1997 MITSUBISHI 3000GT

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or deceleration, Loss of boost pressure, Check engine light with boost-related codes, Oil leaking from turbo seals, Coolant seepage from turbo cooling lines

Fix: Turbo R&R requires dropping the entire exhaust, transmission crossmember access, and dealing with seized hardware. Budget 18-24 hours labor for both turbos plus rebuilds or replacements. Aftermarket turbos ($1,200-2,000 pair) are common since OEM is discontinued.

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leaks, White smoke from exhaust, Overheating under load, Milky oil or oil in coolant, Bubbles in radiator when running

Fix: The 6G72TT is notorious for HG failures, often both banks simultaneously. Engine bay congestion means 25-35 hours labor. Must pull intake manifold, turbos, all accessory brackets. Always machine heads, replace timing components, and do water pump while in there. Many shops won't touch these.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Grinding or whining noise from center of car, Vibration during acceleration, AWD warning light, Binding in tight turns, Metal shavings in transfer case fluid

Fix: Transfer case failure often stems from neglected fluid changes (should be every 30k). Replacement requires transmission removal. Used units ($800-1,500) are risky; rebuilds run higher. Count on 12-16 hours labor. NHTSA recall addressed some early failures but didn't cover wear items.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under car, Low transmission fluid warnings, Harsh shifting or slipping, Burnt fluid smell, Fluid spraying onto exhaust (visible smoke)

Fix: Hard lines and rubber hoses rot from heat exposure near turbos and exhaust. Lines are NLA from Mitsubishi; custom fabrication required. Access is terrible—expect 4-6 hours labor for what should be a 1-hour job. Stainless braided replacements recommended.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Symptoms: Rear spoiler won't deploy or retract, AWS warning light, Steering feels vague or unresponsive at speed, Clicking from trunk area (spoiler motor), Check engine codes for spoiler position sensors

Fix: Motors, sensors, and ECUs for these systems are largely unavailable. Most owners disable AWS permanently (aftermarket delete kits, 3-4 hours labor). Spoiler can be locked in up position. These don't affect drivability but hurt resale to purists.

Estimated cost: $400-1,800

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Knocking noise from lower engine at idle or load, Low oil pressure warnings, Metal flakes in oil filter, Engine vibration, Catastrophic failure if ignored

Fix: The 6G72 doesn't tolerate oil starvation or extended intervals. Bearing failure means full teardown—25-40 hours labor depending on damage. Often requires crankshaft machining ($400-800) or replacement. Short block swaps are common but used cores are gambles.

Estimated cost: $5,000-9,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Hesitation or stumble under boost, Fuel smell in cabin or trunk, Check engine light with lean/rich codes, Loss of power above 4,000 RPM

Fix: In-tank pump failures common; fuel filter is often neglected (should be every 30k). Injectors clog on poor fuel. Pump replacement requires dropping tank, 3-5 hours. Injector cleaning/replacement adds 4-6 hours due to plenum removal. Use OEM or quality aftermarket only.

Estimated cost: $800-2,200