Another 3 litre Nissan goes

Sad to hear Zapper

This one sounds like head damage as well - usually a hole in piston
won't stop engine by itself and sure smokes.

I get him to re-read the various threads and get Nissans opinion
and quote to repair as a first input.

At 14k cost its sounds worth fixing properly, if car is ok otherwise.
I would not keep such a car unless covered for engine loss
under some form of extended warranty.

Personaly I don't think the V8 path is a way to go, I have always
held the opinion that the 4800 is a much better package and lower
cost to run as well despite the cost of fuel.

Cheapest without risk is a new long motor from nissan, should be able to get one in the crate for $7700, (new ring design and extended sump) then get nissan to remove all parts from stuffed motor and replace onto new block this is what i done and total cost incl labour was $10,800.

He could of course go cheaper and get another 3L from wheckers at around $4000 but will be wondering how long it will last...

Best option is to speak to brunswick they can fit 6.5L V8 chev with high speed diffs all ready to rock for around $20,000 then he will have one mean truck! i would of taken this road if i had an extra $12,000 and the car didnt blow up in Melbourne!

If taking the Brunswik route be mindful if hes not in WA it may cost a chitload to transport the dead weight over to the west.

Good luck this happened to me this year and i done extensive reaserch these are the options i found best

What about a "TONI" conversion?

Zapper
This does not sound like the over boost and bang problem.
Sounds like a normal oil cooler failure. If that's what it is, All he needs is a new oil cooler and an expert to lube the bores and get it free again. The vehicle is worth about $10.000 so it would be dumb to spend $14,000 on the motor. Eric

in just ONE word .... TOYOTA

Nissan must be getting sick an tired of the problems associated with this engine.
It appears to me to be the only engine with any complaints on the forum, never read about similar hassles with any Toyota engine.
Think if I owned one and it was out of warranty I would be offloading it asap to avoid expensive problems.
My Toyota has done over 600,000 and when it gives me trouble I will give it to someone for the scrap metal value.
Cost $15,400 new, so @ $640 per year it has been good value, that reminds me I must change the oil again later this year.

Maîneÿ . . .

Folks - there are also many Nissans running around with very high Kms on the clock...and even some of those have the ZD30 donk. I know of one GQ4.2 with >500000km and one ZD 30 with >300000km on the original donk. Sure there have been problems but it is also true that Nissan was the first to go to the Euro designed diesel engines as well....which, probably unfortunately, is the way of the future ( well at least to the Euro5 and beyond standard build). Nissan certainly could've done better in terms of customer service but I'm increasingly wondering if this is more related to the recalcitrants in the head office (ie Renault) than the original Jap company that built the good reputation that has been progressively broken down over the past 8 or so years.
Just my musings and I may well be off track but I've now had 4 Nissans and 2 Toyotas and all have been great vehicles....not one better than the other....and one of those Nissans is a new D40. Guess I've been lucky but hey someone has to be now and then eh?