Dust in the air intake

A lot could be said of course, but the important things are: 1. Fix the problem now yourself - don't expect the dealer or the parent to be interested - they should be, but all you will get is bullsheet in return (verbal or written). 2. Consider an after market filtration wet foam type filter....it may not be suitable for your engine but the Unifilter on my 99 TD 3.0 Jack works really well. Performance is great.... and the dust has to try and pass 3 layers of oily foam.... it rarely gets past the first layer. Servicing the filter takes a bit of patience, but I've cracked the method now.
As said, some engines don't like the tiny droplets of oil from the filter that may run past the inlet sensors, but the Jack is happy. If wet foam is no-go, try making some top and bottom seals for your filter cannister, and then moving to a different brand of paper element.... sealing should be easily achieved if you muck around with it. If we saw these vehicles being churned out on production lines all over the planet, we would probably not be surprised at this level of fundamental error. I noticed the other day that the Hilux is built in about 15 different world factories, simultaneously. "This is a situation, up with which, we should no longer put ! (W. Churchill, on plans to reduce 4WD access in some parks).

I have been told that if the filter element is mounted with the soft rubber seal downwards (the other side has a firmer seal), the element can sink a bit due to its weight, causing dust ingress over the top of the element. Despite this, I find that there is a very fine deposit on the air duct, even when the filter is correctly fitted.

I had a problem with my 4.2TD, where the plastic air duct into the turbo came loose, air completely bypassing the filter. This was in the Pilbara of WA - the motor had sucked in quite a bit of dust. It had only been serviced 10k beforehand by Nissan. I put it down to Nissan not tightening the clamp properly at the service when changing the air cleaner, but Nissan reckoned that they don't remove that clamp when servicing the vehicle. Hmmmm.
I asked if they had had this problem before, and they said no, but they were "aware of the problem" (!!?? if it hasn't occurred before, how are they aware of the problem?) They also reckoned that the clamp needs regular checking, as oil from the breather softens the rubber in the duct, and as such the duct has a limited life and should be replaced periodically (!!). I asked if they had put out a bulletin on this, or if their service schedule had been modified to this effect, but they said there were no directives to this effect.
They did a compression check, and all was normal, thankfully. Oil consumption no change, so I may have been lucky.
So now, according to them I must check the clamp every few thousand and replace the duct periodically.
So 4.2TD owners, check that duct into the turbo to see if it is coming loose. Would be interested to know if anyone else has had this problem.
Gerry

Thanks for your responses guys
Jonesy

Sounds like there could be a fair bit of bull dust in the answers from the service agent. Problem is determining which is worse, the dust in the tube to the turbo or the bull dust from the service agent. I think you are wise to investigate the matter thoroughly, and quickly.

Mike & Jan
GU 4.2td.

does this dust problem only happen with diesel engines or with petrol as wellHome For Xmas

I have just bought my 3lt patrol 77000 km the other week and it to stuffed the air intake sensor on the way home from a short camp. After reading all the negative reports I did think the worst for its out come. I have dropped power and it would not pull the skin off a rice pudding. Our local dealer said it has happened before and will happen again to other cars because the sensors they use are not the same as the ones they are replacing.

I drive on dirt roads alll the time and all the other owners in this area also do too, and with my car being the first to have a problem of this sort. With our small town it has 5 turbo diesels here and there has been 2 faults in the past 3 years I know off, mine and a broken fuel filter wire. With so much negativity out their on these vehicles, I am supprised there is still a big market for them. I feel it is just a few badly made vehicles that have burnt the so few people.

With dust beating your filter you should see evidence of it passing the seals if that is a cause because their will be a trail their. I would see how the piping is connected or any cracks before changing out a filtration system.

Brad