Mitsubishi 380 Engine Problems

With a limited budget like yours I would suggest to go for a car with a good reliability record. While the Mercedes-Benz is a good car you are likely to be facing an expensive repair if anything should go wrong. Consider a Mitsubishi 380 or a Toyota Camry of around 2000-2003.

You say you do things by the book, so why not change the belt. The damage that could be caused to the engine should the belt break don't bear thinking about.

We haven't heard of other 380s that have suffered the same problem, but in the course of our checking we heard of a VZ Commodore that had the same problem when the accelerator pedal broke.

Mitsubishi first launched the 380 without an LPG option and the engine didn’t have the hardened valve seats needed for LPG operation, but when later it released the IMPCO vapour-injection system it also released LPG-compatible cylinder heads. Mitsubishi would tell you that engines like yours, without the LPG heads, shouldn’t be converted, but if you talk to people within the LPG industry you would be told that the IMPCO system is working well, without any problem, on engines with the LPG heads and those without. They add that because the valve seats harden naturally over time there is very little chance of having a problem with your engine even though it doesn’t have the LPG heads.

You need to establish if the problem is fuel or spark. Check that the fuel pressure is correct, but I would focus on the spark side and make sure the coils, leads and plugs are ok, and check the crank angle sensor.

It's unlikely to be the fuel pump, unless it's an old-fashioned SU pump, which ticked when the ignition was first turned on, but today's fuel pumps are of a different design and are more likely to hum than tick. If it was the fuel pump the noise would be coming from the rear of the car, not the front.

I can imagine it is very annoying. Take it back to the dealer and demand it be fixed. Your car should still be under warranty and the noise you are hearing might well be a relay, but it's not normal and you have every right to have it fixed.

Your advice is incorrect. The 380 is perfectly suited to running on gas and doesn't need to be changed. Mitsubishi tells us it came standard with an LPG-compatible engine. It recommends you have it fitted with the company-endorsed IMPCO conversion kit.

YOUR advice is incorrect. The 380 is perfectly suited to running on gas and doesn't need to be changed. Mitsubishi tells us it came standard with an LPG-compatible engine. It recommends you have it fitted with the company-endorsed IMPCO conversion kit.

WE CONTACTED Mitsubishi on your behalf and it confirmed it is aware of your problem and acknowledges it has your letter. We were also told it has been in touch with you about the issue and has reiterated that if you have issues with your vehicle you are covered by roadside assist.