my bloody cars...I wish I could have just a bike

[Austin]

I bought a second hand Mitsibushi Shogun in the Summer. It was excellent - all the comfort making toys and gadgets, all in working order, a nice powder blue colour, all round good condition and superb on the few little off road trips I make when out shooting. That was until until about a month ago when I started getting a knocking at low revs and at tick over, associated with lots of smoke from the exhaust. A couple of weeks ago it wouldn't start and the breakdown took me to the garage who cleaned the Exhaust Gas Recycling valve. I thought that would be the end of it. But no, the starting problem went away but the rough runing and smoke had only got worse.

Back to the garage who said fuel injector pump. Expensive and beyond their capability and needed a specialist diagnosis and repair. Fair enough so its off to the diesel pump specialist in Preston who today diagnosed it was Diesel Fuel Injector Pump. This would seem to be a serious bit of kit as they estimated £1200 for a replacement plus about £300 to remove/refit, all +VAT.

The car is probably worth £4500 in good order so I am not about to chuck nearly £2,000 at it as I know it also needs brake discs and pads atthe next service which is looming in the next 1,000miles.

So bugger it, I am going to lose a couple of thousand selling it for peanuts as well as all the hassle of finding a replacment. Anyone want a "nice" Mitsubishi Shogun, LWB 3.2DiD for about £3,000.

What do reckon is the best to sell it. Part-ex and don't mention the problem; part-ex but be honest if asked about the problem; ebay, and be hosest about the problem. Or what???

In the past 4 years I have lost 2 landies to rust and one got stolen, and now this one goes all terminal on me. My bikes in the same period have had no real issues (touches wood quickly)

My wife has a Smart Roadster that is forever having problems too. This year we have replaced a starter motor (engine out to fit it) and the wiper motor (bonnet off, dash out), as well as a major service.

What should I replace the shogun with. I want a 4x4; it needs to be big enough for 4 comfortably and if it seats 7 ocassionally that's a bonus. Diesel preferred but a gassed V8 would be nice too. Budget is flexible as this time I am going to get something new enough to last me several years with no issues.

[Boris]

Funny I'm going through a similar thing with a pugeuot 407 I bought of a Vicar in September. I got it for a great price but that's gone and some now.

Within days the fap fluid needed topping up at £150 (it's 30odd quid a litre)

Two weeks later the fuel filter housing cracks £100 fitted

Another two weeks later the high pressure fuel pump goes (£620 fitted)

I cant wait to see what's next.

[j]

Buy a TOYOTA the 2.5 lt manual type not the 3ltr autos, The ford ranger brand are also a very good buy I had the first 2 in the country on demo with the rescue team and they proved very powerful and reliable. but all cars as are bikes are hit or miss.

[stuart]

I was told today that an oil seal in the rear hub of my nissan had gone,
Nissan only part and they won't sell just the seal you have to buy shaft and bearings etc, over £500 plus labour for an oil seal,

[dogwheel]

Sorry to hear of your motorgrief.
It may sound obvious, but do shop around a few Diesel Pump/injection services specialists, and also consider sourcing a replacement pump, if one really is needed, from a reputable Breaker.
Good luck.

[africajim]

Well, all I can say is my Landrover was cheap, the bits to keep it on the road are cheap, the insurance is cheap and the road tax is free! I think the old series has more character and never goes out of style, mine's 1961! Ok, I've updated a few parts as I go along, it's been mounted on a galvanized chassis for 8yrs now and the bulkhead needed major surgery but it's been a great toy for all those yrs.






Austin mate, why not trace a series thats been renovated and use it for shooting trips, no worries about a bash or two, scratches are nothing you can't fix with some paint and a radiator roller! What you save you could run a reasonable 2nd hand car. Just a thought mate.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Austin,

If the Shogun started/ran better after the garage that cleaned the EGR valve, why not blank it off, it could be faulty (probably is...)
Other than that, run some injector cleaner through & give it a good flogging!

It may be a long shot but worth a go (if you want a hand re EGR, give me a shout & I'll pop up)

There's nothing worse than getting a bad 'un .
Unfortunately, the improved performance, refinement & reduced emissions in a modern diesel comes at the expense of reliability & cost of repairs - give me a clattery old mechanical injected diesel anyday!!!.

Phil

ps Jim, nice Landy!

[African Simba]

Cars for you
If you part-x, I strongly recommend a Nissan Patrol VTEC if you can get hold of one..Mean mean machine...
Try and shop around for a pump away from dealership, as far as Japan or USA may be? You May be able to buy for 1/2 cost , You never know...
Good Luck

[Paul-S]

Austin

I had the high pressure pump go on my Seat Alhambra last year - it had done 162,000 miles. I got it done as exchange / refurbished unit. A new one was in the range of the price you have been quoted but an exchange / refurbished unit was half that price including fitting and setup. It just meant it was off the road for a week whilst the pump was sent away by the local independant garage that did it for me. I think they refurbished my existing one.

May be worth checking out as an option

[Jenna]

All cars/bikes/vans and trucks are grief when they get older... they are meant to be, manufactures make way way way more money out of flogging bits than they do selling a whole car!!

Have a chat with your local diesel pump rebuilders before you do anything, they may be a different fault they can put you on too first, plus they will be way cheaper than doing anything through dealer or even highstreet garage.

I'd be causious of buying from a breakers as you could well be buying a pump thats just about to crap its pants too!... two nackerd punps is not better than one!

Personaly i still rate the vx/landcruser Td as one, if not the best all round and most reliable 4x4 5 door.