Carefully check the entire length of the radiator and coolant hoses. Replace hoses with cracks, tears or signs of ageing. Cracks are easier to find if the hose is pinched. Pay special attention to the clamps that attach the hoses to the elements of the cooling system. Hose clamps that have been overtightened can cause the hose to break or puncture, resulting in leaks in the cooling system. Inspect all hoses and hose connection surfaces for leaks. If any problems of this nature are found with leaks, replace this element or gasket.
Fuel leaks are difficult to pinpoint until the leak is significant and therefore easily visible. Fuel tends to evaporate quickly as soon as it comes into contact with air, especially in a hot engine bay. Small drops may disappear before you can locate the leak. If there is a suspicion that there is a fuel leak in the area of the engine compartment, cool the engine and start it while it is cold with the hood open. When cold, metal objects can compress and rubber hoses loosen, so any leaks will be more obvious when the engine warms up on a cold start.
If there are signs of a fluid leak, but you cannot determine the type of fluid or the location of the leak, place a large piece of paper or a rag under the vehicle during extended periods of parking. This will help locate the fluid leak and identify the leaked fluid by color. But keep in mind that some leaks can only appear when the engine is running.
If you find fuel leaking or smelling fuel, do not start the engine, contact an Authorized Mitsubishi Dealer for assistance.
Carefully check all rubber hoses and metal fuel lines coming from the fuel tank. Check for loose connections, worn hoses, twisted fuel lines, etc. Pay particular attention to vent pipes and hoses that often twist around the filler hose and can become blocked, making the tank difficult to fill. Follow the fuel supply and return hoses to the front of the vehicle, carefully inspecting them for damage or corrosion.
Although the brake system is hydraulic, the brake booster increases the force applied to the brake pedal by using the vacuum in the intake manifold created by the engine. The vacuum is transmitted to the amplifier through a large-section hose. Any leak in this hose reduces the effectiveness of the braking system.
Vacuum hose leak means air is being sucked into the hose (does not come out of the hose), which makes it difficult to detect. The detection method is to use an old vacuum hose as a kind of stethoscope. Hold one end of the hose close to your ear (but not in the ear), and use the other end to examine the area around the suspected leak. When the end of the hose is directly over the leak, a hissing sound will be clearly audible through the hose. Contact with hot and moving parts must be avoided, as the engine must be running during the test.