Nissan 3 litre question

Submitted: Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 20:14

ThreadID: 15891 Views:4988 Replies:6 FollowUps:6

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Member - Roachie (SA)

G'day all you 3 litre GU owners....
I have a mate (yes, okay, I know that's hard to believe....alright) who has a 2000 GU Patrol, 3 Litre.
Doing some under bonnet checks he noticed some oil around the intercooler.
He started it up and idled for a few minutes.....while still at idle, he pulled the dipstick. The sump appeared to pressurised, as droplets of oil started to spurt from the dipstick hole and land on his battery.
Does this sound normal? The Nissan dealer at Young (where he bought the vehicle) reckons it is normal and is something to do with compliance with emmissions requirements etc.
The oil around the intercooler could just be from the breather hose that recirculates excess oil or something similar maybe.
I'm concerned that it might be the precursor to the motor blowing. There is no other problem....it's not blowing smoke and hasn't lost power etc.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. He and his family are due to come to Cape York with us in 3 weeks and we don't want any dramas....

BTW....no need to tell us all (again) that the 3 litre is a dog. I own a 4.2 and actually agree with you as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

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Reply By: mr diamond - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 21:13

Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 21:13

the 3 ltr is a dog

AnswerID: 74381

Follow Up By: Mike-TS - Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 15:04

Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 15:04

Excellent brief and to the point reply!

I must admit I am fed up about reading about 3 ltr problems. I thought about getting one until I read all the stuff going wrong with them.

I'm still giggling about your reply...

FollowupID: 334330

Reply By: Eric Experience. - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 22:15

Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 22:15

Roachie.
Most motors regardless of brand will spit oil out of the dipstick hole when running. The oil around the intercooler is ok in small amounts, it is the combination of blow by plus the normal leakage from turbo bearings. Just relax and have a good trip, the percentage of 3 litre blow ups is still below 1%. Eric.

AnswerID: 74386

Follow Up By: Nomad - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 22:23

Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 22:23

Thanks Eric, a sensible rely (re 3 lt) at last

FollowupID: 334295

Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 10:35

Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 10:35

Hey Eric, where'd you get your figures for the percentage? I have been wondering the actual percentage myself. thanx

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FollowupID: 334321

Follow Up By: Alex Callaghan - Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 18:33

Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 18:33

"Just relax and have a good trip, the percentage of 3 litre blow ups is still below 1%. Eric."

Done a survey on all the 3ltr owners round the country have ya Eric?

FollowupID: 334343

Reply By: bruce.h (WA) - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 22:22

Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 22:22

gday roachy
thats exactly the symptoms mine showed after the engine had gone bang. found out today that #1 piston had no compresion at all ,
fingers crossed but doesnt sound good for him.

AnswerID: 74389

Reply By: Bob H - Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 01:52

Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 01:52

Hi Roachie,
tell your mate to go to a GOOD nissan dealer. a friend had the same problem which by the way he hadnt noticed, it was only when he showed me under the bonnet that i noticed oil around the intercooler. i told him to take it back to the dealer. he did so and after 4hrs they found a small split in one of the oil lines to/from the turbo. could have been nasty later on. hey, maybe this is why nissans blow up. turbo runs low on oil, bearings let go, vanes bleep ter, motor kaput. good design feature or poor mechanics doing the servicing. reminds me, mates patrol only serviced 3 days before i found the oil leaking. hope this helps your mate to save his motor.

regards

Bob

AnswerID: 74402

Reply By: brian - Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 06:22

Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 06:22

Hi Roachie,i found oil on front lhs of my intercooler last week,nowra nissan replaced the intercooler this week explaining that the intercoolers develop small splits releasing small amounts of oil.warrenty job all at no charge.
Leaving for Fraser Island in one hour back in 3 weeks.

AnswerID: 74404

Reply By: Member - Andrew (Bris) - Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 16:36

Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 16:36

Roachie,

Just tried it with my GU III. At idle pulled out dipstick. Result - no oil droplet spray.
So I had a different result, doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong.

At about 35000km I had oil all over the turbo. First time I took it to Missan they wiped it clean and told me there was nothing wrong with it. When I went back with a fresh coat of oil they found it was simply a loose clamp on one of the oil hoses from the turbo. A quick tighten of the clamp and no further oil leak.

Now up to 84000km and no further problems.

Hope you have a great trip.

AnswerID: 74430