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3Ltr TD Patrol Starting "knock"

Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 19:04

3.0turbob

Hello All,
Just lately, every now and then when I start the Patrol (manual 3ltr turbo diesel) there is a rather loud "knock" for about a second or 2, (maybe 3-4 rvolutions of the engine) Sounds a bit like an exhaust knocking against the chassis or similar. It doesn't do it all the time and seems to be more when the engine is warm. I've had a check underneath and the exhaust doesn't seem to be loose.Apart from that it's running perfectly, plenty of power, with no other problems. (131,000 ks Oct. 2001 model). Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks in advence,

Rob
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AnswerID: 259980   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 19:17

Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like you have a fault with the timing mechanism........IE: the timer in the "ticking time bomb" is malfunctioning. Usually, the timer will be quiet and you won't have any warning that the bomb is about to explode. You're lucky!!! My advice? Get rid of it asap.......

TIC (of course)........;-))

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Reply 1 of 13
FollowupID: 521430   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 19:21

Brew34.5(SA) posted:

I would be very nervous. Roachies on the money even if its TIC.
Beer is evil.........And i am an evil man.
FollowUp 1 of 8
FollowupID: 521433   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 19:55

Willem posted:

Yep I reckon if that is the case rhen he is about 1000km past the use-by mileage on the 3lt..

It seems that those models 'exploded' anywher between 80 and 130,000km. Though some kept on going without a worry.

Cheers
Karoo Jackal
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Willem

There is more than one way to get a rabbit

FollowUp 2 of 8
FollowupID: 521468   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 23:35

Ianw posted:

I wish that people would stop knocking the ZD30 engine. If you mean a Patrol ZD30, then say so. I have not yet seen any reference on this or any other forum of a ZD30 fitted to a Navara blowing up!!! The nav has a different turbo, no intercooler and a different casting of the block, but it is still a ZD30, and they don't explode!! (I hope !!)

Ian
FollowUp 3 of 8
FollowupID: 521474   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 23:59

Motherhen posted:

October 2001 it is most likely series III so unlikely to be a 'time bomb' as so many jokers here like to call the 3 litres.
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FollowUp 4 of 8
FollowupID: 521478   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 07:02

Willem posted:

I hear what you say Motherhen, BUT!...lol

I have two books by Tony Davis...LEMON and EXTRA LEMON.
There are more than 130 listed makes that did not cut the mustard and were classed as lemons. That is not to say that there aren't still thousands of the makes being driven about.

Nissan built the GQ almost to perfection apart from some minor ailments. This could have been the catalyst that the comapny went broke. I do not know. Renault bought a major share in Nissan in 1999. Ever since then Nissans have some flaws in them. For instance. GU 4.2 Gearbox 5th gear failure(same engine but different gearbox to the GQ). GU Rear wheels falling off. GU 3lt Turbo piston failure. X-Trail recalls and other possible discrepancies.

Cheers
Karoo Jackal
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FollowUp 5 of 8
FollowupID: 521488   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 09:33

3.0turbob posted:

Umm......
Thanks Roachie.
FollowUp 6 of 8
FollowupID: 521585   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 22:27

Motherhen posted:

Oh Willem - don't tell me you have joined the Nissan knocking time bomb brigade! Our Patrol is the most comfortable and reliable vehicle we have had. I think it hasn't sold yet because our daughter keeps ripping off the for sale stickers and driving it.

Sidetracking - what sort and on what network is your Sat Phone? How effective is it in the outback places you have recently been?

We loved your latest trip report. Where will next year's adventure take you?

Regards Mh & OR
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FollowUp 7 of 8
FollowupID: 521602   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 23:38

Willem posted:

Hi Motherhen

That is not what I said. You haven't read my comments carefully...lol

I am with Telstra/Iridium Sat Phone Network. Have had one drop out in 4 years. Use phone extensively when travelling remote making important calls. Hava also used phone o'seas.

Proposed Trips coming up:

End September National Gallery Victoria
November Vic EO Get-together
December NSW visiting friends
Jan/Feb...maybe some gold fossicking with another EO Member somewhere
May/June Cape York
June/July Gulf Country and hopefully O'Gradys Well

That'll be enough for one year

2009 Some more extreme treks in northwest WA
2010 Tassie?

Hope fuel doesnt go through the roof as pension does not go that far these days.

Regards
Karoo Jackal
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Willem

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FollowUp 8 of 8
AnswerID: 259997   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 21:10

gompy replied:

Don't start a thread like that, all the ZD30 knockers will out in force!!
time bomb, hand granade, get rid of it, buy a 4.2 etc etc, BORING!
Just go to the Patrol 4X4 forum, at least you get a proper answer.
Reply 2 of 13
FollowupID: 521454   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 21:52

Member - Roachie (SA) posted:

Gompy,
Even on the Patrol forum (of which I am also a member), you will find that the members are not scared to face up to the fact that these bloody motors (ie: the ZD30) are a real disappointment.

Okay, I know that for every one that's gone bang, there are probably 5 that haven't........... still not real good odds as far as I'm concerned.

I'd like to have a $ for every thread that has started with words like: "My 3L Patrol has just blown up and when I did a Google search I find that this has happened before.....Jeez I wish I'd known about this problem before I bought the bloody thing".....etc etc

It is a fact of life and all the cussing in the world isn't going to change the fact that these highly strung motors just can't hack it long term.......

Sorry to rain on your parade.......

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FollowUp 1 of 9
FollowupID: 521501   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 11:13

Leroy posted:

and what years are going bang? 2000/1. It's not all of them. The people that seem to be disappointed in them are the ones that haven't owned one.

Leroy

FollowUp 2 of 9
FollowupID: 521513   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 13:26

Truckster (Vic) posted:

even 2006 models are going bang ...

>> The people that seem to be disappointed in them are the ones that haven't owned one.
those people who havent owned one are known as smart people.
FollowUp 3 of 9
FollowupID: 521520   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 14:38

Leroy posted:

do you have a link to posts?
FollowUp 4 of 9
FollowupID: 521596   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 23:14

Blaze posted:

Guys I love sitting back watching this everytime it raised its head. Having owned a Nissan about 10years ago and if I wanted a large 4X4 I consider the Nissan as the best vehicle but not with a bloody 3ltr in it. I wouldn't even consider one if the failures were half what I have seen also including Navara's.

The thing that I am dumb founded by is the owners who just prefer to bury their heads in the sand and say there isn't a problem.

If we put it in context that for an example you read verywhere that Brand X TV's had failures most people wouldn't buy one...?????
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FollowUp 5 of 9
FollowupID: 521624   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 06:24

Brew34.5(SA) posted:

Blaze, thats just human nature.(the head in the sand stuff)
Leroy i was following a 2005/6 series 4 and watched it implode. No link sorry.............just a first hand account.
Beer is evil.........And i am an evil man.
FollowUp 6 of 9
FollowupID: 521704   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 14:37

Leroy posted:

implode?

–verb (used without object) 1. to burst inward (opposed to explode).

Can you be a little more specific? If you saw smoke it could of been a turbo. Or maybe a stuck egr.

Leroy
FollowUp 7 of 9
FollowupID: 521729   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 17:50

Brew34.5(SA) posted:

I love it when people drag out a meaning from a dictionary to remind me of my lack of knowledge of the English language.
Ok there was smoke everywhere and oil all over the road. I'm not sure what happened to it but it didn't look good.
Beer is evil.........And i am an evil man.
FollowUp 8 of 9
FollowupID: 521802   Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 05, 2007 at 00:05

Blaze posted:

Brew basically your saying it was Stu**ed, caput, bu**ered, no longer maka Neeessan mova....

I think I understand, it imploded to the stage that the motor blew up, it had in fact blown up on the side of the road and the driver wasn't a happy camper.....
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FollowUp 9 of 9
AnswerID: 259998   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 21:10

gompy replied:

Don't start a thread like that, all the ZD30 knockers will out in force!!
time bomb, hand granade, get rid of it, buy a 4.2 etc etc, BORING!
Just go to the Patrol 4X4 forum, at least you get a proper answer.
Reply 3 of 13
AnswerID: 260005   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 21:58

Member - 'Lucy' replied:

Gompy

I would never ever dare question the veracity and/or the credibility and competence of members Roachie, Brew and Willem in relation to all things Nissan.

Being a Toyota man through and through I don't even know what this ZD30 thing is, but it sure doesn't sound too good.

I suppose thats why all Nissan owners have that super duper Road Side assist package that the RAC in each State comes out with - so that they can get recovered from anywhere if necessary.

Good luck with it Rob and if it happens , well, we all know that Chit happens and just treat it as a 'life experience'

Happy fathers day all
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Reply 4 of 13
FollowupID: 521489   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 09:40

3.0turbob posted:

Thanks 'Lucy',
I'm well aware of the problems with some of these motors and have been reading all the comments on this forum for a few years now. Being a series III I had hoped that these problems had been sorted by that model. As I said it does it only sometimes and at all other times it runs beautifully. I've had the vehicle for just over 4 years and really like it. I'll speak with a diesel mechanic and try and find an answer.

Rob
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 521502   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 11:16

Leroy posted:

Rob, You have a very early series 3 and there appears to be a bit of overlap with unrevised engine being carried over/used from the series 2.

Leroy
FollowUp 2 of 2
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AnswerID: 260007   Submitted: Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 22:12

Olcoolone replied:

Gday all, in the June 2007 issue of "Australian 4WD Monthly" they had a special on the patrols and they even made a strong mention of it it there, especially engines made before 2001.

Hopefully with you guys letting him know before it happens might even save him alot of money and inconvenience.

There is plenty mentioned about Patrols breaking in this forum over the last month.

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Reply 5 of 13
AnswerID: 260041   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 09:02

pjd replied:

it could be the std factory nissan death knock
Reply 6 of 13
AnswerID: 260042   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 09:43

3.0turbob replied:

Thanks to all that replied. I was prepared for the doomsdayers, and I hope I'll get it sorted soon.

Rob
Reply 7 of 13
FollowupID: 521506   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 12:30

gompy posted:

See what I mean??;-)
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 260043   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 09:49

Nav 8 replied:

G`Day Rob
Now that you have read all the other posts and are starting to panic it may not be that bad. First thing , take it to a diesel mechanic and have it checked out. This symptom can be caused by a sticking injector, eg. the fuel not atomising and causing detonation. It can make a hell of a noise and can sound like real trouble when in fact it is a simple case of an injector repair. Regards Nav. (Old diesel mechanic)
Reply 8 of 13
FollowupID: 521491   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 09:55

3.0turbob posted:

Thanks Nav 8,
That's the type of helpful reply I was looking for. Injectors had crossed my mind.

Rob
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 521505   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 12:12

Leroy posted:

The first sensible answer!

Leroy
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 521526   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 15:47

3.0turbob posted:

If it was a sticky injector, would it run rough constantly?
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 521533   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 16:42

Nav 8 posted:

Not necessarily, I have seen this happen quite a few times when it will hammer on start up then disapear, or may just come and go intermittently.If the knock was there constantly then you can crack the injector lines one by one until the knock stops, then you have pinpointed the fault. If the injector tests up OK then worry. Nav.
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 260050   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 10:44

TerraFirma replied:

Don't panic, could be something really simple and probably will be, 9 times outta 10 if it were serious you'd know about it by now. Get a mechanic to check it out. Those poor old 3.0L Patrols are starting to get a name for themselves..!
Reply 9 of 13
AnswerID: 260052   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 11:25

madcow replied:

At then end of the day all brands of vehicles have some form of fault. Sadly our culture here in Oz allows the dealerships to do warranty repairs but no provision is allowed for a loan vehicle. Go to Japan and the service is quite the opposite. They are a great believer of "saving face". We are a victim of the "she'll be right" attitude sometimes! Sounds like an injector issue (hopefully)
Reply 10 of 13
AnswerID: 260058   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 12:47

nowimnumberone replied:

ill put my money on the clutch/flywheel
being a duell mass type when the fluid gets lost between then they will know as if one flywheel is catching up to the second half if you know what i mean.
reason im putting my money on the clutch we just did one last week with same symtoms.
expensive job though $2000+
cheers
Reply 11 of 13
FollowupID: 521525   Submitted: Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 15:46

3.0turbob posted:

Interesting..
Something else to get checked.

Thanks for the reply.

Rob
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 521699   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 14:14

mattche posted:

Ok if its manual which i think it is from all the posts, then it will be a loose flywheel.Very common on the ZD30 in patrols.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 260227   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 04:43

goingplatinumcomau replied:

This was in the Paper.
"I recently purchased a a 3 Litre Diesel Patrol. The vehicle was purchased from a car yard and I had a pre inspection. Last week, on returning from the long weekend the vehicle stated to blow heavy smoke. I immediately switched the vehicle off and pulled over to the side of the road. Yep it was a tow truck job.
The statutory warranty had expired by 400 km. I put the vehicle in for repair to find out that I had blown a piston in number 4 pot and number 2 had a hole in it.
I have since been advised that this problem is common place for the 2000 model 3L Diesel and this expensive repair is carried out regularly.
I am disappointed that Nissan are not interested and will only discuss the matter if I have the full service history of Nissan dealer service. I did not own the vehicle prior to 3 months ago. My question being if Nissan was aware of a well documented problem why did they not recall the vehicle and replace the problem components. I own a Nissan X-Trail as well from new. I now have serious concerns related to Nissan customer service and care for their customers. This will influence future purchases. Let this be a warning to all who buy a 2000 3 Litre Diesel Patrol to have the head removed and the pistons checked prior to purchase it will save you around $6000. Very disgruntled Nissan customer" P Bates, Mooroolbark VIC 0407 131119
Reply 12 of 13
FollowupID: 521698   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 14:14

Member - Captain (WA) posted:

Couldn't agree more.

While I believe the series III and later models are now well sorted, the real issue lies with Nissan Australia's poor attitude, no - total disdain, to customers.

Any vehicle can have faults and thats why we have warranty. The problem is with Nissan is that you have to fight tooth and nail for what are blatant warranty items - and next to impossible for anything thats a grey area. Nissan Australia still cannot explain why the series II 3.0TD engine was recalled in Europe but only a new dip stick given in Australia!

I plan to shortly buy a new 4WD and while I would otherwise have the Nissan 3.0TD on my shortlist, I won't buy any Nissan now because of Nissan Australia's attitude to their customers. I have found the dealers on the whole to be fine, its Nissan Australia itsef.

Cheers

Captain
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FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 521703   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 14:34

Leroy posted:

"I plan to shortly buy a new 4WD and while I would otherwise have the Nissan 3.0TD on my shortlist, I won't buy any Nissan now because of Nissan Australia's attitude to their customers. I have found the dealers on the whole to be fine, its Nissan Australia itsef."

hear hear! I reckon you won't be the only one. It doesn't matter what sort of warrantly claim, how little or small, the dealer has to get the ok from HQ. This often means a return trip to the dealer to get the prob. rectified once it's identified.

Leroy
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 521705   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 at 14:38

goingplatinumcomau posted:

Good on you Captain.

Make the internet work for the People if anyone is thinking of buying a Nissan and they do a Google on Nissan 4 wd diesel and all they find is a Ton of negative about Nissan they Nissan may finally wake to themselves.

The Problem see is that anyone who has brought one of the Heaps Of Pox doe's not want any Negative about them as they are hoping to get something back when the TRY to sell them.

A quick call to Any Vehicle Auction House will put those fears to rest as the Auction house will tell you Point Blank there Worthless NO ONE WANTS THEM.

I feel sorry for people have brought them and feel Secure in driving them to the local shop as they Blow Up let alone a trip anywhere.

Regards John
FollowUp 3 of 3
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AnswerID: 260922   Submitted: Friday, Sep 07, 2007 at 19:32

Dingo77 replied:

G'day Rob,

Sorry to hear of your trouble, I wont get into that bagging game but I'll try to help you at least.
Based on first-hand experience I can definitely say its the dual-mass flywheel -yep it'll set you back about $2K (parts) + labour. You can use a solid state one instead but you'll feel more engine vibration, if you do decide to go solid you'll need a different clutch for it. -look at the exedy range.
Cheers.

Reply 13 of 13
FollowupID: 524345   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:51

3.0turbob posted:

Thanks for the reply Dingo. ( I couldn't respond earlier as I've been on holidays in the Whitsundays)
I 've rung a diesel mechanic and am getting it checked out later this week.
Thanks again,

Rob
FollowUp 1 of 1