1986 Mitsubishi Galant problems

Common 1986 Mitsubishi Galant problems

The Mitsubishi Galant, produced from 1969 to 2012, was a popular compact and mid-size car with a long history of use in various applications. The 4G63 engine, a member of the Mitsubishi Sirius 4G6 family, was first introduced in 1980 and was used in a wide range of vehicles, including Mitsubishi, Plymouth, Dodge, Eagle, and Hyundai. The 4G63 is a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter gasoline naturally aspirated engine, with a turbocharged version known as the 4G63T. The engine has a cast iron cylinder block with two balance shafts, a forged steel crankshaft, and connecting rods, and cast aluminum alloy pistons. The cylinder heads are available in several types, including 8-valve SOHC head, 16-valve SOHC head, and 16-valve DOHC head. The engine uses a timing belt to drive the intake and exhaust camshafts or a single camshaft, which actuates the intake and exhaust valves via rocker arms. The adjustment of the valve clearances is required for single camshaft engines, while engines with double overhead camshafts have rocker arms with automatic hydraulic valve clearance compensation.

The 4G63 engine has a long history of use, and various versions have been produced with new upgrades and different parts. However, there are some common problems that owners of the Mitsubishi Galant 1986 have reported.

One common problem is related to the hydraulic valve lifters, which are very sensitive to fuel quality. Not replacing the engine oil in time can reduce their longevity down to 30-40k miles. Additionally, jammed bearings of balance shafts can lead to serious engine damages. It is recommended to keep the oil system clean, use good quality engine oil, and check the condition of the belt. Some people prefer to eliminate balance shafts completely by installing a special aftermarket balance shaft eliminator kit.

Another problem reported by owners is related to the engine's sensitivity to leaded fuel. The switch from leaded to Premium Lead-Free fuel in 1986 caused output to shrink to 110kW. This issue can be resolved by using a fuel additive to help the engine run smoothly on unleaded fuel.

The electrical systems of Mitsubishi vehicles, including the Galant 1986, can also be problematic. Diagnostic software, such as MotorData Professional, can assist auto repair workshops in diagnosing and repairing electrical systems in Mitsubishi vehicles. The software provides color wiring diagrams with the possibility of tracing wires, a complete reference book of typical malfunctions of Japanese models, control unit pinouts, reference waveforms, and more.

In summary, the Mitsubishi Galant 1986 is a popular compact and mid-size car with a long history of use. The 4G63 engine, used in the Galant 1986, is known for its reliability and durability, but there are some common problems that owners have reported. Regular maintenance, including keeping the oil system clean and using good quality engine oil, can help prevent these problems. Additionally, diagnostic software can assist in diagnosing and repairing electrical systems in Mitsubishi vehicles.

Is a Mitsubishi Galant a reliable car?

The Mitsubishi Galant Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 2nd out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $448 which means it has excellent ownership costs.

Is Mitsubishi Galant a fast car?

The Mitsubishi Galant was available both as a sedan and a hatchback. However, it was relaunched in 1993 with sleek restyling. The hatch version was available with 2.5-liter, 6-cylinder gas unit generating 170 HP combined with a 5-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. The top speed of the car was nearly 134 mph.

Why did they stop making Mitsubishi Galant?

Unfortunately, toward the end of the VR4's run, interest began to wane, and Mitsubishi decided that the production costs were too expensive to justify continuing manufacturing if the interest would continue to decrease.

Is Mitsubishi Galant a JDM car?

Introduced on 24 May 1973 (on sale 1 June) in the Japanese domestic market, the second generation Galant was more widely exported as Mitsubishi's ambitions grew.

1986 Mitsubishi Galant car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mitsubishi Galant problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Seat belts problems
• Steering problems
• Service brakes problems
• Hydraulic problems
• Visibility problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Mitsubishi Galant vehicle components and the number of complaints received.