Is there another L400 in Calgary?

[aclarker]

Well everyone, it finally arrived, just under 70,000 kms and a tonne of power for the mountains. I have yet to take pictures. A few little things left to clear up with Sean from Zen Auto and we are good to go!

Does anyone know of a mechanic in the north west part of Calgary? I did a search on the site and couldn't find one. Some small prep to be done so the Van can manage our winters here.

I look forward to meeting the other Delica owners!

Cheers.

[mararmeisto]

"Is there another L400 in Calgary?"

No... there can be only one.

Until We determine the pervasiveness of this sub-species, the We here in Lotus Land of course, the Bringers-in and the Shippers-out of the Delicii, We have decided that the eastward and northward spread of the L400 to the rest of Canada should be a slow and steady and measured thing.

Therefore, you, aclarker, have been chosen to have the first, the only in fact, L400 in the Calgary-area. There may be one up in Red Deer, or possibly one down in Beiseiker, but none in Airdrie (for it is too close). There could be one in Banff or one in Jasper, for they are far away and cannot conceivably be called "Calgary", but that is another matter. Edmonton is still being considered, but We have very big thinkings to do at this point, so it may take Us a while.

You must suffer in your solitude until We have determined your worth to be joined by others. This is a test. After you have built Us a shrubbery, and cut Us down a great tree with this herring...





Okay, that's gotten a bit silly...

On a serious note, Green1 might be a good contact to speak with in the Calgary area. There is a thriving community of Delicas in Calgary, and a chapter of IVOAC (I think). As for winterizing your ride, a thread-in glow plug would be a good start (Rocky Mountain Imports could ship something out to you).

Welcome to the group, and well met. Maybe we'll meet someday, as I have family in the area I visit from time-to-time.

[cdn_scamp]

Hi All, No you are not alone. I live in Calgary and have had my L400 Delica since July 16th. I dont think you can put a block heater on the L400. Someone said that the hole is already taken by a heater hose or something like that. perhaps this can be cleared up. Because I want my van ready for winter ASAP.

[Mephisto]

There are many kinds of block heater, not just the in block element, so if in fact there is no place for fitting that specific kind you have a variety of others to choose from. Although I suspect there is a place for an in block element, as these are prefered over the other kinds. I like the oil pan heaters, they only heat your oil which is great for start-up viscosity, but, they don't get as much heat into the head. These are also very easy to install, you just clean off the bottom of your oil pan and stick it there, done.

[aclarker]

My van is the 6 cylinder gas model. Same engine used on the older model dodge caravans. Do you know if a block heater will fit?

[mararmeisto]

My van is the 6 cylinder gas model. Same engine used on the older model dodge caravans. Do you know if a block heater will fit?

Now that's different, twice over: L400 and gasoline. Also, it should help with your maintenance requirements in the future. If it's got a Dodge-connection, you might just be able to go into a Dodge dealer/garage and have them find you a part. Or, go to Mitsubishi and tell them what you got, because that'll be where Dodge will get its part for it.

Good luck.

[aclarker]

For all that want to know, and who need to deal with harsh cold winters like we do in Calgary. The L400 V6 will hold a block heater. Pro Active installed it. On the To DO list is a rear clunking noise (maybe rear U joint on rear drive shaft) Wasn't there when I picked the Van up from Zen Auto......? Is this a difficult job?

Replace right front rack boot? Is this difficult?

Valve cover gaskets? Pro stated these are leaking...? Skeptical as the van has only burnt one quart of oil since it arrived in Canada. Mid August nothing since.

And of course they want to do a tune up..? All the forums I have read state that tune up is not needed till timing belt change at 100k...?

For all of the above Pro is looking for ~$1400.00.

Any comments on these procedures and or ways I can attack this cheaper?

BTW The Australia Forum helped me fix my sunroof problem. Loose bolts on the motor. Easy fix.

[mararmeisto]

Good to read that you got help from Down Under. The Australians and the British have had L400 since new (I believe), so they've had the 15 years we have to wait to work most of the kinks out of these models. I would suspect their forums would be good/better sources of fixes for the next little while, at least until a critical mass of L400s is here in Canada and on this forum.

Did you throw up some pictures of your ride? Where you like to take it? That sort of thing. Everybody likes to look at everyone's shiny.

[konadog]

Pretty sure it's a 5 year rule in the UK and Aus.

[jessef]

For all that want to know, and who need to deal with harsh cold winters like we do in Calgary. The L400 V6 will hold a block heater. Pro Active installed it. On the To DO list is a rear clunking noise (maybe rear U joint on rear drive shaft) Wasn't there when I picked the Van up from Zen Auto......? Is this a difficult job?

Replace right front rack boot? Is this difficult?

Valve cover gaskets? Pro stated these are leaking...? Skeptical as the van has only burnt one quart of oil since it arrived in Canada. Mid August nothing since.

And of course they want to do a tune up..? All the forums I have read state that tune up is not needed till timing belt change at 100k...?

For all of the above Pro is looking for ~$1400.00.

Any comments on these procedures and or ways I can attack this cheaper?

BTW The Australia Forum helped me fix my sunroof problem. Loose bolts on the motor. Easy fix.

U-joints are common items to replace.

Replacing the boots are 1-2 hrs depending on how good you are with tools.

Valve cover gaskets on the 3.0 is a common leak issue. Been that way since the first 3.0 Montero rolled into the US in 82.

1,400 for the boot, rear u-joints and valve cover gasket is a horrible rip-off. Sorry if I'm offending anyone, but that is just nuts.

Valve cover gasket on the 3.0 is an hr tops as with the ujoints and boot. Parts will run you about 150-200 tops.

1,400 would mean they are charging roughly $300 / hr.

[mararmeisto]

1,400 would mean they are charging roughly $300 / hr.

They MUST be a good shop to charge those kind of rates.

[cdn_scamp]

Stop by AR Auto and get a quote from them. I was happy with their service and rates

[Spearo]

[
U-joints are common items to replace.

Replacing the boots are 1-2 hrs depending on how good you are with tools.

Valve cover gaskets on the 3.0 is a common leak issue. Been that way since the first 3.0 Montero rolled into the US in 82.

1,400 for the boot, rear u-joints and valve cover gasket is a horrible rip-off. Sorry if I'm offending anyone, but that is just nuts.

Valve cover gasket on the 3.0 is an hr tops as with the ujoints and boot. Parts will run you about 150-200 tops.

1,400 would mean they are charging roughly $300 / hr.

What about the tune-up? That could mean a lot of different things, ie: Oil/filter/air filter/fuel filter/plugs (6)/wires/lube/timing/scope etc etc. That could add up quickly if all that stuff is included.
I havent had any of this work done at a shop for about 100 years but it wasn't cheap back then either.
Just a thought.
Cheers,
Erik

[aclarker]

Stop by AR Auto and get a quote from them. I was happy with their service and rates

I think I'll give them a call. Looks like they specialize in JDM. The rear U joint is driving me crazy. All I hear is clunk when I go over the speed bumps.

Thanks,
Clarke

[loki]

Stop by AR Auto and get a quote from them. I was happy with their service and rates

I think I'll give them a call. Looks like they specialize in JDM. The rear U joint is driving me crazy. All I hear is clunk when I go over the speed bumps.

Thanks,
Clarke

are you sure it's the u-joint? I heard a clunk going over bumps too, turned out that one of my shocks in the back had the pin broken off the end and was hitting the axle and/or the mount.