Mitsubishi Triton 2010 Problems

The 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine fitted to the 2010 Triton uses a toothed rubber timing-belt which requires periodic replacement. Most mechanics reckon the belt should be changed every 100,000km and because of the design of the engine, the belt that drives the engine’s balance shafts should also be replaced at the same time.

The short answer is that this can be done, and, in fact, there are kits available to allow you to add a leaf to a suspension spring-pack. The broad idea is to make the spring stiffer, increasing theoretical load-carrying ability as well as giving more ground clearance (as the modified spring will usually make the vehicle sit higher).

The trick is finding the correct extra-leaf kit for your specific vehicle, and this is where a specialist supplier comes in. The kit should include the extra two spring leaves as well as longer centre bolts (as the spring-pack is now thicker). And as with any suspension -related equipment, quality is hugely important to safety and the actual performance of the new set-up.

But there are other issues. The first is a legal one. While the new, thicker spring-pack might tempt you to increase the loads you carry, legally, the vehicle retains its original loading and towing limits until it has been certified otherwise by an accredited engineer. Some kits are supplied with this paperwork all sorted for you ready to simply lodge with the authorities, but some aren’t. And consulting engineers don’t generally come cheap. You would also need to inform your insurance provider of the change to the vehicle’s specification. There are also absolute limits to how much higher your vehicle can sit compared with a standard one. This varies from state to state, but in your home state of NSW at the moment, a vehicle can legally be raised by 75mm over its standard ride height. The catch is that only 50mm of this can be from suspension modifications, and the other 25mm of lift through bigger tyres. But if you stick within those limits and don’t intend to increase the vehicle’s load or towing ability, then the raised suspension doesn’t need to be certified by an engineer for the vehicle to remain legal.

Check the warranty document, which should tell you what is specifically not covered. Normally it’s the consumables that are not covered, that’s things like oil filters, air cleaners, spark plugs, belts, brakes and clutches. Fuel injectors don’t normally fall into the consumable category.

You don't say if the engine is a petrol or diesel, but I'm guessing it's a diesel. If that's the case it's likely to be excessive fuel, which could be an injector problem, or a fuel pump issue. Get it to a diesel mechanic, who should be able to sort it out.

I’m surprised the dealer didn’t try and sell you a more powerful sound system! You could also check the firewall and make sure there are no gaps or openings that are letting the noise through. If there are seal them. Having made sure all is well there you could get some sound deadening material and apply under the floor covering on the firewall, floor and transmission tunnel.

It’s a great feeling when having spent many tens of thousands of dollars you get treated badly by the dealer isn’t it. Thankfully it’s not the norm, but it does happen and it shouldn’t. If I were you I would be very angry that I have been sold a car that is faulty and I would demand a replacement car, or my money back if they couldn’t fix it within a reasonable time. A week or two should be enough to come up with a fix; a year or more is ludicrous. You need to stand up for your rights.