I have a 2001 Montero with 85,000 miles & have been smelling burning oil after a moderate drive for the past 6 months. After much scrutiny, I noticed that there was a small leak coming from the block & dripping on to the exhaust...contaminating the 1st O2 sensor on the way. I spoke to the parts guy at the local Mitsu dealer & his reaction was that the cam seal goes on all the Monteros after 60,000 miles...The cost? Well, $2 for the seal & 6 HOURS of labor! Yeah, about $450 for the job. He said, "The mechanics love that one!"
Has anyone else experienced this problem with their Montero & if it is a common one, should it not be up to Mitsu to issue a recall?

 

Monterodude:

Sorry to hear of your plight. Not sure if you will have any luck with Mitsu on a recall, but you might want to take it up with whoever replaced your timing belt - hopefully at around 60K as required. If they are leaking now they might have been looking suspect at that time. I'm no expert but I've seen other posts here advising owners to replace those seals while the top end is exposed for timing belt replacement - then it really does only cost a few extra bucks.

 

I think Montero Dude is talking about the Cam Plug which is next to the firewall on the cylinder head. Dealer calls them "Cam bore plug seal" While the other guy is talking about the cam seal which is behind the timing sprocket. My Cam plugs began leaking on my '95 after about 125k miles. I had them replaced at the dealer for $315 labor. Yes they are not very easy to remove and tedious to reinstall. Maybe someone on the 4x4wire forum could help.

 

Thank you for your responses, but what makes the cam plugs or seal fail so prematurely?

 

THIS WEBSITE HAVE THE INSTRUCTION HOW TO REPLACE THE CAM SEAL IN THE REAR. AND HAVE MANY GOOD DISCUSIONS.
THE REASON THE CAM SEAL GONE QUICK BECAUSE POOR MATERIAL WAS USE, CAN NOT HANDLE THE HEAT, AND OIL.
I THINK MITSUBISHI DID THAT ON PURSOSE TO GET THE DEALER SERVICE.

http://www.monterosportonline.com/index.html