Patrol engine blown up - Advice please

Submitted: Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 14:41
ThreadID: 77290 Views:4807 Replies:12 FollowUps:10
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My daughter and son-in-law are in a dilemma after their Patrol's engine blew up (we are aware this is a known problem but Nissan won't come to the party). It is a diesel GU series 2 2001 with a ZD30 engine and has done 246,000. Shortly after buying it (new) their situation changed and they have done no 4WD with it and it's hardly been off the blacktop. The body and interior are in excellent condition.

After searching far and wide they found an engine in Melbourne and it is being shipped to Canberra to be put in. It cost over $6,000 and then there'll be the labour costs. The replacement engine is a 2004 series 3 or 4 from a wreck.

They are thinking of selling it as soon as it's repaired and we don't even know if they'll recover their expenses and may even loose a great deal.

How long should a Patrol last? I didn't think the mileage was very high for such a vehicle. Should they keep it?

Min
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Reply By: dazza62 - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 14:56

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 14:56
How long should a Patrol last and how long they do last is a major issue between Nissan and Consumers.
AnswerID: 410901

Follow Up By: Member - Min (NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 15:43

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 15:43
Hi Dazza
It's a major disappointment, I can tell you.
Min
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Reply By: TerraFirma - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 14:58

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 14:58
Thats a difficult question Min, the best advise would be to have a reputable Diesel mechanic do some tests on the engine, compression etc and then take it from there. How many KM's are on the new engine?
AnswerID: 410903

Follow Up By: Member - Min (NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 15:53

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 15:53
The new engine's done 62,000 and has a two month warranty. It is going to a reputable diesel mechanic.
Thanks for your response,
Min
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Reply By: jezza68 - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 16:20

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 16:20
If I owned thePatrol I would get the opinion of the Mechanic on the strength of the new motor.
I would probably keep it, as I know I got 240,000kms out of the last motor so I have approx 180000km to pay off the loss. Trade it in once you are in a better financial position to upgrade.

I have been in the same position with a Mitsubishi Triton Lemon and feel for them. However 240000kms out of a modern car is very good.

Tamery
AnswerID: 410914

Follow Up By: Member - Min (NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:15

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:15
Hi Tamery,
That makes sense. After all the effort of getting it fixed they might as well get something out of it.
Min
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Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 16:22

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 16:22
Min,
Nine years old and 246,000ks, You've done a lot better than a lot of others. Try herehttp://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/ for info on how to reduce the risk on it happening to the new motor.
Cheers Dave
GU RULES!!

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AnswerID: 410915

Follow Up By: Member - Min (NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:16

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:16
Thanks, Dave.
Min
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FollowupID: 681009

Reply By: Member - mazcan - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 18:10

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 18:10
hi min
i woud have thought that you have done very well considering the hand grenade history of the said vehicle model

provided they are confident they should be able to expect a reasonable distance out of the s/hand engine seen it is a later build date and only 62000km on it
246000km is a pretty good run anyway no matter what the vehicle is

i'd be replacing the clutch components while i was at it other-wise that will go next and require it to be dismantled at a latter date
just my thoughts on the situation

cheers and good luck in the future
AnswerID: 410928

Follow Up By: Member - Min (NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:17

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:17
The clutch was replaced recently too!
Min
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Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 18:11

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 18:11
Min, I too feel for the situation your daughter and SIL find themselves in.

Given that their circumstances have changed and they don't use the vehicle for it's originally intended purpose (if I read that part of your post correctly), then maybe they'd be better off selling it once it's fixed.

If they tried to sell it now with blown donk, they'd be lucky to get $11K for it. If they spend $6K on a motor and maybe $2K on labour, they should be able to sell it for around $20K, so really it's line ball.

I hear you ask; why would anybody want to buy it with a blown motor?

Well, a good number of people are running around in a Patrol powered by a different motor altogether. In my case (and that of many others), the chosen motor is a good old-fashioned Chev 6.5 litre V8 diesel. There is also at least one fellow on this forum (do a search on "Project TONI") who has replaced his Nissan 3L motor with a 4.2TD motor from a Toyota Landcruiser.

However, both of these options cost around $20K or more, so it is not something I'd recommend unless the couple are likely to be going to keep the vehicle for several years AND only if they were going to use it as a 4x4 (and not just a glorified shopping trolley...hahaha).

If they have no intention of 4x4ing or long distance travel, they'd be better off selling it and getting something better suited to their needs.

There is one school of thought (on the Patrol4x4 forum) that says that these motors are less likely to blow up if they are run hard and long....in other words, short trips around the suburbs will coke them up and they'll be more likely to fail. I don't know how much credence this theory has, but I do know that diesels, in general, are considered to be a "distance" motor. It is for this reason that I also own a small Subaru, for driving around town etc. The Chev only gets fired-up when we're off on a trip somewhere (usually).

Roachie
AnswerID: 410929

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 19:05

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 19:05
Not to sure of that theory roachie, 246000ks is the longest I have heard of a series 2 lasting.
Min if they got that long out of an 2001 motor then the newer motor should do 300000ks especially if they take the precautions outlined above.
Cheers Pete
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Follow Up By: Member - Min (NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:44

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:44
Hi Roachie,

They were offered $2,000 from a wrecker with the blown motor. Shopping around I guess they'd have got quite a bit more but Canberra is not like Sydney or Melbourne for such things. Even after it's fixed, on their investigations to date, they won't get anything like $20,000. That was the biggest shock. No doubt it would sit in a car sale yard with $20k+++ on it.

They live out of town so the car does about 80 km each day, much of that at 110 kph. With both of them working they can't have a small car each so have kept the Patrol hoping that they'd get back to camping again in the near future.

Considering that the clutch is good (see above) it seems worthwhile to keep the Patrol for a while longer and get their money's worth.

My SIL keeps an eye on the Patrol forum and I will pass on all that you and others have said.

Many thanks to you all for taking the trouble to respond. Sometimes it just takes some considered input from others to help make decisions.

Min



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Reply By: Member - Danny R (QLD) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 22:41

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 22:41
If they keep it at least get an EGT gauge fitted. They also suffer overboost problems so a boost gauge is also a handy fitment. If the prospect of keeping an eye on boost and egt as part of owning a ZD30, then IMHO get rid of it.
AnswerID: 410979

Follow Up By: Member - DOZER- Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:59

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 23:59
Second that, a boost and egt gauge....and have the mechanic check the turbo for a siezed actuator.....the water flowing around the turbo can leak and sieze the internal shaft causing overboost....shortly thereafter a bang.
Andrew
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Reply By: kwk56pt - Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 02:09

Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 02:09
If you replace it with something late model say $35000 it will depreciate roughly $3500 in year one plus the stamp duty and opportunity cost of having to outlay extra funds to purchase a 35k vehicle so even that option will cost over $5000 in year one so in three years the recond expense and continue owning it is a cheaper option, yes newish vehic;es lose plenty of money too mainly by stealth as you dont see the money evaporating until you sell.
AnswerID: 410994

Reply By: Wizard1 - Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 09:53

Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 09:53
After spending all that money to get it fixed why sell it? If you are getting the next generation engine then there should be no dramas.

Mate had a GU2 and the grenade went off. Got part of the repair paid for by Nissan. He had it done at a dealership who used it as a trade-in on a new GU3 which he has had since late 2005. Had no problems since.
AnswerID: 411021

Reply By: Gossy - Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 14:00

Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 14:00
another option:

http://www.marks4wd.com/projects/6_5_GQ_project.htm

Remove the early GU nissan engine problems out of the equation and they have one tough vehicle there!
Solid axles all round and the best rear LSD in the market. Good investment (if they plan on keeping the car) either way (Nissan engine or Chev).
AnswerID: 411062

Reply By: Voxson - Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 14:04

Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 14:04
I have had two of these GU's with a 3litre on board...
1st one was a manual and the second was an auto.....

Under load they drank fuel, engine management lights came on from time to time, oil pressure switches failed, gaskets leaked in the engine bay, no down low torque in the manual, 24litres per 100kms with the auto across the simpson desert.....

Thats what i can think of in the last 2 mins...

False economy are these cars....

Save the $5000 at the time of purchase over the 4.2litre,,,, in hindsight $10000 is how much the 4.2 is better....

Pokie little interiors, no legroom, dashboard right in your face.....
All pull to the left when fitting mud tyres......

But apart from that they are great cars..
AnswerID: 411064

Follow Up By: Voxson - Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 14:07

Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 14:07
Cant beat a new 4.2litre GQ diesel wagon LWB
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Reply By: Member - Min (NSW) - Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 12:34

Friday, Apr 02, 2010 at 12:34
Thank you for all your thoughts and for taking the trouble to write them down.

The car is back on the road as of yesterday. All they have to do now is consider all the advice and decide whether to keep it.

Thanks again,
Min
AnswerID: 411406

Follow Up By: Jayru - Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 22:23

Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 22:23
Hello Min, Keep the vehicle and take of on a great getway, these are one tough 4x4, regardless of the motor issues.

I have an August 2000 GU2 3.0Ltr Turbo diesel, the motor has now done 390,000kms, i travel 210kmh per every day, highway driving at 100kmm. New oil and filter every 10k and air filter every second oil change, it has a 2" lift Ironman 43mm foam gas shocks, constant load springs, 285 70 16 BF Goodrich AT (no punctures and 100,000km), extra heavy duty Exedy Clutch by ARB, Gear Box heavy duty rebuild (5th gear stripped at Albury while towing, still went on to Sydney and return to Bendigo like that) tough as.

January 2010 i embarked on a 5600km journey from Bendigo to Kings Canyon NT via Oodnadata Trk, Leigh Creek, William Crk Cooberpedy, Glen Helen, the Marini Loop (roughest road ive ever been on, dogs were sick for 2hrs after) then home past Uluru, Adelaide to Bendigo. Average temp 38-45deg. The Nissan did not miss a beat. However, recently the vehicle has somewhat lost acceleration, starts great, idles great, no white smoke or plumes of black, just not the acceleration, can hear the turbo working fine, going to Nissan Bendigo on Tuesday. Regardless, i researched engine conversions 6.2Ltr Chev 24k, reconditioned 5k to 9k, Nissan want 15k new, new long motor from ebay 7.5k. I will go for a reconditioned motor. Torque output from a 6.2 chev is 360nm at 1700rpm and 2000rpm @ 100kmh the 3.0Ltr turbo ZD about 354nm at 2000-2200rpm and 2600rpm @100kmh. After spending the money i will definitely keep the vehicle, body excellent, interior excellent.

Cheers, all the best.
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