26th Jan 2010, 04:29

Further report on my Perdana SEI 1996 model.

Regarding the slight judder experienced during shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, the problem has 99% disappeared. The problem due to a loose throttle cable (located behind the engine and above the manifold), which after tightening the nut, resolved the problem after a few days. Checking with other very experienced Perdana owner (he owned 1xSEI and 2xV6 models) and Proton Service Consultant, they say that occasional judder while driving is a common problem for the Perdana, and no cause for worry.

Other improvements done to the car include, changing the fuel filter (recommended after every 100K km) and cleaning the fuel injectors. I used STP concentrated fuel injector cleaner (RM19/bottle, spare part store) compared to removing them and cleaning via hydraulic cleaners, cause it's cheaper and for the fear that the old plastic injector brackets may be brittle due to old age, and crack when reinstalling later.

14th May 2010, 00:05

I owned a V6 Perdana a few years back. The auto gearbox gave me endless nightmares. Jerking, strange noise, maintenance problem and high cost. Fixing an oil cooler didn't really help much. I sold off the car for good, and bought a used Camry instead.

NO PROBLEM at all from Toyota Camry, even though the Camry is 5 years older than my Perdana.

Proton really have problems with their gearbox. Buy your V6 with care. Check everything before paying your hard earn money.

Cheers!

23rd May 2010, 21:57

Since my last review on 26th Jan 2010, 04:29.

My auto tranny experienced heavy judder and shocks (from gear shifting) after an outing out of town in hilly terrain. Early morning engine starts will have a very loud pitch equivalent to 'slicing' of the plates and/or straining of the autobox. To use the car as smooth as possible, I had to frequently switch off the OVERDRIVE button to minimise gear shifts and hold on to lower gears longer. After 2 weeks, from a stand still, my car started on 2nd/3rd gear and so had not much momentum to move the car. Fearful that prolonged usage will cause the autobox to jam whilst driving at high speeds on the highway, I then decide to seriously consider a tranny change for safety on the road for others, including myself.

I finally made the decision to change my 'faulty' tranny (Mitsubishi's tranny code F4A222NPF) last weekend. After doing some research from the internet, I finally decided (taking into consideration of costs/time factor) to purchase a Japan half-cut auto tranny of the same model (if you follow the same, I suggest you ask the foreman whether the tranny is used for the 2.0 ltr Galant/ Eterna engine models as some are used for 1.6 and 1.8 models).

(Note: some quotes I received in April / May 2010:

RM2.0K with 6 months warranty with 20K mileage.

RM3.2K with 12 months warranty and unlimited mileage, RM1.2K – RM1.4K, but warranty 1 week to month, and RM2.4K)

I visited a chop shop (breakers yard if you will), and it so happened to have a unit already dismantled from the original body and was on the floor. The foreman told me there were 3 units laying around, but the other 3 were unsuitable, as 2 were for 4G91/4G93 engines (meant for 1.5 ltr engines - gear ratios will be different) whilst the other were F5M222 (which were for the 5 speed manual tranny).

Since the foreman offered me at RM1,100 (normal outside price for similar Japan import unit were RM1,200 - RM1,500) whilst a typical reconditioned unit in Malaysia retails between RM850 - RM1,600). I would not recommend going for reconditioned unit as the workmanship for such units (especially in Malaysia) is shoddy (as per my previous bad experience with my former Peugeot 406A). This is due to the inferior quality clutch plates used by the workshop, which would not last long, whilst if you were to use Japanese imported used parts, the usage mileage is lower and original from the car manufacturer, which is of better quality.

The chop shop actually had a 'panel' foreman who will install the gearbox at a LABOUR price either at RM120 (for each install) or RM250 (for unlimited installations / exchanges). Since I had a 7-day warranty for the autobox, I opted for the RM250 installation to ensure that I could easily change the autobox within the warranty period. (Some car owners have experienced engine changes up to 8 times).

The removal and installation of the replacement autobox took altogether 8 hours, and the final results were worth it. The autobox now changes very smoothly and according to his workers when they removed my autobox, the ATF shows some 'white' stuff in the oil, which I believe to be bits of the clutch plate disintegrated. A word of advice: if you also experience heavy judder and gear shift shocks, do an ATF change and inspect the oil for signs of metal bits; if you have, then be prepare for a tranny change.

I recommend the following site for further info:

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/auto-trans-tech-maintenance-do-it-yourself-18809.html

Hope this helps.

17th Feb 2011, 04:18

Hi PV6 Lovers.

I love my standard 2005 V6 too and I have hit 200km/h but still lose to black Brabus. Anyway don't mind either win or lose, just arrive safely is enough.

6th May 2011, 21:30

Hi.

My hubby owns a PV6 y2001. He changed his engine to twin turbo and installed the boost meter as well, and fixed the ATF cooler.

A year after changing the engine and gearbox, we also changed the alternator, fuel pump, and plug cables.

Now in 2011, the fuel consumption is very low, and it is very difficult to start after changing the fuel pump. The rpm meter drops, and the oil is not captured properly. Sent it for turbo tuning, and the foreman asked to check the fuel pump, cable plug and piston. Please advise me, as I'm sending it to the foreman who has taken care of this car since we bought it in 2010.

BUT THIS IS CAR IS VERY COMFORTABLE AND SMOOTH TO DRIVE.

31st Mar 2012, 05:43

Hi all. I need to know which manual gear box can be used to replace a V6 auto gear box?

17th Apr 2013, 22:05

My opinion and in my case, with the valve seal problem and the jerking gearbox, ditch the engine and gearbox, and convert it to an Evo 3. Now, less fuel consumption, low maintenance plus money saving, and a much more happy life than before. You also can use the twin turbo V6 engine. Depends on your driving style.

Proton seriously doesn't care about the customers. All they do is keep producing low quality vehicles and services. For an over 100k vehicle like the Perdana, but no airbags, continuous problems with the gearbox, service centers that keep on lying to the customers, I'd dare say Malaysia will never have a good and fine quality vehicle. This is what happens when we put the money first and leave the quality behind.