Terrano Poor performance

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 21:18
ThreadID: 8014 Views:3741 Replies:4 FollowUps:18
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First Post.

Have a Nissan Terrano 1990 TD 2.7L Auto

A real nice zippy performer haven't done much off road (cheap Toorak Tractor) but decided to get cheap caravan 1985 Viscount Grand Tourer 17'6 at GTM of 1480kg.

Vehicle specs and towbar rated at 1500kg.

Tows like a lead brick, ave speed over 340km from Victor Harbour to Robe 63kph. Fuel consumption 20 l/100km.

Transmission fluid needed topping up and a carbon like film on Transmission dip stick. Topped up fluid and car performed as usual. Parted with $250 cash and came back at average of 90KPH and 11 l / 100km.

Paid a local to tow van back with 1995 Nissan Navara Diesel.

Any ideas, or offers to trade Terrano for Navarra.
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Reply By: Willie - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:23

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:23
Russell,

How much gear did you put in the van over and above the 1480kg GTM. Probably find that the van is weighing in at 2 ton plus and that is too great a tow weight for your Terrano's small engine. Best you dump the Viscount and buy a smaller and lighter van or upgrade to a larger 4by like 3lt Patrol or 4.2 diesel.

I get 20lt/100km without a van so don't despair :-)

Cheers,
Willie

Never a dull moment
AnswerID: 34784

Follow Up By: Russell Terrano - Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 08:36

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 08:36
I had the loaded van weighed at Metal Mechants and it came in at 1480kg spot on, the Vehicle is rated at 1700 kg with 1500kg on the Compliance plate on the tow bar. I go to great lengths to balance the thing to ensure at least 10% on towball and use weight distribution bars. Gotta convince mummy to trade Lancer and Terrano on bigger 4wd. In the meant time the van lives at a CP in Victor Harbor and we'll dust the Oztent off and go camping in finer weather.

Thanks for all the feedback.
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FollowupID: 25132

Reply By: Mickl - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:27

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:27
I think the 95 Navara has the same motor as your Terrano but minus the turbo (oz spec 2.7 diesel has 58kw) Even with the auto box soaking up kw you should be way ahead... The "carbon like film on Transmission dip stick" is a worry.. time for a trans service and if you want to continue towing with this vehicle consider fitting a transmission cooler.
AnswerID: 34785

Reply By: Martin - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:34

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:34
I think you've got the wrong vehicle for towing that van Russell. I tow the same sized Viscount with a Prado TD and rarely use more than 15l/100 cruising at 100KPH. The figure from the other chap of 20 l/100 is just not on for a 4wd today -used to do better than that in the old days with a Lancruiser FJ55 and would expect far better from a modern relatively fuel efficient 4WD.
AnswerID: 34789

Follow Up By: Martin - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38
Another thought Russell - you're way over the legal maximum tow weight for your vehicle when the vans loaded which puts your insurance cover, yourself and other road users at risk.
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FollowupID: 25118

Follow Up By: Martin - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38
Another thought Russell - you're way over the legal maximum tow weight for your vehicle when the vans loaded which puts your insurance cover, yourself and other road users at risk.
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FollowupID: 25119

Follow Up By: Martin - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38
Another thought Russell - you're way over the legal maximum tow weight for your vehicle when the vans loaded which puts your insurance cover, yourself and other road users at risk.
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FollowupID: 25120

Follow Up By: Martin - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38
Another thought Russell - you're way over the legal maximum tow weight for your vehicle when the vans loaded which puts your insurance cover, yourself and other road users at risk.
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FollowupID: 25121

Follow Up By: Martin - Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003 at 22:38
Another thought Russell - you're way over the legal maximum tow weight for your vehicle when the vans loaded which puts your insurance cover, yourself and other road users at risk.
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FollowupID: 25122

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 12:01

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 12:01
apologies for martin, he had an epileptic fit on the mouse key.... or has a bitch of a stutter!
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FollowupID: 25144

Follow Up By: Martin - Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 22:54

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 22:54
Nice one Truckster!! Have a go at the folk who suffer from epilepsy or a stutter why don't you. Maybe I was as inept as a truck driver!! Ever noticed how many accidents you blokes cause? Two trucks actually collided with each other on a FREEWAY in Melbourne the other day. Even people with the disabilities you made snide remarks about wouldn't do that!!
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FollowupID: 25230

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 00:29

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 00:29
1) havent driven a truck in 7yrs, and what does that have to do with humour?
2) Wahhhhhhhhh.
3) Im a cripple.
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FollowupID: 25240

Follow Up By: Russell Terrano - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 09:50

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 09:50
It's nice to see you funny buggers having fun, you have no idea how this consoles me and my under powered nissan terrano.

Have fun, even at my expense ;-)

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FollowupID: 25255

Follow Up By: Mick - Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 22:46

Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 22:46
If you don't drive a truck you shouldn't call yourself Truckster! I've always thought you were a poser and Martin showed you up by getting under your guard!!
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FollowupID: 25371

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 22:48

Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 22:48
Gee mick Im hurt, but if you bothered to ask, the car is called the family truckster....

I Drove around aussie in Trailers for 8years until I realised you dont need a brain to do it... just a jar of pills, so I quit.
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FollowupID: 25372

Follow Up By: Mick - Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 09:45

Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 09:45
Too many pills obviously had a permanent negative effect.
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FollowupID: 25383

Follow Up By: Mick - Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 09:46

Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 09:46
Why on Earth would I bother to ask????
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FollowupID: 25384

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 21:32

Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 21:32
Never took a pill once in all the time I drove, never took 1 thing to keep me awake, except cancer sticks.

Why do you think I quit driving trucks?

Last company I worked for in bleep ney, boss offered me pills and told me to keep going to Canberra, after 18 hrs from nth down to sydney, I dont even remember from Newcastle to Yagoona, dont remember 1 bit of pennant hills road from the freeway down.... thats after having done 10 16-19hr days out of the last 12 days.

why would you ask? Usually when someone has no idea about something they ask, dont they?
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FollowupID: 25418

Reply By: Member - Oskar(Bris) - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 21:19

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 21:19
Russell
I have a mate with a 2.7l Navara and his runs hot and is gutless so be careful.
I have noticed that when my Terrano falls off the turbo under 2000 RPM that I can't even hold 80KPH towing and with a loaded roof rack.
If I can get it to over 2000 RPM it will cruise nicely and accelerate (sedately of course) up to 100 KPH or more (that's when towing).
(And then some Volvo will block the road and there goes the revs again.)
Regarding the tranny.
I had mine rebuilt a couple of years ago for about $2500 and the guy that did the work said that the import trannies are quite good but not engineered to Aus specs.
He had to upgrade the oil ways and other fluid passges to bring it up to specs(there was no extra cost for this).
They always graimace when they smell the tranny fluid and it has a burnt smell to it (I think it is to prepare you for some bad news).
You should get pretty close to 10l/100k on the open road loaded but not towing.
cheers
OskarMrs Oskar on Big Red
AnswerID: 35029

Follow Up By: Russell Terrano - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:35

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:35
I was very aware of max power (220nm over 2200rpm) and thats where I tried to keep it to no avail. Theres a 1995 Nissan Patrol 4.2l efi sitting in my driveway the salesman insisted I take home to show the wife. Their offering me $6000 for my Terrano. The main feature is the 3 year warranty on the Patrol. Chitty fuel economy but it will tow.
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FollowupID: 25325

Follow Up By: Mick - Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 22:54

Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 22:54
Russell .... Do think carefully before staying with Nissan - there are many posts on here re problems. Also, consider diesel as big petrol wagons are most often driven by company execs with a fuel card. Great to drive if you don't pay for the fuel!
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FollowupID: 25373

Follow Up By: Russell Terrano - Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 10:13

Sunday, Oct 26, 2003 at 10:13
Thanks, I finished up buying a 1999 wanker (spanish for Pajero) 102k on the clock, 3.5l v6 auto ( :-( GLS for $30,000 less trade ins. fuel economy rate at 11 highway 13 city. God know what when towing 1500kg

My dad said cars were never an investment and I guess he was right, my 1997 Lancer MR with a ticket price of 30,000 in 1997 was only worth 12,000 for a trade in. I lost less on the terrano.

As I said its only muni, neva did have any.
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FollowupID: 25387

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