Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Edit

Hi Mardy,

I am not blaming you for all the troubles with my L400. I blame the L400. I am disapointed with the build quality, particularily anything electronic on the L400 which is why owning this L400 simply feels like a flashback of owning a VW Syncro Vanagon. Great when its running but it seems to need attention every week on one thing or another.

This L400 had tons or service and parts replacement by you already including your normal full service plus an alternator rebuild and 2 new batteries. In the ~6000km/9months I have driven it the folowing have also crapped out and require replacement/repair:
-AC condensor fans failing
-Heater not giving much heat (likely teh electronic control)
-Headlamp washers fail
-Electric curtains fail
-seat warmers fail
-dashboard heater control lighting all burning out at once
-Glow plug relay fail
-Harmonic balancer falling apart (and fan smashing as a result)
-Mysterious intermittent battery drains
-4WD central lock never worked, lamp flashes forever
-Rear hatch takes 200 tries to get to latch closed properly
-Radiator overflow bottle so yellow and brittle looking it will probably be teh next thing to break (not sure why you didn't replace that now that I think of it?)

Not that awesome for ~6000km. Lots of minor fiddle faddle items but also three of those breakdowns are not minor inconvieniences, they leave me stranded...mystery dead batteries, no glow system, harmonic balancer. It pisses me off when a $13,000 purchase leaves me stranded 5 times in 9 months. And it pisses me off that 90% of the fancy doodads that got me interested in teh vehicle do not even work. So far its a $13,000 disapointment.

Comapre that to my other vehicles (consumable parts and parts upgraded not inclued, just REQUIRED repairs)
Toyota 1989 Hilux Surf (2004-2009) - Needed new clutch 2008, All electronics etc worked 100% everyday
Toyota 1990 Liteace Truck (2005-present) - 0 repairs, 0 items not working 100%
Toyota 1991 Hilux Surf SSR-G (2006-present) - Only item needing attention in 5 years is small leak in IP, still runs fine, just a rough start for 10seconds, All fancy electonic doodads work 100%
Toyota 1990 Celsior (2006-2009) - No repairs, only flaw was speedometer needle would stick at 0kmh when outside temp cold until vehicle interior warmed up.
Volkswagen 1988 Vanagon Syncro (2001-2005) - ECU, Engine rebuild, Power steering pump, power windows, power locks, electrical wiring disintegrated all over the place, starter, radiator hoses, 02 sensor, difflock, viscous coupler, side door would open automatically at highway speeds, etc etc etc.... Left me stranded many many times at home and at side of teh road.

I just have my fingers crossed that the problems will get ironed out soon and then it will be nice and reliable for years to come and not be a never ending money pit like the VW.

Not blaming anyone, just some venting.

you got a mild lemon. Sucks but once you fix the nagging issues, I can see it being more friendly. Imagine if you bought it without the bulk of preventative stuff that was done to it. Can look at it this way, could always be worse. Blown engine, etc ...

Get some beers, replace the pulley, file off the burs on the fan and bob's your long lost uncle.

Would like to see it treat you better this year.

It always scares me when I hear VW Westfalia, etc comparisons to my Delica. Yikes!! I owned a 76 VW van and it was a real money-pit.

I'm suspecting that retired VW cult members have now transferred their masochism to the Delica.

But I miss my VW and love my Delicas...... oh dear....

psilosin,
sad to here this from you.
the water bottle i did replace all of my l400 including yours, i guess that time i am out of stock on japan water bottle.i think i replace yours that is made in taiwan as thats the only stock we got.
did replace your water bottle and buy it from maximum as i am out of stock that time for original as your is rotten when it came.
regarding thermosthat maybe some of the wiring for stereo still attached jap wire.
ac compressor cannot predict when it goes.othe rminor thing like ac heat does not functionally working this is beyong my expectation.
nobody will expect this thing will fail.mostly it happen in super exceed model and royal exceed or exceed model that has a electronic ac control.
i am with you when frustration comes.not only has this problem other client also. cannot predict what else is the problem will occur.
my main thing to do is to make sure the engine runs good.
as if the engine fail then its the end of it. other electrical can be fix just need to check an be patient for what is the problem, even the relay on this glow plug it sometime go.
i have a low mileage L400 that the glow plug relay go. check and replace it then works fine.
thats just how it works sometime when we got a used car.
thats why i try to service it mostly to prevent this frustating problem.
nobody wants this problem. as i mention to you, your is better than other that buy from other dealer or private pay more money than you pay without any service. they are more frustrated than you.
i try my best for your car.but sometime this problem nothing i can do but to coordinate with you what is the problem.
its a used car that we dont know what will occur on any issues you will have later.
its a vehicle that we runs everyday not like in japan that used only 2 times a month. or less.
hope your vehicle will be in the road soon.
if need help just buzz me
cheer;s
Mardy

Hey buddy- as I was perusing the Delica Users Manual in the manual section I found a Step by Step for this surgical procedure on Page 28. Not sure if you have seen it yet. Here is the link:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/mitsubishi-d ... -7500.html

Hope it goes well - get that monster back on the road ASAP.

Craig

hi, craig, i dont see anything maybe send me another link ok
thank you

There fixed it. Just click on the link in the post and it will open up in PDF. It is on page 28.

Craig

This is pissing me off a hell of a lot more than when I did a similar job on my Surf.

Looking for tips on loosening the bottom big bolt holding the alternator in place. Looks like it is 4 sided so none of my sockets will fit and I can't see how the #@$& I can get a wrench into that space.

OR if anyone REALLY wants to help...bring $8000 and you can take this L400, the parts to fix it, a set of flares and a rear wing and get it the hell out of my life.

psilosin wrote:This is pissing me off a hell of a lot more than when I did a similar job on my Surf.

Looking for tips on loosening the bottom big bolt holding the alternator in place. Looks like it is 4 sided so none of my sockets will fit and I can't see how the #@$& I can get a wrench into that space.

Don't try and undo it from the front, the square end of the bolt is captive. There is a 17mm nut at the rear. I use a 3/8 drive ratchet and can undo it one click at a time. It's tight behind there. A cut-down 17mm spanner (wrench?) will do the job too.

Awesome. Thank you for the tip.

I give up. No way I am getting that loose with a stubby shaft wrench/ratchet and my arthritis.

Gimme a call, I will help you out.

you can access the 17mm bolt from the wheel well. There is an opening there specifically to access the alternator. Lift up the rubber flap.

Easier with the tire off if you don't want to get dirty.