AnswerID: 123505 Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 03, 2005 at 08:46
fourstall2000
replied:
You will never get Nissan to tell you why the engine failed,except the usual "we increased the oil level in the sump".
I even tried to get them to tell me the cause through the consumer affairs with little success.
From what I information I have dug up it is clear that the problem is not the pistons as such,rather the lubrication to them.
The later engines had a additional oil sensor fitted( below the turbo on the block)
This to me further confirms my theory on the oil supply.
Nissan got caught out badly by using a European designed engine in Australian conditions.
The early failures were on long haul ,high speed applications,something that combined with high temperatures Europe does not have.
Nissans raising of the sump level was an attempt to improve heat removal through an increased mass of lubricant.
Still engines failed and I believe the oil sprays up into the piston area were later also modified.
It would appear now that the problem has been eliminated,given the numbers
on the road now and the continuation of this engine in the current models.
But like you having my motor replaced(by nissan)I continue to have doubts about what was actually done to prevent further problems.
Nissan would have been far more honest to tell the whole truth about the early failures rather than try to deny its existance.
Regards
Reply 2 of 2
FollowupID: 378532 Submitted:
Wednesday, Aug 03, 2005 at 09:25
Outbacktourer posted:
"Nissan got caught out badly by using a European designed engine in Australian conditions.
The early failures were on long haul ,high speed applications,something that combined with high temperatures Europe does not have."
Actually the engines were recalled in Europe, so the problem existed there too. Also after recently travelling to France and Italy with heat in the high 30's and Patrol 3.0Di GR's hammering by at 130KPH on the Autostrada I would debate you on the the latter point.
IMHO just poor QA pure and simple. If anything Nissan must feel the problem is likely to be less severe here for there not to be a recall. Either that or our consumer protection legislation is not percieved as strong.
FollowUp 2 of 4
