Mitsubishi Problems

THE rotten egg smell is usually a sign of a problem with the catalytic converter. Take it to a mechanic and have it checked.

Your advice is incorrect. The 380 is perfectly suited to running on gas and doesn't need to be changed. Mitsubishi tells us it came standard with an LPG-compatible engine. It recommends you have it fitted with the company-endorsed IMPCO conversion kit.

THE Jackaroo should be OK, but I'd look at a Pajero, which I think would be a better choice. As for the Falcon, the cars you are looking at have to be seen in isolation because of their age and kilometres. The Falcons are generally tough, but are known to have problems with radiators and head gaskets. At that number of kilometres I'd have the auto transmission carefully checked, particularly if you intend to tow.

NOWHERE I'm afraid. When you modify a vehicle by fitting aftermarket springs you are deviating from the manufacturer's specification and taking responsibility for that modification yourself. You should talk to Lovells about any warranty they might have that might cover you. As for the concept cars, they are attention-grabbers that carmakers use at shows to increase traffic through their stands, and should not be taken to suggest you can do the same with your car and expect the maker to pick up the tab should anything go wrong.

THE MILEAGE is a little less than the average for a car of its vintage, so that's good, and the price is reasonable. The Lancer is generally a sound little car and it should continue to be reliable, provided it has been well serviced and you continue to service it regularly.

IF YOU drive normally it won't have any great impact on the life of the transmission or driveline, but if you thrash it you are likely to have an impact. It's the same with the fuel economy, the mode of changing gears won't have any impact, it's the way you drive that could affect consumption. Drive it hard and you will use more fuel, drive it conservatively and you won't.

YOUR advice is incorrect. The 380 is perfectly suited to running on gas and doesn't need to be changed. Mitsubishi tells us it came standard with an LPG-compatible engine. It recommends you have it fitted with the company-endorsed IMPCO conversion kit.

NOWHERE I'm afraid. When you modify a vehicle by fitting aftermarket springs you are deviating from the manufacturer's specification and taking responsibility for that modification yourself. You should talk to Lovells about any warranty they might have that might cover you. As for the concept cars, they are attention-grabbers that carmakers use at shows to increase traffic through their stands, and should not be taken to suggest you can do the same with your car and expect the maker to pick up the tab should anything go wrong.

PROBABLY, in some circumstances. In a normal driving situation AWD would get the nod over two-wheel drive because of its better handling and grip. But stability control really comes into play in emergency situations, such as a sudden swerve to miss an object or an animal on the road. It's well documented that stability control reduces single car crashes, and that's likely to apply whether the car is two-wheel drive or AWD.

THERE shouldn't be any rattling noises when you start a car, whether it's a Lancer or any other brand. The noise could come from a valve lifter that is taking an unusual amount of time to pump up.  Sludge in the engine could be affecting the supply of oil to the lifters. Or the problem could be caused by incorrect oil used at service or, in the worst case, a lack of proper servicing.