Carefully inspect the entire length of the radiator and coolant hoses. Replace any hoses that are cracked, torn, or showing signs of wear. Cracks are easier to spot if the hose is pinched. Pay particular attention to the clamps that secure the hoses to the cooling system components. Hose clamps that have been tightened too much can cause the hose to rupture or puncture, causing leaks in the cooling system. Inspect all hoses and hose connection surfaces for leaks. If any leaking problems of this nature are found, replace the component or gasket.
Fuel leaks are difficult to pinpoint until the leak is significant and therefore easily visible. Fuel tends to evaporate quickly once it comes into contact with air, especially in a hot engine bay. Small droplets may disappear before you can pinpoint the leak. If you suspect a fuel leak in the engine bay area, cool the engine and run it while it is cold with the hood open. When cold, metal objects can shrink and rubber hoses can become loose, so any leaks will be more obvious as the engine warms up from cold starting.
If you find signs of a fluid leak, but you cannot determine the type of fluid or the location of the leak, then during prolonged parking, you should place a large sheet of paper or rag under the car. This will help you find the location of the fluid leak and identify the leaked fluid by color. But keep in mind that some leaks may only appear when the engine is running.
If you find a fuel leak or smell fuel, do not start the engine and contact an authorized Mitsubishi dealer for assistance.
Carefully inspect all rubber hoses and metal fuel lines coming from the fuel tank. Check for loose connections, worn hoses, kinked fuel lines, etc. Pay special attention to the vent tubes and hoses, which often twist around the filler hose and can become blocked, making the tank difficult to fill. Follow the fuel feed and return hoses to the front of the vehicle, carefully inspecting them for damage or corrosion.
Although the brake system is hydraulic, the brake booster increases the force applied to the brake pedal using the vacuum in the intake manifold created by the engine. The vacuum is transmitted to the booster through a large-section hose. Any leakage in this hose reduces the effectiveness of the brake system.
A leaky vacuum hose means that air is being sucked into the hose (rather than out of the hose), making it difficult to detect. The method of detection is to use an old vacuum hose as a kind of stethoscope. Hold one end of the hose close to your ear (but not in your ear) and use the other end to probe the area around the suspected leak. When the end of the hose is directly over the leak, a hissing sound will be clearly audible through the hose. Avoid contact with hot or moving parts, as the engine must be running when checking.