3.0ltr turbo diesel????

Submitted: Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 17:40
ThreadID: 68451 Views:3900 Replies:13 FollowUps:9
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hi there,
i am thinking of buying a patrol in the dreaded 3.0ltr!
i need to buy an auto and the 3.0 is the only one i can find in my price range but i have heard a lot of bad stories about em so not shore if i should? can you guys shead any light on them and what to watch out for when buying. the one i looked at has had turbo replaced but thats all thats he has had trouble with?
cheers sam
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Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 17:59

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 17:59
Hi Sam

We have one - Series III 2002 model. Never had a spot of trouble with it.

We had to replace it as tow vehicle because the auto was not legal to tow the weight of our loaded van. Still have it - family sabotage attempts to sell this favourite vehicle. It has done 140,000 kms.

I can't tell you what to look for in the second hand market. We put EGT and boost gauges on ours, so if either head upwards, just cut back on the accelerator. Your research will have told you that the 'improved' series started October 2001.

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AnswerID: 362828

Reply By: Member - greg S (QLD) - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 18:08

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 18:08
G'day sam,

Go to www.patrol4x4.com

You should be able to get all the info you need on buying a patrol.

cheers Greg
AnswerID: 362830

Follow Up By: Chev-Patrol 6.5 V8 D - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:04

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:04
x2.

From what I've read on the patrol forum, the blokes who seem to have beaten the 3 litres problems have done the following:

1. Fit EGT and Boost gauges
2. Block off the EGR valve (stops exhaust gases being recycled into the induction process).
3. Fit a Dawes Valve (I think this limits the amount of boost that can be developed by the turbo, but I'm no expert).
4. Fit an oil catch can to the PCV valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation)
5. Fit an electric fan to the top of the intercooler (temperature or manually controlled)

There could be a couple of other mods, but these are the main ones I think.

The theory with the 3 litre blow-ups is along the lines of:

The MAF sensor (Mass Airflow Sensor) in the air intake area, gets a coating of dust or oil residue (from the EGR process and or the PCV valve?) on it's sensor.

This sensor then sends a "false" signal to the computer to the effect that the boost needs to be raised to overcome a lack of air (which it isn't really suffering from).

The variable vains on the turbo (controlled by the computer) are then angled to a different pitch (just like the propellers on a aeroplane), to increase the boost pressure.

The boost pressure increases, sometimes resulting in a Intercooler hose blowing off....but all too often it results in far too much BANG in the cylinder, with a subsequent holing of a piston.

The idea of the modifications are to limit the amount of boost (Dawes valve) and to stop the oily residue getting into the air intake and onto the MAF.
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FollowupID: 630485

Reply By: Anglo - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:05

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:05
I think the main thing is to avoid the pre Nov 2001 as they were the main cause of the bad press with exploding engines. We had a 2004 3.0 td and it never missed a beat.

Personally we preferred the auto, but be aware that it's only rated for 2.5 tonnes towing. The manual is 3.5 (I believe). We didn't need the extra towing so it wasn't an issue.

Problems still occur with Patrols after this cut off, but I think that they are more of the 'unlucky' or lack of maintenance issues rather than a mechanical issue as was the case with the exploding engines.

Get it inspected if you're not sure about what to look for.

Hope that helps,

Chris
AnswerID: 362840

Follow Up By: On Patrol & TONI - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 20:00

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 20:00
Chris
With due respect, I am nether one of the unlucky few, as they still go "tinkle" (that is the sound they make when they go) and my 2003 Sr III did not suffer from lack of maintenance.

The ZD30 problem remains right up to the new Common Rail, but as yet not including it. Time will tell.
See my Blog.
Colin.
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FollowupID: 630492

Follow Up By: Anglo - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 21:34

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 21:34
Hi Colin, I feel for you, it is something that I would hate to happen to anyone. Can I ask if yours was an auto or manual?

I have my own personal (and totally not backed up by any mechanical expertise) that the combo of the 3.0 and manual gearbox is not a good one.

The ZD30 runs at about 2600rpm at cruising speed with the manual comparted to 2100 in overdrive in the auto. I felt that this was too high when test driving as the engine just felt like it was being strained.

However I could be totally wrong!
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FollowupID: 630503

Follow Up By: Kumunara (NT) - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 00:57

Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 00:57
Anglo


I have been informed that problems have occurred with motors with manual gearbox.

That problems have not occurred with autos.

I don't have to worry about how accurate that info is. I drive a 4.2



Cheers
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Follow Up By: Chev-Patrol 6.5 V8 D - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 10:04

Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 10:04
No, that's not quite right..... I know of at least 2 auto trans models that have had their pin pulled (with predictable consequences).
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FollowupID: 630537

Follow Up By: On Patrol & TONI - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 19:56

Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 19:56
In answer to you all,

Auto's do go tinkle. Mine is an auto.

Long term report on the engine / Gbox replacement in TONI

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FollowupID: 630646

Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:05

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:05
Carnt believe anyone would seriously consider buying one of these with their history of engine failures.
AnswerID: 362841

Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:19

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:19
I'm with you Nick but they still do.

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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 20:39

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 20:39
Ditto,

It's like backing the Nags and hoping to win.

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FollowupID: 630494

Follow Up By: Shaker - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 22:37

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 22:37
Someone else here thought they would be exempt from the 3.0L curse, boy were they wrong!
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FollowupID: 630511

Reply By: blue one - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:55

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 19:55
I can hear the tinkling of a safety pin.

Cheers

Steve
AnswerID: 362846

Reply By: warthog1 - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 21:16

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 21:16
I personally wouldn't get one however here is some info you need to read if you do. Site Link
AnswerID: 362861

Reply By: Malleerv - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 21:23

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 21:23
There are two ways to look at you situation.
You say you can only afford a 3ltr Patrol so IF it goes bang how are you going to fix it with no funds.
OR
Spend the extra on something with a good rep and hope it is good to go for a long time BUT if that vehicle goes bang you are further up the creek with no paddle.

The Nissan 3ltr does not have a good rep and chances are you MAY strike trouble at some stage in its life. The thing is any vehicle you buy may have trouble of some sort that could be expensive you just have to decide which way you want to go.

Matt
AnswerID: 362862

Reply By: Best Off Road - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 22:13

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 22:13
You would do much better getting a 4.8L Petrol on LPG.

WAY more power and torque and a lot cheaper to run.

Very reliable.

Disclaimer: LPG may be expensive and/or have limited availability in remote areas.

Cheers,

Jim.



AnswerID: 362867

Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 22:32

Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 22:32

Geoff,

Grey hair is hereditary, you get it from children. Baldness is caused by watching the Wallabies.

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AnswerID: 362869

Reply By: puttputt - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 10:24

Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 10:24
Even those owners who have not had problems seem to recommend installing over boost guages and other monitoring devices to help prevent the kaboom, when I buy a vehicle, all I want to monitor is the speedo and fuel guage.

I recommend "no"
AnswerID: 362908

Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 11:22

Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 11:22
Twas me I would wait a while longer and only buy a 3.0 patrol once the new model /engine combination hits the market come Oct , the price of 2nd hand 3.0 lt will drop so far that you will be able to buy 2 for what you pay now and have a spare sitting in the shed ,,, LOL.
AnswerID: 362920

Reply By: Member - Greg T (ACT) - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:45

Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:45
with all the bad rep this motor gets, it is actually a great performer. from highways to low range 1st stuff, i have loved the way the ZD30 delivers the performance.
sure i have had to replace the belt tensioner. and the previous owner had to weld the pin in... (04 block). but it always starts in the morning and takes me to work and on the weekends it always gets me to the places i want.


AnswerID: 363073

Reply By: archar - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 21:08

Monday, May 04, 2009 at 21:08
thanx for the replys i have decided to spend some money on the ol gal(gq swb) she is still runnin strong.
AnswerID: 363252

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