up graded ZD3lt nissan patrol engines
Submitted: Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 14:10
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carlj
Has anyone heard first hand of any problems with the Nissan ZD30lt after the up grade eg. new block, pistons and oil squrters for the pistons.Setting off soon, really feel nervous after one blown engine and 5th gear all within 6 week. The engine was rebuilt at 141000 and now has 170000 and will be towing a 17' 6" van. Have looked at upgrading to 4.2 Toyota/Nissan,Chevy implant or a DMax all work out to be about the same large amount of money.
Reply By: howesy - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 14:24
Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 14:24
Its a risk with any vehicle, mechanicals can let you down without warning on any vehicle but if I owned a ZD30 I dare say my confidence level would be "trade in and enjoy a new and different vehicle on the trip"
For my money there are too many what ifs to take an isolated trip with confidence in one of these vehicles. Just a personal opinion though, I have a 4.2 toyota which incidentally I would not have 100% confidence in but can you have that with any car.
AnswerID:
413412
Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 14:27
Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 14:27
carlj,
Ask some of the guys over here
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/ as you will have a lot more people who have done the mods.
Cheers Dave..
AnswerID:
413413
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 19:38
Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 19:38
Dont tow in 5th will fix one of the problems.
AnswerID:
413474
Follow Up By: carlj - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:43
Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:43
I don't tow in 5th gear apparently in the early gu's they made the spline a lot smaller to new shaft and gear are the same as the older gq's, just another Nissan step backwards
FollowupID:
683578
Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 21:28
Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 21:28
Hi, we had our 5th gear upgraded and now use it to tow our 18ft van with except up hills, drop back for those.
Cheers
Deanna
FollowupID:
683584
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 07:34
Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 07:34
Have a read of this thread and you may
well change your mind
http://
forum.candm.com.au/showthread.php?t=3900
FollowupID:
683601
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 23:30
Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 23:30
IMWO, if it was me, and I could afford to update to the Cruiser, then I'd do it. I'd love a Duramax, but spares etc could be an issue. 20k for an engine change is a lot, when you could get a newer car and upgrade all around.
I'd love a 76 series but Im not that rich, not would I spend that much on a car!
AnswerID:
413503
Reply By: fisho64 - Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 00:29
Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 00:29
Sadly-resale can be a problem. I imagine as youve noted that the exchange to any of the vehicles would be prohibitive.
Id suggest that periodic oil sampling may ease some of your concerns especially in the months after the major rebuild.
Though it appears that the main failure problem is a sudden and catastrophic one rather than a component failure in the manner of the older Toyota turbo diesels which would show up in a sample.
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413509
Reply By: howesy - Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 01:18
Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 01:18
I suppose you could buy some comfort insurance in aftermarket boost , EGT and temp guages the later 2 of which can be purchased with facility for pre determined alarm levels.
Peace of mind and could get you to ease up before damage is done.
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413511
Follow Up By: carlj - Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 16:53
Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 16:53
I have EGT and boost gauges fitted and watch them like a hawk.Will be changing my mass air flow meter so.[ about every 2 years ]
FollowupID:
683646
Reply By: Member - Wayne B (NSW) - Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 18:24
Monday, Apr 19, 2010 at 18:24
Problem was the pistons would fail. Nissan thought it was due to not enough oil so they shortened the dip stick (True) Anyway it turned out to be not enough piston cooling and crap pistons.
When the mod is done you should have no further problems. The pistons are better quality and the oil squirter's keep the pistons cooler.
Your car should be as reliable as anything else out there.
I am setting of on a trip towing a camper trailer in a 470,000km HJ80. Its a great truck and I have checked it out as best I can, but who knows what might happen. Same can apply to a New Vehicle. Although I figure it it has lasted 470,000 then it should do another 7 or 8000, no problems. LOL
Cheers
Wayne B
AnswerID:
413568