Montero GenIII

[newworld2004]

I read some where's on line that Montero sport's engine is actualy 3.0 liter same as chrusler engine with Japaness twist, that is why is it is not reliable, what about GEN 3 montero full size , do they have thier own engine and trans or it is borrowed from another Chrysler engine with little twist.

thx

 

[94monster]

I don't know for certain about the 3.0 but the 3.5 in my 94 doesn't have a single chrysler stamp on it anywhere...pretty sure the gen3 would be all japanese. When did mitsu and chrysler stop being partners?

 

[off-roader]

Actually it's the other way around. The 3.0L v6's are mitsu engine's which were commonly used in early Chrysler minivan's (early 90's and up).

IMHO, the reliability is likely more to do with owner misuse (lack of maintenance) but complicated by Mitsu's valve guide seals which don't last as long as other manufacturer seal designs and once they age, they crack allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber which results in burnt oil (gray/black/blue smoke from the exhaust). The lack of maintenance part comes in when owners didn't regularly check their oil levels and of course oil would eventually run out causing a catastrophic engine failure. That's my guess/opinion on those kinds of stories.

Otherwise the 3.0L v6 is likely just as reliable as any other v6 out there.

 

[newworld2004]

what about 2003-2006 Montero full size, are they 100% japaneese parts and design? or do they share any trans/engine with any other company? I just find out the remaining power train doesn't not transferable, was thining to trade my 04 pilot with 2006 limited with 72K millege on it.

 

[off-roader]

As you probably know, Mitsubishi is one of the largest conglomerate companies with many, many divisions in numerous market segments making all sorts of products.

The engine from what I've seen/read is primarily Mitsu with a smattering of parts from other common Japanese OEM manufacturers. The transmission is (& possibly also the xcase) made by Aisin. From what we can tell the axles/ring and pinion gears are made by Mitsu since they do have a large heavy industries group of companies unlike other car manufacturers who rely on 3rd party vendors (dana, etc.). For example the adjustable shocks in the gen II for example are made by KYB which from what I can recall is actually part owned or possibly even fully owned by Mitsubishi.

That said, I don't believe any of the Montero's share powertrain parts with others unless those parts were OEM'd by other manufacturers.

Are they interchangeable, with OEM'd products yes to a degree. For parts that are Jeep, Chevy, Ford, etc. usually not from what I've seen/heard.

Others on this forum (Justice for example) are also very knowledgeable on the Montero so hopefully they chime in. Additionally, 4x4wire has a breadth of knowledgeable forum members as well.

 

[Sabre]

The Gen IIIs are 100% Japanese, certainly. Each generation of development saw further improvements. They started out strong and reliable and only got more so as they evolved. They have always been known for, and still are, their dependable engines and bombproof drivetrains.

 

[Michael Brown]

The 3rd Gen Montero has only been known to have problems with using incorrect transmission fluid in the automatic transmission. It has to be Mitsubishi Sp-III ATF. Anything else has the wrong density/viscosity and can damage the torque converter if left alone. A local shop used regular ATF in my 2001 XLS and it started to get a torque shudder at lower speeds. Ran SP-III through it and now it is fine. You can also buy the Hyundai brand SP-III ATF. They shared some transmission and this fluid is the same.

And if you want to know more about the Gen 3 then look at the Paris-Dakar Rally. The 3rd generation Montero won consecutively from 2001-2007. These are modified for the race, but still begin with factory parts. Also look for the NM-NP Pajero in Australian forums. Many use them as an alternative to the much more expensive Land Cruiser.

 

[newworld2004]

The 3rd Gen Montero has only been known to have problems with using incorrect transmission fluid in the automatic transmission. It has to be Mitsubishi Sp-III ATF. Anything else has the wrong density/viscosity and can damage the torque converter if left alone. A local shop used regular ATF in my 2001 XLS and it started to get a torque shudder at lower speeds. Ran SP-III through it and now it is fine. You can also buy the Hyundai brand SP-III ATF. They shared some transmission and this fluid is the same.

And if you want to know more about the Gen 3 then look at the Paris-Dakar Rally. The 3rd generation Montero won consecutively from 2001-2007. These are modified for the race, but still begin with factory parts. Also look for the NM-NP Pajero in Australian forums. Many use them as an alternative to the much more expensive Land Cruiser.

if buying used Montero let's say 2006, how come ones knows what kind of trans fluid were used previously. just test driving would be enough?

 

[off-roader]

I'd change it out with fresh fluid just on principal. No real way of knowing without doing a full forensic chemical analysis ($$$) or asking the previous owner. It's also common to find previous owners didn't do a transmission fluid change... ever. If this is the case, flushing it and using fresh fluid is still usually fine.

 

[Michael Brown]

I used this ATF when I did mine in September.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/130693649000?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

I used this write up.
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=15879

The fluid is red and you just keep flushing the fluid (put in nuetral, drain old fluid into bucket, add new fluid.....it does about 4 qts at a time like this) until the yellow/brown fluid is replaced with a nice deep red color.

 

[newworld2004]

here is the article I was refering about montero sport/chrysler engine donar
http://www.epinions.com/review/auto_Make-2000_Mitsubishi_Montero_Sport_4WD/content_121682169476

thx

 

[off-roader]

Well, I guess that proves that not anything you read on the Internet is accurate...

The engine is a Mitsu engine which was used by Chrysler for their minivans, along with the cars they oem'd from mitsu (dodge raider, etc).

Wow, so many inaccuracies in that reviewer's comments... he/she was really speaking out of their you know what!!

 

[newworld2004]

Well, I guess that proves that not anything you read on the Internet is accurate...

The engine is a Mitsu engine which was used by Chrysler for their minivans, along with the cars they oem'd from mitsu (dodge raider, etc).

Wow, so many inaccuracies in that reviewer's comments... he/she was really speaking out of their you know what!!

Agreed, as you said you can't trust everything on internet you read, I almost believe it when I read it first.

 

[Mudrunner]

Wow I used to work at a Chrysler dealer and all the Techs praised the 3.0L from Mitsubishi, in fact almost every car that was a huge seller for Chrysler in the 80's to the early 90's were Mitsubishi. I mean the Talon was huge for the Chrysler group and it was based on the eclipse. Almost all the small engines were from Mitsubishi as well. Most people like this reviewer have very little knowledge and are routinely hard on cars they own. I was reading reviews on Edmunds.com over the weekend and one person was complaining about the struts wearing out on their Toyota Sienna, they went on to complain about the third brake light break all the time. I mean if you back gate slams shut what do you think it going to happen, geez maintain your rides people. Also the brakes under 50k either you drive it a ton or you short stop all the lights, of course you could just be cheap too and buy the 10 brake pads instead of the right ones. I trust edmunds.com for all reviews since they have professional and consumer reviews, very wide range. Plus safety standards and reliability ratings as well.