Hi guys, I posted before asking the difference between the Montero LS and SR. I hope you guys dont mind helping me out a bit as I ask questions about Monteros I find and the seller's responses to my questions.

Currently on top of my list is a 95 Montero SR with 115k and documented timing belt service at a mitsubishi dealer.

From the seller:



Not crazy about the color... but I'm OK with painting it...

The door lock issue could be the aftermarket security system as the owner suspects, but it could also be a problem with the driver's power door lock actuator. The actuator in the left front door is the master unit and can cause some weird issues if it goes bad.

The smoking issue is due to worn valve stem seals and is very common on the Monteros. It is a pretty significant repair on that engine, even if you can do it yourself, but if the smoke doesn't bother you it can be driven for many miles as it is. Like any postponed repair it can affect other things if ignored - damage to your catalytic converter is possible, as well as potentially failing emissions if it gets bad enough.

The wiggle in the steering could be any number of worn suspension or steering components but the idler arm is the most likely culprit, especially with the relatively low mileage of that vehicle.

The rear door problem is due to the plastic exterior door handle breaking - I haven't dealt with it personally but others here have. The search function is your friend for that info.

You will want to check the variable intake butterfly valve shaft for looseness - another common problem with that engine. The shaft bushings wear and allow the shaft to vibrate which can eventually loosen the securing screws for the butterfly plates allowing your engine to swallow a nice little chunk of itself. Replacing the lower intake manifold with the butterfly valve assembly is easy if you're planning to have the valve stem seals done. Again, the search function should yield many posts about this issue and how to diagnose & repair it.

Thanks for the info Ryan.

Is it just me or is 4x4wire extremely difficult to search? I have found the FAQ thread but didn't see anything regarding the valve stem seals.

I'm waiting for a friend to go check out the montero for me, hoping to get it this week if he approves.

searching get easier once you know how to use it. select the mistu tech section on the left, for your search title, enter valve +stem +seal +3.5 then change the date range to 7 years. If your SR does not have the 3.5L enginge, then modify your search as needed. It looks like others have done this before. one topic that looked interesting was this thread. web page

How much is he asking? Plan on doing the valve stems within the next 15-20k and since it all has to come apart it?s a good time to reseal the engine and re do the timing (belts, tensioner ect(also inspect the lower intake and maybe buy the updated assembly)) even though it?s timing has been done it will be cheaper to knock all this out at once and not worry about it for a long time.
The other hand you could just keep putting oil in it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The search feature has proven to be complex for some. For me and others it hasn't been too bad at all.

You do have to understand the search 'syntax'.
+ in front of a word (no space) means it must be in the result.
- in front of a word (no space) means it must not be in the result.
not having a + or - means any of the words the result must have one or more of your search terms.
Quotes around the word or phrase means it must be in the result.
an * before or after a word acts as a wild card meaning anything word ending with that word or beginning with that word will show up.

There is more to the search syntax but those are the simple basics.

PM me if you have questions. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

They are asking a negotiable $2200. Hoping to get it for $1700 or so... Plus its about 4 hours away.
Thoughts on price?

Edit: I'm also going to put on 33x10.50 tires pretty much same day I get it too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

thanks for that explanation. i havae been on here for over a year and that has been the most helpful in my searching. i wish we did not have to deal with the 7 yr limit though.

O yeah why is their a picture of a camel trophy disco? I thought this thread is about a 95 SR and this is all I see.

That's a good price even if you have to refresh the suspension and do the engine work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

My pleasure. I've always said, anyone can ask me how to search for stuff and I'm always happy to teach someone how to search.

What I'm not about though is doing searches for someone. As the saying goes "Give a man a fish and they will eat for today but teach them how to fish, they can eat for the rest of their life"... or something like that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

As for the 7 year limit, I get around that by doing 2 searches if needed. One for the last 7 years and one for anything 7 years on.

The reason for these limits are that these database searches are very, very processor intensive so to minimize the impact on the forum speeds we limit how far back it searches.


I agree. I'd buy it for as much as 2k if I was in your position although I'd also try and get it for less. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />