Mitsubishi Montero

99trooper

ack! sorry to hear about your Monty troubles!..ouch!

brillmtb

I think that was the article I was referring to.

It is interesting that despite the MDX being too loud, "feeling fragile" off road and looking like a mini van that Car and Driver rated it #1.

Can we say, money for advertising talks?

pinoy44

I have a 4 months old Montero Limited with 4,300 miles and recently I drove it to Canada and back to Illinois for 1,400 miles which I am very impressed with the truck overall performance except for one thing. When I reach the speed range of 72-78 mph, I hear an intermittent humming noise coming from the engine. Outside that speed range the noise disappears and also when the gas pedal is release. I am going to call the dealership about this but I wanted to know if anyone out there had experienced the same situation.
Thanks!

ibrollinover4u

Maybe your monte was humming because it didnt know the words? Mine used to whistle around 65-70 mph... now I here a tapping at idle...
Musical Montes... what will these [non-permissible content removed] think of next!

vetmed3

When I was crawling around under my 2001XLS I noticed several drops of clear heavy oil on the skid plate close to the center of the support frame.
I took it to the Monte dealer and he found that a differential switch on the front of the pumkin was leaking. Since the oil was so heavy, it took awhile for the drip to be noticed. It was replaced under warranty but it would have caused major problems if I hadn't found it.
I might suggest that youse guys check yours once in awhile. I was told that it has been happening with other ones.

Any body buy a bull bar for their Monte? Where? The brush guards are too expensive and I wanted to install some PIAA fogs. Also the brush bars may interfere with the Montero wind deflector.

Any owner ever put on after market fogs?

dski

>>Wife came home, pushed wrong button on garage door opener, garage door came down on Monte roof. Door reversed as it was supposed to, but . . ..

Now have 1/2 inch deep dent and scratched roof.<<

I've had some bad luck with that kind of damage several time in the last year. Kids used a toy to take out some frustration on wifes Saab.

Check out some of the Paintless Repair guys in your area like Dent Doctors, etc. I have one that I've been using and he's done an EXCELLANT job. I have a big dent waiting to get repaired now. A good detailer can usually get the scratches buffed out as well. I've been amazed at what magic they can work.

Good Luck
Drew

cct1

Thanks for the post--I have the exact same problem, and was wondering what the heck it was--gonna get it in ASAP.

How long was your Monte in the shop??

regala

I have mine done at 26K miles. It is called the freewheel engage switch.

CCT1, call the dealer first if they have it in stock. They had to order mine and it took 1 week for them to get it. Once they have it, it's less than an hour job to replace it. Also, once you have it replaced, make sure they wipe your skid plates dry, or else, you're gonna go crazy thinking that it is still leaking.

vetmed3

Dealer had mine in stock. Less than a hour as regala stated. Everything looked good last night.
Saw 2002 Montie. Minor changes. Redesigned name plate. Some more money.
There is a 2001 limited here that the dealer must have had 7 months(Red). Salesman said he turned down $30,00 for it. There are rebates now for Mitsu.

Last winter here in upper Pa. we had over 10 feet of snow. Some 4x4's should sell since we are to have another "old fashioned winter".

Saw new Ford Excursion with lifts and large tires. It was huge! The license plate said,"2 Big".

Antbody have anything to offer about fogs and mounts?

counselor2

vetmed3 and regala, what are the build dates of your trucks? Do you know whether the problem is limited to vehicles built within a certain time period? I just saw your posts and haven't checked my 2001 Ltd yet (12/00 build date) but will do so tonight when I get home. Thanks for the tips!

magilla

'98 Montero - FWIW. Since no one bothered to respond to my earlier 2 posts, thought I'd enlighten the group in case this problem happens to any of you. Remember, the noise was evident when on the gas, no acceleration (maintaining speed around 40). When off the gas, noise stopped. So obviously it was a question of applying torque to the driveline. Thought it was driveshaft, differential, or tranny. Took it in yesterday. Service mgr calls me up, tells me I was right and it's a good thing I took it in. Said the propeller shaft was cracked and could be dangerous. That we'd been lucky that it hadn't sheered all the way off yet. Won't have the part for 4 days and didn't recommend that we drive it like it is. Yes, this is covered by warranty. Part alone is $460. No clue on labor.

Still love our 7-seat beast. Even more after back from Mark Mitsubishi. Nice dealership.

regala

Mine is built 05/00. I do not know if these issues only exist on certain build dates. I know that there was a TSB for this.

xtski93

Good Review of Monte and it's Off Road Abilities

http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=618&n=157,181&sid=181

rbc3az

My 2001 Montero is making whining noise when I accelerate (not even accelerating hard). I also have a rather loud AC compressor which makes an annoying clunking sound. Has anyone else experienced this in their 2001 Monty?

Magilla - Are you in the Phoenix area? Which Mark Mitsubishi dealership did you go to and who was the service manager? I might want him to take a look at my truck.

sailman

Pinoy44: I too have noticed that noise, humming right at the range beginning at 72 through 78mph....to me the noise sounds like the droning you sometimes hear on a prop airplane.

I have not discussed with dealer, so I would be very interested in your findings. I have had my 2001 Monte for about 4 months now and have apx. 5K miles logged.

I thought this noise was attributable to tire noise, but who knows. Thanks.

magilla

Check with Steve at Mark Mitsu in Glendale. Haven't dealt with Scottsdale. Bought ours in Glendale. And btw, it's not noticeable so much during acceleration, but cruising at 40 and up. Accelerating will cause the "truck" to be noisy especially if the ac is on. Here's how ya tell: Turn off the ac, turn off the radio and drive at a constant 40. Then, let off the gas. If you notice the whining dissappearing when you get off of the gas, you might want to have it checked out.

Otherwise, we've been nothing but pleased with this vehicle and Mark Mitsu-Phx.

regala

For those of you who are having like a driveline or humming noise, what date are your Monty's built? Mine is like a low frequency noise vibration on speeds 50 & 60 mph. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to replace my driveshaft. There is a TSB for imbalance driveshaft but does not apply to all Montys. I have the copy of the TSB and what build date it applies.

99trooper

regala can you post the TSB number and the build dates?...thanks...!

magilla

To further clarify the problem noise, it's not an engine noise. When driving, you'll notice the noise is underneath you and sounds like (if your ears are working) it's in the driveshaft or the rear differential. It is not an engine noise. The service manager was aware of a possible noise from the AC or the alternator. Don't know what those are about as that's not our problem, but just to mention that they are aware of it. BTW, our build date was 6/98.

Our vehicle would've been back had all flights not been grounded earlier this week. Our part was stuck at the airport. Still in a rental vehicle provided by the dealership.

pinoy44

Additional info to my previous post(#1142).

I went to the dealership this morning for them to confirm the intermittent humming noise and vibration when I'm cruising 72-78 mph speed. I drove the truck with the Service Dept. Manager on the passenger side at those speed range, with and without my foot on the gas pedal. He witnessed the noise and vibration and they will make more test early next week. This noise is not brought by AC since we have the air off.

I'll post their findings sometime next week and hopefully it is not a major one.

99trooper

Hi all, I have a 2001 Montero Ltd and have noticed a slight creaking sound that sounds like it happens when the suspension moves either from a slow start or almost when stopped. Interestingly I notice it from the rear suspension AS WELL AS the front! Of course the radio must be turned off to notice this. Anyone else notice this? thanks...

phonos

I've posted about similar to this several times above somewhere. Your's is the first to post to also describe this annoyance.

When almost stopped I have a slight to (sometimes) moderate squeak or "creak" from the rear. Have had it for almost 8-9 months now. Dealer says it is "normal" brake noise and probably due to "glaze on the rear pads and rotors". I've never heard it from the front but it makes sense that, if it is brake noise, it could come from any of the assemblies.

In my case, it is most noticeable under hot dry conditions and after stop and go driving. Worst condition is down in Palm Springs area in the summer. Last winter it disappeared on a trip to Idaho with slight snow on the road, temperatures never above 40 degrees F. It also occurs in reverse, and seems louder, when just about stopped when backing out of garage down slightly sloped driveway.

Some times it does seem to originate from the suspension rather than the brakes.

It is annoying at times.

99trooper

phonos..In my case I really don't see how it could be the brakes. It seems to coincide with the vehicle "moving" on the suspension, like right after I remove my foot from the brakes and the vehicle starts moving (before i actually hit the accelerator) nothing happens, its when I actually start to accelerate and I can feel the weight of the body move on the suspension, thats when I hear the noise.You are correct though I hear it 99% of the time from the back of the vehicle. Anyone else out there notice this?

smwls8

Has anyone changes shocks/tires(ex.Michelen with stiffer sidewall) to counter this alleged rollover issue? I have child #3 on the way and will buy an SUV with a 3rd row seat but that would still fit in a standard garage.

The wife likes the Montero very much and they are a good deal. On Monday I drove a 4wd Limited (2001) and a 2002 Ford Explorer(2wd V6) back to back. The Montero drove fine in my opinion. The Ford seemed a little softer in ride, and maybe a little more power.

As far as interior room, the Explorer seemed to be a little biggger, but the quality of the interior was way cheaper in the Ford. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!!!

I walked away wanting the Montero, then I find this thread and read all about the Consumer Reports fiasco. What kind of tires were on the test vehicle, and what air pressure. Most manufacturers put cheap tires on vehicles from the factory(ex.Firestone). I am not ready to throw the Montero off my short list.

Thanks for the info.

drew_

I believe Consumer Report's Montero came with Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires, which are also OEM tires on other SUVs such as the Isuzu Trooper, Lexus RX300, and the Toyota Highlander, for example. Note that the Firestone tires were built by Firestone to Ford's specifications and price range.

The Consumer Reports articles can be found here and here.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Drew
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cct1

The Montero comes standard with Yokahama geolander tires, which are actually pretty decent tires. For some reason, some of the Monte's came with Bridgestones, at least the CR vehicle did, but I have yet to see one where I live with anything but the Yokahamas....

I beleive the Monte has a larger interior than the explorer--at least it used to, until the 2002 came out. I know that the 2002 explorer is a little larger, but does it really have more interior space than the Monte? There is no way the explorer can have more headroom, for instance....

Personally, I would take the Monte over the explorer. The CR thing is debatable; check out the NHTSA's feelings about CR's tests. The type of avoidance maneuver they do at CR is VERY driver dependent, and not a reliable predictor of rollover, at least according to the NHTSA.

Both the Monte and the explorer are going to do relatively poorly with regard to depreciation. I'm not too thrilled about that (I bought my Monte before the CR tests), but I didn't buy the vehicle as an investment. IMHO, if depreciation is not an issue, and you are choosing between the Explorer and the Monte, go with the Monte--I think it's the better vehicle.

If, however, depreciation is at or near the top of your list as a consideration, then I wouldn't get either vehicle--I would look at something else, depending on what your needs are (An MDX, for example, would still fit your needs, but is going to be a bit more expensive. And wimpier looking. And not as good offroad. But I digress....).

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE--whatever you do, don't buy an Aztek. It would be heartbreaking to me to know that someone who participated in this forum intelligently bought one of THOSE...

diploid

I want you to sit down for this...

According to autosite.com, for the month of August, 1,940 people bought an Aztek.

And the total year to date sales number is even more staggering: 20,141.

cct1

Those same people bought:

1. 3,789 Furbies
2. 9,765 Beenie babies
3. 10,765 Pokemon cards
4. 11,765 Bumper stickers with anti-social
messages (Such as "My kid beat up your honor
student")
5. 12,853 Bags of doritoes
6. 13,854 Cases of Boones Farm Strawberry wine

smwls8

Don't worry about the Aztec....another GM debacle. When I look at the new Chevy truck Avalanche it says "I was designed by the same person who designed the Aztec!". And GM introduces the new midsize SUV, the Blazer, Envoy, as new clean sheet designs, with NO 3rd seat. I hate to see the General continue to shoot itself in the foot.

But back to the Montero, it is still on my short list. Having only driven the Limited, do the front head rests in the XLS have openings in the center like the Limited or are they solid? The reason? The huge sunroof in the Limited prohibits a ceiling mounted LCD video display for the kids. The option of installing 2 small LCD screens in the back of the front head rests is not an option in the Limited because the head rests are open in the center. Leather is not an absolute, but I MUST have a video player installed for road trips for the kids.

I am not concerned about depreciation, I will keep this truck at least until 150K miles.

My driving impressions confirmed my gut feeling that the Montero is a truck, the explorer felt like a jacked up station wagon(MDX). I say this knowing I could by a new Explorer using a family discount(Ford employee A-plan) for about the same price a used Montero will cost me.

But when it comes to a real 4x4 suv with a usable 3rd row seat, the pickins are slim. XL-7 is too small, the MDX and Buick Rendevous are pumped up minivans, the Durango is gas hog with questionable build quality. Especially in 4x4.

Has anyone put a Class 2 or 3 receiver hitch on their Montero? How much?

I have seen several Montero's with aftermarket brush gaurds on the front, but what about an aftermarket REAL rear bumper?

Thanks again for the info.

cct1

I put on a class 3 hitch--had it added on as a freebie by the dealer.

You could probably get solid headrests for the ltd if they come on the XLS, but I don't know if the XLS has solid head rests or not. The seats are pretty much the same, so I think the XLS headrests should fit the ltd.