Mitsubishi K3A–K3F maintenance: oil, filters and intervals
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How often should you change the oil on a Mitsubishi K3?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"After the first 50 running hours and every 100 running hours after that, together with the oil filter."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much oil goes into a Mitsubishi K3?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Approximately 3.0 liters up to the upper mark for the K3A through K3E; the larger K3H and K3M take about 4.2 liters."}}]}
Good maintenance on your Mitsubishi K3 diesel engine is the difference between an engine that lasts twenty years and one that lets you down within a season. The great thing is that this compact three-cylinder is simple in design: fresh oil, clean filters and a healthy cooling system keep it reliable. Below is the complete maintenance schedule from the workshop manual, plus what you can easily do yourself.
Suitable for the entire series: K3A, K3B, K3C, K3D, K3E, K3F, K3H and K3M. You'll find these engines in, among others, the Iseki TX1410 (K3A) and TX1510 (K3B).
Mitsubishi K3 maintenance schedule by interval
This is the periodic service schedule as prescribed by the manual. The intervals are in running hours.
| Part | Action | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Check | Before use |
| Engine oil | Change | After first 50 hours, then every 100 hours |
| Oil filter | Replace | After first 50 hours, then every 100 hours |
| Valve clearance | Check/adjust | After first 50 hours, then every 400 hours |
| Idle speed | Check/adjust | After first 50 hours, then every 100 hours |
| Tighten engine parts | Recheck | After first 50 hours, then every 800 hours |
| Compression pressure | Check | Every 800 hours |
| Fuel filter | Clean / replace element | Clean every 100 hours, replace every 400 hours |
| Fuel tank | Clean | Every 400 hours and before long-term storage |
| Fuel pump (filter) | Clean | After first 50 hours, then every 100 hours |
| Injection pump | Adjust injection quantity | Every 800 hours |
| Injector (nozzle) | Check | Every 400 hours |
| Air filter (paper) | Clean / replace | Clean every 100 hours, replace every 400 hours |
| Coolant | Check / change | Check before use, change after 50 hours and every 800 hours |
| V-belt (fan belt) | Check | Before use |
| Glow plugs | Check | Every 400 hours |
| Starter motor, alternator, regulator | Check (voltage/current at 800 h) | Every 400 hours |
Pay attention to the first service after 50 hours: a new or overhauled engine needs fresh oil and a new oil filter early on, so that the break-in particles are removed. Don't skip this first service.
Mitsubishi K3 oil and oil filter
The K3 has forced lubrication with a trochoid oil pump and a paper full-flow oil filter. Use a good diesel engine oil (a standard 15W-40 diesel oil is sufficient for most applications). The K3A through K3E hold approximately 3.0 liters of oil up to the upper mark (the longer K3H/K3M about 4.2 liters). Change the oil while warm so that dirt drains out properly, and replace the copper washer on the drain plug at every oil change to prevent leaks. Tighten the drain plug to 5–6 kg-m and the oil filter by hand plus approximately 1.1–1.3 kg-m.
Replacing Mitsubishi K3 filters
For a complete service, replace three filters at the same time: the oil filter, the fuel filter and the air filter. A clogged air or fuel filter costs power and increases consumption, so replace them on time. The paper air filter can be carefully blown out between services (from the inside out), but replace it at the specified interval.
Maintenance complete in one go:
- Filter set Mitsubishi K3: oil, fuel and air filter (SKU-100149) — all three filters for one service.
- Thermostat K3, 82 °C, with gasket (SKU-45004) — bring along for a cooling system service.
- V-belt K3 series (SKU-124006) — check for cracks and tension at every service.
