Nissan Patrol advice

It would be wise to do a search on the forum or visit the Patrol web site.
If I was looking for one it would be the 4.2 turbo. Steer clear of the 3ltr turbo.

My 2bobs
Regards
Franga

tasman,

The G60 was good but after that. :-))

The 3lt vehicles were a problem when they first came out and that has been well documented.

The 4.2 diesel turbo would be the vehicle to look for as they are almost as good as the Toyota RV Troopie.


!MPG:16!

Wayne

Tasman


The best Patrol is the 4.2 litre Turbo Diesel. The motor is very reliable.

The early 3 litre motors had problems. Not all but enough to give it a poor reputation. The motor was introduced in 2000. In Europe they recalled all and fitted a larger sump. In Australia they recalled all and fitted a shorter dipstick. The later models do not seem to have many problems.

One problem with the 3 litre is that the fuel pump does not like contaminated fuel and it costs thousands to fit a new one. If you go for the 3 litre fit an additional filter with a water trap.

There were problems with a manufacturing fault in patrols around 2000. The fith gear spline was too short and would go. If you are considering purchasing one get the VIN number and phone Nissan Customer Service. They will be able to advise if it is one of the vehicles with the faulty spline and whether it has been replaced.



Tjilpi

Tasman,

Firstly, I think it would be wise to advise the forum whether you want petrol or diesel. I would not count out a petrol 4.8 as they go like stink, but this is only possible if you tow a petrol bowser as well hehehehe, truely good motor though.

If your poison is diesel and you are looking at the earlier models around the 2000 mark, be prepared for many issues in all the 2.8lt (these were pre 99), 3lt and the 4.2lt motors. 3lt of this vintage have been known to blow, 4.2's of this vintage have been known to strip the spline shaft around 5th gear- run hot when being worked hard, plenty of info on all these issues in the archives on this forum and probably other forums as well. 2.8's were, and still are notoriasly difficult to start, some put up with it but others can't.

Later models (after about 2003) have not had many reports of similar problems except the running hot of the 4.2's as this is inherent with the motor but not life threatining as many have done huge k's (mine has 340 000km and it has run hot since brand new). I personally would buy another 4.2 Patrol but not brand new this time as Nissan's warranty is not worth the paper it is written on in my opinion., but the motor does take plenty and keeps going.

Don't take all this, as all bad, the truck is a pearler in my opinion and most makes will have a similar line up of issues if put through the same question. Buy as late a model as you can and either 4.2 diesel or the 4.8 petrol if you can afford the fuel bill.

Hope it helps,
Trevor.

I'm concerned that no-one's mentioned the 2000 4.5 ST Patrol. Concerned because we bought one to tow a 19ft caravan around Aus. It's a petrol and gas. Does anyone on the forum know of any probs with this model?
Cheers.

I've got a 2003 GU manual 3 litre 110,000km for sale in Wagga Wagga NSW

burgandrive at yahoo dot com dot au if you're interested...

Hi Tasman

We have our 2002 (series III - out of the danger zone) 3 ltr auto for sale in WA, in the Trader section.

Our son got a 4.2 and thinks it is terrible - no where near the performance of the 3 ltr; a real slug.

Motherhen

Whats wrong with the 3ltr?

What's right with it?

There is a very good reason why it's loving referred to as "The Hand Grenade".

It's like giving some dynamite to a Muslim, it's only a question of when it's going to explode.

G'day Tasman,

I have a 2000 / 2001 3.0Litre Turbo, manual. Mine has 120000 k's and I love it as a touring vehicle and for towing our Camper. Like all the comments you have read, they are renowned for blowing pistons and 5th gear. Touch wood, mine hasn't suffered engine failure as yet, although I did suffer an injector pump failure which cost $3200 for replacement (Not through Nissan - there quote was about $5500). Mine has also had 5th gear replaced.

I suggest you do as I am currently doing, and research on preventative measures you can take, including modifications to the EGR. There is a lot of info on this forum, as well as googling "ZD30".

In hindsight, knowing what I know now, I would have bought a 4.2, not for any performance related issues, but purely from a reliability factor. If you do decide on a 3.0 litre, go for one with a good service history, although that doesn't guarantee any longevity with the 3.0 litre!!

Good Luck!!

I've got a '98 2.8 for sale.........its a beauty, really, a lot of new parts on it and still needs a few more.....(its a lemon!)

Last week I bought a 2004 ST-L 4.2 TDi and couldn't be happier. It has enough get up and go, tows the boat really well, is better on fuel consumption than the 2.8, and the temp guage didn't moove on the drive from Perth to Kununurra, dispite some highspeed uphill work passing roadtrains on hot days. Very happy with it so far, unlike the 2.8, which I had a bad run with...

I don't like petrols, but they seem pretty good talking to a few that own them. The 3.0 had its problems.......may be OK now. I steered away from them due to the computer. The last breakdown I had with the 2.8 was a simple fuel cut off solenoid. Even though you could take the guts out of it and technically stall the engine to stop it, the computer won't let it start until it is fixed (or is led to believe it is fixed) Not much good in an isolated location.

Good luck, the 4.2's are currently holding and is some cases gaining value at the moment.

Cheers Andrew

Mine is an 01 4.2 TD.

I love it. We tow a camper trailer and have done all kinds of travellingwith it. We did Broken Hill to Ballina in 1 day (5/1/05) it was a stinker and I had to be careful of the temp gauge as mine does have a tendancy to climb. I still managed to travel at the speed limit for the entire trip and arrived in Ballina felling tired but not overly when you consider the day we had. There were 5 of us in the car and the trailer was hanging on the back, all packed for 7 weeks away from home.

It is a little less economical than I would like, but aren't they all?

I know a few people with 3.0l models from 02 and none have had major problems. One did lose 5th gear which surprised me because I thought it was only a problem in the 4.2, but Nissan did cover it under warranty. Later model 3.0l are fine with no reported problems that I know about. New pistons seem to have fixed the problem. The guy who lost 5th also toes a large off road camper trailer.

I reckon his fuel consuption is way better than mine but he reckons mine is not too bad. We each have days when we wish we had the other's car. Does this help.

This is my 3rd Nissan when someone proves to me that the Toyota is worth all the extra $$$$ I will consider buying one but in the last 17years of Nissan ownership I have not had a complaint.

Duncs