Mitsubishi Magna Engine Problems

It could be dozens of things, but a transmission specialist should be able to diagnose it quickly. This is an older, well-known car and there’s not much a good Mitsubishi mechanic won’t be able to assess accurately.

But before you call a tow-truck, check the level of fluid in the transmission via the dipstick. If there’s no – or low – oil, you might have figured out why the vehicle won’t move. The job then becomes one of working out where the transmission fluid went, because these are sealed systems and shouldn’t need topping up between transmission services.

Perhaps part of the reason for the car's high fuel consumption is your statement that it goes like the clappers. Drive it like that and fuel consumption can spiral. That's especially so of this model which, with its all-wheel-drive, had quite a bit more driveline friction than the front-wheel-drive Magnas.

However, 20 litres per 100km on the highway suggests there's something else contributing, so an electronic scan of the car should throw up problems like a blocked catalytic converter, stretched timing chains, or a lock-up torque converter that isn't locking up. Don't forget the basics such as tyre pressures, binding brakes and even the condition of the fuel system including the pump, filter and injectors. One or more fuel injectors which are worn and prone to dribbling when they should be shut off can easily cause fuel consumption to spike.

Your consumption is about right for that model Magna. It’s a relatively large and heavy car with a big, powerful V6, and 2001 engine technology. They aren’t a popular car today; they don’t have the safety, economy, or appeal of other, newer cars.

All the symptoms you describe suggest the engine is getting hot to the point it’s boiling, but the gauge should be indicating it’s hot by moving to the hot end of the scale. That’s if it’s working. Make sure the coolant is topped up, and check the electric fan to make sure it is working. I would run the engine at idle with the automatic transmission in drive for a period of 10 minutes and watch the temperature gauge. If it does check to see if the electric cooling fan is running, it it’s not running switch on the air-conditioning and see if it runs then. If it does there could be a problem with the fan sensor.

If it smells like it's burning then it is probably overheating. Don't take too much notice of the gauge, because it could be faulty. You need to find out why the fan isn't working, which could be because of a wiring issue, a blown fuse, or a burnt-out electric motor, and get it fixed.

We have had a number of reports from other Magna owners saying they have also had starting problems with their cars and each one has been fixed by replacing the antenna in the ignition switch. That would seem to be a good place to start to fix Steve Conde's problem.

If the computer is correct you should also be stopping at the fuel pump more frequently, if you're still driving roughly the same distance on a tank full of fuel then there is likely to be a problem with the computer. More likely though it's a sensor playing up. It could be the oxygen sensors in the exhaust, or it could be the airflow meter in the intake.

Magna belts are generally pretty durable, but the recommended change time is 100,000 km.

The most common cause of oil excessive consumption in Magnas is worn valve stem oil seals.

Check and if necessary reset the base idle speed. If the stepper motor has been faulty it could be that someone has attempted to get around the problem by adjusting the base idle, and now with the new stepper motor working as it should the idle is all over the place. You could also check the temperature sensor on the fuel-injection system to make sure it’s working correctly and sending out the correct signal.