Project Fieldmaster: Entry #3

After three weeks in the shop, Project: Fieldmaster is finally ready for a test run! And what better run could there possibly be than a trip to the Clark International Speedway? Not that I intended to race the Pajero... I just went to see the Manila Sports Car Club's Vintage Car Race.

The trip also marked the start of a new mini-hobby for me - GPS mapping! I picked up a Garmin Nuvi 50 during my SEMA trip, and I recently signed up on Roadguide.Ph to be a contributor. I figure what better way to start than by mapping out Points of Interest (POI's) on my way to Clark? (Perhaps this will be the start of a new segment for me... GPS mapping? We'll see...)

Here's a list of what's been done so far:

1. New bulbs all around and a headlamp wiring harness upgrade (for a new favorite of mine - Bosch 100/90W All Weather Bulbs! More on this next time)

2. New wiper blades (another favorite of mine, Bosch Aerotwin wipers - installed these on my e30 about a year ago, and I love them)

3. Bosch oil and fuel filters

4. Bosch Platinum Plus spark plugs

5. Engine top overhaul

6. New fluids all around - engine, tranny, diff, and power steering

7. New timing belt and tensioner bearings

8. Rear axle bearing and oil seals

Now before I even set off, there was a problem... The Pajero wouldn't start! It had a new battery (and the horn and accessories worked, so that's not the problem). Spark plugs were new. Maybe the starter has loose connections? But after waiting a couple of seconds, the Fieldmaster breathed to life, albeit gingerly. This problem happened once again as I was leaving Clark.

Another problem was the steering wheel - it needed to be at 2 o'clock to go straight, but the car wasn't pulling. I think the steering wheel was just put on wrong.

On the highway, the car performed well. The A/C was nice and cold, the car cruised at 100kph with no issues, and the ride was nice and supple (if not slightly floaty, but that's to be expected). I do, however, lament the lack of overtaking power, especially in second gear. The engine would roar and wail, but I wouldn't be travelling much faster. I wonder if this is normal?

The biggest concern of the day was a grinding noise coming from the rear axle, which became more pronounced as the they went on. It was most noticeable as I would apply power, regardless of how suddenly or gradually I stepped on the gas.

I'll try to get more pics in next time - for some reason, I didn't get around to taking pics. Oh well, back to the shop then...

Project Fieldmaster: Entry #2

A week in, and the Fieldmaster is already in full-on restoration mode (unlike the e30, I have control over the schedule of this car's work). There's so much that needs to be done. The Pajero runs, but isn't running great. The last owner admits that the car wasn't maintained regularly, so I'm going to have to assume the worst.

First things first: give the car a top overhaul and a full service. Second, give the steering, brakes and suspension a full inspection and fix what needs fixing. Third, give the car a much needed cleaning, and that means a complete detail job inside and out. Last, some minor upgrades like a new alarm, lighting upgrades, and maybe some audio work.

But back to the present - here's whats been going on so far, at least mechanically:

1. The rear window motors are shot, so I need to get new ones. (Didn't get to take a pic of this, but hopefully I can get one next time i get to visit it.)

2. The timing belt is starting to show its ply, so that has to go. Might as well replace all the belts. And spark plugs. And filters. And fluids. And...

3. The auto shift knob is wiggly and loose. When we opened it up, the bushing has already disintegrated!

4. The battery terminal is... um... let's just say it's not what it should be. That's a safety issue right there.

5. Off goes the valve cover, and it's sludge city!

6. The rear axle is leaking fluid. That means the oil seal is dead. The wheel bearings are still good, though.

There's a lot more, for sure, but we've gotten the ball rolling. I'm really excited to see the end result, but so far, the journey there is just as fun. There's lots to look forward to - after all, the journey has just begun for me and my Fieldmaster.

Project Fieldmaster: Entry #1

Introducing Project: Fieldmaster

1997 Pajero Fieldmaster 4x4
6G72 3.0L V-6 NA

157,000 km on the odometer

Factory specs:

Sophia White (w09)
Gray leather
Power Sunroof

Project: e30 isn't even done yet, and here I am with a new project. Sigh... I had no intentions of getting another project car, but this was one ride I could not pass up.

In my post about cars that made an impact on me in when i was younger, I listed the 90s era Montero/Pajero as one of the defining cars of my youth. And this example was one of the cars that got it in the list in the first place. The first owner was my dad's eldest sibling, who is my godfather. It was then sold to my mother's oldest sibling, who is my godmother. And when I had a chance to own it... well, I had to take it.

The plan is simple - first will be to restore it back to its former glory and then do little upgrades (a nice alarm, an ICE install, a little engine tuning, and a few other little jobs) to turn the Pajero into a cross-country cruiser.

Over the years, the Fieldmaster has developed quite a few problems, but they can lumped into a couple of major problem areas.

Problem one: It's a V-6 gas. That means not-so-great fuel consumption. This is where the engine work will likely come in. I think a full service will do the motor wonders, but I'll also consider a chip tune - not for power gains, but for fuel consumption. Of course, a little more power never hurt anyone. The fact that the automatic tranny doesn't like shifting before 3000rpm doesn't help, either.

Problem two: It's banged up. And I mean BANGED UP. There isn't a panel on the exterior that doesn't have some kind of ding or dent or scratch, and the interior has been... let's just say it was used a lot. The center console is in rough shape, there are tears in the leather, some of the plastics are worn and have discolored and even the cupholder is past its best.

Problem three: It's not quite fully functional. The Mitsu runs, and it stops, but a lot of it's in-between isn't good. The steering alignment is way off, half the electric equipment is dead (power windows, power mirrors, lights on the exterior, lights behind the dash, maplights, compass... it's a long list, suffice to say.

Like Project: e30, I'll document it's progress and post periodic (hopefully regular) updates here. Hopefully the Fieldmaster doesn't give me as much heartache as the Bimmer (though it wasn't really the e30s fault - you can blame Ondoy for its misfortunes).

Unlike the e30, I'm not that well versed in the Pajero, so if anyone out there wants to lend a hand, please leave some notes and suggestions in the comments box!

Cheers!

- frag

Complete list of problem areas:

Front driver's side fog lamp is dead

Right reverse light is dead

Both power mirrors don't work

Front power windows don't go up right

Rear power windows don't work

Light behind AC control, compass/altimeter are dead

Door key slots are hard to work

Steering alignment is way off

Passenger side sun visor doesn't fold right

Map lights are dim

Drivers seat leather is torn

Tear in front passenger side door card

Interior and exterior tickers faded and peeling

All panels of the bodywork have scratches and dings

Front bumper has a crack

Hand brake boot is missing

Lighter is missing, and the lighter socket is corroded

Center console clips are either broken or at least not fitted right

Passenger cupholder is broken

Power aerial is dead

Erratic wiper timing

E brake engages too high

All sorts of squeaking and rattling noises from the interior