Mitsubishi Turbo

Mitsubishi Turbo: from the 4D56 of the 4x4 era to the 4N13 of the recent DI-D generations

The pitfall with Mitsubishi turbos is a recurring one: the same engine designation can refer to two entirely different units with incompatible turbo references. The 2.5 TD is the most common example — it covers the codes 4D56, 4D56T, 4D56TD, 4D56HP and 4D5CDI, each corresponding to a different generation or power output (115 hp, 133 hp, 99 hp 4-wheel drive…), with its own turbo references. Mixing up a 4D56 from a Pajero with a 4D56HP from an L200 DI-D leads to ordering a part that looks physically similar but is not interchangeable. Before any identification, the engine code stamped on the block is the definitive reference — not the engine capacity or the commercial name.

Engine families: 4M40, 4M41, 4D56, 4N13, 4N14

The 3.2 DI-D (code 4M41) is fitted to the Pajero, L200 and Outlander across several power outputs (160, 165, 170 hp): turbo references vary according to the target power output, even under the same engine code. The 2.8 TD (code 4M40) corresponds to Pajero generations predating the DI-D. On the more recent side, the 1.8 DI-D on the ASX and Outlander is based on the code 4N13 (116 or 150 hp), whilst the 2.2 DI-D uses the 4N14. These two families share no turbo references with each other, nor with the 4M41.

Failure causes and key points to check when replacing

On engines subject to high thermal stress — such as the 4M41 in off-road or towing use — oil gallery fouling and bearing degradation are the most well-documented causes of failure. On 4D56 engines in pick-up applications, ingested foreign bodies (due to a faulty air filter) and intake hose sealing issues are also common. The classic symptoms — whistling under acceleration, smoke, loss of power — are not sufficient to identify the faulty component: a check of the oil supply circuit and the intake circuit is essential before replacing the turbo. Fitting a new turbo to an engine whose root cause of failure has not been addressed will immediately compromise the new part. The turbos offered in this range are new turbos, identified by Mitsubishi manufacturer reference and equivalent references.