3lt Petrol GQ

Trev,

I had one for three years. Just loved it.

A bit of a slug but performs OK it you are prepared to give it a rev.

The motors have been known to commonly get 500,000 km. It was a superbly designed motor and hailed as a gem at the time. Pity Nissan didn't fit it with fuel injection as it did to Skylines and Commodores.

They did have a problem of a bit of a plate in the carby coming loose and falling into the motor, causing an unpleasant meeting of valves and pistons. Still, at 300,000, it's either been fixed or will never fall off.

Cheers,

Jim.

Hi Trevor,
I have 360K on mine and it has been nothing but great. You will get baggers but they are fine vehicles in their own right. It has much more still left in it.

If you are anticipating fitting a bigger engine with the thought of better performance, you will also need to replace the gearbox and diff centres as these are different from the bigger engined GQ's.

I have had no issues (other than a very intermittent fuel freezing problem in the middle of winter as the carby heater doesn't work) and I would buy another 3.0 l petrol GQ if I needed to.

I get about 15l/100k city cycle and about 13l/100k highway. The main reason for the small difference is they struggle a bit with hills when trying to maintain 100k. They get a bit thirstier when towing as well.

All in all it depends on what you want to do with it but I reckon the lower power and cheaper economy are assets for fuel and points conservation. I can go anywhere my mates do and I usually get there at the same time but with a few laughs from the passengers when the hills come. Also the price will be cheap because no-one really wants the "little" 3.0 petrol. I paid half the going rate of the 4.2 for my 3.0 about 4 years ago and haven't looked back.

With only 30K on the clock I would take it gentle at first and check water related systems thoroughly. The gearbox is a dream to use.

My MIL got a Hyundai Sonata with less than 10K but about 10 years old. It has been a bit troublesome because of the amount of sitting it has done and very light loads it has endured (other than usual Hyundai problems).

I hope it goes well for you.

Cheers Cam

Hi Trevor

They are a 16 sec to 100kmh car - whereas your 4.2 is slower at approx 19 sec
and current 3lt diesel is also approx 16

No inherent issues other than carby heater plate asmentioned above usullay goes making it harder to start in cold.

I'd replace timing belt if I got one.

They have low torque of idle - can be converted to fuel injection if your that way inclined.

Strangely they carry more load than GU's

Robin Miller

I have heard that they can crack the head between number three and four cylinder if poor coolant maintenance or overheated. When in EFI guise in Commodores the exhaust manifold warps pulling the number one and six cylinder studs. Replace the manifold with extractors if this happens. The engine in my VL is up to 300,000 kms withe extractors and no other problems. I love the engine, it is sweet, smooth and loves to rev.

wouldnt waste my time with it as you could pick up a 4.2 diesal for the same price and have more confidance with it Col

Had mine from new in 91. Now 306,000k and untouched motor/head except for a few exhaust manifold studs which failed , I thought , because of increased exhaust temp due to LPG.
Towed a lot over the years, but generally around 1 tonne. Taking my van to NT in a week. No problems on the flat (most of the country) Doesnt like hills but find the gear and go with the flow at around 3000rpm. Spend a lot of time in 4th.
Cheap to and very very reliable. Agree with most comments above. Not for the speedsters. Sounds good (30k ? wow !).

Gday
390,000 km on mine.. 1 water pump this year..Mostly to and from work with the odd trip up to the high country.three or more trips a year. I also tow a tandem trailer for work.