Looking for pros and cons on purchasing a L400
- Thread starter ggg
- Start date
That impression might be due to the relative age and numbers of those engines: there are literally millions of 4D56 diesel engines out there, manufactured since 1980 and still going if you count the Hyundai licensed clones. The 4M40 is relatively rare, only made for 12 years and fitted to JDM L400s, mid-90s pajeros, and L200/tritons. (The 4M41 went on for longer, but it was
The V6 gasoline engine is a common one, fitted to many other cars including Chryslers, so maintenance is easy. It's a bit of a gas guzzler by modern standards but is fairly bulletproof. Common faults are clogged up hydraulic lifters and leaks in the cooling system.
The 4M40 is pretty good if it doesn't overheat, which in an L400 means keeping an eye on the plastic overflow reservoir (they like to split open and drain all your coolant). If it overheats you're usually looking at a cracked head. Other common faults are minor and easily fixed. The injection pump front seal likes to fail as it's exposed to hot oil on one side, and cool clean diesel on the other.
Far more common on an L400 are electrical faults, the most annoying ones being with the 4WD and transmission. They're all at the age where sensors are starting to fail.
Oh and rust around the front suspension mounts. Watch out for that one, that's nasty.
The V6 gasoline engine is a common one, fitted to many other cars including Chryslers, so maintenance is easy. It's a bit of a gas guzzler by modern standards but is fairly bulletproof. Common faults are clogged up hydraulic lifters and leaks in the cooling system.
The 4M40 is pretty good if it doesn't overheat, which in an L400 means keeping an eye on the plastic overflow reservoir (they like to split open and drain all your coolant). If it overheats you're usually looking at a cracked head. Other common faults are minor and easily fixed. The injection pump front seal likes to fail as it's exposed to hot oil on one side, and cool clean diesel on the other.
Far more common on an L400 are electrical faults, the most annoying ones being with the 4WD and transmission. They're all at the age where sensors are starting to fail.
Oh and rust around the front suspension mounts. Watch out for that one, that's nasty.
Would you have a idea of what kind of cost would be involved to have the injection pump seals and overflow reservoir replaced annually? Also i assume it would be a good idea to replace sensors before they fail providing I know which ones to replace. I assume the rust around front suspension amounts provided it is caught early enough is preventable by a good oil spray. I want one of these vehicles for the main reason I'm traveling through the Northwest Territories Etc..I understand they are a awesome four-wheel-drive and I would back that up with a winch. I very much appreciate your input.
Would you have a idea of what kind of cost would be involved to have the injection pump seals and overflow reservoir replaced annually? Also i assume it would be a good idea to replace sensors before they fail providing I know which ones to replace. I assume the rust around front suspension amounts provided it is caught early enough is preventable by a good oil spray. I want one of these vehicles for the main reason I'm traveling through the Northwest Territories Etc..I understand they are a awesome four-wheel-drive and I would back that up with a winch. I very much appreciate your input.
Ndrillot
Member
No need to redo the injection pump yearly. I got my pump rebuilt for $1200 and it’s doing just fine 4 years later. I recently upgraded from an L300 to an L400 and man it’s a big difference. I’ll always love the quirky looks of the L300 and the tight maneuverability of the cab over design. But the L400 accelerates and cruises at high way speeds waaaaay better than my L300. If you’re gonna be driving a lot over long distances I’d highly suggest going with the L400.
Appreciate the responce, I am definitely going to L400 and probably gasoline for the simple reason that I do not want to be stranded somewhere in no mans land only to find out they don't have diesel.
I just hope the towing the capacity is ok and it's not a gutless wonder. Just towing an 18 foot fully loaded boat
I just hope the towing the capacity is ok and it's not a gutless wonder. Just towing an 18 foot fully loaded boat
