steevo_102
Member
Greetings to all, I'm new to the forum and can proudly say I'm a new owner to a 3rd Montero. I've been wanting one for some time now but was waiting on finding the right one. Before purchasing, I've done extensive research on getting to know the background of the car, specs, and common issues,buyers guides, etc. I love all gen Montero's but zeroed in on a gen 3 2003+ thanks to a forum discussion here comparing all their strengths and weaknesses. The 3rd gen fit my needs and wants more than the rest, so I picked up this 2006 Montero Limited. I was drawn mostly to the color and the fact it was an 2003+.
It ended up having so much wrong with it but was able to negotiate on price that me and the seller agreed upon, I then drove it back to Phoenix AZ from Fresno CA.
I trekked across the desert hoping the car would keep itself together until I made it home and it did so flawlessly. I was excited to be in the car the entire way, it was my first time being in one and finally seeing it up close.
When I got it home, the first order of business is insurance and registration but the CEL was on for running lean, I narrowed it down to a bad seal in the manifold that actuates the butterfly valves, I guess it's a common issue. So I pulled off the manifold and found this...
Idk how the car ran like this for 590 miles but I'm ecstatic it did so without a fuss. It looks like it already ate the 2 screws holding the butterfly flap in...so that I wouldn't encounter this problem ever again, I pulled the whole butterfly assembly (except the actuator and damper in front of the manifold, I didn't want it to throw another CEL).
Changed the seal, removed the butterflies, slapped it back together and it ran stronger. It needed an O2 sensor as well as I got a code for it, changed it and drove it to clear the I/M readiness tests. Along the way I fixed all the little nick-knacks that was wrong with it. Trunk not opening, rear door latches seized, sunroof motor fell out of place, fuel gauge reading incorrectly, a bunch of lights not working, super dirty interior, cracked windshield, etc.
I had an idea in my head how I wanted the car to look before I got it so I bought PROWLR 9" LED driving lights from backwoodsadventuremods.com before I bought the Montero lol. I got them on sale for a good price. American made in house from AK with lifetime warranty, excellent packaging. I think they're pretty new with little to no reviews but I thought I'd give them a try. I'll report back once they're completely hooked up.
It ended up having so much wrong with it but was able to negotiate on price that me and the seller agreed upon, I then drove it back to Phoenix AZ from Fresno CA.
I trekked across the desert hoping the car would keep itself together until I made it home and it did so flawlessly. I was excited to be in the car the entire way, it was my first time being in one and finally seeing it up close.
When I got it home, the first order of business is insurance and registration but the CEL was on for running lean, I narrowed it down to a bad seal in the manifold that actuates the butterfly valves, I guess it's a common issue. So I pulled off the manifold and found this...
Idk how the car ran like this for 590 miles but I'm ecstatic it did so without a fuss. It looks like it already ate the 2 screws holding the butterfly flap in...so that I wouldn't encounter this problem ever again, I pulled the whole butterfly assembly (except the actuator and damper in front of the manifold, I didn't want it to throw another CEL).
Changed the seal, removed the butterflies, slapped it back together and it ran stronger. It needed an O2 sensor as well as I got a code for it, changed it and drove it to clear the I/M readiness tests. Along the way I fixed all the little nick-knacks that was wrong with it. Trunk not opening, rear door latches seized, sunroof motor fell out of place, fuel gauge reading incorrectly, a bunch of lights not working, super dirty interior, cracked windshield, etc.
I had an idea in my head how I wanted the car to look before I got it so I bought PROWLR 9" LED driving lights from backwoodsadventuremods.com before I bought the Montero lol. I got them on sale for a good price. American made in house from AK with lifetime warranty, excellent packaging. I think they're pretty new with little to no reviews but I thought I'd give them a try. I'll report back once they're completely hooked up.