Faulty Mitsubishi Space Star Intake Manifold Issues?

Hey! I totally get your concern. I had similar issues with my 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer (Diesel) last year. The symptoms you're describing sound very familiar, my car was doing the exact same thing. Took it to my trusted mechanic and turned out it was indeed the intake manifold control switch that was faulty. The vacuum control wasn't working properly, which caused the swirl flaps to stick in one position. This definitely affects engine performance and can create that hissing sound you mentioned. In my case, they had to replace the entire control unit and clean the manifold system. It was quite a serious job since it's connected to the engine management system. The repair took about a day and a half because they had to run several tests afterward to make sure everything was working correctly. What you're experiencing isn't something you should ignore, it can lead to bigger problems if left unchecked. My advice would be to get it looked at ASAP by someone who knows Mitsubishi engines well. The symptoms you're describing are pretty spot-on for a faulty intake manifold control system.

Thanks for sharing that, it's really helpful to hear about someone who went through the same thing! I'm curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you had any other issues pop up? My main worry is spending a lot on repairs and then having something else go wrong right after.

Hey again! Yeah, no problem at all, happy to help! Just wanted to update you that since I got it fixed, my Lancer's been running like a dream. I paid exactly 465€ for the switch intake manifold control replacement, and honestly, it was worth every penny. The swirl flap control error is completely gone now, and the engine's running super smooth, no more shaking, weird noises, or power loss. It's such a relief when you find a mechanic who actually knows what they're doing and fixes things right the first time! I was worried like you about more issues popping up, but it's been all good since the repair. The car feels like new, actually better than it has in ages. Trust me, getting it sorted sooner rather than later is definitely the way to go. If your symptoms are anything like what I had, you'll notice a massive difference once it's fixed.

Thanks a lot for all the details! I actually went ahead and got it fixed last week. You were right, it was exactly what you described. Found this great mechanic through a and he really knew his stuff. The whole thing cost me around 500€, pretty close to what you paid. The best part? My Space Star's running perfectly now! No more scary noises or shaking, and the engine light's finally off. Such a relief! The mechanic even showed me what was wrong with the old part, which I really appreciated. Made me feel much better about spending the money. Funny thing is, I was so nervous about getting ripped off again, but this experience turned out great. The car feels like new, and I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer to get it fixed. Thanks again for pushing me to get it sorted quickly, you definitely saved me from bigger problems down the road!