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3.0 Patrol Coolant Loss

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 08:37

Mark (Geelong)

I have over the last 12 months had coolant loss from 3.0 ltr Patrol and was unable to trace any leak,
The vehicle is July 2002 series 3 and has travelled 90,000klm
Each time the vehicle was put in for service (10,000klm ) I had the dealer pressure test the system and no leak was evident from these tests
As I was planning holidays I got the dealer to check the system again and as a result of investigation a leak was found indicating a suspect head gasket
The gasket was replaced and the head checked for cracks etc and refitted
I travelled to Mildura and again noticed coolant loss from header tank (300ml)and topped up again
On return home again same loss of coolant was evident
This loss was greater than had been leaking over the last 12 months
Contacted dealer and left the vehicle with them to investigate and rectify
Head was removed again and checks were made in Consultation with Nissan and put back together again but checks again indicated loss around no 1 injector
Head again removed and sent away for more rigorous testing but unable to find any cracks or leak
dealer was recommending new head to be supplied
Nissan made desicion to replace motor with a new long motor and after approx 3 weeks I now have the vehicle back and all running well
I guess I am disapointed that I have had this problem but issue has been resolved favourably for me without any angst
I believe that this may be an isolated problem as I havent heard of this problem arising on all the forums I have read
I had fitted a Heat exchanger shower last year and had kept an eye on coolant level as I had disturbed the existing heater hoses in case of any leaks from hose clamps
As a result of this I managed to pick up this loss otherwise more serious damage may have happened
Also the smell of exaust fumes from this motor always smelt different to normal diesels
This may have been a result of the coolant being burnt through the exaust

All in all a happy ending with a little bit of inconvenience

Mark (Geelong)
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ThreadID: 17524 Replies: 5
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AnswerID: 82859   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 08:51

theshadows replied:

That pretty good service > Its great to see that large companies looking after their name and reputation. At nearly 100k nissin dropped a new long motor in fantastic.

Lets face it pourius casting are near impossible to find {insert land rover joke here} Nissan could mucked you around with the heat exchange unit fitted but they didnt.

It be nice if holden and ford would come to the party like this.

shadow
Reply 1 of 5
AnswerID: 82861   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 09:12

CHRIS replied:

Has Captain (WA) entered this one in his Log Book. (Series 3 Captain !). I thought they had ironed the bugs out. Geez ! I wish they would give me a new engine for a head problem or maybe there is a underlying scenerio. Over to you oh mighty one.
Reply 2 of 5
FollowupID: 341918   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 15:35

Member - Captain (WA) posted:

Hmmm..., my we are desperate to find a problem with the series III arn't we! A porus casting has proven to be such an issue with this engine we should take all 3.0's to the tip right now!!!

And we should complain bitterly about the shoddy warranty work by Nissan, look at how much better other manufacturers support their customers. On my way right now to trade in my 3.0, thanks for the tip Chris.

Cheers

Captain
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AnswerID: 82878   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 11:41

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

We have a series 3 Nissan here at work and the exaust smells alot different to other diesels, I also noticed at my pevious job the brand new ford transit smelt the same. I put it down to the Euro pre-ignition diesels and their lower emsissions.

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AnswerID: 82900   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 15:43

TOB replied:

Check the coolant bottle for leaks. I had a coolant bottle rub through on the seam and it was a minute pin hole which i could not see. Finally worked it out when coolant only fell to same level every time. New bottle , problem solved.

TOB
Reply 4 of 5
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AnswerID: 83107   Submitted: Friday, Nov 05, 2004 at 10:37

Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

Sounds like you're right now, but just in case......her's what happened to me on our Cape York trip recently.....
My 2000 4.2L T/D has a new, you-beaut $1100- aluminium radiator which does a great job. However, when I installed it I noticed the outlet for the overflow hose was too narrow for the original hose....it slid on and off quite effortlessly. Not to worry, whacked a clamp on and tightened it up as tight as I could.
I started loosing coolant on the trip and eventually worked out that the expanding coolant was flowing into the expansion tank and then overflowing, but when the motor cooled down, instead of sucking back the coolant from the bottle, it was sucking air at the fitting I mentioned above. Stuck a thinner bit of hose on which was a tight fit and problem solved. I know the 3L has a sealed system and the normal rediator cap is over on top of the plastic bottle on the side......might pay just to check the integrity of all those hoses and fittings too.
Cya

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Reply 5 of 5