Offroad-Express

Hi all,
I've been keeping an eye out in the locals for a cheap 4x4 to take up and down the skifields this winter and I've been offered an 89 5 door Pajero, 3.0L V6 Auto. It's only done 120k and seems like a pretty good deal.

What are the common faults on these? Is there anything I should be looking for in particular when I go to inspect? Last owners used it for towing their caravan around.

Check to see if cambelt has been done should have been done at 100k's. If it has been used for towing check trans fluid to make sure it hasn't been cooked should be a nice red colour.

Does it smell burnt if its been cooked or will it just be discoloured? Thanks!

The colour will be the most obvious hint, should be a nice clear red.

Engines are good if maintained. Just did cam belts, water pump, cam cover gaskets and plugs for the second time on mine - it's done about 270k.

Parts retailed around $1500. Add another $500 for labour.

Check the coolant. Don't buy one with brown rusty coolant. Having to replace head gaskets won't be far behind. The sludge builds up around the 2 rear cylinders and causes them to run hot. The expanding alloy head then crushes the head gasket. Blue smoke from hardened valve stem seals is another one. Shows up on a warm start. Its an old truck so it all comes down to maintenance. Best one I've owned had 420,000 on the clock but had last owner for 10 years and had been serviced. Shame that one got rolled. Had 2 others, 170,000 and had to fix a burnt exhaust valve caused I think by the problem above, and a 200,000 one that had heaps go wrong with it inc overheating tranny. Dark red, brown oil bad.

Bottom line, have a bloody good look around it and check for evidence of regular servicing.

Thanks for all the tips and info.
What do you think an 89 is worth these days? If it's in good nick.

Judging by Trademe prices I would say 2.5K-3.5K.