Mitsubishi Repair: Spacewagon 2.4GDI, vacuum leak, computer resets

Question
Hi Linda
Hope you can help just looking for a bit of advise.
Have just recently imported a 2001 spacewagon and we have problem with it.

The car will start and will run and rev to 4500rpm and then splutters. It will run tick over until it warms then it will die completely and not start again for at least an hour. When running there is a lot a black waste coming from the exhaust.  I think it is a high mix of petrol.  The car has 60KMH.  We have had a few mechanics look at the car and each have come to different conclusions and the latest is we have been told that it is the high pressure pump?

Any advice you could offer would be appreciated.
Kind regards
Tessa  

Answer
Tessa: I hate to add to all those other mechanics that have looked at the car and gave you what they think is wrong. You have to remember it takes three things to make a car run down the road, air, fuel and stark. But then it has to have a good computer to listen to all the sensors that are in your car, then it decides how things should be set. So the car can run. Have you ever had your car coded? I am not saying it is a bad sensor or a bad computer but it could be. AutoZone would code your car for free and that would then take away the sensor or computer idea. Then it could be that your fuel pump is not putting out the right fuel mix. But then the black waste coming from the exhaust says that is not the problem because there is fuel getting to the engine. Have you had the car timed? Or done a compression check? Check for a vacuum leak, as you say when it warms up, it will die completely. So if a vacuum hose or hoses is leaking it will get worse with warmth.One thing though, that you could try when the car dies; try unhooking the neg. cable on the battery. Wait for about 5 minutes while the computer resets it's self, then rehook the cable and see if the car then starts? Because that would say something about the computer. Should try to get yourself a manual that would be a repair manual if there is one out there, it would be at a parts store for around $20.00. Oh hey I do remember one other Spacewagon having troubles, but I don't think this is the same. But with that other one it was due to a safety problem. You are useing the right key with your Spacewagon right? One that came with the car? Not one you had made. Because these newer cars well spacewagons have this thing that they like their keys only. Not store bought ones, I have a 2001 Dodge mini-van that is like that, I had to order another key from the dealership because I bought the van used. And got one key but I could not go to another store like says Wal-Mart to have a key made. It had to come from Dodge. But you have got the car to other shops so that is most likely not your problem. I wish I could help you more, I can only give ideas and what you could check. Still the rev to 4500rpm and then splutters sure sounds like the computer to me. While reading just a bit ago, I see that the oxygen sensor has a lot to do with helping the computer decide what to do with the air/fuel mix. And with the black waste coming from the exhaust would mean your engine is running to rich. So I would start with having the car coded at AutoZone if no AutoZone then other shops  will do, but to do this but they will charge you for it. Still it would tell you if any of your sensors or your computer is messed up. I wish I could do more. But I hope this helps and good luck!