Hi Guys,

A couple have mentioned a check for oily plug tubes if a car is "pretending" to be lower K's than it really is? Now - from memory someone suggested lifting the plug tubes? Does that go something like this:

a) Remove spark plug boot.
b) Plug tube just lifts up/out of rocker cover?

Steve

Just pull up on the rubber bit on top of the rocker cover. Only need to lift it a couple of cm to see any oil leaked onto it.

My TJ = 111,000 km, clean of oil. Rocker cover gaskets not leaking.
My TL = 136,000 km, some oil present. Rocker cover gaskets leaking.

Draw your own conclusions from that.

Its not a be all and end all tell-tale of low kilometres. Gaskets harden from constant heating/cooling cycles, regardless of how many kilometres the car has been driven. If its been a city commuter that makes many short trips, its entirely likely for it to have a higher possibility of having leaking spark plug tubes as opposed to a similarly aged car with higher kilometres that does long distance/highway/extra-urban commuting.

That said, its worth checking, as an indicator for future maintenance work required/bargaining chip.

Its not a be all and end all tell-tale of low kilometres. Gaskets harden from constant heating/cooling cycles, regardless of how many kilometres the car has been driven. If its been a city commuter that makes many short trips, its entirely likely for it to have a higher possibility of having leaking spark plug tubes as opposed to a similarly aged car with higher kilometres that does long distance/highway/extra-urban commuting.

That said, its worth checking, as an indicator for future maintenance work required/bargaining chip.

↑ this.

And I'm yet to see and hear of one magna that hasn't experienced problems with the spark plug tube seals, camshaft o-ring and/or rocker cover gaskets leaking with oil.

Not a way to check if the car is genuine or not.

Unfortunately sometimes you just don't know, but there are ways to check to reduce the risk. As mentioned before, wear and tear coupled with service records are going to be your best option. And abiding by one simple rule; "if its appears good to be true, then it's often too good to be true"

Again, you seem too hellbent on km's.
Maintenance, Maintenance, and Maintenance! Far more important than km's.
For example - my mates drives the cleanest verada I can think of that has 170km on the clock - all servicing was done by mitsubishi on time, every time, and the car has never had a fault beyond the gaskets/tube seals. Not a spot, stain, tear or crease on the interior as the owner cleans it every weekend. On the other hand anouther mate of mine has a 65km VE SV6 - he drives it like its stolen and hasn't serviced it more than two times in its lifetime. Out of the two, I'd buy the Rada'.

If you are really concerned about Km, buy new. 43 Km around the factory test track, up the boat ramp in Japan, onto a truck off the boat here, dropped off at your local Mitsu dealer.
That way you can avoid any grief. And you have a warranty if tube seals etc spring a leak.

Guys,

Now you appear to be obsessing about what you assume to be me obsessing about low Km's - just so we're 100% clear - I'm not totally dopey! :happy:

As I said once before on here I'm using low K's + Service History + look-see to attempt the best possible judgement of cars to purchase. To date I have shortlisted 2x cars that have low K's and good service histories; one I have looked at - the other I am yet to.

You simply cannot tell me that using a combination of the above - including Low K's is a flawed approach; coz if you do - then I'm gonna start questioning some of the wonderful advice you've all given to me so far? Fact is - ANY low hour machine, already looked after - IS less likely to give you grief.

That said - no vehicle, even brand new - is exempted from a mechanical failure, including a total seizure on the freeway at 5 pm! :woot:

Cheers

Steve

I bought a very low k's AWD a year ago, had been mostly garaged and had short trips all it's life. 25,000 k's on the clock, which is practically still "new" IMO. Had only had regular oil changes and coolant flush done upto that point in its life. My experience with it is probably relevant here.

As a precaution (due to the age, not the k's) I immediately replaced the timing belt, drive belt, ATF, brake fluid, rear diff fluid and the tyres as all these things were still original.

Over the past year the rocker cover gaskets started leaking (some black powder marks around the bolts), the tube seals appear to leak and the throttle body was dirty inside.
The dirty TB has been contributing to some odd behavior with the auto shifting, which took me down some rabbit holes before I found it. I will probably replace the tube seals, rocker gaskets and have the TB fully cleaned next.

You need to factor in all these costs and time compared to a car that's been fully maintained and driven regularly. After this experience I'd say find a *W with average k's but with full service history and timing belt done recently. Test drive it and check the basics; so no strange noises, gears shift smoothly and correctly, no leaks, no rust or damages, oils look clean, correct oils used, etc.

In the end, I'm expecting my car to provide trouble free motoring for years based on the low k's but it has cost a bit initially and I cant say now whether it's been worth it. Fortunately I intend to hold onto it for a while, so should get my monies worth. Of course, low k's are no guarantee of anything except the potential for many years of use.

One last point, be aware that the AWD, while fun, has more N&V than the 2WD, and worse economy, and slightly less power to the road. Heaps of traction though.

Thanks for your advice KWAWD. I agree 25,00 K's - is barely run-in.

Cheers

Steve

Guys,
You simply cannot tell me that using a combination of the above - including Low K's is a flawed approach; coz if you do - then I'm gonna start questioning some of the wonderful advice you've all given to me so far? Fact is - ANY low hour machine, already looked after - IS less likely to give you grief.


I have managed to shrink my selection process down quite a lot. Ali & the so-called "Jack" immediately took their ads down off Carsales - after I advised them I was onto their tactics of winding speedos (didn't actually use those words). They WERE obviously up to no good! :eek2:

My "lil old lady" managed to convince somebody else to pay what I considered way too high a price for her car which still need $500-$700 of timing belt & etc. work.

I'm now down to just a couple of choices - and in the process of sifting those. Should have made a selection by the end of the week.

Cheers

Steve