Parts for your 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero-Drive belt pulley

1998 Mitsubishi Pajero drive-belt-pulley: what it does and how to keep it sweet

Technical sources confirm the 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero does use drive-belt pulleys. The Mitsubishi Motors Pajero V20 Series Factory Service Manual (1997–1999, Engine – Drive Belt), the Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue, and Australian application catalogues from Gates and Dayco list accessory drive belts and multiple pulleys for the 3.0L and 3.5L V6 petrols and the 2.8L turbo-diesel. That includes the crankshaft (harmonic balancer) pulley, alternator, power steering, A/C compressor, plus idler and tensioner pulleys depending on engine.

A drive-belt-pulley on a 1998 Pajero is there to transfer the crank’s rotation to vital accessories. Whether it’s a multi-rib serpentine arrangement (common on the V6s) or a set of matched V-belts (common on the 2.8TD), the pulleys keep the alternator charging, the power steering light in the hands, and the A/C cold. The crank pulley doubles as a harmonic balancer, damping torsional vibration so the engine runs smoother and the belt tracks properly under the bonnet.

As part of regular servicing, it pays to give the drive-belt-pulley set a proper once-over. Belts and pulleys cop a hard life in Aussie and Kiwi conditions, with heat, dust, and mud accelerating wear. At each service, they should check: belt condition and tension, pulley alignment, and bearing feel. Any pulley that wobbles, feels gritty when spun, or shows rubber separation on the harmonic balancer wants replacing before it strands the vehicle or chews through a fresh belt.

• Inspect every 10,000–15,000 kilometres or at each oil change.
• Replace the belt(s) at the first signs of cracking, glazing, fraying, or noise.
• Swap noisy or rough idler/tensioner pulleys immediately, many techs renew them with every second belt change.
• Watch for harmonic balancer issues: wobble at idle, rubber debris, chirps, or sudden charging/steering assist loss.
• Use quality, application-correct pulleys and belts, routing and rib count matter.

When replacing, disconnect the battery, note the belt routing, relieve the tensioner (or back off manual adjusters), and remove the belt. Spin each pulley by hand, any play or rasping means it’s done. Fit the new pulley to the correct torque as per the workshop manual, refit the belt, and confirm alignment and tension. A quick recheck after a few hundred kilometres keeps things tidy. Look after the drive-belt-pulley gear and the Pajero stays ready for the long haul, from corrugations to school runs.

Popular questions

Does the 1998 Pajero use a single serpentine belt or multiple belts?
It depends on the engine. Many V6 models use a single multi-rib belt with an automatic tensioner and idler. The 2.8 turbo-diesel commonly uses two or three V-belts with manual adjustment for alternator/steering and A/C. Always match the belt layout to the engine code and build.

What are the tell-tale signs a crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) is failing?
Look for pulley wobble at idle, rubber delamination or debris around the pulley, chirping or knocking noises, and erratic charging or steering assist. If any of these show up, replacement is urgent to prevent belt loss or further damage.

Should pulleys be replaced when changing the belt?
There’s no hard rule, but it’s smart to replace suspect idler and tensioner pulleys with the belt, especially if they feel rough or have play. The harmonic balancer is replaced on condition—if it’s true, quiet, and the rubber is intact, it can stay, if not, change it with quality parts.