World Record Claim -

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:12
ThreadID: 81741 Views:4600 Replies:12 FollowUps:17
This Thread has been Archived
Shortest time to return a new Patrol on a Flatbed !

I'm not sure I would have believed this story if I hadn't taken the pictures.

Well the last white dinosour was finally parked in our drive and it was really lovely silky smooth, quiet, powerful and Bluetooth enabled.

4 hrs later its cold and dark outside at 10pm.
Go to take the car for a spin and it wouldn't start.
It spun over nicely but wouldn't fire up.

71km on the clock and I wasn't happy.
Got Nissan roadside assist on the phone and they asked me if it had just been
driven a short distance, I said yes, we had recently re-positioned
where it was parked.
Right he said, its extremely rare but modern cars can get flooded cold.
Then I remembered this happened just once with our Toyota RAV4.
Over the phone we proceeded to go thru the cold start proceedure (crank with foot hard on accelerator).
Nothing worked and after an hour the Nissan service vehicle was dispatched.

Just before it arrived I went outside and tried the car again and damm, it started perfectly.

The Nissan service guy then arrived and checked things out.
He confirmed that it will never happen again and was a rare engine cold flood coincidence and to forget it.

I was quite uneasy with this explaination as it turned over to cleanly and I felt
it was probably some form of electrical lockout.

Anyway - confidence destroyed it was midnight and off to bed.

Next morning - you guessed it - the car wouldn't start - onto Nissan roadside
care again.
They didn't mess around this time and a flat bed tow truck was on its way.

Problem, my car was 50ft from the road on our front lawn and under OHS rules
the tow truck wasn't allowed to get it and it was my responsibility to get
the car to the roadway.

What idiot would buy an auto I thought !
You can't drive the stupid thing on the starter motor anymore.
Only a month ago I had saved my other Patrol using just the starter.

With some help we struggled and got the car to the road.

Now the new car I had owned for just 15 hours was loaded onto the flatbed
and driven away as we and the neighbours watched in disbelief.



Image Could Not Be Found






It was saturday morning - the grand final was about to start - I have 5 days
with the car to get ready for a 1200km trip to Stockton beach and I needed every minute - and the cars gone.

I did not expect to hear anything till at least monday.

30 mins later the phone rang.

Its Nissan service here, umm , you got a spare key with the car didn't you !
We forgot to program it.

Wether or not your car started depended on which key you used !

An unprogrammed key will turn on the ignition and turn over the starter motor,
but won't allow engine to fire up.

All that trouble drama and expense to Nissan.

I know God drives a Toyota and is out to get me but a manual overide lockup convertor project has just gone to the head of our pending projects list and where gunna fight back !



Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:27

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:27
Mate, what a story!!! And didn't your first 4.8 lose an engine in the very early days? You seem to have single handly managed to have a 100% success rate with Nissan failures - and you still believe them to be more reliable than the electronically overloaded 200? I reckon your house must be on an old Indian Burial ground :)

Seriously, I hope you enjoy the albino dinasouar - they are certainly on a path to extinction.

Cheers mate

Captain
AnswerID: 432222

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:38

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:38
Dead right Captain - stuffed when timing bolts left off - still it has never been the cars fault - just human error - but why me !

Captain - Please tell the guys upstairs that I have brought 3 new Toyota RAV's and only 2 Nissan's
0
FollowupID: 703043

Reply By: Kimba10 - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:28

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:28
Hi Robin, mate nothing worse then then that feeling of oh o have I just sold a great reliable old beast and got a lemon, thankfully wasnt your case. From what I have read and heard I doubt you will have any issues. Are you putting this one on gas as well ? At least is was some thing simple and rectified, sounds like you have a good service department that at least some one knows what they are doing. Regards Steve M
AnswerID: 432223

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 17:50

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 17:50
Hi Steve

Yeh right Steve - I had one hellava "have I blown my money on a dud feeling" for hours , and nagging doubt would have remained if I hadn't got such a complete answer which didn't reflect on the car at all.

Mixed feelings about gas - long range fuel tank goes in tomorrow - which is a step towards gas , but I have never really been convinced about gas.

I was keen to explore the new liquid gas injection , and did a lot of research in the last few weeks only to come to the conclusion that the claims made for it haven't been realized and even had a couple of big installers tell me it ain't what it claims.
0
FollowupID: 703060

Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:29

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 09:29
Robin,
I truly love your "journalistic" tales.... but do you always have to get into so much trouble before you can write one.... lol...
all the best
Fred B
VKS 737: Mobile/Selcall 1334

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 432224

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 17:53

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 17:53
Hi Fred


Seems to be no end to the little drama's we experience.

I guess we do put ourselves in the firing line - but at least I don't have to go far for source material , and believe me I left a few details out to keep the story manageable .

Keep well





0
FollowupID: 703061

Reply By: Fatso - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 10:45

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 10:45
Bad luck Robin.
Not quite the world record though.
My brother in-law bought a Ford Exploder that only got 7 km from the dealer before being put on the tow truck. I think it was on the tow truck something like 3 times in the first month.
He switched back to Jap Cra-p within 12 months.
AnswerID: 432230

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:38

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:38
Hi Fatso

No way I would attempt to compete with ford exploder's so my claim is restricted to Nissan patrols only - I hope he has had more sucess with his other cars.
0
FollowupID: 703075

Reply By: Shaver - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:03

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:03
And they come come equipped with a 30 degree roll on capability !
AnswerID: 432231

Follow Up By: Shaver - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:05

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:05
Sorry one too many "come's".
0
FollowupID: 703049

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:46

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:46
Wish it was roll on Shaver - wasn't pretty watching the winch being attached to my new car and it being dragged up , left a couple of small makes on the plastic girly skirts which I have not had time to remove yet.
0
FollowupID: 703077

Reply By: OzTroopy - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:22

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:22
Bet you were stamping your little tootsies whilst on the phone ... LOL

Excellent post actually .....

As it highlights the issues of govt legislated vehicle design.

They say immobilisers MUST be fitted ... So they are ... and we live with the issues, pretending that at least no one can ever steal it ... LOL

Most vehicles leave the factory WITHOUT the immobiliser activated and its a predelivery job to "flash" the computer. Some will self activate after "X" amount of starts.

And they have to program each and every, blingy ignition key with a circuit board in it.

Make sure you carry spare batteries in glovebox if the key requires batteries.
AnswerID: 432233

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:44

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:44
Sure was Oz - actually the phone calls were a lot of fun as it was the first time I had used these bluetooth enabled radios.

What I didn't know was each time the Nissan guy said crank the engine the heavy battery current disconnected the bluetooth car connection - causing phone to hang up and Nissan would call back again - all of which added to the frustration levels , stil it was good to be sitting in a disabled car and be in communication with someone trying to help - interesting world we live in.
0
FollowupID: 703076

Reply By: HGMonaro - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:55

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 11:55
if you paid a pre-delivery fee, request a refund!
AnswerID: 432235

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:50

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 21:50
Now thats an idea - I didn't even get offered any compensation at all for the hours lost.

I suppose these days you could claim for some form of emotional stress - but they have a really good coffee machine at Nissan dealer (when they haven't run out of milk) and I made good use of it.

To be fair ,in the past they have let me hunt thru there rubbish bin for old air filters etc.

0
FollowupID: 703078

Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 12:56

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 12:56
G/Day Robin

Great to here you had no major problems, I made an enquiry re: Petrol Models at our local Nissan Dealer, they replied that they were very hard to obtain, thought I would get one for the Business, also keep the other Patrol for the Cook, looks like Iv'e missed out, it's good to have a Front Diff and a Strong Chassis no matter what all the Knockers Say lol lol.

Cheers
AnswerID: 432236

Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 13:04

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 13:04
P S, I got the Tail Light & Brake Light Bulbs fitted to the Blanks in the rear, I couldn't stand seeing those lights go to waste, now it lights up like a Xmas Tree.
0
FollowupID: 703054

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 08:46

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 08:46
Hi Daza

Still a couple of odd ones around - silver one still where I got mine but its getting late and I would expect price to go up for very last as people chase them.

Its probably one of the cars you can least knock with near no generic issues.

After having it for a few days I have noticed a lots of little improvements - like keys having a 50m range now (provided they are programmed).

With you on those rear lights - it seems incredible to have such beautiful lenses with almost nothing in them.
0
FollowupID: 703101

Follow Up By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 11:42

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 11:42
Those rear light lenses without wiring have always confused me.

It is odd that it is even legal to have them there and not working.

Our Jack has roughly the same arrnagement but all of them are wired up - there are 10 blinker globes on the vehicle for a start.

Pete
Any mug can be uncomfortable out bush

Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 703114

Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 11:53

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 11:53
The rear light business is just a penpusher rule.

Lamps have to visible from certain angles ... and rear mounted wheels cause visibility issues.

WHY ... someone needs to be able to see the righthand indicator on the vehicle alongside, when you are halfway past it in the left lane on a dual lane road is beyond me tho .... Theres certainly no visibility problems when following behind.

And the number of patrols and pajeros I nearly ran up the back of - in the first few weeks when the change first came about, was pretty high ....

Stupid things should have been painted over so that there was an obvious difference in the lighting ... even tho the back of the vehicle looked the same as the years before.
0
FollowupID: 703116

Reply By: TerraFirma - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 13:32

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 13:32
Hey Robin, God does exist and has done all Nissan Patrol owners a favour by giving you the problems 1st..! Off course we all know after X marks the Miller project no other Nissan Patrol owner need suffer again.! Arrgh Mr Miller....You've done it again..! LOL
AnswerID: 432238

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 15:34

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 15:34
Geez I get consultancy fees in my real job - maybe Nissan should invest also !
0
FollowupID: 703139

Reply By: rocco2010 - Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 15:42

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010 at 15:42
Gidday

A friend of the ex once had her new PT Cruiser stop and stay stopped on the way home from pick-up ...

But as always there is a lesson in Robin's tale. I am off on a semi-remote trip in a week or so with a group and one of the briefing notes is to make sure to bring a spare key and/or keypad and store it outside the vehicle. To that we can add "make sure it works". I have just dug the spare out of the drawer and tested it.

Cheers

Rocco
AnswerID: 432245

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 19:08

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 19:08
Hi Rocco

"Always a lesson" - You noticed , comes from being in R & D for many years.

Have a great trip , hope your not driving a "PT cruiser" - and to check everything really is simple sound advice.
0
FollowupID: 703152

Reply By: Member - Bucky - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 04:24

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 04:24
Robin
Great read mate !

Lets hope that all the drama's have gone, and you enjoy the last of the great dinosour's...

Will be interesting to get some feedback on your last story about "fuel costs vs interest rates", on the massive loan you didn't need because you got the petrol beast...

Cheers
Bucky
AnswerID: 432295

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 19:23

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 19:23
Hi Bucky

She got an extra 75lt of fuel tank today so we are on the way - fuel costs are interesting. Its worth reading some of the peak oil/ petrol will dissappear stories on sites like from years ago , whereas the reality is that petrol costs over the last 10-12 years has roughly stayed equal to inflation.


As a quick take from NRMA site running costs are per week were

$226 patrol 3lt diesel
$251 for my beast
$284 for V8 200 series diesel

Of these costs about 23% is fuel - so even if one car got twice the economy of another your best case saving would be 23/2 or about 11%

Its to early to comment yet on real costs but the current 6% interest rate generates $2100 in interest some of which would be lost as tax no doubt but this is some 50% up on most peoples annual fuel bills so its easy to pick a winner , however I fully appreciate that many like to go week by week and having to put your hand in your pocket for an extra $30-$40 bucks a week is irratating to some of us.




0
FollowupID: 703153

Reply By: Member - Russnic [NZ] - Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 12:16

Thursday, Oct 07, 2010 at 12:16
Hi Robin and Anne.
I do recall something about Dinosaurs ( White?) .
Perhaps there is a reason they are now extinct??!!
:-) :-( :-) Hah Hah'
All the best Russ
AnswerID: 432317

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Oct 08, 2010 at 07:40

Friday, Oct 08, 2010 at 07:40
Hey Russ

Were they leaf springs I saw hanging from the back of your car - maybe I brought the "Next generation of Dinosour"
0
FollowupID: 703195

Follow Up By: Member - Russnic [NZ] - Friday, Oct 08, 2010 at 15:12

Friday, Oct 08, 2010 at 15:12
Good one,
I guess I still drive a Dino too, get into the old girl that I run in and out from the property and it feels just the same, more stuff on the dash though, all essential of course. Leaves on the front too, but have not had the need to upgraded the shocks on her. No gibbers and a lot less corrugations.
Cheers
0
FollowupID: 703232

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)