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Have L300, will travel..... I hope

Submitted: Friday, Dec 03, 2004 at 23:39

4lex

Hi everyone, I'm a pom.

Yet another looking for help no doubt, but here goes:

I've bought a battered L300, which appears to be fitted with an SOHC Galant/Sigma 2.0 carb motor, which is a little smoky. By that I mean it blows a little blue at startup once in four, which makes me suspect valve stem seals over piston rings, but I'm not familiar with this engine, so would appreciate any comments on this.

I'm fairly confident the rest is sound enough, no unusual noises, even tyre wear and surprisingly un-rattly for a twenty year old vehicle (almost as good as my previous 17yr old MR2 SC, but with more space....).

If anyone knows of an honest (might be a redundant question here, but a different story in the UK), and realistically priced 4G63 engine expert in Sydney or nearby, I'd like to get a second opinion before we head off for the 20k trip!

Cheers,
Alex
ThreadID: 18310 Replies: 6
Views: 669 FollowUps: 7
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AnswerID: 87239   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 05:49

Eric from Cape York Connections replied:

Alex what part of sydney.
Shes a big place.

All the best
Eric

www.capeyorkconnections.com.au
Cape York ConnectionsCape York Connections
Member: Lapsed Membership
Reply 1 of 6
FollowupID: 346210   Submitted: Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 08:08

4lex posted:

Not really bothered, but I'm in the inner west, at Marrickville
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 87244   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 06:16

Lone Wolf replied:

L 300.......

I'm on my second one, both were bought from NEW!!!

The one I have now is on engine # 3, but the rest of it is okay, not really much to go wrong, is there!

You will travel well in it.

Cheers

Wolfie
Reply 2 of 6
AnswerID: 87266   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 12:08

Patrolman Pat replied:

I've had heaps of dramas with 2.0 sigma engines, prone to head problems. If it's not smoking all the time and not losing coolant you may be OK. Personally I wouldn't drive 20 kms never mind 20k with a sigma motor, in fact the very word brings me out in a cold sweat.

I need to have a beer and a lie down now to recover.
Reply 3 of 6
FollowupID: 346001   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 12:35

Lone Wolf posted:

Remember the Redgum song???

I was only 19.....

.... and why the Sigma Astron, chills me to my feet...

Okay Pat, deep breaths now.... in... out... in... out...

Cheers

Wolfie
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 87299   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 21:18

Eric Experience. replied:

Alex
The air cleaner is critcal on the L300. have a look at the tin can and the hose if there is any air bypassing the cleaner you probably have worn bores. Parts are cheap and easy to get for these so dont panic. If you where in Melbourne I would give you a motor. you can buy a hole car with rusty body for very little money. The motors are very strong and reliable if the air is clean. Eric.
Reply 4 of 6
FollowupID: 346208   Submitted: Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 08:07

4lex posted:

Eric, thanks for the reponse. Air cleaner assembly appears to be sound, and have changed the filter, which didn't look too grubby. Thanks for the generous offer of the motor - I'll give you a shout once I've had the chance to compression test this one!
FollowUp 1 of 1
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AnswerID: 87306   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 22:25

ianmc replied:

Dont know why anyone here is throwing crap on the Sigma type motors. In the Pajeros they do v\ery big kms without much bother & are cheap to repair unlike some other brands some use here.
Biggest weak point in the L300 is probably the gear box but new ones can be obtained cheaply if you look around. If it gets noisy in 5th dont persis too long without fixing it & you may get away with just a bearing kit.
Your 4by is most space efficient & should be fine off road if you have the right tyres & wheels.
Reply 5 of 6
FollowupID: 346073   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 23:30

Member - Pesty (SA) posted:

Different motor Ian, pajero great motor,fully inported, sigma made here not so long lasting.
Cheers

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Pic 2 Camped on beach at Tiddy Widdy

Happiest Cruiser-in Oz !!
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 346076   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 23:44

Patrolman Pat posted:

As Pesty said Astron motor made here, about 5 mins from my front door, made of the worst alloy available.

There goes that tic again, time for another lie down.
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 346213   Submitted: Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 08:16

4lex posted:

Don't really care about the perception of the engine, it's the one I have and as such the one I'll be using. The level of maintenance required is what really seperates one motor from another, and if this one needs more frequent servicing then that's what it'll get.

Has a decent set of wheels and tyres on it, 30 x 9.5 x 15 off road tyres IIRC
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 87386   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 20:58

Member - Camper (SA) replied:

Have you tried the oils which are made for old motors? They are heavier and can stop oil useage to some extent.
My Nissan 720 ute likes them and always uses less oil on them. Seems it has somewhat worn oil rings. I know the bore is OK.
Camper.
Reply 6 of 6
FollowupID: 346211   Submitted: Monday, Dec 06, 2004 at 08:12

4lex posted:

Have changed oil for a semi-synth 20w/50 with a new filter, which seems to have made some improvement.
FollowUp 1 of 1