derik

Holly molly event. Was that in Dubai or US or UK....? Only thing missing was Vin Diesel or Geremy Clarkson.

Faded headlights, wiper holder lost the color or chipped small paint from engine hood is a good indication that happen after 100K + kms. Not in all cases, but in most cases, so use this indicator with a pinch of salt with other mentioned above.

Whats TORC and what's peddars kit, I am curious to know more as I have old pajero and wish to see what you guys are doing to make Pajero more desert worthy. Thanks for the suggestion.

There are so many versions I heard here that I am literally confused now and need some help guys. 30% allowed but up to 50% acceptable (no fines) Up to 30% allowed only Driver (30%), rear passenger window and back glass can be anything Front (30%), rear (50%) and back glass (boot) 30% Second doubt is, does the high end tinting films block the GPS and Mobile signals....? Does the front clear screen of high end brand like 3M crystalline block the GPS signals....?

Well..... really buddy.....? I thought something more meaningful reasoning than an eye candy factor. I heard hakook make lot of road noise after certain kms put in just like dunlop grandtrek shit that comes stock with all toyota SUV's, especially while turning they make hell of a noise.

Comparing on American and German cars, which one will you advice to buy in 2-3 year old used car market. Some says American is better in technology but not in safety and weak in reliability, other say German are good with safety and reliability but not with technology. I am highly confuse, as I old used Japanese that threw tons of tantrum after few years of use. I am really curious to hear your guys feedback, opinion and cross brand experiences (if any). Thanks in advance.

I hope and I expect at least that much as you are saying: @Mighty Prado that cops should view the evidence.

Then we will have a laughing video every hour on YouTube, doing all sort of stunts and stupid action.......! Frankly speaking it will be meaningless to record it if cops does not accept it.

Some immediate DIY is to always check tire pressure once a week in summer and every two week in cold weather. Clean air filter at any enoc / eppco by using their air gun and pay them 5 dirham. Check oil level every week when car is cold (before starting). Off course for more detailed checks go with treks advice.

I think it otherwise guys, that unless UAE govt is going to start some restriction on car's efficiency no manufacture will introduce the hybrid, electric and other efficient car models in the region which is existing in other part of the world. This seems to me as a blessing for the new car owners to save a lot on annual fuel cost. So I believe that this rating will help car user's a lot as car dealer will be forced to get more efficient cars to sell here. This article does not say that bigger engine or less efficient cars will be discontinued or any fines for such cars will arise, so take it positively guys.

I agree with treks, and I am one of them who would only buy ultra fast car to appreciate the sheer technology and feel than any of the above 5 points, except the first one (sometime)

Thanks teajay, I have taken everyone suggestion very seriously and I have decided to test drive both for few days. I have already driven Xterra for 3 days including daily office run and one quick short offroad drive. This weekend i'll get a FJC to put this thread to an end with my ultimate next buy. I heard and read a lot about blind spot of FJC, and will be very careful with my friends car. Thanks all for your suggestions and advice with open heart. You all are awesome man.

Hey fellas, you lovely people anyone know specific scrapyard in sharjah dealing in Mitsubishi spare parts. I heard a lot that in sharjah near troy university area after the Sahara mall, been their yesterday and wasted an hour scouting few tit-bits and none of them keep Mitsubishi parts. Only few had, but the full engines and gearbox and not the other stuff. Anyone knows a breaker here who can get required stuff: Driver door window regulator full assembly (New cost 650 + 1 week wait) AC vent grill as all are loose and always dancing in other direction (Can't order, as no one has it) Air flow meter, as someone suspect that I need that change in my car and not 100% sure (2200 AED). I scarp one to do the testing, if it's really needed or not.

Thanks everyone for nice response to my very confusing doubt, that is almost 90% clear now. If I fail to fix my current off-road car then will be testing the Xterra next. Anyone selling Xterra here please PM me the details.

Toyota FJC and Nissan X Terra, has been two capable off-road car launched by almost equally capable Japanese car manufacturer at almost same time in 2007-2008. THEN HOW COME FJ Crusier has more demand and value than Nissan X Terra......? FJC: 237 HP VS X Terra: 265 HP, why people still prefer FJC and pay more price for less powered car.....? Why FJC is more expensive than X Terra when brand new?

First one I used was "Engine Restorer" initially for few days no effect shown at all. Then after 2-3 days started seeing some improvement. Within a week seen major difference that doof doof noise gone by 75% and fuel burn or eye burning smoke reduced completely. Now after three weeks, I think doof doof noise is coming back but still no fuel smell or eye burning smoke detected yet.

Thanks Mark, and I have already ordered three from US. Received yesterday and I tried the engine restorer first after changing the oil to fully synthetic. I can see some noticeable difference (although negligible, but it's there) after one day of drive of 66 Kms. Will wait to see if any more improvement shows in next few days. Then second plan is to put Motor medic (gunk) and flush the engine oil and then add Rislone and see the difference as rislone claims to quiet the valve very much. I'll keep everyone here posted so that it can help someone tomorrow.

I had a wonderful camping experience lately with my friends who knew one of the hidden spot in RAK mountain named Jebel Yebir - I guess it's the highest mountain in the UAE, as it climbs close to 1365 meter as per watch altitude till the top. You can't or shouldn't go right at the top as there is a military base and you should return when you start seeing "Photography Prohibited" signboard. Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/21dm5jsEy832 to the start of the road, go here and turn right and follow the road till the top of the mountain and keep looking left and right for little kacha tracks to find a good camping spot. Even for a drive this place is awesome, much better and steep than Jebel Hafeet (Al Ain). However only for 4x4 is advisable, as the climb is tarmac but little area before above coordinate goes thru quite a bit loose gravel and bit rocky terrain for 4-5 kms.

Hi Siddiq, your idle RPM seems fine and normal. Best is it is not dancing so its very good. Stable RPM is good sign of healthy engine, as earlier I was thinking its dancing between 500-800 while in P,N,D. That drop from P to D is very normal as explained earlier by treks. I will wait for the video to see what vibrations is bothering, and please take the video in all positions for at least 20-30 secs each.

I wait for those reading and gasket answer, reason being if it's a head gasket then I will definitely suspect the timing belt timing is not correctly positioned or few other things to doubt like missing vacuum hoses, wrongly placed intake manifold gasket can also cause this rough idling and plus what treks mentioned is also one of the possibility. Just to put two and two together, from how long you had this Pajero? And was it been like this since your purchase or after the repair you got? And find out exactly which gasket has been changed? Btw, Pajero timing belt has to be changed at 100k and not 135k, so definitely the previous owner has already contributed to some extent to the present condition.

OK, you don't seem to be very informative on gasket differences. Head gasket is one of the MAJOR gasket in any automobile engine, that separates the Oil and Water in the engine. It is not supposed to be leaked EVER and made and design for lifetime of the engine. If it leaks there must be some reason for that and one of the major reason is overheating that overheats the engine and literally spoil this gasket and engine oil and water (coolant) get missed. It is a very big job to open the engine head and if it's not done professionally then engine will run rough through out its life. So more than anything., you 100% find out if engine head gasket has changed or not? Send some engine close up pictures (without plastic cover) and I can tell you if its changed or not (75% surely).

Hi Siddiq, Welcome here, I do have a notorious Pajero as well and suffered quite a few bits and bobs already. To start changing all fluid and oil was a good idea. Can you please clarify if you changed the engine head gasket or engine oil sump gasket? btw, to get you benchmark below are the ideal RPM you should be looking when fully warm: P: 850-900 (With AC) P: 750-850 (Without AC) D: 700-750 (With or without AC) Go back and check again how much it differs (roughly), as your 200-300 seems unrealistically low, as on that RPM I think car should shut down and not in a drive-able state.

Thanks a lot @@reinier01 you are really very educated mate and I am blessed to have you here. From your explanation the change of whole set of valve lifter seems lot of work from Dubai standard, where garage here love to rip off for small midas touch and do nothing. At least now I am certain that two different people having same opinion of half functioning valve lifters at idle speed. Now for me to go for this job or not depend on last question: "How critical it is"......? Will it get worst or better if I start driving this car daily, as this has been very very sparingly used car like once or twice in a month for short distance since last 2 years?Any engine additives that ethan advised above will help here, I don't mind trying?

Thanks ethan, I don't mind trying any of those stuff what you mentioned. Do you know where to find them in Dubai? @reinier01 please find the inside picture of the tappet cover removed, and I think it has hydraulic lifter, as mechanic tried to turn engine with quick crank to measure the gap and said, all looks OK (half heatedly), I couldn't get him completely. Appreciate your expert advice. Thanks in advance mate, you are awesome.

Hi Reinier and Bean, thanks a ton guys for awesome explanation, please find my response to answer your doubts: Starting is A (No hesitation)Acceleration is A+Idling is A+No white or blue smokeOil level, slightly more than max level (changed last month, less than 2000 km back with mobil1)However, there is some strange doof doof noise in idle something like (not exactly) a tractor, but when I give gas it goes away. Secondly If car is in closed parking or in repair shop after a while car gases start burning eyes (no visible smoke at all). It smells like fuel burning. Check the sound recording, forgive the background zipping car around my busy neighborhood. Pajero doof doof.wav