Have all your new parts on the bench, before you start

mtnblue

Observer
This last summer I picked up a '95 SR with 100,000 miles on it. It was in primo condition and looked like it was garaged it's whole life. It smoked (I'm sure for sitting so long) and since I know enough about mechanics to REALLY get myself in trouble (DOHC), I took it to a recommended specialist shop in Reno, NV. I figured since I plan on having it a long time, I was going to have them replace the valve seals and do it right. They ended up doing a leak down test and they told me the front cylinder was at 50% of it's compression (it ran a bit doggy). So, after reading this page for the last year, I decided to "do it right" and told them to replace the crank bolt, get bigger bore lifters, do the valve job, new valves, new timing gear set, replace the rubber hoses behind the head and for grins, check the injectors. It's been in the shop for over a month and a half. The shop has been very forthcoming about the fact that they are having serious issues in getting the parts. Last week the timing cover gasket seal showed up and when they opened the box it was broken so they ordered another. I don't think the shop is jacking me around, but a word of advice to have all your parts on the bench BEFORE you start. I kind of hoped they would have done that, but they probably didn't think it would take so long to get the parts.

Also, I guess there is bad news about getting a vehicle with such low mileage is that vehicles don't like to sit around and only be driven 4000 miles a year. Perhaps sitting may be as bad as high mileage, except that the suspension and interior are pristine. Just a word to the wise, if you get a low mileage vehicle, you also may need to do some of the same repairs as a high mileage vehicle.
 

jeep-N-montero

Expedition Leader
That really blows. Would have been worth a try to pour in a can of the BG RF 7 and some MOA to see if it might save you from taking it into the shop.
 
Sorry to hear it. I'm curious as to where they are sourcing parts from. I know our Montero parts aren't as ubiquitous as say 4runners but I haven't seen a ton of mention on this and haven't yet experienced it myself. Just curious..
 
Yup. Feel your pain. I found a mint 1989 Mazda RX7 with only 40K on the clock before the montero. Developed low compression from side seals sticking and now she's dead.
 

DanielDD

Vehicle Masochist
This last summer I picked up a '95 SR with 100,000 miles on it. It was in primo condition and looked like it was garaged it's whole life. It smoked (I'm sure for sitting so long) and since I know enough about mechanics to REALLY get myself in trouble (DOHC), I took it to a recommended specialist shop in Reno, NV. I figured since I plan on having it a long time, I was going to have them replace the valve seals and do it right. They ended up doing a leak down test and they told me the front cylinder was at 50% of it's compression (it ran a bit doggy). So, after reading this page for the last year, I decided to "do it right" and told them to replace the crank bolt, get bigger bore lifters, do the valve job, new valves, new timing gear set, replace the rubber hoses behind the head and for grins, check the injectors. It's been in the shop for over a month and a half. The shop has been very forthcoming about the fact that they are having serious issues in getting the parts. Last week the timing cover gasket seal showed up and when they opened the box it was broken so they ordered another. I don't think the shop is jacking me around, but a word of advice to have all your parts on the bench BEFORE you start. I kind of hoped they would have done that, but they probably didn't think it would take so long to get the parts.

Also, I guess there is bad news about getting a vehicle with such low mileage is that vehicles don't like to sit around and only be driven 4000 miles a year. Perhaps sitting may be as bad as high mileage, except that the suspension and interior are pristine. Just a word to the wise, if you get a low mileage vehicle, you also may need to do some of the same repairs as a high mileage vehicle.

I'm having a difficult time with what your shop is telling you. I just rebuilt, from the ground up a 2000 Montero engine and I had NO trouble sourcing any of the parts - and the parts I couldn't get from aftermarket, I was able to get them from Mitsubishi within 2-3 days. I don't know who you're shop is dealing with, but you may want to ask them where they are sourcing their parts..
 

Toasty

Looking for that thing i just had in my hand...
Yeah, Monteros are pretty easy to get service parts for. It's the trim and parts that should outlast the truck that are hard to get.
 

mtnblue

Observer
Apparently the Mitsubishi guy at the shop was familiar with modifying that particular DOHC motor for other vehicles and he sourced the parts from a company he was familiar with called Ninja and it took quite a bit longer than expected. The manager the shop told me they normally source parts from dependable distributors, but the Mitsu guy apparently in the past had good luck with Ninja and apparently they carry quality parts. Well, apparently this time, Ninja dropped the ball, and it really got messed up. They were waiting on a bunch of stuff and the water pump gasket, and when the gasket finally showed up it was broken in the box. So the Mitsu dealership was supposed to have one the next day. So it appears certain parts are easier to get than others. The big pisser is the last 1.5 months would have been perfect for me to go prospecting as there was no snow in the Northern Sierras. My plan was to get it fixed quickly and then go out and do some prospecting. The Montero goes a lot further in than my Duramax quad cab, if you know what I mean. Now the snow is back, and (hopefully) I will get my SR back next week (Fingers crossed). The shop has been very accommodating and they want it out as bad as I do as it is taking up valuable space. So I have no issues with them, just to note that next time I will make sure all the parts are there before I begin anything. But now the snow is back, so my opportunity window is closed. Oh well. At least the SR will be good for another 70k without any major motor issues, before I need to replace the timing belt again.
 

mtnblue

Observer
That really blows. Would have been worth a try to pour in a can of the BG RF 7 and some MOA to see if it might save you from taking it into the shop.

Yeah, I had no idea that stuff would help. Heck, I figured it would be best to just replace the 22 yr old rubber parts anyway, and it kind of grew from there. I pretty much told them what I wanted to do, so they didn't add anything other than asking me what I wanted to do with the 50% less compression in the #1 cylinder. I figured I'd do it right and do the valve job and not have to bother with it for a while. The vehicle literally looks like it just drove off the showroom floor. If it were more beat up, I may have taken the cheap route, but I decided I wanted to to run as nice as it looks.
 

Toasty

Looking for that thing i just had in my hand...
I heard the owner or someone of importance over at Ninja is going through chemotherapy currently so they are backed up and slow to get things out. I think getting everything refreshed was a good call, the wait will be worth it.
 

mtnblue

Observer
I heard the owner or someone of importance over at Ninja is going through chemotherapy currently so they are backed up and slow to get things out. I think getting everything refreshed was a good call, the wait will be worth it.

Something like that would explain it. The mechanic said Ninja was normally really good on shipping and this was an anomaly. I literally cannot wait to see how it runs. Hopefully this week.
 

rajin cajun

Adventurer
I ordered some Mitsu OEM parts ten days ago from the Stealer. They are still processing the request because of my order and verifying the VIN. Nothing like customer service. I have been a Mitsu fan for 30 years. I doubt I will buy another, because of customer service/parts for Mitsu. I can get a brand new Apple computer overnight, via China. End of rant

Cheers,

RC
 

jeep-N-montero

Expedition Leader
I ordered some Mitsu OEM parts ten days ago from the Stealer. They are still processing the request because of my order and verifying the VIN. Nothing like customer service. I have been a Mitsu fan for 30 years. I doubt I will buy another, because of customer service/parts for Mitsu. I can get a brand new Apple computer overnight, via China. End of rant

Cheers,

RC

You put way too much faith in a bunch of underpaid idiots, out of the 14 or so vehicles and several boats we have owned I have never ordered a single part from the dealer but always buy OEM parts, works out really well if you know where to look.
 

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