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Still love our 7-seat beast. Even more after back from Mark Mitsubishi. Nice dealership.
http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=618&n=157,181&sid=181
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.
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.
Otherwise, we've been nothing but pleased with this vehicle and Mark Mitsu-Phx.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Consumer Reports articles can be found here and here.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
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...
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.
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
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.
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.
I am taking it in tomorrow to get the diff. switch replaced (it's leaking--see earlier posts) and I'll ask about the paint problem then..
There were many Monteros (2001 models as well) in Europe. I was supprised to see how many people drive them in Europe. More than I have seen in the US.
I also found out why BMW and Mecedes make thier 4wd so small. The roads just dont make driving vehicles much larger any fun. Good luck driving a Sequoia or Sub over there.
Anyway, I wish there was a why to get the pictures of the accessories to everyone to review.
I installed a class 3 Draw-Tite hitch that I purchased on a recommendation from a post I found on this board. The install took about 20 min. The cost was about $180 including shipping. I believe that I ordered it from www.hitch-web.com.
So I brought it in. They checked it, told me they needed to replace a gasket and it would be in in one week. I asked the guy if he was sure it was the gasket and not the switch, and he assured me it was a leaky gasket.
I brought it in friday, and they replaced--you guessed it--the switch. No more leak!! The guy threw some revisionist history on me about the "gasket"....Could of saved me a trip if they would've ordered the switch in the first place, but they refused (even after I pointed out that this was a fairly common problem with the Monte, and if they didn't use it on mine, they would probably have the opportunity to use it on someone else's).
This is the first problem I've had with the Monte-still love the truck, but a little less enamored with the dealer. They still have not ever washed the car, despite the fact that they promised to do so after every service check--not a big deal, but it's mildly annoying, as they made such a big point about this before I bought it...
Anybody notice a louder whining noise when backing up? It seems that there are more tranny noises or from that area. Monte has 11,000 miles. Something I should look into?
Does the catlogue from the dealer mention a website that we might peruse on line?
I got into a discussion with the service department about what will now be referred to as the "Free wheel engage switch not a damn gasket" incident, and forgot to ask about the paint flaking off. Maybe it was a diversionary tactic by the dealer....Oh well...
Go to: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/central2.cfm. Delete-tsb- and add-recalls-to go to the recalls for the same.
Thanks
The vast majority of the tech service bull. are nothing more than page number updates, new wiring diagrams, change to valve lash adjustment, etc.
There was one on the power seat possible causing static on the AM radio, metal burrs from the exhaust on pre 2/9/00 engines (VIN1Joo2592) possibly getting loose into the engine causing misfire and diagnostic trouble codes, possible leak from the "freewheel engage switch on the front differential" (this must be the switch issue everyone knows about). There was a TSB on driveshaft vibration but has anyone had any vibration problems?
Anyway, that just about raps up all the reported issues. Not many it seems. I am going to check that switch.
The main thing is that these are getting reported and that there are easy fixes to the few real problems.
Thanks to everyone on this board and the objective discussions about the Montero. I think we need to keep the info coming, good and bad.
Brill, with regard to the switch, you will know if its leaking if you have a heavy, clear (not engine) oil on your driveway. If you don't have any oil on your driveway, you don't have a leaky switch (or should I say that at least your Montero doesn't have a leaky switch).
I'm not sure of the exact location of the switch, but it's near the front skid plates because these had oil on them. I had the skid plates wiped off when they replaced the switch, and the skid plates and driveway are clean since the switch was replaced (thanks for the tips vetmed and regala).
If you own one or more cars, look them up. I found several regarding my wife's 2000 Nissan Maxima. Great car but the engine blew one of the 4 crankshafts which forced Nissan to provide a new engine at 9,000 miles. No TSB on that one. Peace ASAP.
Does anyone have the idea what these cars are for before the sale?
Is it safe to buy this kind of car? Thanks.
Three recall items fixed --
- Windshield wiper nuts replaced.
- Power brake accumulator replaced.
- this is new one, I think, they replaced the entire radiator assembly due to potential leak between the engine coolant system and transmission fluid cooling system. Apparently, a leak can develop between the two and cause severe damage to either the engine, transmission, or both.
Per the dealer, these are the only recalls that applied to this 2001 Montero LTD build number.
I mentioned the driver's side mirror distortion, but they didn't have any in parts department.
So far, no noise from power steering assembly.
1. Brake accumulator for ABS brakes.
2. Radiator Assembly as per Phonos entry #1193.
3. Replace passenger side mirror which is a actual recall.
4. Replaced windshield wiper nuts.
Service manager said that Mitsu was in the process of notifying owners and I beat the rush?
Service manager went out of his way to help and he is always that way. On the lot there is a red limited ($1,500 rebate) and two blue used ones with about 8,000 miles. One a XLS and one a limited. Dealer is Bianchi Mitsu. in Erie Pa.
This make me a little concerned because others are having things replaced and they are telling me that my vehicle doesnt need any of it.
Did they catch these things on my build date and later or am I being mislead? I dont know.
If anyone has the build date of there Montero and what the dealer did replace this would be very very helpful for the rest of us in order to keep our dealers "honest" shall we say.
Thanks
Mitsu even sent 10 each of the above items to the dealers (#1194)since they knew owners would be coming in.
Not satisfied with your dealer, call the 8oo number in your manual. Have your build date ready (on driver's door jamb) and your VIN.
If the radiator leaks, it will get into the tranny and destroy it. The accumulator will keep your ABS brakes from working correctly. If it isn't working, you will hear a chirping from the left side of the dash.
The windshield nuts will break off if there is a load on them like snow or leaves. Then you won't have a working wiper on that side. Good luck...
My Montero's build date was 05/00. Two things have been replaced so far:
Propeller drive shaft
Freewheel engage switch
Both of these replaced part were not a recall, which means, your dealer will not replace the part unless it is defective.
The problem was they were intermittent and not always reproducible.
At first I thought they had replaced a "good" accumulator with a "bad" one -- hissing noise sounded like it was from the dash.
Then, on stopping, it sounded like they had forgot to tighten something on the wheels when tires were rotated. Noise was like grinding on the brake rotors.
And then, on acceleration, noise like the transmission was self-destructing.
It seemed too much was wrong all of a sudden.
When I started poking around under the hood, I discovered the engine electric cooling fan shroud had not been completely latched on the top center post (near the hood latch mechanism), after it was removed and replaced for the radiator replacement. A slight realignment, and it snapped into place.
All noises (except the rear brake glaze squeaking that is "sometimes normal") disappeared (at least I think so -- it was late last night when I finally took it for the last short test drive).
Apparently it was the shroud moving around (back and forth on starting and stopping) and being struck by the blades when the fan started.
Mine has a July 2000 build date and the recall letter I received (the evening after I had already picked up the Monte) included the three items:
-radiator
-power brake accumulator
-wiper nuts
Also, where can I download the info about current recalls?
Thanks in advance.
Igor