Hi guys,

A new member here, with a 2003 ES TL LPG. Bought it from an auction for the total of $16k a couple of months ago. Did I get it reasonably or overpriced, guys?

Anyway, there are a couple of things bothering me with the car at the moment:
1. After leaving it for more than 4 hours the car would be hard to start. Worse, after leaving it overnight, I would need to crank the engine 7-8 times before it "catches". Any idea with this guys? Bad fuel pump (is it different pump for the LPG?)? Or something else?

2. There is a slight noise when the car is idle. This "knocking" is only audible when the radio and aircon is off. I wonder if it is the typical idle noise of LPG car or there is something wrong with my car (busted spark plugs maybe?)?

By the way, I spend $15-20 a week in fuel. I practically laugh everytime I refuel the car :D


Thanks in advance for your help.

Dunno about the price but the funny starting aint that unusual.

All my LPG cars have had the same problem, but only on gas not petrol.

They originally had a setup that gave the car a short prime of petrol to start it, great when its cold but the bugger is hard to start warm. So I have always disconnected the dam thing and so have most people I talk to. My present falcon ( the qld boys know it well) starts 3rd time when its cold and 1st time warm.

Meh I live with it.

As for the noise, keep an ear on it to make sure it doesnt get louder. Mine is slightly more noisy on gas than it is on petrol, I think its because its a dry gas and doesnt deaden noise as well as petrol.

As for what your car is worth try redbook.com.au and add a bit to their price as it always seems lower than the market.:D

Thanks for your response,

Do you think I should bother calling MMAL and complain about the "hard-to-start" thingy? It should still be under new car warranty anyway, shouldn't it? Or just don't bother because they will never fix it anyway?

I'm not sure how long the warrenty is on your car but it never hurts to call and ask. If its a factory install they might have a simple answer for ya.:D

Its pretty typical for LPG cars to need cranking a bit to start, especially after sitting overnight. However my TL (duel fuel conversion, not factory fitted) starts amazingly fast, even faster than on petrol. Get it checked when you are getting it serviced.

As for the noise you are hearing, I have a tapping noise when the engine is hot at idle. Its apparently the lifters, which i had replaced under warranty but the noise is still there. I'm getting it looked at again soon.

As for the noise you are hearing, I have a tapping noise when the engine is hot at idle. Its apparently the lifters, which i had replaced under warranty but the noise is still there. I'm getting it looked at again soon.

Thanks guys, will spare time for a trip to Mitsu dealer. About the noise, I doubt that it's the lifters. When you said lifters, you mean Lash Adjuster, right? HLA is usually audible from outside and especially when you open the hood, but this noise is only audible from interior. I tried to listen from outside even with the hood opened and couldn't hear anything (the engine's idle sound covers that knocking sound)........ makes me wonder :rant:

Yeah lash adjusters. Must be a different noise

i would recomend taking your complaints to a GOOD mechanic and get him to tell you what, if anything, is up with your car. Then go to mitsubishi and get them to fix them under warranty