zd30 grenade

Buy A Toyota ( Well you did ask)

Head still warped ( in the car I mean)

Rings gone pressurising sump.

Know how you must feel. Don't know much about you motor but I have on odd occasions had head gaskets (especially non genuine) that are slightly different with their water jacket holes which can let water into the sump. I assume you had the head repaired/replaced & checked before putting it on. Does the ZD30 have wet sleeves? What I have done in the past is to drop the sump, let the drips stop, fill the motor with water & see if you can find where it is entering the sump. IE from the oil drain galleries from the top of the motor/around the pistons ect.
from what you say I would think that it won't be hard to find.
Someone who knows these motors can probably tell you more.
Regards Mike.

AAAaaaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!

Mate I really feel for you. Just going through rebuilding mine at present. Pistons 1 & 4 cracked; 2 burnt a hole; 3 OK. Seems obvious this is a problem with piston MATERIAL. Maybe Nissan had a bad batch. NNNoooooo !! Not Nissan.

Did you replace the O ring and gasket at the front of the head?

Come to think of it, I remembered the O ring but have some gaskets left over. Have to check mine now. :-(

Malcolm

Hi 4wdr,
As a current owner of a 4.2TD GU, I am glad I never bought one of these grenades. Sadly, the whole issue rests with Nissan, who seem to be shy of really taking responsibility. For this reason, I'd be very wary of buying another Nissan.
Let's face it, most models, whatever brand, have some teething or design problems in their life, but the real test is whether the manufacturer has the balls to own the problem and fix it, and Nissan, (along with a couple of other manufacturers I won't name, lest I be accused of flaming) in my opinion have let their customers down badly.
People will say that the percentage of engine failures is quite low, but for the poor unfortunates who have to bear the brunt of these failures, it leaves a very bad taste in the mouth and a larger hole in their pocket.
Sorry I can't help further
Gerry

I mentioned this problem to an New Zealand engine reconditioner the other day and he assures me that they do not have this problem - "never heard of it" ! It's a small country and the reconditioning fraternity is even smaller so I am sure that if it was a problem news would get around rather quickly. Wonder what the difference between those vehicles in NZ and Australia is ?

.

The reason i rebuilt is that it died whilst driving along the highway.I guess im lucky in away cause i got to 270,000 before it died.Im thinking about putting a 4.2 in there,are there any dramas with doing this???

I have just had my engine replaced/ repaired by Nissan in November 2008 ,there was a hole in number 3 and number 4 wasn't flash.I had the updated pistons fitted and a new block. the official explanation was that the oil galleys in the old block are smaller and on long trips the oil is pumped up to the head but does not run back quick enough.Thus the pick up for the oil squirters for the pistons are staved for oil and over heat and presto hole and cracks.the new block has larger holes to let the oil back down and the piston tops are thicker,also the oil capacity has increased to 8.7lts.

Have had same problem with a volvo diesel, filling sump with coolant after a reco. Turned out BLOCK/HEAD studs needed resealing, coolant finding a track to sump.Suggest removing sump in situ if possible, fill cooling system and if neccessary leave onite.


Best of luck.

TASSIE...

Some owners were thinking about getting one of the TV stations to do a report on the ZD30 grenading.
Probably wont happen ,so I suggest making a short video with owners stating their problems and playing it on youtube.
As long its truthfull the lawyers cant touch you;)

4wdr,
I have heard of a bloke doing a 4.2 transplant. i think he is on patrol.com. it can be done, and there are minimal engineering issues to deal with (in the ACT its like that anyway) as the modle you have came out with a 4.2, thus not needing engineering.
let me know how you go, because if my zd30 goes, thats what is going in mine.

It really is time for a class action on this one.

In my view there are a couple of contributing factors, but mostly come back to too much heat and cycling between high combustion temperatures and lower temperatures. A failed MAF can contribute in some circumstances, but basically I believe you are looking at an engine management system and some ancillaries that allow combustion temperatures to get too high, and if towing or doing lots of highway work, the engine management system allows cycling up and down in temperature that eventually results in failure.

Nissan claim to have fixed it and maybe they have but I've measure 575 deg C after the turbo on a brand new Nissan patrol with 5000k on the clock and that worries me.

Everyone who has failed engines should get together, find a good lawer and try for a class action. That is my personal view.