Faults:

Since I've owned it, I've had to replace 2 radiator hoses, & now it's sprung a leak from the water pump, which has gotten worse over a period of roughly 3 weeks. And also it's never had an air conditioner since I've owned it!! But I've bought a new air conditioner compressor for it recently, but I have no idea how to install it. It would be greatly appreciated if someone could please explain the whole process of how to install it. I thought at first I could just take notice of how to install it from taking the old one out, but unfortunately the previous owner must have had it taken out, because there isn't an air conditioner compressor in my 4x4 (so that ruined my idea of installing my new one).

Also the control knob for the fan gets stuck and won't turn all the way around to the A/C part (it will turn to the sun symbol, and then to 1, 2 and 3, but then that's as far as it will turn). Can anyone tell me if it will go right around once the air conditioner compressor is installed, or should it still turn right around??

Thanks in advance.

General Comments:

I really love this car, it's the most comfortable car to drive I've ever owned.

It has really good traction control. Overall it's a great 4x4 off roader (I've had it in some really tough places, and it has never let me down once e.g.: thick red clay mud, and roughly about 2/3 of the tyres submerged, if not maybe a bit more).

I've driven it through pretty deep muddy water, roughly about halfway up to the doors, and went through it without any problems at all. And I've taken it across a river with a pretty strong current, and it went across with no problems at all.

Faults:

I rolled in it in some rough stretch of murram road. Nothing else.

General Comments:

The Pajero was slow but sure; maybe 0-100km/h within 16 seconds.

Fuel consumption was great.

Third row seats offer very limited leg-room.

Great off roader, but lacking traction-control.

Faults:

Left hand upper ball joint needed replacement shortly after purchase.

Right hand upper ball joint followed shortly thereafter.

Starter motor needed rebuilding, as clutch mechanism failed.

In a very short timeframe, the engine started billowing steam from the exhaust, after which investigation revealed a small crack in the cylinder head. Cylinder head and gasket replaced.

One part of the exhaust developed a crack and needed replacement.

General Comments:

My car is a whopping 17 years old and originally imported from Japan. Some repairs may be expensive, but for a car that has been driven (and hammered by some) as an everyday vehicle, with this age and mileage, I consider this to be an extremely reliable car.

The leather interior is fantastic, and so are the heated seats. The huge sun roof is very pleasant.

It is definitely not a fast car, and acceleration is very slow, especially when cold. The low horse power makes it pretty good in MPG on the motorways, but also not the most ideal car to tow a heavy load. The fact that this is an automatic adds to this. The Pajero shifts back to lower gear quite early with a trailer behind it, while not being able to accelerate appreciably. Ultimately you do get used to modulating the accelerator in a manner to get the best torque/speed and acceleration "performance".

Off road performance is excellent with the right tires. Locking differential, low gear and everything else you need is reliable and smooth. Road clearance is what you should expect.