Symptoms
Oil or ATF drips under the engine, wet hoses along the frame, a low transmission level. Owners trace leaks to the joints at the oil pan and the oil cooler, and one found a line that had chafed on the frame.
The fix, step by step
- Remove the skid plate and the two brackets that hold the hoses to the frame.
- Soak the fittings in penetrating oil first; one owner twisted a hose at its fitting and had to cut it off with tin snips.
- Fit new OEM hoses with new copper washers (don't reuse them), and protect any line that touches the frame with a split piece of old hose and zip ties.
- Top up or refill with the right fluids: owners insist on Mitsubishi Diaqueen SP-III in the automatic.
Tools & part numbers
- Line wrenches
- penetrating oil
- tin snips
- new copper crush washers
- drain pans
- funnel.
Where to buy the parts
Engine parts (oil cooler hoses, gaskets), 2004 Montero 3.8 V6RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Automatic transmission parts (cooler lines, fluid), 2004 Montero 3.8 V6RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero (Third 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.