2000 Nissan Patrol 3 litre turbo engine failure

Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up and advice. I have looked at the archives and wow, I think we have a big problem. Could someone please give me the contact details for the Main Office of Nissan (not Melbourne) just in case it does go? I don't like being cheated - especially when Nissan knew there was a problem. I think everyone with a 2000 -2001 model should be covered for a new motor. Who has a spare $6,000 - $13,000 depending on the damage done. Knowing our luck (which isn't good) our motor will fail? I thought diesals were reliable and that's why I bought one. At the price they are you don't expect them to blow up. Why didn't Nissan just recall them and replace them with a different motor.
Zedd

Having read all the bad news about the engine fault is there anyone who has been through a rebuild, exchange, new motor etc for this problem? Did you have a later model engine put into your Nissan Patrol 3.0 litre Turbo or did you just replace with the same model and hope it was okay?
Zedd

Apparently, up until recently Nissan was replacing the engine with a later model short motor. Now they have a rebuild kit they put through your engine.

Leroy

"Although dipsticks were chopped"

Two legged or metallic?

2 legs at Nissan, 1 in the engine bay.. what a way to increase the oil capacity... although there is now an upgraded part #

You personally know 4 people who have had them die, yet still bought one? totally agree with you there truckster, but then again 2.8d hiluxs were known for going bang too and I still bought one so mmmm, maybe I'm just as bad but have to admit most of the lux's problems were from lack of oil changes and no 4 bearing shyting itself from lack of lubrication but at least there was an answer for it patrol 3Litre think there still trying to work it out, oh oh now Im gunna get nailed I'm waiting, wont say any more. Regards Steve M

Speaking of dipsticks toyota did the exact same thing on the lexcens (commodores)(ecotec motor) as they would chew through the oil in the sump between 10 thou k service and would be seizing up so did a recall longer dipstick extra 1 litre of oil would see it last till the next 10k service, guess who had the job of pulling it out and whacking a new one in and an extra litre of oil ?? There all as bad as each other these car manufacturers and they call that a fix what a joke. Regards Steve M

It doesn't say he bought the car after hearing of the 4 failures......nice assumption.

Hi,
No I didn't buy the car after hearing of the 4 failures. We've had the car 4 years, but have only just started to hear about the engine problems. The ones we know of have blown around 120,000km+. All were regularly serviced - as is ours. I think I'm just sitting on a time bomb. Maybe we got a good engine. (I hope). Why hasn't anyone contacted Current Affairs or Today Tonight extra with this issue? There must be a lot of very angry 3 Litre Nissan Patrol owners out there whose cars have blown.
Zedd

Zedd, maybe it's time for a trade in ;-)

Only problem with trading them in, they have $0.00 trade in value due to the probs.
So rock and a hard place. Trade in n lose, or wait for it to blow up n spend $12k on rebuild (Or get the kit off ebay!), or swap engines with something else.

I think you mean CG not SG.

Leroy

Phil,

I am very interested in your comments regarding the optimum oil types for use with this engine, especiallly your highlighted note to avoid SG (or CG as Leroy points out). In fact, you stress CF or CF-4 should be used, which I believe are semi-synthetic oils rather than full.

Could you possibly expand on this aspect a bit more please ?

Thanks, Red-one.

Hi Leroy and Red-one

Leroy is correct. My Nissan handbook says "Never use API CG - 4 oil" in reference to the ZD30 engine. The Gregorys Repair Manual makes a similar recommendation.

Below is a copy of a copy of a supposed Nissan Publication. I cannot give any assurance it is correct so I am not responsible it is it BS.

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 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

Authorised by:
R Bahn
Manager. Engineering Support
National Service & Engineering Department

NISSAN MOTOR GO.
Locked Bag 1450. Dandenong South, VIC, :3154 Phone. (03) 97974111 Fax. (03) 97974400

PLEASE NOTE
This bulletin does not mention engine oil and filter change frequency.
On page 8-5 of my owners manual engine oil and filter changes are specified for every 15,000kms. On page 8-7 under Severe Conditions it specifies engine oil and filter changes every 7,500 kms.

A mechanic told me that Nissan had issued advice reducing the 15,000 km or 7,500 kms engine oil and filter changes to 10,000 kms or 5,000 kms for severe conditions.

He definitely didn't like the Nissan ZD30 engine or any Nissan for that matter. He defined severe conditions as all normal Australian motoring. He ( cynically? ) suggested something like the idea that in the case of the ZD30 engine, 10,000 kms may be ok if;

- the vehicle was driven constantly for 10,000 kms unloaded;
- never stopped;
- on flat bitumen road;
- engine never exceeded 2,200 RPM or idled more than 30 seconds each hour, and;
- outside air temperature constantly between 15 and 20 degrees C.

Anything different must be considered severe for the ZD30.

Trust this answers your question
Cheers
Phil