My Pajero's engine is ticking and losing power – looking for a specialist

Author : Jemima Topham | Published On : 11 Jul 2026

I've had my 2016 Pajero for a few years now and it's been a workhorse, but recently I've noticed a ticking noise from the engine that gets louder when I accelerate, and it feels like it's lost some of its punch, especially when I'm trying to merge onto the highway or climb up the hills on the way to Al Ain. I've also noticed a slight drop in fuel economy and a bit of rough idling at traffic lights, which makes me think it could be something like the valve lifters or maybe even a timing chain issue starting to develop. I took it to a local garage and they just said it's probably fine and to keep driving, but I'm not convinced because the ticking is definitely getting more noticeable. I really need to find a place that can properly diagnose the issue rather than just brushing it off, especially with the summer heat coming which I know can make engine problems worse. A mate recommended a workshop in the Musaffah area that does proper diagnostics using advanced equipment and actually takes the time to figure out what's going on. I've been looking for an Expert car engine repair in Abu Dhabi because I want to make sure the problem is properly identified and fixed with quality parts, rather than just a temporary patch-up. Has anyone here had similar ticking issues with their Pajero or other Mitsubishi models and managed to get it resolved by a proper specialist? I really want to get this sorted before it turns into something more serious and expensive, and I'd appreciate any advice on what to look for in a good engine workshop.