nissan 3.0td piston failure

If this is true, and it sounds entirely plausable- since airrflow sensor problems have occurred on a number of ZD30s, then you are correct. Nissan should come clean, but above all, they should tell us all how we can ensure the airflow sensor is working correctly at all times.

Dave O

Toohey,

Are we taking about any year model in particular or is this a blanket statement on all 3.0L T/D Nissans?

Cheers,

Patrick

Hi,
This must be reason number 26A that's been around. If it was overfueling badly enough to damage pistons, surely it would blow lots of smoke in the process.
Cheers

I believe the engine failure's has nothing to do with the air flow meter,it's a oil lube problem to the pistons and it's usually no4 cyl not no 3 hence the increase in sump capacity to help the problem.

Rob Robson did an article in Western 4wder about the zd30 failures and It sounds like there is no one quick fix as there is about 3 common areas of failure with them all unrelated

Hi..
Our 3 ltr Patrol is a March 2002.. Went in for 100,000 service last month.. I said the fuel consumption was going up and down a bit..and had cleaned the sensor a couple of times.. .Mine went rich though.. Not lean..
When got car back that night.. Had new Sensor fitted.. They said they do it on a regular basis.. Keep them in stock....
DC Motors Rocky They've even had Tojo's in there from Ian Weigh Motors. When their Tech's are stumped.. I've seen them
So when it goes in for service.. Mention the sensor,and see what happens...
Regards All
Macka17

Hi Toohey.
If it is the Temp Sensor.. and it DOES have a 100k life expectancy..
It's a damn sight cheaper than the Timing Belts,every 100k on Toyota's..
Easier to change too. As long as we know...
The symptom on ours,was excessive fuel consumption. Clean it.. It goes away. then later comes back again.(couple of months)
If that's a warning signal. As soon as mine starts doing it again. I'll be back in there with my records..Saying HEY.....
Then again. I may just let it go Pop. and drop in a Chevvy 6.5.....V8
Regards
Macka17

This reason has more merit than some are prepared to give it.

I could never figure out how an oil flow problem could lead to a hole burnt in a piston??? Buggered cylinder walls/rings maybe, possibly buggered valve train.

More like over fueling or dodgy injectors would be the cause of a hole in a piston.
I'm no mechanic, but I've pulled down a few donks with my old man, and logic tells me it's a fuel/combustion problem.

As for the guy who's 3.0 patrol crapped itself last week, he said the car kept running after he took his foot off the pedal and the only way he could stop it was with both feet on the brake pedal until it stalled.

Thats bloody teriffic!!!! Mines an auto!!!

There's no way of stopping an auto if the engine is racing. Putting both feet on the brake pedal will only make it kick back through the gears untill it's in first, and then what??? The only thing that comes to mind is.......PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, GET OUT, RUN FOR IT, AND WAIT FOR THE BANG !!!

BUT... I have another theory. What if the oil that gets fed in through the turbo is causing the hole in the piston situation?? I have had the pipes off the turbo/intercooler and noticed black oil. Nissan say this is normal, BUT IS IT ?

WE have plenty Nissan failures here in SA. Only answer is to get a Toyota 3RZ-FE.

Yeah, yeah. It's the same old, same old from years back.

Now hear this - as old diesel mechanic from way back when Leyland's were a household name, I say unto you,

"There is no such thing as reliable, high RPM 4 cylinder diesel engine"

Forget it. It doesn't exist.

Bilbo

Just thought you guys would like to see a service bullitin from Nissan on this 3.0TDi. I found it on here somewhere and copied it for future reference.

First Published: 30th September 2004
Bulletin No: MAO4-001
Re: Revised Engine Oil Specification
Applied Model: Y61 & D22
Applied range: ZD3O Engines
Please be advised that the specification for the 011 fill on the ZD30 has been
revised. Engine
Oils that meet the specification listed below are the only oils that are
permitted for use in the ZD30 Engine. 011 Specification: ACEA 83 or JASO DH.1.
Nissan strongly recommend that a viscosity rating of 10W40 be used. For specific viscosity relating to ambient temperature ranges please refer to the viscosity chart in the relevant workshop manual.
Note: API CG-4 0118 must never be used In the ZD30 engine.
To support the revision in oil specification, Nissan has developed a
semi-synthetic 10W-40 engine oil that meets ell the operational demands of this engine. The revision of the new oil specification is retrospective and will apply to all ZD30 engines.
The oil will be available from Nissan Parts & Accessories in 51t and 200lt Quantities using the following part numbers.
51t- B3005-10W40PK
2001t- B3200..10W40PK
Authorised by:
R Bahn
Manager. Engineering Support
National Service & Engineering Department
'rhB inforTTlslion in this bullelln should not be I"terpre~d a& a baBi8 tor
claimo vnless so designated
~art numbers rsfamld tQ mtly "Ot always be immedietely ewillble
AlwlYI 0I'der parts rrom releYlrlt par'ts intDrmstion and "01 Ihi, bulletin.
NISSAN MOTOR GO.
L-ocked Bag 1450. Oal1denong South, VJC, :3154 Phone. (03) 97974111 Fax. (03)
97974400

Its hard to make any sense out of this compilation of facts and fantasy.
So in no particular order I supply this information.
If a Diesel engine runs on due to alternative fuel sources,the best way to stop it is to block the AIR supply ie shove the melways over the air inlet.
This was the method taught at Richmond tech Diesel courses.
Reliable information is that the early ZD30 engines pistons failed due to insufficient oil supply to the pistons.
This is backed by the Knowledge that the oil capacity in the sump was increased,and an additional oil sensor was fitted below the turbo on later motors,it has also been said that the oil ways within the engines were also modified.
After the new engine was fitted to my vehicle(22,000 later)oil was found in the intercooler pipe after the Turbo,this is not acceptable in any quantity and a claim was made to Nissan who replaced the Turbo with labour at my cost.(warranty on replacement motor only 20,000)
In addition the Engine light was illuminating for several seconds occasionally,the Nissan computer revealed that the Air flow monitor was faulty,this was replaced at my cost as it did not relate to the replacement engine.
My own test bridging out terminals 1-8 on the test plug and counting flashes confirmed the faulty sensor (this test is described in the Gregorys manual).
It is quite clear that the 2000/2001 models had engine design,turbo and air flow monitor problems,so if you own these models be aware and write to Nissan public relations and list your concerns,this way if you have problems it is easier to get assistance as you will be issued with a reference number.
Currently my truck with its replacement motor and Turbo is running great and returning fantastic economy,Nissan were right in their choice of engine for these fuel restrictive times,drivers with the later models are enjoying the best that a modern diesel can provide,as for the early model drivers grit your teeth as you pass the 100,000km mark.
Regards