Yep you heard it right, finally something has gone wrong with a V6
The history.....
I wanted to buy a 4X4 and shopped around, i wanted LPG as it is so much cheaper to run.
Triton was about the only one the dealers said is compatible with the LPG
2009 ordered new Triton fitted with LPG.
July 2009 delivered with LPG fitted.
At the 60,000K service I complained that my fuel consumption was excessive and seemed to be getting worse.
The mechanic(Mitsubishi) said he did some tests and found I have 'valve recession', he said I would need to do something about it within around 30,000K. He said it was caused by running LPG and as an aftermarket item damage caused by LPG will not be covered by warranty.
Now at 88,000K The V6 has a huge loss of power and I cannot get better than 16L/100K on petrol or LPG.
So I have spent today ringing various people including, MMAL who state the engine is suitable for LPG, Office of fair trading(Consumer affairs in VIC) who advised the process I should follow, VACC (governing body for mechanics in VIC) who offered some insight as to the legality of the fitment, due to the timing of emissions laws
The manufacturers of the LPG system, who offered more advice and some technical info and confirmation of the timing of emission laws
A couple of local mechanics who roughly quoted the repair bill(without seeing the car and me describing the problem)
And the local dealer who sold me the car.
Well it seems there may be a solution, will have to wait and see but the service manager agrees that it sounds like a burnt valve and is trying to get MMAL to come good for a warranty fix, he also mentioned "We did sell this vehicle already fitted with gas"
The other point of interest is that it would be up to Mits to prove the LPG caused the problem, that is where my phone calls have been productive and have another angle to enhance my claim
At this stage it is not known if the hardened valve seats were carried on from the Magna range when they finished production, it is possible but I think not in my case. Perhaps the earlier 2007-08 petrols have them, Workshop manager is trying to find out.