3.0l Gu engine failures

I have a mate with a 2000 model that has 215,000 K's on the clock and the only thing that has gone wrong was the intercooler sprung a leak. The vehicle is an auto and is serviced localy every 10,000K.
Mine is a 2003 model auto and so far the glovebox lid has been changed under warranty due to paint rubbing off. Only 60,000 on the clock so far.

Pooley

Codaro
My series 3 (2003) model is fitted with the 8.5lt sump and supposedly modified pistons. My car has over 150000km on the clock and regularly does 110 kph runs to Melb from Syd, no problem.

The problem, as I know it is, with pre mod cars, that is models with the 6ltr sump.

The problem seems to be when the vehicle is driven for long periods at 100-120kph that they sometimes use oil.

When the oil level drops so to does the splash of oil under the pistons causing them to overheat and fail.

The solution is, to check you oil level every few hundred Km to see if yours is one of the engines that use oil at speed, because not all or even most do that.

This is a wise precaution on any engine.

I had a NEW Misibushi van that used NO oil around town but a run to Newcastle from Sydney saw me use 1ltr of oil even when the motor was NEW through to 200000.

ALWAYS CHECK YOU OIL, that goes for ANY make and model.
There are thousands of 3ltr Patrols out there doing just fine.

Common sence should be your guide, not the scare mongers that love to knock any vehicle that is not the same as theirs.

On Patrol

Hello Codaro

1. The 2000 / 2001 ZD30 owners hand book specified engine oil changes at max. of 15,000kms. For extreme conditions (e.g. towing, dusty conditions or stop start city traffic?) change oil and filter every 7,500kms.

I was verbaly advised by a motor dealer that Nissan revised the oil and filter maximum change kilometres down to 5,000 kms once they started to experience engine failures. no written advice.

2. The 2000 / 2001 ZD30 owners hand book specified a range of engine oils. I used 15W - 40 CF or CF-4 as it seemed most suitable for Australian conditions.

It clearly states NOT to use CG oil.

3. I was given a copy of a Service Bulletin which I have copied below. It was a copy of a copy so I don't accept responsibility if it is incorrect.

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 A3 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 all 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

4. The 2000 / 2001 ZD30 ZD30 owners manual has a replacement sticker over the engine oil capacity specification revising the sump capacity fill including filter to 8.1 litres. I believe this was placed in the owners manual when the sump capacity modifications were performed.

5. All major oil companies web sites that I have looked at, now specify CF 10W-40 engine oil and 5,000kms oil change periods for the ZD30.

Hope this is helpful
Keep on 4wding in your Patrol!
Phil

Yes the earlier diesel engines had much smaller sumps and oil capacities and therefore if the oil became contaminated you would risk doing engine damage. The newer vehicles seem to have much bigger sumps and oil capacities meaning theres more oil to go around and less risk of damage. The typical rule of thumbs apply, change your oil and filter regurlarly and use the best quality oil, we hear of problems here and there and although I am a Toyota driver it's fair to say Nissan have suffered via the Rumourmill more so than real issues. Real engine issues were suffered by the Gen 111 at one stage, Holden, not sure Nissan ever had major problems, more a case of isolated cases here and there. If I am wrong please correct me.

Thanks everyone for your input. It has been invaluable. Having only had the vehicle for 18 months.... previously a toyota owner!!!...I was not aware of this problem.

Thanks!

Codaro

I just have to comment on the fact that you've hardly been inundated with experiences!

I wonder about the extent of the problem. It exists no doubt about it. But at times I think others exaggerate to stick it to us 3.0l TD owners, perhaps to inflate the value of their own vehicles by making ours seem very undesirable.

I have 3 3.0l TD in my family. There are numerous 3.0l TD in my 4wd club. Many are getting up there in km's. Yet I have no personal experience of the problem.

Ours is Dec 03. We try to do the right thing - service it regularly, and check oils, filters regularly etc , and we go bush with confidence. It gets real punishment. More than ever, I don't want a thirsty 4.2 Patrol or a break diff Toyo [but still regard these as great vehicles] - and I do have personal experience of these issues!

JD

It all has to be kept in perspective!
Although I have an elderly TD42 and love it, especially after biting the bullet and turbo'ing it, I have NEVER heard of a 2003 or later ZD30 blowing up. Not ever! Have seen plenty with lots of kilometres, including a relation with 300,000+klms (courier type work)
I also know personally of lots of earlier models and know of only one problem (2000), -Nissan completly replaced the motor OUT of extended warranty for the princely sum of $900, though obviously some others do have trouble....
LandCruisers...?
I personally know of five blown diffs, one gearbox, and two engines destroyed by "bottom end" bearing failures. AND a very recent one which broke a timing belt and destroyed the engine!
Other brands... don't start me!
All brands can have their dud's!
Keep it in perspective.......

The story that small sump capacity was causing the ZD30 failures is rubbish,this has been Nissans excuse all along (even to the consumer affairs and newspaper journalists).
My engine blew at 118,000 kms and had already been recalled early in its life for the shorter dipstick.
Quite obviously a manufacturing fault,either materials quality or design/assembly errror caused these failures.
Rather than make this public it was less destructive to the companys reputation to push on with the low oil level story.
I believe that when the failures were occuring several changes to piston design were made to attempt to solve the problem.
Quite clearly the failures were related to either piston design or lubrication flow to this area.
Personally I think the spray pattern and oil flows were the problem and some how related to the additional oil sensor which is fitted below the Turbo on the later models.
Can any one explain the function of this sensor?
My 2000 model has now done 70,000 hard kms on its 2003 motor and is going fine.
We have just returned from a 10,000km outback trip and its going like a train,but there is always that nagging doubt in your mind due to Nissan never revealing the real truth on the cause of failures.
Regards