Symptoms
Oil on the exhaust manifolds, a burning smell after a drive, or wet patches under the engine. Bring a Trailer sellers list new valve cover gaskets and an oil-pressure sender on a 1989 Raider V6, and new valve cover and intake gaskets on a 1990 Montero 3.0. A 1988 Montero Sport 2.6 sold with an oil leak noted. Mitsubishi recalled 1984 Monteros (84V098) because the oil-pressure sender could leak oil.
The fix, step by step
- Degrease the engine, run it, and find the highest wet spot, because oil runs downhill.
- For valve covers, remove whatever crosses them (ignition leads, hoses, brackets), clean both sealing faces, fit new gaskets and bolt grommets, and tighten the bolts evenly in stages to the factory figure.
- A leaking oil-pressure sender is a quick swap: unplug it, unscrew it, and fit the new one with sealant on the threads only.
- Intake-gasket and front-seal leaks are bigger jobs.
- On the 1989 Raider the front timing-cover seal and oil-pan seal were done together, along with three belts and the crankshaft pulley.
Tools & part numbers
- Degreaser
- socket set
- torque wrench
- gasket scraper
- oil-pressure-sender socket
- thread sealant
- factory service manual.
Where to buy the parts
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero (First Generation) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.