Bitten the Bullet
Submitted: Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 08:35
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Member - Craig D (SA)
Fellow Forumites,
I have finally bitten the bullet and ordered a brand spanking new GU Cab Chassis.
And for the first time in my life I didn't even care what I got as a trade-in on the old wagon - a b****y 2000 model 3 litre GU. She was a beautiful bus to travel in and a very capable 4wd, but the truth of the matter is that the wife and I had had enough of the engine woes. Although it hasn't blown yet I have listed the failures since we bought it new below.
9 AFMs changed out
1 Air Element
2 Boost Sensors
1 Valve Assy Solenoid
2 ECU’s
1 Engine wiring harness
1 fuel pump assembly complete
Sub Tank warning light stuck on
Turbo hoses blowing off
Intercooler oil leak
Serpentine belts
A/C total failure
What has been the most annoying is the fact that Nissan had the car for 55 continuous days because they couldn't diagnose one of the engine faults. We we did pick the car up under assurances that all was well the car died driving it
home - fuel pump assembly failed.
The car has been off the road for a total of three and a half months and when it's the only vehicle we have that's kind of annoying. And of course, no apology from the dealer.
The 3.0l came out of warranty three years ago, is showing signs that something is going to happen and become really expensive shortly (oil all over intercooler) and we have no confidence in this wagon when we do go bush due to the ZD30 pulling it.
It is a shame really, as the wagon has been a great truck, just let down by the donk.
So there you have it folks, bye bye 3L and hello 4.2!
Oh, and the Dtronic will be up for sale when I pick up the new truck next month.
Reply By: Member No 1- Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 08:41
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 08:41
a glutton for punishment.....why another nissan?
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Follow Up By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 08:46
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 08:46
And what do you drive?
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:55
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:55
a 100 series...
I was not wanting to sound or be rude ...
but rather, you having so much trouble with that vehicle, together with them, the dealer, having the car for so long to diagnose a fault, i am rather supprised that you are even considering another nissan
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Follow Up By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:58
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:58
That's okay...no offence taken.
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Reply By: Darian (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 08:55
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 08:55
A sad tale indeed - goes to show that with fancy warranties offered all over the place we would seemingly have little to worry about - but this "I've got no car while they fix it for months" scenario is a big hole in what we think is is a manufacturer's warranty. I hear they do have "lemon" laws in the US.
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Follow Up By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 09:01
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 09:01
Wish we had lemon laws here as the majority of my woes occured when I'd only had the wagon for twelve months...I even pleaed with Nissan to give me even a demo model in exchange - no dice. And as I said in my original post, not even an apology!
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Follow Up By: Darian (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:10
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:10
........ and the mystery of modern vehicle marketing continues ...... they simply don't care..... probably think that you are the only one who cares.... you and themselves the only ones that know .... WRONG ! Everyone here now knows what to expect when they deal with Nissan Australia ......... when it comes to consuming, knowledge is power !
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Reply By: dinodog- Central Coast NSW - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 09:52
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 09:52
Craig D
and you went for all the same garbage again! are you kidding. what happens if you are subject to the same treatment with your new rig? i hope you didn't go with the same dealer again. buying cars is no different to eating out if you get crap or crappy service you don't go back and you tell the world.
dinodog
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Follow Up By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 09:58
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 09:58
I didn't go anywhere near the original dealer. You say theat I have gone for all the same garbage again. I don't think so - the two engines are cahlk and cheese and it's only the engine I had issues with. You like Toyotas and I do too, but it sometimes comes down to cost (Fleet Discount). Besides, I like Nissans. I just have had a lot of trouble with a FEB 2000 built 3.0litre. My previous Nissan never once had a spanner on it.
Maybe I should have just updated my rig / profile and kept my trap shut!
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Follow Up By: GUPatrol - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:10
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:10
Craig,
You wont be dissapointed with the 4.2, amazing how a little less technology makes life much more enjoyable...
When I bought mine, I used the Keep it simple principle, I don't really care for an extra few kilowatts, or if they accelerate faster than the old donk, the fact is that the 4.2 will always catch up while the 3.0L is in the workshop getting another sensor!!
My 4.2 has done over 220000kms trouble free!! Not once it has been in the workshop for anything other than servicing.
Good luck
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Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:04
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:04
Good one Craig
By all accounts the 4.2 is rock solid and Nissan has a very good drive line reputation.
Hopefully you will be able to relax and enjoy your travels.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:54
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:54
Gee John , it looks like you're parked outside the west wing of the Whitehouse .
Willie .
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Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:00
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:00
Nahh!! Willie I just pressed the button on the automatic gates and they are a bit slow to open so I thought I would take a photo of the Troopy arriving home after a great trip so you can all see my home.
Will get the maintenance man to sort out the
gate issue, see if he can speed them up a little so I don't risk being harassed by the paparazzi whilst waiting for them to open.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - John L G - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:13
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:13
That looks like Rose's house.
John G
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Reply By: Member - Collyn R (WA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:42
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:42
CraigD
Am delighted with my now 6-month old 4.2 litre TD Patrol.
I also have a year 2000 78-series Troopy. Despite its now very-old engine (I gather it was a copy of the old 6-cyl Perkins) on the road it is quieter and smoother than the Troopy. I far prefer for travelling long distances (eg for going down to
Perth - 2400 km south).
Collyn
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Reply By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:43
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 10:43
Thanks for the positive comments there guys. Appreciated.
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:40
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:40
Good idea Craig,
I'm sure you'll be happy with the 4.2TD. They are a great motor and I think the newer ones aren't having any over-warming issues like mine has displayed from time to time.
Cheers
Roachie
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Reply By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:41
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 11:41
Thanks Roachie and I believe the overheating issue has been sorted by using the 4.8 radiator - is that correct?
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Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 22:09
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 22:09
Hi Craig,
I've talked to a few spray contractors in the NW of NSW and a couple of them are still having warming issues on the newer ones (04-05). But remember these are big loads they ask their 4.2's to tow.
I could not get a straight answer out of Nissan Melb, when I asked if it would be a wise choice to get rid of my original radiator for the 4.8's. Surely if that was the
solution, when I asked to do it at my expense, they would have said "definately that will work". They didn't say this so I presume there is a bit more too it ???
Have fun with what is otherwise a fantastic car. 250000km and still like new (except heaps faster with the powerups I've done).
Cheers Trevor.
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Reply By: Member QLD Steve & Lorraine Mc - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 12:04
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 12:04
Good choice Craig we have a 03 4.2TDi wagon bought new has 83,000 ks on it & no warranty work needed at all. 1st service done free & tappets adjusted thats about it just fuel & oil & not much of the slippery stuff with oil sampling & extended drains working a treat ( makes you bit slack as roachie has commented )because Im not underneath the bloody thing every 5000ks)
Enjoy
Cheers Steve
PS Ours never come good until 65,000ks & fuel got better 12.5 - 13 not towing
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Reply By: macka - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 12:24
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 12:24
Hi.
We got the 2002 3 ltr. Tow 6.5mtr 2.8ton caravan. 110,000+ on the clock
Go round
top end of Aust, every year. Bush and bitumin. Never missed a beat...
Same as a lot of other people I know.
Some of the early ones had a few problems. Motor wise. Yours must have been a fri night special.
Why didn't you just drop a 6.5 Chevvy in it. That's what mine's getting ,when it calks it....
They're a much better car than the Tojo's Specially underneath.... and the chevvy makes it the best of both worlds.. More power. with the reliability, and strength, of the Nissan...
Bloke I know down south, has Troopy with 6.5 in it. Goes past V8 Tojo's uphill, with biiiig van on back. Brilliant.. Doesn't need turbo. Just grunt..
And the sound....... V8 Diesel. Twin 3 inch.....
Regards
MAcka17
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Reply By: Shawn - Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 19:14
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006 at 19:14
Craig,
I think you will enjoy the 4.2 as I'm sure others will testify.
It's no rocket ship but thats not what they're bought for.
You won't have any trouble on the roads either as all the traffic passes you at spead or is stuck behind you. haha
Suppose you can't wait to get it, like a kid waiting for his new toy and project.
Cheers
Shawn
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Reply By: Member - Glenn D (NSW) - Friday, Feb 17, 2006 at 19:52
Friday, Feb 17, 2006 at 19:52
I am prepared to be educated but " Intercooler oil leak " sounds a bit funny to me , unless I am mistaken the intercooler is air to air .
I hope you didnt pay to get this fixed.
Glenn.
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