Gaurav

That was a night to remember and what an experience we had under blanket of stars. Thanks for last minute invite, hope next time you can inform me few days in advance.

Car engines, unlike some other parts of a vehicle, don't have a predetermined life expectancy. Instead, their longevity largely depends on how well they are maintained and operated. Neglecting essential maintenance tasks like regular oil changes, fluid checks, and timely servicing can significantly shorten an engine's lifespan. In extreme cases, an engine can suffer irreparable damage within a relatively short distance, such as 30,000 kilometers. On the other hand, diligent maintenance practices can greatly extend an engine's life. By following manufacturer-recommended service intervals, using quality fluids and parts, and addressing issues promptly, it's not uncommon for engines to reach well over a million kilometers. These well-maintained engines often exhibit reliable performance and fuel efficiency even after years of use. Personal experiences like mine with a 17-year-old Pajero, which has clocked 180,000 kilometers and still runs smoothly, highlight the impact of proper care on engine longevity. Such examples underscore the importance of regular maintenance and attentive driving habits in preserving the health and longevity of your vehicle's engine. Unfortunately, many car owners have encountered fraudulent mechanics or received incorrect maintenance advice in the past. This emphasizes the need for caution and diligence when choosing a workshop or seeking repair services. It's advisable to research and seek recommendations from trusted sources to find a reputable and reliable workshop that prioritizes honesty and quality service. A simple yet effective strategy when facing car issues is to gather multiple opinions and estimates from different workshops. By comparing these assessments and considering factors like competence, reputation, and cost-effectiveness, you can make an informed decision about where to entrust your vehicle for repairs or maintenance. This approach not only helps in finding the most suitable solution for your car's needs but also reduces the risk of falling victim to unscrupulous practices.

Thank god my engine wasn't removed this way in barry's workshop. @Dave Daniel barry is certified and qualified mechanic and sharing this as a joke.

Here is the video of first attempt to see the piston condition from spark plug hole. Seems quite ok instead of being misfiring since a year. In second attempt to have a look at valve by twisting the wire upside down and tied to the camera with wire, got it all stuck. And haven't got any great footage due to valve being too close to the camera lens. Finally, went ahead to open the head and found out that exhaust valves at cylinder 1 and 5 were slightly bent. Getting them replace now and hope to bring this doof doof diesel noise to an end. 161124_174953.mp4

Finally after a long wait, borescope arrived today. I am so excited to peep inside the Pajero engine block to find the real reason of doof doof is the valve, piston or piston rings. Crossing my fingers for valves and not anything major. Will be going to barry's workshop tomorrow to clear this mystery. Can't wait. If anyone want to use this borescope for their car diagnostic, feel free to borrow.

Well I'm really not sure about exact requirement, but in my case I have send my wife and they have taken her emirates ID copy and car registration card copy to issue that permission paper.

@Ak I bought this Trail Blazer for my wife, who uses for mall run with one kid, so most important part for us was the safety and strength of this vehicle should be good. I have been told from my colleague whose sister crashed her TB and jumped on round about by smashing 2 cars at the speed of 60 and literally nothing happened to the car. Last month my wife got hit from back and again TB strength put to display that only tow hook got little paint of other car, and nothing happen to TB. We didn't even claimed the insurance for green paper as there was only hairline crack in the bumper paint. For the drive comfort me and my wife absolutely LOVE IT. It's comfort is second to Range Rover in my car owning history, although it doesnt have EAS, but it glides extremely smooth on highway. I think it has a torsion rod suspension, which is better than coil springs anyday. Only thing I didn't like was the mop quality fabric seats, I guess it's may be because ours is the lowest option. So we got whole custom upholstery done from my friend's shop in Ajman and it costed us 800 dhs (I think). For the servicing side, when I got this TB 4-5 months got the whole car service from Liberty (Shj) outside facility including the gear oil and filter change with check and top-up on all diff and 4x4 oil's costed me roughly 1000 dhs. If I remember correctly major cost was gear oil change close to 500-600 as it is done once in 40,000 Kms. Since then there was nothing else spent on maintenance, other than the gear shifter cable broke. I accidentally ordered the cable and have to buy it too for 175 dhs, as after @Barry creative and permanent solution I don't think I will ever need that cable again.

Thanks to HILTI for organizing such a nice desert cleanup drive. Thanks to Emarat4x4 for supporting this great cause with their marshals support. Thanks to Rahimdad, for sharing this here and giving us an opportunity to pitch in. We had such a great turn out of over 60 cars and above 150 people in total. Split the total numbers in 4-5 convoys and cleaned the entire desert behind the Al Awir Palace and Military base camp. Started at 7:00 am from Dragon mart and reached by 7:30 to the deflation point. Cleaned the desert for good 2-3 hours with great support of Dubai municipality helpers in their trolleys and LC's to pick up the collected trash to bring it out on the road. It's a very good initiative from HILTI to inspire other bigger organization on how to be more environmentally responsible in the UAE. And hope other offroad clubs in UAE also follow the footsteps of Emarat4x4 to support these great initiatives.

As I got one of my car repainted recently, there was big hassle to get the Dubai Police permission paper for car repainting. After wasting two days in traffic hours coz of wrong information from official and unofficial channels, I like to list all of them below to help everyone here: You can't get that permission paper from any Dubai Police Station (Don't waste time) You can't get that permission paper from Dubai Police Headquarters (next to Al Mulla Plaza) You only get this permission from Dubai Police vehicle confiscated yard, next to Tasjeel Qusais, I think it's a CID department GPS Coordinate for this place: https://goo.gl/maps/t8hv6s7f9Rv (No pics allowed) Their timing is from 7 am to 1 pm only It cost 120 dhs and not 50 dhs You don't need paper if keeping same color and getting car painted in Dubai You do need paper even if keeping same color but getting car painted in Sharjah (that was my case) You do need paper if you change color and getting car painted in any emirates

wow, this is really nice looking classic. I too remember sitting in similar old merc outside UAE, that has spring based seats that keep on supporting you while on turns. Amazingly simple but effective concept, why newer cars doesn't come with these simple but effective features than tons of electronic gizmos that dies sooner than expected.

Thanks Barry for quick insight just like car dealership: You can drive until engine run extremely rough or dies completely, whichever comes earlier. lol. Btw, slight correction buddy it's not 5 cylinder now it's 5.5 cylinders so I ought change the sticker to V5.5 too. Jokes apart, once I get the borescope will swing by to do another compression test, oil change and have a look inside.

Barry you can't beat Rahimdad as he is a scouting expert here in UAE. Yesterday he showed me 5 Mustang in one line and all of different color - like a showroom display but old cars.

This is damn intelligent, I think it's more intelligent than bean's padlock. lol. Looks like they are straight from horses to the cars. Other day saw a saudi boyz video on whatsapp that shows guy sit on top of the car and control steering with strings like a good old camel days.

This is exactly what I am doing since over a year now and nothing catastrophic has happened, simultaneously I am always on the look for some new experiment and ideas in a hope to fix it. That's the other thing that this "hope" has already costed me 3 times the cost of scrap engine, but again I reached to mental satisfaction state now that almost all inside engine component (except valve) is healthy, clean and almost 90% functional for a 17 year old beauty, that still keeps pace with Jeeps and Patrol in desert. Next fun project will be the borescope camera that I ordered to actually see the main culprit hiding inside, before I make the big decision to swap the engine / rebuild.

In aim to continue improve the Pajero slight rough idle and fuel smell yesterday I went for the dose of terraclean for the cost of 695 dhs in their DIP warehouse. Boys were very knowledgeable and educated to make me understand the process and how it works. Took about an hour and we got the ugly emission readings at first which were very high in idle (HC: 1600) and drop to half (800) at idle with A/C on and drop to 400 at 2000 rpm. While doing the test car released some unbearable fumes from exhaust - could be carbon or terraclean fluid. Once process finished, we can still hear that mild doof doof as usual and still feel that mild rough idling. I was hoping that this terraclean process must have fixed the emission at least, so went for a quick spin to do new emission test. To everyone surprise, emission were also disappointing and still remain same as before. Hence it is proven that there is something other than carbon deposit is surely wrong inside the engine. The money spent was worth clearing the doubt though.

Finally I got my Pajero repaint done with refernce of Rahimdad from Sharjah. It's a small shop but they did an excellent finish. Me and Rahim has scouted couple of paint specialist in Dubai but both of them failed to show what exactly paint quality and work sample of their work. Technical Garage quoted 5500 dhs and will required 30 working days. Bespoke guys quoted 7000 and will need 15 days for full paint job. Both claimed to use Standox paint (German / EU quality). Went to Sharjah reference and guy seem to be very confident and showed me one ongoing Altima repainting process, which really impressed me and one of my more experienced friend. We knocked the deal for 2200 dhs for Standox and Octoral and car will be done 7-8 days. I will post the final car pictures soon, as again dropped today for minor correction issue on the window trim.

Please share the contact as my Pajero passing due next month. I might need them

I'm in with all the three remaining seats and empty boot to shuttle. Thanks for sharing Rahimdad and giving us chance to contribute.

Sorry ameen for late reply, I want all of these points to consider the best (if possible).

Thanks @Barry and @desertdude for endoscope idea. Just bought this one, will be arriving in 15-20 days. If anyone needs it, feel free to borrow. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-OTG-Endoscope-Inspection-Camera-Waterproof-Borescope-2m-Snake-Scope-/272176318678?hash=item3f5ef908d6:g:UPIAAOSwa-dWp1gn

Here is the video results of before and after the water suction experiment in case if anyone is curious for same route in future. 50% less missing (from spluttering to only little rattling now) 50% doof doof noise gone 100% strange squeaking noise gone 100% less relaxed at low RPM Earlier I could hear my engine running from 15-20 meters and now within 1-2 meters.

Here is the video of water suction experiment. Every instance had 50 ml water sucked through vacuum hose directly into intake manifold. Day 1: Tried twice in first attempt with over a minute gap. Day 2: Poured four times in second attempt with over a minute gap in all times and drove hard around the block. Day 4: Poured twice - (last shot). Removed a liter of oil and added 1 liter Rislone engine treatment today.

And it gets passed at any RTA testing center without any problems.

Try the borla hushflow, I'm using same in my mustang. They are quiet as stock and give good noise and performance when pushed hard, with beautiful deep drone on highway.

I fully understand the frustration of professional mechanics to accept that something long standing issue getting resolved with such a simple fix. In my case a lot have been done professionally with Barry garage and several other places. Thanks to all as everyone did their fair share and still little rattle and doof doof noise always persist. Pointing to stuck valve over and over again coz of carbon buildup or age of the engine. Instead of rebuilding engine I prefer plonking another used motor, so actually speaking I was ready for any experiment and I have taken same route for trying the water technic. Taking no sides. I understand that it will or may coz some internal issue and that's why I poured total of 50 ml per instance to test the water, lol as I actually have nothing to loose if I blow this motor but always open to any positive suggestion. Just for the record @desertdude did advise me to add oil additive and change oil soon, once experiment become successful, so I assume he knows the repercussions of adding water to produce steam to clear the carbon. Does anyone know how we can test this experiment if it worked or not apart from visual and audible changes.....? For example run the HC test at tail pipe? Run the compression test? check the oil color and other properties?