Avoiding a "grenade"

Lots of models of Patrols out there without 3lt diesel engines John.

Gq's and GU's all had 4.2lt , but when asked about getting into them at low cost
I usually advised people to consider the 3lt petrol RB30 model GQ , a very easy
to live with 4wd available up to about 1996.

Theoretically the worst of the 3.00 litres was the early model 2000-2001. They mad changes to the engine in late 2001 from my recollection, that were supposed to have fixed the problems. I haven't hear od many from the later models blowing but there were a lot of the 2000/2001 build that did.

Having said that I owned an August 2000 model for 6 years, towed a van for most of that time, did 190,000 ks and never had an issue with the motor. I did change the oil and filter every 5000ks throughout it's life. This model also had a gearbox problem which showed itself in mine, but was repaired under warranty at 40,000ks with no further problems.

The problems were mostly associated with no 3 and 4 cylinders burning. The problem for you is that you really don't know how well the second hand unit has been maintained. So 4.2 diesel would be a better investment.

Julie & John,
There is lots of info herehttp://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/ including ways to minimize the chance of a 3lt failure.
Cheers Dave..

Good 80 series are like hens teeth everywhere , The 1st 80 series diesels 1990 thru to late 92 with the then new 4.2 had a problem with a dud batch of bearings ,they by now would ALL have been fixed, late 92 on 16in wheels and larger discs , pick of the crop would be a late 97 with 24valve 4.2 auto box GXL or even scarcer Sahara with factory front and rear diff locks ,, still big $$$$$.