happened (touching wood)

thanks - Lyall

[Rugrat]

So, can you tell us how much the rebuild was?

Just curious as I have the same motor and would like to get shocked before something like this happened (touching wood)

thanks - Lyall

Lyall - I reckon that if you exclude the extras I had done - it was about 3800. There are things that need to be replace next service but they are minor. I think its almost cheaper than an import or a second hand.

I will say:
The guys at Officer Automotive are great and since I have trouble comprehending my big end from my little - Brian and David did a magnificent job in putting things in laymans terms. It helps that they drive Paj's as well so i reckon anyone using them is in good hands.
Expensive ? - YES
Worth it ? - YES
Part of taking a car offroad - ANYTHING can happen... You just have to be as prepared as you can be......

Bonus is - I HAVE A SHINY CLEAN ENGINE - one hell of a price to have it washed though

[OnPatrol]

The cost isn't too bad. It should also have warranty so it's all worth the expense. Frank spends that much just on CV's, plus spares that he'll need to bring to the Pajero Challenge.

[Bitsamissin]

Yes I'll be bringing a trailor next year full of spares
At least Hilux CV's are cheap at the wreckers...............
Cheezy hasn't said it yet but I know what he's thinking (should've put a GQ diff under there)