2004 MITSUBISHI L200 engine overheat

GENERAL INFORMATION
(4) Switch off the engine if you stop for a
short sleep. If the engine is left run-
ning while you sleep, unexpected ve-
hicle operation or other accidents
may be caused by unconsciously
moving the shift lever (selector lever
on automatic transmission vehicles)
or pressing the accelerator pedal. If
you inadvertently keep the accelera-
tor pedal pressed, the engine may
overheat or the engine, exhaust pipe,
etc. may be abnormally overheated,
resulting in an accidental fire. If poorly
ventilated, there is a risk of poisoning
by exhaust gases.
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Water temperature gauge
ED06A-R
The water temperature gauge indicates
the engine coolant temperature when the
ignition switch is “ON”.
CAUTIONIf the indication needle enters the
overheating zone (A) while the en-
gine is running, it indicates that the
engine is possibly overheating. Im-
mediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and make the necessary cor-
rections. (Refer to “Engine overheat-
ing” on page 8-23.)
While driving, care should always be
taken to maintain the normal operat-
ing temperature.
Inclinometer*ED11A-D
This meter indicates the inclination angle
of the vehicle, both front-to-rear and side-
to-side.
Examples
1 - Side-to-side inclination
(Right inclination of 15°)2 - Front-to-rear inclination
(Rear inclination of 20°)
NOTE
The inclinometer indicates the correct in-
clination when the vehicle is stationary,
but a slight reading error may be given
when driving the vehicle.
4-4
D11A009
15°
D11A010
20°
D06A008
A
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STARTING AND DRIVING
6. To close, turn the fuel tank filler tube
cap slowly clockwise until you hear
clicking sounds, then gently push the
fuel tank filler door closed.
CAUTIONIf you need to replace the fuel tank
filler tube cap, use only the cap
specified for your model vehicle.
CAUTIONDamage to the catalytic converter
can result if your vehicle is not kept
in proper operating condition. In the
event of an engine malfunction par-
ticularly involving engine misfire or
other apparent loss of performance
have your vehicle serviced prompt-
ly. Continued operation of your
vehicle with a severe overheated
condition may result in possible
damage to the converter and
vehicle.
WARNING(1) As with any vehicle, do not park
or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials
such as dry grass or leaves can
come in contact with a hot
exhaust since a fire could occur.
(2) Undercoating paint should not
be applied to the catalytic con-
verter.
Catalytic converter*EC18A-Pa
In case of the petrol-powered vehicles, for
ordinary use, there are no particular pre-
cautions except that of using unleaded
petrol.
The exhaust gas scavenging device with
catalytic converter is extremely efficient
for the reduction of noxious gases. The
catalytic converter is installed in the ex-
haust system.
It is important to keep the engine properly
tuned to ensure proper catalyst operation
and prevent possible catalyst damage.
5-5
C18A001
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-6
The catalytic converter itself gets hot
quickly, and may be damaged if overheat-
ed. The following points should be noted
in order to prevent the ignition of unburned
petrol within the catalytic converter.
(1) In case of the petrol-powered vehi-
cles, use UNLEADED PETROL
ONLY of the type of recommended in
“Fuel selection” on page 5-3.
(2) Do not drive with an extremely low
fuel level; running out of fuel could
cause damage to the catalytic con-
verter.
(3) Do not switch OFF the ignition switch
while driving.
(4) Do not try to start the engine by push-
ing the vehicle. If the battery is weak
or discharged, use another battery to
start the engine.
(5) In case of the petrol-powered vehi-
cles, do not idle the engine with any
spark plug wires disconnected or re-
moved such as performing diagnostic
tests.
(6) Do not idle the engine for prolonged
periods during very rough idle or mal-
functioning operating conditions.
(7) Do not race the engine when turning
off the ignition switch to prevent cat-
alytic converter from being damaged
due to unburnt fuel.(8) Stop driving the vehicle if you think
the performance is noticeably low, or
that there is unnecessary engine rota-
tion, or any other engine trouble, such
as with the ignition, etc.
If it is impractical to stop driving imme-
diately, reduce the speed and drive
for only a short time. Have an inspec-
tion made by your nearest authorized
MITSUBISHI dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
(9) In unusual situations involving grossly
malfunctioning engine operation, a
burnt smell may indicate severe and
abnormal catalyst overheating.
If this occurs, the vehicle should be
stopped in a safe place, the engine
switched off and the vehicle allowed
to cool. Once the engine is cool, a
service, including a tune-up to manu-
facturer’s specifications, should be
obtained immediately.Economical drivingEC19AAPa
For economical driving, there are some
technical requirements that have to be
met. The prerequisite for low fuel con-
sumption is a properly adjusted engine. In
order to achieve longer life of the vehicle
and the most economical operation, have
the vehicle serviced by an authorized
MITSUBISHI dealer at regular intervals in
accordance with the service standards.
Fuel economy and generation of exhaust
gas and noise are highly influenced by
personal driving habits as well as the par-
ticular operating conditions. The following
points should be observed in order to min-
imize wear of brakes, tyres and engine as
well as to reduce environmental pollution.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-27
CAUTIONS(1) Do not force the vehicle to driver
recklessly on sandy surfaces. In
comparison with normal road
surfaces, the engine and other
drive-system components are
put under excessive strain when
driving on such a surface, and
this could lead to accidents.
(2) If any of following conditions
occur while the vehicle is being
driven, immediately park your
vehicle in a safe place and follow
this procedure:
• The needle in the temperature
gauge approaches the over-
heating zone.
Refer to the “Engine overheat-
ing” on page 8-23.
• A/T fluid temperature warning
lamp illuminates.
Refer to the “A/T warning
lamp” on page 4-8.
(4) If it is necessary to drive in extremely
muddy conditions, the use of tyre
chains is recommended. Because the
extent of muddy conditions is difficult
to judge and the vehicle could be-
come bogged down very deeply, op-
eration should be at a low speed. If
possible, get out of the vehicle and
check the conditions ahead before
proceeding.
(5) Driving over roads in coastal areas or
roads on which anti-skid preparations
have been spread can cause rust
on the vehicle; wash the vehicle
thoroughly as soon as possible after
such use.
WARNINGWhen attempting to rock your vehi-
cle out of a stuck position, be sure
that the area around the vehicle is
clear of people and physical objects.
The rocking motion may cause the
vehicle to suddenly launch forward
or backward, causing injury or dam-
age to nearby people or objects.
NOTE
(1) Avoid sudden braking, acceleration,
and turning; such operations could
result in the vehicle becoming stuck.
(2) If the vehicle becomes stuck in sandy
or muddy roads, it can often be
moved by a rocking motion. Move the
selector lever alternately between the
“D” (DRIVE) and “R” (REVERSE)
position, (with manual transmission,
between 1st and Reverse), while
applying slight pressure to the accel-
erator pedal.
(3) It is recommended to start the vehicle
with parking brake partially, but not
completely, applied by slightly pulling
the parking brake lever.
After the vehicle has become free, do
not forget to release the parking
brake.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-32
ParkingEI22A-Ak
Parking on a slope
Fully engage the parking brake, and then
move the gearshift lever to 1st (on an up-
hill) or reverse (on a downhill) position on
manual transmission vehicle.
On automatic transmission vehicle, move
the selector lever to “P” (PARK) position.
When parking on a hill, apply chocks to
wheels for greater safety.
Parking with the engine running
Do not keep the engine running in a
closed or poorly ventilated place. Carbon
monoxide gas is odourless and extremely
poisonous and dangerous.
Where you park
Do not park in a place where there are in-
flammable objects such as dry grass,
leaves, etc. because the exhaust system
with catalyst produces very high tempera-
tures. This may cause a fire.
When leaving the vehicle
Always remove the key from the ignition
switch and lock all doors when leaving the
vehicle unattended.
Always try to park your vehicle in a well lit
area.
BrakingEI23A-Me
All the parts of the brake system are cri-
tical to safety. Have the vehicle serviced
by an authorized MITSUBISHI dealer at
regular intervals according to the service
booklet.
Brake system
(1) The service brake is divided into two
brake circuits so that when one brake
circuit fails, the other is available to
stop the vehicle. If this occurs, how-
ever, the brake pedal must be de-
pressed further than usual; stop driv-
ing as soon as possible and have the
brake system repaired at the nearest
authorized MITSUBISHI dealer.
(2) The brake boosting force is lost after
the brake pedal is depressed once or
twice while the engine is off. If this oc-
curs, the brake will require greater force
than usual. This is especially important
when the vehicle is being towed.
(3) On diesel-powered vehicles, the
brake booster will no longer function if
the V-belt is broken, and the brake
failure warning lamp will illuminate to
inform the driver. If this happens, use
engine braking (down-shifting) to re-
duce the speed of the vehicle and
then depress the brake pedal withmore force than usual to stop the
vehicle in a safe place, and have the
brake system serviced at the nearest
authorized MITSUBISHI dealer.
Warning lamp
The brake warning lamp lets you know if
your brake system is working properly.
Read “Brake warning lamp” on page 4-9.
When brakes are wet
Check the brake system while driving at a
low speed immediately after starting, es-
pecially when the brakes are wet, to con-
firm they work normally.
A film of water can form on the brake discs
or brake drums and prevent normal func-
tioning after driving in heavy rain or
through large puddles, or after the vehicle
is washed. If this occurs, dry the brakes
out by driving slowly while lightly depress-
ing the brake pedal.
When driving downhill
It is important to take advantage of the en-
gine braking by shifting to a lower gear
while driving on steep downhill roads in
order to prevent the brakes from overheat-
ing.
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If the vehicle breaks down .......................... 8-2
Operation under adverse driving
conditions............................................... 8-2
Tools, jack and jack handle......................... 8-3
Jack and jack handle ................................... 8-5
Jacking up the vehicle................................. 8-8
Spare wheel .................................................. 8-12
Wheel caps ................................................... 8-15
If a tyre is punctured .................................... 8-16
Towing .......................................................... 8-19
Engine overheating...................................... 8-23
Bleeding the fuel system
(diesel-powered vehicles only) ............. 8-25
Removal of water from the fuel filter
(diesel-powered vehicles only) ............. 8-26
Emergency starting ..................................... 8-27
What to do if the engine speed becomes
unstable after the battery is replaced .. 8-30
Fuses............................................................. 8-30
Changing a fuse ........................................... 8-33
Replacement of lamp bulbs ........................ 8-34
For emergencies
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FOR EMERGENCIES
If the vehicle breaks down
EN40B-Dc
If the vehicle breaks down on the road,
move it to the shoulder and use the
hazard warning flashers.
If the engine stops/fails
Vehicle operation and control are affected
if the engine stops. Before moving the ve-
hicle to a safe area, be aware of the fol-
lowing.
(1) The brake booster becomes inopera-
tive and the pedal effort will increase.
Press down the brake pedal harder
than usual.
(2) For vehicles with power steering,
since the power steering pump is no
longer operative, the steering wheel
feels heavy when turning it. Turn the
wheel with more effort than usual.
Operation under adverse
driving conditions
EI43APD
If your vehicle is stuck: in sand,
mud or snow
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow,
sand, or mud, it can often be moved a
rocking motion. Move the selector lever
alternately between the “L” (LOW) and “R”
(REVERSE) position (with manual trans-
mission, between 1st and Reverse), while
applying slight pressure to the accelerator
pedal.
Avoid racing the engine or spinning the
wheels. Prolonged efforts to free a stuck
vehicle may result in overheating and
transmission failure. Allow the engine to
idle for a few minutes to let the transmis-
sion cool between rocking attempts.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several
rocking attempts, seek other assistance.
WARNINGWhen attempting to rock your vehi-
cle out of a stuck position, be sure
that the area around the vehicle is
clear of people and physical objects.
The rocking motion may cause the
vehicle to suddenly launch forward
or backward, causing injury or dam-
age to nearby people or objects.
On 2WD models, it is recommended to
start the vehicle with parking brake par-
tially, but not completely, applied by
slightly pulling the parking brake lever. Af-
ter the vehicle has become free, do not
forget to release the parking brake.
NOTE
Depress the accelerator pedal gradually
when starting the vehicle.
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