GU Engine lack of power

Hi Roachie,

Was that a very similair rig to your's I saw on the back page of 4WD Monthly's current issue !!!!!!!

I look forward to reading about it next month ;)

Cheers mate

Captain

Captain,
How are those Firestone airbags going? Any good/bad things to report? Haven't seen an update so thought I would ask.
Rolande

Hi Rolande,

The airbags are great, certainly level the vehicle up when the vans on the back. I leave 5 psi in them normally and don't even know they are there. When towing I use between 30-40 psi depending on the load. Most impressed and thoroughly recommend them.

Cheers

Captain

Hello CAPTAIN!!
i should get off the drugs?
Sorry to exagerate 10 times more. Do you have to take everything so serious.
Im sorry im not an expert like you, guess ill just have to get back to what ive don for my whole life, being a diesel mechanic.
Guess the 3 litre didnt have enough grunt for you, maybe thats why you've modified the computer by fitting an aftermarket chip.
Enough slaying, keep travelling.

Hi Mick,

Good point, I shouldn't take everything so literal. I suppose I just get frustrated at the sheer amount of @%^$ thrown at the 3.0TD that I get on my soap box and go off!!! Have tried to bite my tongue before, but keep falling into the same trap ;)

Your point about low torque at low revs is perhaps THE most valid point about the shortcomings of the 3.0TD and is exactly why I fitted a Dtronic (top end power was always fine, now just better). No vehicle or engine is perfect and all are a compromise in some way.

Now where can I get those happy pills ;)

Cheers

Captain

No worries.
I have had bad experience with the 3ltr, my fathers had a faulty air sensor, and then had a 5th gear failure that nissan fixed outside the warranty period.
I have a GU ute that im happy with, and soon my father will upgrade to the new model 4.2 since he lost power in the 3ltr crossing the great sandy desert and had to limp home only to find a sensor caused all the problems.
Being a diesel mechanic, i prefer to stick with something i can trust and fix on the roadside without plugging a computer in to find a problem.

Hi Mick,

I have heard that happen on many air flow sensors, did your father's 3.0TD have an aftermarket airfilter? Also, my understanding of the 5th gear failure was common to all GU models, not just the 3.0TD but as thats 70% of sales it shows up as a 3.0TD problem (all resolved now with longer output shaft - or so I believe!!!).

But understand once bitten twice shy about the 3.0TD. Also fully understand the lack of roadside fix ability with the 3.0TD. Even travelling with a laptop will only perhaps identify the problem, still need the faulty sensor (or whatever) to fix.

The reliability of the old 4.2 is well proven, however, the new TD6 4.2TD has EGR and electronic control of the fuel injection pump, whether it has the same reliability of the old 4.2 is yet to be seen (already reports of EGR gumming - common fix is to bypass).

Unfortunately I think all engines will shortly require a laptop and full workshop for even basic servicing. While engine electronics have come a long way, they are still not perfect and certainly have shortcomings out in the bush. But with the price of diesel on a one way trip, manufacturers are going to wring every last drop of performance and economy out of engines and this will mean even more sensors.

While i loved my 1HZ 80, the performance of the 3.0TD certainly makes me never regret changing over. But i would dearly like the proven track record of reliability behind the 3.0TD that the 4.2 has.

Cheers

Captain

I think you need to get off the drugs Mick!!! To quote a figure of 10 times more torque at idle is just plain wrong. And what is your goble-de-goob about power measured at max rpm, not min rpm??? These figures are quoted WITH the rpm, ie max torque is at 2000rpm.

As for 3 litrs not being big enough, if you have a size complex then maybe your right. But if your more concerned about engine design like dual overhead cams, 4 valves per cyclinder, common rail fuel injection, high pressure fuel pump etc... then maybe you can start to understand why a 3 litre engine can produce such high power outputs AND get significantly better fuel economy.

I have owned both a 4.2 diesel and a 3.0TD and there is NO comparison between the two. At idle, the 4.2 definetly has the edge, that is not in question, but it is only by a small degree, nothing like the 10 times you have plucked from the air. Once above idle (say 1,000rpm) the 3.0TD is so far in front its embarrisingly funny!

The 3.0TD is a high tech engine and as such relies on many sensors to get the high performance. The 4.2 is an old technology engine, but certainly has a proven reliability track record, something that the early series II 3.0TD cannot claim!

Cheers

Captain

Not what we expexted. We have done most of Aussie and would go back to most places but the Cape is just lacking. The Corrigations are the worst. Weipa is nothing but a minning town that loves fishermen. The behaviour and language in the Weipa caravan park was woeful, (and thats from a ex sailor). The $88 to cross the Jardine is a joke. The ferry was broke so we, the tourists, had to pull ourselves back and forwards across the river. Just not happy Jan.

Alan

Agree, not what we expected either. Rubbish and crap everywere, dramas with the locals, corrigations etc. Couldn't believe how much money is wasted in certain areas and then trashed. There was some nice scenery but I think it's more the marketed dream that people keep people heading up there.