New Mitsubishi Montero Sport [ARCHIVED]

[fermontalban]

i had no chance yet to check if there is a notation on the engine hood regarding the coolant as this is my first mitsu car. however, for my other toyota cars, there is a big warning there that never open that coolant reservoir not until 100,000 KM is reached (not sure if really 100,000 KM).

I supposed mitsu should have that warning sign there as well. No need to add coolant as the radiator system should be completely sealed. If it is sealed, coolant level should remain at that level.

It is a big NO to open the system, as far as i could remember. For those who has Toyota cars, you can check it yourself. Later today, i will check the montero hood if there is a notification like that as well.

As far as I know, you should not open the radiator cap, not sure for how long you should wait before opening it though. It is a closed system, but I think what sir stubby used to refill the coolant, which is also what I'm asking about on my previous post, is the reserve tank of the coolant. The one on the left side of the engine compartment while facing the engine. As far as I can remember, the SA specifically told us never to refill coolant through the radiator cap, only through the reservoir.

[fermontalban]

sir i noticed this too on my reservoir. it was at half full. i just added radiator coolant thats pre-mixed already and ready to pour. if im not mistaken the brand is prestone. they're known for brake fluids but they do radiator coolants as well. bought it at ace hardware. since you'll be on a trip, i suggest you do the same to be sure. happy motoring!

Thank you for the reply. May I ask, so I just have to buy the pre-mixed coolant for the refill? Are there various types of coolants? I'm afraid of incompatibility issues with the existing coolant in the reservoir as well as the car itself. I consulted the manual and it gave more questions than answers. The manual makes you compute/decide of how much anti-freeze to distilled or deionized water ratio you should put in.

[fermontalban]

i'd recommend it if you're the type who wants to maintain the luster of your new car paint but doesnt have the time and effort to polish and wax. where it usually requires about 2 weeks gap between waxes, the sealant they apply is good for 3 months. thats why you go back every quarter for reapplications.

i had mine 3 days after i got my monty from the dealership. ive had my 2nd application already. so far, very satisfied! with a keen eye, you can see the difference in luster between one with and one without the sealant.

hope this helps sir!

I would want to maintain the luster of the paint of my car.
After the first application and between applications, (during the 3 months gap) how do you wash your Montero? As far as we are concerned, do we need to do something else besides the usual washing of the car once or twice a week? Do we need to do further waxing and other maintenance besides the usual cleaning?

[fermontalban]

you might want to consider the diamond gloss from ziebart, though it is costly on the first application but very much worth it. it's about 9.5K for the initial and 50% off after a year and thereafter. It comes with warranty for your paint.

They have a cheaper one which is probably the equivalent of the Big bert's optiguard. They call it paint protection and i think it is more or less 6K for the initial application; 50% year after year re-application.

Personally, i have been using diamond gloss since 1995 (way back my first car) and have been very happy with the way diamond gloss protects the paint and maintain the wet look condition even without waxing for a year (which, waxing, is really not necessary).

It is the first time i've heard of the diamond gloss from ziebart. Like I said, I just so happen to glance over Big Bert's paint protection here, in this forum, that is how I knew about it. (A testament to how helpful a forum is and most especially a club such as MSCP in helping out fellow Montero owners).

Regarding the diamond gloss, is it really that good? It lasts for about a year? If it is like that, i might consider it. Though, if you don't mind, I'm going to have to throw out the same questions I wrote regarding the Big Bert's optiguard above. ^^^ How do you wash your Montero after the application of the diamond gloss? What else do you do? Do you still do maintenance detailing such as waxing and the like besides the usual washing?

The Montero is a big car to maintain its paint finish and I would want some of the work off my shoulder when it comes to paint maintenance. More like the most bang for the buck protection we can give our Monteros. Of course nothing beats regular care and washing but I would want a solid foundation to start with.

[Howie]

As far as I know, you should not open the radiator cap, not sure for how long you should wait before opening it though. It is a closed system, but I think what sir stubby used to refill the coolant, which is also what I'm asking about on my previous post, is the reserve tank of the coolant. The one on the left side of the engine compartment while facing the engine. As far as I can remember, the SA specifically told us never to refill coolant through the radiator cap, only through the reservoir.

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hi, reading this got me worried. i opened my radiator cap not long ago. what are the possible consequences? thanks..

howie

[tigkal]

Possible that air will enter your cooling system. Air contains oxygen and oxygen causes rust and cavitation.When you open your radiator, make sure that when returning the cap, the water line must be above the rim of the radiator. That way, no air will be trapped inside your cooling system.

[stubby]

i had no chance yet to check if there is a notation on the engine hood regarding the coolant as this is my first mitsu car. however, for my other toyota cars, there is a big warning there that never open that coolant reservoir not until 100,000 KM is reached (not sure if really 100,000 KM).

I supposed mitsu should have that warning sign there as well. No need to add coolant as the radiator system should be completely sealed. If it is sealed, coolant level should remain at that level.

It is a big NO to open the system, as far as i could remember. For those who has Toyota cars, you can check it yourself. Later today, i will check the montero hood if there is a notification like that as well.

hey j*sto!

before touching up, i confirmed first with mitsubishi marcos, particularly with the guy in charge of warranty, what to do since i noticed the half full reservior. he casually replied that by all means we can touch up on the radiator coolant inside the reservoir if and whenever necessary. he just advised me not to open the radiator cap on the radiator itself. touch ups should only be made thru the reservior.

the reservoir has a pop-up lid that can readily be opened. never have i encountered a car with a sealed radiator reservoir. as far as i know, the purpose of the radiator reservoir with a pop-up lid is for, well, touch ups on the coolant.

as for a sealed radiator system, our monty, as do most vehicles ive encountered, has a radiator cap on the radiator itself. this negates the thought that its a sealed system.

by the way, thanks for your efforts in getting the info on mmpc's assigned tech man for our monty. that will help us all!

[stubby]

I would want to maintain the luster of the paint of my car.
After the first application and between applications, (during the 3 months gap) how do you wash your Montero? As far as we are concerned, do we need to do something else besides the usual washing of the car once or twice a week? Do we need to do further waxing and other maintenance besides the usual cleaning?

i bought big berts car soap for only P400 a gallon. its their own blend. very effective IMO, not to mention reasonably priced! you dont have to wax anymore in between the 3 month gaps. washing with car soap will do sir. but if your really OC about it like me hehe, i bought this wax-as-you-dry spray which i apply as i dry off the just-cleaned car. it adds to the luster, i might say hehe

[j@sto]

hey j*sto!

before touching up, i confirmed first with mitsubishi marcos, particularly with the guy in charge of warranty, what to do since i noticed the half full reservior. he casually replied that by all means we can touch up on the radiator coolant inside the reservoir if and whenever necessary. he just advised me not to open the radiator cap on the radiator itself. touch ups should only be made thru the reservior.

the reservoir has a pop-up lid that can readily be opened. never have i encountered a car with a sealed radiator reservoir. as far as i know, the purpose of the radiator reservoir with a pop-up lid is for, well, touch ups on the coolant.

as for a sealed radiator system, our monty, as do most vehicles ive encountered, has a radiator cap on the radiator itself. this negates the thought that its a sealed system.

by the way, thanks for your efforts in getting the info on mmpc's assigned tech man for our monty. that will help us all!

welcome stubby...

re coolant, i was right... toyota uses long life coolant and first initial top up is only expected after reaching 160,000 KMS. That is more than 5 years of normal use i think.

as for our ms...i checked with the manual and it says there that the NORMAL Level should be anywhere in between Low and High (reading taken at cold temp.). Then top up should only be done if it has reach below LOW level. And it is also says there that drop of level should not be noticeable under normal circumstances. If it happens that there is a substantial drop, then radiator should be checked immediately for possible leaks.

for our brand new cars, less than a year...it is just but normal not to touch or open those reservoir except for the windshield washer. And i think under normal conditions, those shoud be refilled during the future PMS schedule.

Again, as one tsikoteer mentioned, it is really not advisable to open the radiator cap and likewise the reservoir if coolant level are just but normal.

to be safe...don't be too much worried about the level of any kinds of fluids inside the engine compartment except the windshield washer. Next to windshield washer, is the battery since our MS comes with a battery than needs maintenance (topping up of distilled water), but again this should have its own schedule of topping up during PMS.

...these are just my own opinion which are all based on my experience...i never touched anything inside my engine compartment and never had any chance of engine troubles...

[stubby]

Possible that air will enter your cooling system. Air contains oxygen and oxygen causes rust and cavitation.When you open your radiator, make sure that when returning the cap, the water line must be above the rim of the radiator. That way, no air will be trapped inside your cooling system.

+1.

just dont open the radiator cap and make your touch ups through the reservoir. remember, radiators become pressurized. best not to "bother" that pressure by opening the cap.

* sir howie, no worries. i think doing it once wont do damage....just a blown up and busted out radiator.....hahaha kidding sir