Patrol 3.0Ltr Turbo

I don't own a Nissan but my advise is get it to a Nissan service place ASAP, preferably on a flat top truck.

Thanks for that vehicle is still driving OK but Nissan booked out that's why I needed someone else.

If you are referring to the mass air flow sensor, it is a common problem.

However, if it is under warranty, make sure Nissan get the fault codes off. If another mechanic resets the codes, Nissan won't get a fault and therefore won't replace it under warranty.

If not under warranty, most mechanics should be able to read the fault codes.

The price varies greatly (form $300 to $1500) and it does pay to shop around.

Firstly I don't own a patrol so have no experience with this.

This document may be of some help. Page 16. ECU fault code, manual extraction.

http://users.on.net/~aschulze/ZD30/ZD30%20Y61%20Reference%20Document%20-%20BW.pdf

Jillian,

You might do well to join another forum... www.patrol4x4.com.au

There you will find HEAPS of info about this engine and that particular fault.

The reason you need to be careful in the meantime is this:

If the MAF sensor is malfunctioning........ (it is located in the air intake between the air filter and turbo.....if it gets a coating of dust/oil on it, it can send wrong messages)........ then it sends a message to the vehicle's central computer to the effect that the fuel to air mixture ratio is out of whack.

The computer says to itself.... "ah-haa...motor needs more air, so I'll change the variable vains on the turbo so that more air is forced into the engine"..... (I'm assuming computers can actually think for themselves here)....

So, the turbo cranks up and increases the boost pressures up to around 30psi (this is way too high for any normal vehicle to sustain).

The next thing that will happen could be one of several......

(a) an intercooler hose could succumbe to the additional pressure and "blow off".... (this is actually a good outcome compared to .........).......

(b) The pressure builds up to the such an extent that the engine pistons heat up resulting in a holed piston or a melted piston.

Now, just so the "experts" don't shoot me down in flames, I admit the above is probably an over-simplification of what actually happens.

The blokes with 3 litre motors on the Patrol forum who seem to have beaten this problem have done some or all of the following:

(1) Fitted a Dawes valve (which I understands, limits the amount of boost the turbo can send to the motor)

(2) Fit and oil catch can between the rocker cover and the air intake. By way of explanation on this.... There is evidence that the PCV set-up is designed in such a way that oil blow-by can find it's way onto the MAF, which is where the problems begin)

(3) They fit a couple of gauges in the cab: a Boost Gauge to indicate how much boost the turbo is sending to the inlet manifold and : a EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) Gauge, to monitor what the engine temps are.

(4) They block off the EGR valve (Exhaust Gas Reticulation) as this is deemed to cause certain problems with gumming-up the internals.... (sorry i can't elaborate).

(5) They fit an electric fan to the intercooler to assist force/draw air through the fins. This is really only necessary if you do a lot of slow-slogging like along beaches etc where you don't get a good level of natural air flow through the bonnet scoop.

My apologies if I've been too detailed in the answer to your question. Just be aware that this engine does have some issues.....especially the models around 2000 to 2002.

I do agree that this is fundamentally a good motor, but is let down by the complexity of it's electronics and pollution reduction gizmos.

Roachie