3 litre gu Nissan patrol

Hi Callum
You would be better off on the Nissan forum

Hi Callum
If that's the way you go.
1.block off the EGR.
2.Relace air cleaner element at 1/2 recomended intervals.
3.Make sure MASS AIR FLOW sensor is clean.
Just my opinion.
Next thing mate is enjoy your 4x4.

Callum

The 3lt when it first came out was in the Series 2 which was about 2001(?) The majority of the blown motor issues occurred with this series. The series 3 (about 2002/3) had improvements to overcome the problems. Although there were instances of Series 3 motors going boom.

Since the Common rail verison has come out the problem seems to have been overcome as you dont hear much of the issue any more.

One of the problems was that Nissan never really detailed the cause and handled the issue with customers very poorly. Although there were from some customers unreal expectations, i.e high mileage vehicles out of warranty that owners wanted full cost recovery of new motors etc. However had nissan handled the situation better this may have been avoided.

I have had 2 GU's a Series 3 and Common Rail Series 6 and both have been good cars. Overall running costs are good and are about $20k cheaper new than a comparitive Land Cruiser.

As with any secondhand car try to avoid high mileage cars, check service history if available.

Alan

spaanderman

Looks like a lot of the responses are from non members and armchair experts.

I can speak from experience having owned and driven the GU2 ZD30 May 2000 build for 510k. My son now owns it and it has now done 540k. The original motor blew 1 & 2 at 140k in Aug 2003. The replacement motor which has now done 400k was a GU3. The vehicle is going well and the pump and injectors were not touched on swap-over and have not been touched at all to date. The motor was absolutely kept bog standard except to add a fan over the intercooler. No pyro or boost gauge was used.

Dont take this as absolute gospel, however my info is:
The GU2 Patrol was released in May 2000 (5 slat grill)
The GU3 Patrol was released Oct 2001 (Large chrome 3 slat grill)
The GU4 Patrol was released Aug 2004
The GU5 Patrol was released Early 2007 with the CRD motor

There is a lot of confusion out there regarding Patrol models as they appear to have adopted a MY approach and there were a few update versions as well.

It is the GU2 motors I would recommend you stay away from for the following reasons:
1) Some of the GU2 failures were replaced with the GU2 up until mid 2002.
The oil galleries in the block were altered and more oil cooling was added to the
underside of the pistons in the GU3.
2) Some people simply replaced 2 pistons and put the vehicle on the market
3) With the GU3 replacement a new computer was part of the deal.

To the baggers out there just remember the problems faced by other makes viz hiluxes solidifying the oil, drama's with the early surf turbo's, big ends in the 80 series, broken diffs in the IFS cruisers, injectors in Jacks etc etc.

You did not say what you were looking at model wise but IMHO late GU3 and above should be fine. Expect a turbo at 300k and clutch about 350k (mass balance lets go). Watch the dealers as I am seeing lots of GU2's being advertised as GU3's (the grille is the way to tell)

Whatever you do check the engine no against compliance plate which will tell if the motor has been changed and follow that through.

Keep in mind that you can buy a genuine crate motor (bare long) for about $8k.

I have an MY11CRD with 45k on clock now. Nice and more refined comfort wise, however the tire size/gearing changes mean it runs about 400rpm lower and I think it is now out of the sweet spot that the ZD30 ran in.

Regards

Pete G

Most of these replies are exactly the reason I haven't renewed my membership, I also made the mistake of asking a question about a Patrol, even being called an idiot after buying one. Apparently this blokes advise was far more important than my own thoughts and the advise of others.
Our Patrol a 3lt diesel 2008 has been fantastic, a little bit thirsty, but pulled our camper up to and around Broken Hill without missing a beat.
Buy the car that suits you and you budget, do the research and you will be fine

Richard