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I too am looking for a suitable tow vehicle. I note an answer to a question "22 July 2011, Isuzu Wizard petrol" suggesting avoiding a Mitsibishi Pajero with 3.5L GDI engine.
I have been looking at a Mitsi Challenger 1998 auto/tiptronic with 3.5L GDI, presumably the same as the Pajero engine.
What is reason for avoidance or, are there a number of reasons why the 3.5LGDI is not reccommended for towing.
Thanks
It does come down to opinions at the end of the day but in our view this engine does not have the power band suitable for towing heavy loads. It is an engine more suited for a standard car.
High carbon build-up in the inlet manifold tracks is also a problem with the early Mitsubishi GDI engines which causes rough running issues and expensive repairs.
Lastly, you wouldn’t buy this vehicle expecting to get even average fuel consumption when towing heavy loads.
I've read several times your opinion that "early" Mitsubishi GDi engines suffer from "High carbon build-up in the inlet manifold".
Has this problem ever been resolved? Has recent fuel quality improvements eliminated this problem? At what point is a Mitsubishi GDi engine not regarded as an "early model"? I see loads of Pajero GDi's about...
From around 2002 the Mitsubishi GDi engine was certainly better however, it is still an engine that re-circulates large amounts of exhaust gases and therefore has the potential to develop a built up of carbon in the inlet tracks over time.
Is there a current technology of better maintaining/cleaning the carbon build up in the 2000-2001 mitsubishi pajero 3.5 v6 GDI engines? Does AA service centres have them?