Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I am about to pull the trigger in purchasing 1993 L300 Spacewagon with 178,000kms

It starts very well, idles just over 2,000rpms (I'd like to see it at 1,300) no body rust but some surface rust underneath.

I'm looking for some help on things to look for on it when inspecting it while I have it for the ext week to test drive and look over.

What should I look at?
• I see oil on the top of the engine when I lift the seat
• I see oil underneath the engine (under the van)
• How can I test the diff lock?
• What should I test and look for...?

Thank you in advance

This may not be helpful. I bought a VW van once without getting a pre-purchase inspection at a garage. That cost me an additional $3000 because I took the sellers word for it and wanted to save $150. Now I always go for the inspection. Peace of mind I guess. It may still bite you though. Delicas are sneaky and there are so many things that can happen. I would take it to a garage that works on them for an inspection.
m

Try to find a trusted mechanic.

The oil on the top of the engine could be a result of oil leaking through your valve cover gasket. Inspect the connection of the valve cover (aka rocker cover) to the engine head. To inspect the gasket near cylinder one, you will have to remove the fan shroud cover. If you see oil residue around there, this is likely the problem and could also explain why oil is underneath the engine as it would seep down the side of the engine depending on how much is getting out.

If going to a mechanoc was an option, clearly I would choose to do that. However I am 11 hours from the closest mechanic that will give the delica the proper look over it requires. They have minimal experience with these types of vans.

I've cleaned up the oil and will observe where its originating from.

Thank you for taking the time to provide me possible causes.

Did you buy it? Purchase and sale can take considerable time or go 'snap'. I wonder about the hi idle. Can it not be made to idle down? The story goes that my recent '92 acquisition had the problem of not idling down and that it was due to the turbo seals.

I did buy it!! It runs great.

Monitoring the oil leak at thisnpointbut it runs solid.

Plan on taking it to the island or Vancouver over the march break to get work done on it.

Super pumped!!