2003 GU Patrol Crack Cylinder Head

Had the same with a Mazdo Bravo 2.4 petrol a few years back - took it to a mechanic who removed it off and sent it to head specialist - he repaired it twice - both times thought he had it done - it still weeped from within a spark plug tunnel- the mechanic eventually gave up (he had it off 3 times) - verdict was a fine metal stress fracture somewhere in there (never been cooked) - IE - you win some you lose some - $1200 list for a new bare head - mechanic said to ask for trade in his name - off came $300. Your TD donk is a completely different issue of course, but if you need the car in a hurry, you don't have time to research $ options.

Sllepy71,

I am just having my head replaced after finding out it too was cracked. Mine was cracked at number 4 piston around the valves. Car has never overheated, but had the same symptoms as yours. My patrol is a 2004 3lt with just 80,000k's on the clock and the manufactures new car warranty ran out in April. NOT HAPPY!!!

Only two cracks! Mine had four and a couple of cracked pistons! I think I was quoted $3000 for a new head and eventually got it with the new engine and all the other stuff that needed doing. Mine also did not lose any coolant and the cracks were probably there for a while, well 3 would have been anyway. The head reco man said he could repair those three but not the fourth. I had a look at it and it was buggered. These are the joys of GU 3-0 ownership!

Hows it going Sleepy,

Had a cracked head after 140k , cracked from coolant jacket into inlet runner, it was in a place that couldnt be fixed.

Cost a bit more than 5 grand.

14-1600 for bare head from Nissan , rest of cost was for labour , crack test ( which failed ) , valve grind and swap of parts between heads , reassembly , gaskets oil coolant etc. also got cvs and front bearings greased while it was sitting there.

Are you in the city or bush , maybe you should do some ringing around cause this sounds a bit pricey for a bare head only ( you do mean the cast bit only with no hardware ? )

Hope this helps you out .

Glenn.

Sleepy, ZD30 bare heads and engine rebuild kits are available on Ebay.
Regards Andrew.
ZD30 head
ZD30 rebuild kit

Are you sure it's the cylinder head and not just the gasket?

If there's water in the oil and oil in the water then you've got problems

If there's water in the oil but no oil in the water (radiator) then it's not so bad

You can cure this problem by using Chemiweld in the radiator, as it seals small leaks in the head and the head gasket.

If you haven't used Chemiweld before, then make sure you do it as per the instructions and leave the radiator cap off and place cardboard infront of the radiator so the water temperature heats right up (but not boiling). Then leave it overnight to cool before driving it and leave it in for about a week of normal driving before flushing it.

Be sure to use pure coolant (high quality) in your radiator as it has a much higher boiling point than water and thus will put less stress on the cooling system due to less pressure. Obviously if you run Chemiweld through it first, flush it out with some water, then flush that before putting in the coolant

Although it's very cheap, it does work if the problem isn't serious and you do it properly - It sure beats spending $4000 on rebuilding the head!!!

Cheers, Will.

I have one under my bench in my workshop which is cracked in 3 of the 4 cylinders.
Very common and 4 grand is about right.
Sorry dude.
The piston in my profile is from the same engine. 80k.
120scruiser

Had cracked head on ford courier 2000 model 2.5lt turbo diesel, caused by blocked radiator.
Overheated from blocked radiator so pulled that apart and cleaned out each core put it back together vechile didnt overheat again, but 12 months later was hard starting and loosing coolant, and finally wouldnt turn over because of hydraulic lockup.
Removed head and found gasket leak on number 4 cylinder to the coolant.
Took head to cylinder head to engine rebuilder, he was to do 3 test on head and would ring me in 3 or 4 hours.
He called me after an hour head had to leaks and failed hardness test.
I searched on the web for new and second hand cylinder heads, found plenty overseas but also discovered the chinese are making copies and some of these copies fail the hardness test straight out the box.
So i let the mechanic organize a new bare head at trade price $1700 then he fitted new valve gear.
Installed head myself cost allup was $2500.
But now engine is a bit down on power with number 4 cylinder not being happy having to run on water.
I have beeen involved with diesel engines for 25 years this is the first 4wd i have had anything to do with, i still have the vechile drive it daily 100km round trip each day to work and dont trust it at all.
I wish i took a closer look when buying this vechile, to see if it was a steel or alloy head.
I never imagined someone would put a alloy head on a diesel. But some one is making good money from this design.
This is the first and last time i will have a alloy head diesel.