Parts for your 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero-Transmission filter

1998 Mitsubishi Pajero transmission filter — what it is and how to look after it

For a 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero with the 4‑speed automatic, there is a transmission filter fitted — it’s an internal oil strainer that sits inside the transmission pan. Technical sources that document this include the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Factory Service Manual for the late‑1990s models (Automatic Transmission section), the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue (which lists the ATF strainer and pan gasket for the 4‑speed auto used with 3.5L petrol and 2.8L diesel variants), and Aisin‑Warner/Mitsubishi V4AW3 family service literature describing a cleanable/replaceable internal screen. Manual (stick‑shift) Pajeros don’t use a transmission filter, they rely on gear oil and a magnetic drain plug.

The transmission filter’s job is straightforward: it screens clutch material, fine metal, and other debris so the valve body and solenoids get clean fluid and the pump can hold pressure. Keep it healthy and the shifts stay crisp, the box runs cooler, and the odds of flare, shudder, or delayed engagement drop.

Because the filter is internal, servicing it means dropping the transmission pan. While Mitsubishi didn’t always prescribe a strict replacement interval for the strainer, most technicians in Australia and New Zealand treat it as an inspect/replace item whenever the pan is off for fluid service — typically every 60,000–100,000 km, or sooner if the vehicle tows, goes off‑road, or the fluid’s been overheated. If the screen is torn, heavily clogged, or the magnets are loaded with fuzz, it’s cheap insurance to fit a new strainer and a fresh pan gasket.

Use the ATF specified in the owner’s/service manual for the exact transmission fitted to the 1998 Pajero (commonly Dexron III for this era, always confirm by VIN plate or handbook). Avoid mixing fluid types. After refitting the pan, torque bolts evenly, replace the gasket, clean the magnets, and check for leaks. Most 1998 Pajeros have a dipstick — set the level hot, engine idling, selector cycled through the gears, vehicle on level ground.

• Tell‑tales it’s time for filter and fluid attention: dark or burnt‑smelling ATF, slipping or harsh shifts, delayed engagement, or foam/bubbles on the dipstick.
• If the vehicle’s been through water, get the ATF checked — contamination can wipe a transmission quickly.

Popular questions

Does the 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero have a transmission filter?
Yes — the automatic models use an internal oil strainer inside the pan. It’s designed to be cleaned or replaced when the pan is removed. Manual gearboxes don’t have a filter, they use gear oil and a magnetic plug.

How often should the Pajero’s transmission filter be replaced?
There’s no hard‑and‑fast factory interval for the strainer, but many workshops service or replace it every 60,000–100,000 km, or whenever the pan is off for an ATF change. Heavy towing, sand driving, or signs of contaminated/overheated fluid justify earlier attention.

What transmission fluid should be used?
Use the ATF specified for the exact transmission variant in the 1998 Pajero — commonly Dexron III in this era. Always confirm via the owner’s manual or parts data by VIN. Don’t mix fluid types, and set the level hot with the engine idling on level ground.