Pajero Mini problem when cold

[capsat]

there is no rocket science to locate thermostat valve, the TOP radiator hose is connected to Thermostat flange. You may need to remove hose pipe ( save coolant in a bucket or bottle ) drain if plain WATER. open 2 bolts to remove complete flange - if thermostat valve is present remove from flange. Check if it is not rusted or have any physical abnormality or if the rubber gaskit is damaged. Some valves does not have gaskit at all so do not panic. To test its function top up a deep cooking pan ( paa_tee_lee aka deg-chee ) with water and turn on flame. dip the valve and wait to see its expansion (opening). remove from water and see it retracting (closing). If thats perfect open close valve is OK

if there is no thermostat valve you need a new one of 82 C

[sdi90]

Thank you so much Capsat. I'm sure the Thermostat valve is dead because the water in radiator starts circulating as soon as I start the car and the car runs really cool. Temperature pin barely rises.

Are these available as new? I went to few shops and they told me to visit Shershah and other old items markets like Shafeeq Mor and Ghraeebabad. Can you arrange one if I pay you? No problem If you can't.

[sdi90]

By the way 8502, thanks a lot for guiding on Transmission Fluid levels. Since I leveled it my car's shifting is amazingly improved and perfectly soundless.

[capsat]

it is a very common item and you know the shape of it too i think suzuki th-stat valve is also of 82 C and can be used in this engine.

[sdi90]

Thank you Capsat that relieved my heart. I hope I'll find one that matches. I'm pretty confident this would solve the problem now.

[capsat]

Thank you to @HanifBhatti for creating this platform !

[chall3ng3r]

Are these available as new? I went to few shops and they told me to visit Shershah and other old items markets like Shafeeq Mor and Ghraeebabad.

Buy new Suzuki Cultus thermostat valve priced 900Rs, its exactly same as original of Pajero Mini, and same temperature ratings of 88c. I have it installed currently in my Pajero Mini (1995 manual).

The Russian manual you found is from my maintenance thread, where in some update I posted about thermostat and many other fixes I've done

[sdi90]

Woohooo Chall3ng3r exactly you're the one whose thread I had been following that really helped a lot. Yes correct the Russian manual is the one I found on your thread too Thank you so much.

Thank you for the idea about Cultus Thermostat. I'm gonna get it soon tomorrow and update here.

By the way Next I was planning to take out sensors and clean wash them like you did You did a great job with your Mini. How is it performing?

[sdi90]

Thank you @HanifBhatti and Thanks to you too as well though

[chall3ng3r]

Most welcome. Alhamdulillah, mine is performing perfectly and I am happy with it.

You didn't paid attention while going through my thread, you missed the thermostat part...

But no worries, also go through the turbo vacuum lines part and how I fixed it. Might be useful for you.

Try to perform these easy tasks yourself, don't depend on mechanics. If you've read recent updates on my thread, I shared how expert mechanic made 3 problems while replacing engine foundations.

[sdi90]

You are right. I missed a lot. I am Jazbati so I read fast and skipped so much I'm going to go through your thread again word by word now By the way I got no balls to do those thing my self. It's my first ever car so I'm afraid to touch things myself. Anyways I'm surely going to get thermostat installed tomorrow and get wiring work done and update you people here again. You guys are really helpful, thank you so much.

[chall3ng3r]

These tasks are not a big deal, and certainly they will not break your car. Just don't over tight nuts and bolts when fitting parts back.

Start with this thermostat valve, its really basic. You'll need 10mm wrench, and new valve to put in there. Once you perform one task, it'll boost your confidence for other tasks as well.

For complicated tasks like fixing wiring, you can take car to good electrician.

Do not hesitate to ask any questions.

No need to thanks, I've learned many things from same forum, so glad to give back to community

[capsat]

No need to thanks, I've learned many things from same forum, so glad to give back to community

no harm in saying Thank you @HanifBhatti

[chall3ng3r]

Of course, I was talking about thanking me ️

[sdi90]

Hello everyone sorry updating late here. Thank you Chall3ng3r, Capsat and 8502 so far.
I couldn't find Mini Pajero's own thermostat so i installed the thermostat for Cultus / Baleno. It had rubber seal so when i closed the flange it's not completely connected because the rubber seal is sitting in between but seems to be doing it's job. Temperature gauge now moves up to half about 50% to 51%. Car seems to be really more powerful now and I easily touched 120 km/hr and there was a room for 130+

But you guys know what? my problem still exist Sometimes when I start it works perfectly and start on 1st gear but most of the times it start on 3rd gear. Engine heats up really quickly after installing thermostat like within 2 minutes or so but it seems like there is a kind of timer that's stopping car to get into 1st gear. If I wait for about 10 minutes whether Idle of moving the gears start shifting.

I checked with two mechanics and they told me I need to replace it's ECU.
I also noticed the ECU is not under the dashboard like it should be so I looked for it and found it under the hood when I opened the bonnet. It's fixed using Zip Ties near the Exhaust where all the heat is. Looks like the mechanic or previous owner placed it there to heat up quickly may be?

Also, it's been 2 days now there is a Red light on the steering wheel that is on continuously. Previously it turns off right after starting the car in few seconds.

Please, is there any one who can solve this problem? I've already spent so much but still have the same problem

[capsat]

1. Remove the rubber gaskit from thermostat valve and re-install it.
2. Relocate the ECU away from exhaust , if possible.

if you can share the day time picture of ECU in engine bay it will be easy to guide you how to relocate away from excessive heat.

over side note, please check if transmission have cooling lines and the lines are not connected to Radiator bottom. It may be case of Transmission fluid temperature restricting the gear shift.

[sdi90]

I asked mechanic to remove tje rubber gaskit from thermostat valve and he said it will leak since the thermostat valve is of cultus and not fitting properly.

Please see the attacged pictures. I thought it's an ECU but Mechanic said it's not and it's something that controls gear shifting. And then flipped that box bringing silver side to front to gain more heat fast.

I'll go to the mechanic tomorrow to know what you suggested to check the cooling lines.

[capsat]

ask your STUPID mechanic to flip the ECU so the insulation side is facing engine and heat sink plate face the firewall

[sdi90]

Is it a Transmission Control Unit? something different then ECU?
Is it the right place where this box should be? I think it should be under the dashboard.
Previously it was like the black side facing engine and the silver side was with the wall.

[sdi90]

My younger brother told me to try adding a heater with this box so that we can heat it up fast before starting the car.
If not heater, He said we can add 1 or 2 bulbs with the box that will heat the box up quickly.