Nissan Patrol 2.8L Diesel

Don't own a Nissan, but got a BIG Mitsubishi Delica, with a 2.8 intercooled....... it flies......really!
We load this thing up to the MAX, and hightail it over to the west coast regularly..... never a problem.

Cheers

Wolfie

I think you have answered your own question!!!!!

Gidday,Buy a 4.2 Toyota or Nissan and you cant go wrong.500.000 ks is common with the 4.2 and they are still going but they have to be serviced regulary ie every 5.000 ks.Time will tell with the2.8.
Seeya Localaw.

No substitute for cubic inches !!!!!

It depends on your intended use and what you expect, and what you call a slug.

Luke that used to hang here until he sold his 4b, (and pregnant), had a 2.8 GU..

It was a dog, so sold it got a Petrol GQ shorty. He was happy until the head went on it. he then sold that too.

What comes into the brains of manufacturers putting tiny donks in massive heavy vehicles is beyond me.

Also theres a search function above, try there, its been asked about a gazillion times b4.

YMMV

They go alright, have been out with two different guys who had them, the 3.0LTD surf with a tonne less weight absolutally slaughtered on the highway but off road they didn't fend too badly, however I could imagine clutches would wear quickly as you would probally have to "use" the clutch in sand etc.
Certainlly wouldn't buy one for towing regulary. The 4.2 naturally aspirated diesels IMHO are almost as gutless as the 2.8TD but will probally outlast the 2.8.
The only probalem I can see with the 2.8's reliability is that you would probally flogg the guts out of it a lot of the time, hence it lasting less time. If the two engines were on blocks and run 24/7 at the same RPMS I can't see why extra cubic inches would make any difference to reliability.

Ritschi I have a 98 GU Patrol with a 2.8 litre turbo & intercoolled diesal and once underway it flies.
Accelleration is terriffic and I have done over 200,000 ks in 6 years.
It is slow to get going - but most 4WDs drives are irrespective of the motor type.
We have towed a very heavy off road camper on numerous trips around Australia with out any issues. The only concern is steep hill starts mainly in Qld & NSW. At home in WA it pretty flat!! So no worries!
The 2.8 is just slow to get going.
It is however cheaper to run and maintain than the 4.2 as it uses less oil,less fuel & only 1 oil filter to change instead of 2.

Hi Ritschi,

I have a 2.8TD GU and it has given us good service so far (almost 140,000 kms). Whether or not the 2.8 is for you depends on what you want out of your car. Certainly might be a better option than Series 2 3.0 due reported engine problems, though seems like Nissan is batting up with replacement if pushed hard enough.

The engine does not produce as much power - no disagreements on that front. Performance offroad is quite OK in my opinion, perhaps because power is not the limiting factor i.e. other things such as suspensions, tyres, drivetrain, etc which are pretty much the same. Do a bit of sand work over here in the West as well and I don't suffer the clutch slip issues others have - perhaps I just take it a bit easier, let tyres down, etc. Sure acceleration is not great but once you get used to that then no need to feel like it needs to be red-lined every gear change. I have 265/75R16 tyres and even with those it crusies on the highway well with no trouble holding speed. We tow a camper trailer when going away for w/ends, etc and again it performs OK, though with the trailer on board hills become more of challenge with speed wash off and down to 3rd for some inclines.

Have driven other 4-cyl diesels of same displacement, I find the 6-cyl to be smoother in comparison. There are reported issues with vibration, which I think may be related to the two piece clutch, however I have not suffered any problem in this regard. It gets serviced regularly (oil every 5000 km) and I am hoping keeps going strong for another couple of years yet.

Fuel economy has been ~ 13L/100km with 265/75/R16 tyres. On recent trip of 6500 km (incl GCR, some off-road work) with camper trailer and vehicle fully loaded, we averaged 16.5L/100km.

I've been happy with it so far, will likely buy another GU end next year - the question then being 3.0 or 4.2. I am leaning toward 4.2 pending details of the forthcoming new model.

Regards,
Hugh

I have a turbo 3 litre in a hilux without an intercooler and it is more than adequit for the job. The only time it is slow is when I tow 2 tonnes of redgum home from Mansfield on a couple of hills. I reckon the 2.8 in a full sized wagon loaded up with gear for a trip would be a different vehicle to drive than my Hilux as the Patrol is quite a lot heavier. I would go the 6 cylinder in a full sized wagon. I had a Turbo 6 in a landcruiser wagon and that was fine when loaded. I would not buy a full sized wagon with anything smaller than a 6 cylinder ever. If you do not want to tow heavy things regularly then try a duel cab ute either nissan or Toyota. Put a canopy on and they will carry more than the wagon, be better on fuel and have the same interior room. My Hilux is the same inside as a Cruiser wagon. I measured them both before I bought. I get 1250 kms out of my 115 litre tank whickh is heaps more than the wagons get.

Stefan, I have had a 2.8 from new. 130,000km. Been round Australia.
Recently took 4 adults and off-road trailer down the Darling.

Sure it isn't quick off the mark but it has not let us down. It cruises at the speed limit .

Crossed the Simpson with 2 cruisers. Who got up Big Red the greatest distance on the day? Yes, the 2.8!!!!

There are some good bargains around and so value for money....

Jim

Stefan,
My 2.8 has 190,000 on the clock, only problems have been leaking tappet cover seal and starter motor repair. Other than normal servicing, (around $200 each 10,000k's), has only required fuel. Lots hate it but I have towed tandem trailer with 2 tonne dirt at 100k's on the highway. Slow start but when it gets going then O.K. When loaded but no trailer I don't notice the difference, and have cruised at 110km/h all day loaded up with no noticeable increase in fuel usage. In Vic' especially the 4.2's carry a price premium so the 8-odd grand saved on purchase price has bought a lot of goodies. I also don't have to worry about going out on a trip and having the engine blow half way there! (ZD-30). Have seen 2nd hand import engines for $1800. Cheap diesel replacement if it does eventually expire.
Rolande