Any updates? I imported a 92 SWB Pajero 4D56T Auto last spring and may be headed down this road as well. Super clean inside and out, but knew there would be things to repair and replace. Transmission went out within 600 miles so I had that completely rebuilt and added a new torque converter. Running great, no drips, leaks and no smoking or engine oil level dropping over the last 1,300 miles. A couple of days ago I shut it off, ran an errand for 45 minutes and when I fired it back up is sounded a little louder, more rattling, and when I pulled out I thought I had forgotten to release the parking brake due to the loss of power. Drove it home, no smoking unless I put my foot into it - same as before - but light throttle seemed ok other than louder diesel sound and it didn't get any hotter than normal which is very low, 182f with an infrared thermometer on the inlet pipe and radiator top. It's just sitting in the garage while I search for a local diesel shop to take a look.
Turbo spins freely with no discernable bearing play, no apparent leaks in the intercooler or piping, starts up with just a flick of the key and idles ok, just louder. I don't know about boost pressure, injector pressure, pump timing, or camshaft timing (jumped a tooth?). There was a little oil in the intercooler and piping and at the turbo inlet housing, but with almost 80k on the clock I would expect a bit. The oil in the turbo inlet appears to have come from the PVC line that joins the air intake line at that point. I don't think a clogged PVC would cause these symptoms but I am not that familiar with this engine or diesels in general.
At any rate, if the worst case scenario becomes a reality, sourcing a new motor vs having the original rebuilt may cost nearly the same and I am not interested in doing it myself. Please let us know what you have found out. Thanks.