Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

ClockworkOwl · Joined: 08 Oct 2019 Posts: 55 Location: Gloucester

Hi all
I've been working on the van on and off for a while and have managed to tick off a load of jobs, as well as getting an MOT and replacing several brake pipes.

However, it's been leaking oil for a while, recently getting worse, from behind the oil filter bracket. I've replaced the switch, none of the unions look like they're leaking.

Has anyone got any experience with this? I'm having trouble finding any info. other than the bolt torque settings.

The bracket seems to have four bolts on a parallelogram shape, though the only bit I can see at the moment is the bottom where the switch screws in, with two bolts...

I'm resigned to removing the seat and plate to get some access, but there's a lot going on with the cooler unions and the vacuum pump feed, turbo return etc...
I'm not looking forward to it!!!
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91 L300 Super Exceed (well it did once...)

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andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

Hi Clockworkowl! My L300 has had a coating of oil down the rear and driver's side of the engine for years. It uses/loses around 1L between 10,000km oil changes but still runs well, and I know that the main culprit is the rear half moon seal on the cam cover. If the 4 filter bracket mounting bolts were tight when you checked them, it is unlikely that the gasket there would have started leaking, but if you can't check the top 2 from underneath, might you be able to access them if you remove the driver's seat, support panel and handbrake support? Are you concerned that the bracket might have cracked and be leaking that way?
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

ClockworkOwl · Joined: 08 Oct 2019 Posts: 55 Location: Gloucester

I'm having many nightmares, but that's usual... Smile

I'm not sure exactly where, but the oil is coming from behind the manifolds somewhere.
I suspect a small high pressure spray, it's collecting on the manifolds and water pipe and being pushed from there backwards.

I've spent ages already dealing with all the other leaks, including an aluminium halfmoon etc.
I had it down to just an occasional drop from the crank rear end, which it has always done and I don't expect to replace any time soon...

I'd be more sanguine about it if it didn't collect all over the exhaust and turbo!

I'll be able to see with all the gubbins out the way, I'm just gutted as I had it all out not very long ago to replace the rad...
Still, it only takes about 30 mins now, and all the bolts / nuts are free..!
Thanks for your thoughts.
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91 L300 Super Exceed (well it did once...)

andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

Yes, fortunately no oil gets on anything very hot, so I don't get that "HELP, I'm on fire!" smell!
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

PinkPig · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2022 14:32 Post subject:

Check all around the turbo. My turbo leaks a little oil, and the old engine leaked more oil from the turbo.

Never got to the bottom of it, but does show near the oil filter area and on down to the alternator, likely blown up my the wind from the tyres.
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1988 Delica L300 Star Wagon 2.5TD 5sp Manual.
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ClockworkOwl · Joined: 08 Oct 2019 Posts: 55 Location: Gloucester

i had the turbo rebuilt last oil leak!
(Just in case...)
Having taken the drivers seat and gubbins out, removed the turbo inlet pipe and the heat shield underneath. . . . . . .
I think the oil is coming from the rocker cover Embarassed

I'll get a new rubber and take a look, the half moon is okay fortunately.

I even used a torque wrench on the cover bolts.. Laughing

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91 L300 Super Exceed (well it did once...)

Lewis · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2022 9:37 Post subject:

NB: Two half Moon seals, front and rear ends of the head.
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andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

Confession: in 12 years, I have never removed the cam cover.
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

Fostlongstrider · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:40 Post subject:

andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

Happens to be both on a L300!
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

ClockworkOwl · Joined: 08 Oct 2019 Posts: 55 Location: Gloucester

Given the seat is out, I'm going to try sealing with (INSERT RANDOM GUNK HERE). Embarassed

If it stays leak free initially, then I can put the seat back in and just replace the gasket when it arrives.
I've decided to buy one from Mitzi just 'cos...
About £30 but I'll let everyone know what the difference if any is.

PS. If anyone was thinking about whole lower wishbones, the righthand one appears to be deleted, the left are about £240 plus VAT.
At least thats 50% less burning out of bushes, ( yes it is biblical !)
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91 L300 Super Exceed (well it did once...)

Fostlongstrider · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:31 Post subject:

andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

Again, it is both. And the camshaft operates a set of rockers, just to add to confusion! Confused

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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

Lewis · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 14:44 Post subject:

andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

No, just Ian! Laughing

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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

Fostlongstrider · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:11 Post subject:

!!
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Ian.

All the best from the East Riding of Yorkshire.
'93 L300 Super Exceed Corse Gray over Grace Silver.Auto.

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AWG81 · Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 115 Location: Seascale

Hi all,

Sorry to hijack this - I've just discovered that my oil filter housing / bracket is indeed cracked. It went in to the garage for an oil and filter change (I normally do it myself but I moved to Cumbria recently and had to leave a bunch of tools behind) and I asked my mechanic to replace the oil pressure switch at the same time as the light on the dash wasn't working and when he took the old one out he said the housing was cracked.

I'm struggling to find a replacement part and wondered if anyone on here had one or any advice on bodge jobs to get me back on the road?

Cheers all and Happy New Year!

andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

Just wondering if this part will be the same as on older L200s with the 4D56 engine? Lots of scrappers around Carlisle; Michael Douglas is the biggest - perhaps worth a call. Also, can it be cleaned and aluminium welded, or otherwise filled with metal type epoxy? Whereabouts in Cumbria are you?
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

andyman · Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith

PS Mitzibitz in Rotherham, or Fil's Pajeros in Southampton may have a used one on a dead motor.
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Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

AWG81 · Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 115 Location: Seascale

Thanks Andy - I've tried Mitzybitz but no joy. Can't get hold of anyone at Fil's Pajeros but will try again after the holidays. Thanks for the tip on Michael Douglas, will give him a shout. Tried the Mitsubishi dealers too who are normally very good but they can't get one.

My mechanic did try the part from an L200 but it didn't fit unfortunately.

I'm heading up to the garage where the van is on Wednesday so I can see the damage for myself so I'll report back here and keep hunting for a replacement part in the meantime.

I'm near Ravenglass on the west coast of Cumbria. Only been up here a year since moving from Sussex.

Cheers!