Help Chronic Pain

Question:

I had a 86 model  with the Mikuni carb setup. I never figured out why but the car would lurch and stall. Then soimetimes it would run OK again for a while. I thought it was a fuel delivery problem. changed the filter and manual fuel pump. The problem was still there. I finally installed a electric fuel pump in the rear by gas tank and I never had that problem agian. I dont know if the cam where the fuel pump rod rides was worn???? dont know. All I know is that the electric fuel pump to care of the problem. Also I never got better than 14- mpg out of the car. Another big problem is__The vehicle was always dieseling( kept running after I shut It off,) –good thing it was a standard( popp the clutch in gear) Another thing I hated about the vehicle is the Kenworth seat—I ended up with lower back pain. ( very severe) until I sold the vehicle. I will never own another one again.  One more thing about the Mits 2.6 engine it was constanlty blowing head gaskets-sucking coolant into the cylinder -2 I believe. Any I have vented about that long gone vehicle–but you might try a electric fuel pump—good luck

Response:

I have a Mitsubishi Montero (88 2 door, 4 cyl 2.6L) and am having trouble with gas mileage and power.  Seems I have no upper end power. After about 3500 rpm I seem to run out of power.  I’ve done all the easy stuff, wires, plugs, rotor & cap, fuel filter, yet when I took it to a mechanic today he told me I have a fuel delivery problem.  His suggestion is to put a NEW carburetor on the vehicle.  He says that’s the only way Goodyear will warranty the work to my satisfaction.  He hacksawed the old filter apart and it looked a little dirty, but I’m not convinced that the carb has to be replaced/rebuilt.  I checked at Pep Boys and they can get me a rebuilt Holly carb at a cost of $350. Would this be as good as a new Mitsubishi carburetor?  I plan to keep the vehicle for a long time.   Anybody had experience along these lines they’d like to share?  Please email.  Thanks Dale

Response:

Hi Dale, The Mikuni carbs used on the Mitsu 2.6L four can indeed be a problem.  I have an ‘87 Dodge Raider (same truck as yours except for the badges) that was having some of the same problems you describe.  Poor power, hesitation, rough idle and mileage under 14mpg.   Replacement Mikuni carbs are very expensive.  I don’t recall the exact amount, but I believe it was somewhere around $800-$900.  John Baker Performance Products sells Webber carburetors for four cylinder Monteros which are much less expensive.  Depending on emmisions laws where you live, it may or may not be legal to switch to a different type of carb. They were not legal in Colorado.  Check that out before you spend your money. I ended up having the stock carb rebuilt which cost about the same as the rebuilt Holley you talked about.  It runs much better in every way and mileage is now consistantly 20-21mpg.  If you choose to have someone rebuild the stock Mikuni carb, be sure they have experience working on them.  They are very complicated pieces of equipment and require someone that knows what they’re doing.  They work fine when they’re right, but its not easy to get them there. Good luck, Brad – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a Mitsubishi Montero (88 2 door, 4 cyl 2.6L) and am having trouble with gas mileage and power.  Seems I have no upper end power. After about 3500 rpm I seem to run out of power.  I’ve done all the easy stuff, wires, plugs, rotor & cap, fuel filter, yet when I took it to a mechanic today he told me I have a fuel delivery problem.  His suggestion is to put a NEW carburetor on the vehicle.  He says that’s the only way Goodyear will warranty the work to my satisfaction.  He hacksawed the old filter apart and it looked a little dirty, but I’m not convinced that the carb has to be replaced/rebuilt.  I checked at Pep Boys and they can get me a rebuilt Holly carb at a cost of $350. Would this be as good as a new Mitsubishi carburetor?  I plan to keep the vehicle for a long time.   Anybody had experience along these lines they’d like to share?  Please email.  Thanks Dale

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