Mitsubishi Magna Engine Problems

THERE are many possible causes, but the Magna is known to break engine mounts, so start by inspecting those. A broken mount lets the engine move as the engine load changes, which is more pronounced in lower gears.

The biofuels people told us that the fuel consumption would increase by up to three per cent on E10, but your experience certainly makes us question that. Perhaps other readers can let us know what they've experienced when they've used E10.

IT SOUNDS like a fuel problem rather than an electrical one. Make sure the battery is still delivering full cranking power, then I would have the fuel-pressure regulator and fuel pump checked.

After David McKenzie told us that his TJ Mitsubishi Magna used up   to 40 per cent more fuel when running on E10 than it did on regular   unleaded we felt we should refer it to the experts, as his experience   contradicted the advice we had received about the fuel. David's   experience confounded the experts who said it went against everything   they knew about the fuel. They told us that Mitsubishi had no   problems with the TJ Magna using E10. Further we were told that   providing the oxygen sensors were working correctly the engine   management system on the Magna would adjust for any changes in the   fuel. It was suggested that David have the fuel-injection system in   his car checked by a competent mechanic.

Unfortunately the old Magna was known to suffer from idle shake when stationary and in gear, and there's not a lot you can do to get rid of it. Owners often put it into neutral to overcome it instead of leaving it in gear at traffic lights etc. As for the hunting in gear you could check the throttle position sensor and make sure that is adjusted correctly.

LIKE all Magnas, the all-wheel-drive model was underrated. It handled well and had good performance, but was thirsty. You're right, the rear three spark plugs were long-life platinum ones awkward to replace. They should be replaced every 90,000km.

MITSUBISHI says: ``With larger bores (90-plus mm), compression ratios around the 9:1 mark and large diameter valves, it is virtually impossible to design an engine that does not have valve/piston contact when a cam belt fails. The level of contact is dependent upon the position in which the cam stops''. The answer is that it's probably good night engine if the belt breaks.

LIKE all carmakers, Holden advises against converting their cars to LPG unless the engine has been modified by the factory. But there are plenty of LPG specialists who will convert your car to dual-fuel. Impco has an excellent dual-fuel system for the 5.7-litre V8 using Sequential Gas Injection.

IF YOU don't drive your car often, it is a good idea to start it regularly to circulate the oil and keep the battery charged. Once a week would be good, but it wouldn't matter if it was once every few weeks.

THE Magna goes well on LPG, but you need to decide how long you will keep it before committing to spending the money on the conversion. Sure the rebate will reduce the payback time, but you still need to keep it for a couple of years before you start saving money on your gas bills.