Patrol 3L Turbo Diesel Engine Problem

Submitted: Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 13:37

ThreadID: 45426 Views:4524 Replies:7 FollowUps:5

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Member - Alan (WA)

Hi everyone,

I know there are a lot of post on this already, but I don't know what my issue is - thus the post. The posts seem to talk about the issues, rather than the symptoms to look for.

I have a Patrol - Oct 2004 3L Turbo Diesel STL - 51000km done - with just over 20000km of those since Christmas (travelling around Australia). Car serviced at 45000km just under one month ago.

150km south of Alice yesterday, car made a "wshooooshing" sound, lost power most power, and blows alot of black smoke when revved. Engine idles ok - starts fine, just an airy whine and lots of black smoke when revved.

Limped to nearest roadhouse - no mechanic - but the guy there said that it sounded like teh turbo had gone (straight after he told me to get a Toyota).

I let it sit for 30min, checked the oil level (seemed fine) - but added a little as I thought it would be burning a bit on the way.

We drove on to Alice (has a Nissan dealer here) - at around 40 - 60km.

Pain to have to stop unplanned - we were due to head on north today, and days are limited for the remainder of our trip. We had only just revised the remaining itinerary - ugh - but now will have to wait until tomorrow to take it in to Nissan. Then it is a matter of getting it fixed, so we are keen to know the damage (time and $).

My questions are:

- any ideas as to what this issue sounds like
- if you know what it might be, how long should it take to fix, and what do reckon it would cost?

Any helpful information (other than suggestions to get a Cruiser :) - woudl be much appreciated.

Alan

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Reply By: Notso - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 13:45

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 13:45

You may have split a turbo hose, or blown it off.

You can check it by undoing the four nuts on the plastic engine cover and having a look.

Otherwise sit back with a glass of red and wait till tomorrow.

Mine blew one out early in it's life and I had it for 6years.

AnswerID: 239705

Reply By: Redeye - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 14:01

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 14:01

Hi Alan,

Would have to agree with the above post. A very common cause of excess smoke is a turbo tube coming off the intercooler. Very simple to rectify with a 10mm spanner.

But having said that and hoping not to hijack your posting I have exactly the same symptoms as you yesterday in NSW and the turbo plumbing is OK.

So I hope yours is an easy fix and I get a response on what else it could be.

Redeye

AnswerID: 239708

Follow Up By: RosscoH - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 15:08

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 15:08

Sounds just like mine before easter, turned out it was the little electrical part of the computer that is actually in the injecter pump, The big thing is the pump has to come off to fix, as it has to go to a diesel shop to be fixed, if it turns out to be this find out if your pump has any wear in it and if so put a claim through your comprehensive insurance as a dirty fuel problem causing engine damage and let them pay for it. Mine cost roughly $5000.00. If you do this don't mention it had anything to do with the electrical side.
Cheers Rossco.

FollowupID: 500686

Follow Up By: Blaze - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 23:12

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 23:12

Sounds like a Turbo pipe, have heard around the traps that they are a problem, also if the vehicle is doing it, you should have the turbo boost checked I am told.

FollowupID: 500828

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10:34

Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10:34

Thanks Redeye - got it in one. Hose came off. Simply placed back on - good as new. Got another lecture about owning a Cruiser - but other than that, easily done.

FollowupID: 500886

Reply By: KiwiAngler - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 15:55

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 15:55

I would go with the turbo hose theory - if it is this it is easily fixed - mine used to pop off quite a bit - makes a hell of anoise and the first time it happens you almost -------get very excited :-)

AnswerID: 239718

Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 16:17

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 16:17

I sure hope it is just the turbo hose blowing off - ours went with a bang when we were towing the caravan up hill on the way home one day, then loss of power. Fearing something worse, it went straight to the mechanic next morning. Simple to fix, and we got it done up properly hence it never caused trouble again.

Motherhen

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AnswerID: 239722

Reply By: Peter 2 - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 17:00

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 17:00

From memory of reading previous posts on the Patrol Grenadier wasn't it suggested that the hose blowing off the intercooler was an early symptom of overboosting caused by sensor/fuel problems which eventually led to engine meltdown?

AnswerID: 239729

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:09

Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 19:09

Hi Peter

Hoses blowing off was reported by a few people - but i don't recall it being by any of the ones who's engines blew. ACDC did report the theory that over boosting and the engine failures may be linked, which seemed the most feasible theory. A boost gauge is the best indication of this, not a hose blowing off which may just indicate the quality of the clip holding a boost gauge in place. Our hose blew off around 3 years ago and we've had no problems at all since.

Motherhen

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FollowupID: 500734

Reply By: Dingo77 - Monday, May 14, 2007 at 09:25

Monday, May 14, 2007 at 09:25

I had the same problem after some poor excuse of a diesel mechanic incorrectly re-assembled the turbo hoses, (and broke my radiator outlet, some place in N/Melb VIC), anyway it's an easy fix, the hose clamps require an 8mm socket /spanner.

As a precaution I would probably have the MAF sensor (MASS AIR FLOW) checked ASAP by a decent dealer was this may be the cause of your boost problems, the boost sensor isn't usually an issue.

Also, I'm aware that some intercoolers have a tendency to blow (very small rupture) maybe it was due to the early design , I don't think this is your problem, good to know about it though.
I'm assuming that you haven't blocked off the EGR system...not a bad thing if you did (IMHO).

AnswerID: 239885

Reply By: Member - Alan (WA) - Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10:39

Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10:39

Thanks everyone. Went to Nissan this morning - Peter Kittle Nissan. Too busy to help - not really interested. #$%##@#@. End of week at earliest.

Went to another smaller workshop - Aone Mechanics - 31 Priest St - great bloke and despite being busy, helped me out straight away. And then only wanted $10 for dropping other things to fit me in. If you are around Alice and need some help, I reckon you give these a go. I gave him a bit extra for his trouble.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Being able to go in with some info definitely got my foot in the door. By giving the possibility of it being something simple, I was able to get someone to look at it. MUCH appreciated.

Alan

AnswerID: 239896