2004 3.0 GU III - How reliable the engine is?

[iamgq]

Hi, I am looking to geta GU III 2004. Is this engine reliable? I have heard 3.0 is not reliable. is it true?

[coxy321]

Wow. For someone thats been an OL member for 7 years, you dont really seem to be up with the gossip.

Basically no, it isn't. However, with proper maintenance and some other things (pyro, boost guage, overboost bleed, boost control unit), they can be made to be reliable.

Patrol4x4 forum has a full rundown on what to do.

[iamgq]

Wow. For someone thats been an OL member for 7 years, you dont really seem to be up with the gossip.

Basically no, it isn't. However, with proper maintenance and some other things (pyro, boost guage, overboost bleed, boost control unit), they can be made to be reliable.

Patrol4x4 forum has a full rundown on what to do.

Yea, I was out of action for few years.

So What about the current GU IV with 3.0. Are they same motor?

I thought GU III at 2004 model should have fixed the problem in early 3.0 model ?

[ddr]

So What about the current GU IV with 3.0. Are they same motor?

Mostly, with mods too the injection & other bits

I thought GU III at 2004 model should have fixed the problem in early 3.0 model ?

Read the 1st page of exploreoz or Patrol forum, there is a guy there with a 2004. I still think that in the 2012 model the problems will be finally fixed.

[bogged]

So What about the current GU IV with 3.0. Are they same motor?

Mostly, with mods too the injection & other bits

I thought GU III at 2004 model should have fixed the problem in early 3.0 model ?

Read the 1st page of exploreoz or Patrol forum, there is a guy there with a 2004. I still think that in the 2012 model the problems will be finally fixed.

close it is the 2102 model.. your fingers werent working correctly

[[gubeaut]]

don't have one myself but have three mates who do, one who pushes it hard and has had it since 99' i think(tells people it was the first ) and my old man has one and he tows a caravan with it a fair bit.None of them have had probs and love em.At the end of the day yes the early ones were shithouse and left a mark but now I think they are allright and if you find one you like buy it.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and thats mine cheers

[Dirty]

Depends on what you call reliable.

Some have melted pistons, and Nissan have an updated design to stop it in the later models, but that said there are also heaps out there that haven't burnt a piston.

They are a computer controlled motor which has complexity and expensive components that wear, and need servicing.

If it is what you want then go for it, but the 4.2TD is the pick if you are after reliability.

- David

[Auto-Craft]

Have seen afew 04 models with the 3.0 TD issues, which strangely enough were reported as head gasket failures to the customers when fixed under warranty.

a 3.0, is a 3.0, is a 3.0.

Spend the extra, and get the 4.2, save the worry.

[bogged]

has had it since 99' i think(tells people it was the first )

It wasnt, fairly sure Roly's was the first.

[whitiepatrol4x4]

Have seen afew 04 models with the 3.0 TD issues, which strangely enough were reported as head gasket failures to the customers when fixed under warranty.

a 3.0, is a 3.0, is a 3.0.

Spend the extra, and get the 4.2, save the worry.

The 3.0 provides the same power as the 4.2 whilst being more economical (GUIII version) and has 10,000klm service intervals as opposed to 5k for the 4.2 (unless towing etc in which case you would also service at 5k).

Mine is a GUIII and has 130,000km, the only problem was a faulty MAF at around 70,000klm ($220). The installation of a blowby catch can stops oil getting onto the MAF so it should last a lot longer now.

The installation of an EGT and boost gauge (which should be installed on all new high tech diesels) will show you what the ECU / sensors are up to and prevent the hole in piston problem.

I think you will find that any newer version motor that holed a piston was due to ECU / sensor problems, this would not have happened if the gauges were installed.

The 4.2 is a good motor and with the gauges installed, so is the 3.0.

Cheers

[coxy321]

The 3.0 provides the same power as the 4.2 whilst being more economical (GUIII version) and has 10,000klm service intervals as opposed to 5k for the 4.2 (unless towing etc in which case you would also service at 5k).

Beleive me - that doesn't mean they'll do the job as well.

[whitiepatrol4x4]

The 3.0 provides the same power as the 4.2 whilst being more economical (GUIII version) and has 10,000klm service intervals as opposed to 5k for the 4.2 (unless towing etc in which case you would also service at 5k).

Beleive me - that doesn't mean they'll do the job as well.

Depends on the job and on your setup

Mine is an auto so it is always in its torque band, something to note, an auto is not an option in the 4.2 and they stopped making the 4.2 a few years ago as it did not meet the new emissions regs.

Cheers

[bogged]

Auto is not an option in the 4.2 and they stopped making the 4.2 a few years ago as it did not meet the new emissions regs.

Cheers

so you get a manual one and go 3 times as far as teh grenade in that instead

[[gubeaut]]

has had it since 99' i think(tells people it was the first )

It wasnt, fairly sure Roly's was the first.

whoever that is . and my mate craps on its his way of saying its been going for ages and no dramas

[bogged]

has had it since 99' i think(tells people it was the first )

It wasnt, fairly sure Roly's was the first.

whoever that is . and my mate craps on its his way of saying its been going for ages and no dramas

Not many who wheeled with Roly would say he treated his with any respect. Not that its much, but made cover of Yota mthly once...

It did 2 motors and a whole host of other shit... The first engine went the very last day of warranty! Second one went after he sold it.

[Auto-Craft]

Have seen afew 04 models with the 3.0 TD issues, which strangely enough were reported as head gasket failures to the customers when fixed under warranty.

a 3.0, is a 3.0, is a 3.0.

Spend the extra, and get the 4.2, save the worry.

The 3.0 provides the same power as the 4.2 whilst being more economical (GUIII version) and has 10,000klm service intervals as opposed to 5k for the 4.2 (unless towing etc in which case you would also service at 5k).

The 4.2 will make more power and torque at the wheels than the 3 lt, and still get into the mid 12's lt per 100km. No "chip" will get the 3.0 to make the torque where you need it, let alone make enough of it.

Mine is a GUIII and has 130,000km, the only problem was a faulty MAF at around 70,000klm ($220). The installation of a blowby catch can stops oil getting onto the MAF so it should last a lot longer now.

You should talk to the vehicle manufacturers, you could save them a fortune by pitching this "sample of 1" idea, bugger testing many, lets just try one as our sample, and if its ok, they must all be ok...... it obviously works.......

The installation of an EGT and boost gauge (which should be installed on all new high tech diesels) will show you what the ECU / sensors are up to and prevent the hole in piston problem.

I think you will find that any newer version motor that holed a piston was due to ECU / sensor problems, this would not have happened if the gauges were installed.

Yep, give the customer the final say, if he is paying attention, to stop the hand grenade going off

The 4.2 is a good motor and with the gauges installed, so is the 3.0.

Chalk and cheese really, one is a dependable powerful engine, the other is a boy sent to do a mans job.

Cheers[/quote]

[whitiepatrol4x4]

The 4.2 will make more power and torque at the wheels than the 3 lt, and still get into the mid 12's lt per 100km. No "chip" will get the 3.0 to make the torque where you need it, let alone make enough of it.

There is a thread on dyno results in the patrol 4x4 site that has over 30 graphs posted which begs to differ

Chips can alter the torque at different parts of the rpm range, as I have a Dtronic chip in mine, I can vouch that it made a considerable difference in low down torque compared to the standard ECU fuel map.

Mine is a GUIII and has 130,000km, the only problem was a faulty MAF at around 70,000klm ($220). The installation of a blowby catch can stops oil getting onto the MAF so it should last a lot longer now.

You should talk to the vehicle manufacturers, you could save them a fortune by pitching this "sample of 1" idea, bugger testing many, lets just try one as our sample, and if its ok, they must all be ok...... it obviously works........

FYI, this "idea" has been around since manufacturers were forced to connect the crank case ventilation system to the air intake and has been tried and proven to keep the blowby oil out of the intake. This is especially valid in turbocharged motors as the turbine spinning at 160,000rpm does not take kindly to oil particles hitting the blades.

The installation of an EGT and boost gauge (which should be installed on all new high tech diesels) will show you what the ECU / sensors are up to and prevent the hole in piston problem.

I think you will find that any newer version motor that holed a piston was due to ECU / sensor problems, this would not have happened if the gauges were installed.

Yep, give the customer the final say, if he is paying attention, to stop the hand grenade going off

Yep, I would rather know what is going on with my motor than to leave it up to a computer, you wont find many people in the know (including 4.2ltr owners) without these gauges on a turbo diesel.

The 4.2 is a good motor and with the gauges installed, so is the 3.0.

Chalk and cheese really, one is a dependable powerful engine, the other is a boy sent to do a mans job.

Cheers

Well you better get used to seeing a lot of boys in the playground that can give the 4.2 a whoopin off the showroom floor. I like the 4.2 but diesel design has come a long way and they are making 4 cylinder turbo diesel power plants that give performance better than their petrol motor counterparts.

Cheers

[bogged]

the grenade cavalry..


PS.. you may wanna see some of Darrens Dyno charts...

[whitiepatrol4x4]

the grenade cavalry..


PS.. you may wanna see some of Darrens Dyno charts...

That is a great picture

bogged, I would like to see Darrens charts and find out what he has done to his motor, I am a bit strange that way, happy to look at and learn from what other people are doing.

One thing I have noticed though when people install a bigger turbo on the 4.2, their torque curve can be peaky and it sometimes resembles a standard petrol motors torque curve.

BTW, what motor is in your truck?

Cheers

[bogged]

BTW, what motor is in your truck?

Isnt there only one reliable engine to have in a GU? Well 2 if you inc the Duramax

[whitiepatrol4x4]

BTW, what motor is in your truck?

Isnt there only one reliable engine to have in a GU? Well 2 if you inc the Duramax

Now now, I think you are being a bit harsh, the 4.2 boys can get a bit sensitive - lets just say there are three reliable engines to keep them happy

[Bad JuJu]

Thats right the 4.8 seems to be pretty good too.

[coxy321]

Hey, dont forget the 2.8. They were reliable.

Plenty of TB45's with high km's on them too....

[bogged]

Now now, I think you are being a bit harsh, the grenade boys can get a bit sensitive - lets just say there are 2 reliable engines 4.2 and Duramax.

Fixed..

[BIG GQ]

[BowTieGQ]

They're all reliable until they go bang.

[whitiepatrol4x4]

Now now, I think you are being a bit harsh, the grenade boys can get a bit sensitive - lets just say there are 2 reliable engines

Fixed..

Very funny, I wish I had said that

[Auto-Craft]

Well you better get used to seeing a lot of boys in the playground that can give the 4.2 a whoopin off the showroom floor. I like the 4.2 but diesel design has come a long way and they are making 4 cylinder turbo diesel power plants that give performance better than their petrol motor counterparts.

Cheers

So when does the diesel Skyline, begin production ?

No one said the 4.2 was the be all and end all, Nissan was clever, to make a 45 yr old 6 cyl forklift motor seem worth more, and very attractive, they put up the 3.0 TDI HG in the range below it, it made the old engine a much better option than the 3.0........

No one who doesnt have a 3.0 HG, aspires to get one, because they spent the bit extra, because they could see value for money, vs up front cost, anyone who has had a 3.0 HG wants something else, or spends half thier life trying to convince everyone they did the right thing, and they are ok.

As long as 3.0 HG owners are happy, great, but dont try convincing the rest of the world they are the thing to have, because even nissans marketing budget couldnt do that, so they dropped the price to make them more appealing instead.

[whitiepatrol4x4]

No one who doesnt have a 3.0 HG, aspires to get one, because they spent the bit extra, because they could see value for money, vs up front cost, anyone who has had a 3.0 HG wants something else, or spends half thier life trying to convince everyone they did the right thing, and they are ok.

As long as 3.0 HG owners are happy, great, but dont try convincing the rest of the world they are the thing to have, because even nissans marketing budget couldnt do that, so they dropped the price to make them more appealing instead.

I have never said that they are the thing to have, just posting some truth so that people can make an educated decision without all the grenade bull.

Different motors will suit different peoples requirements, the 3ltr suited me and my requirements. The 4.2 will suit someone else, as will the Duramax, the Gen III, the 2.8, 4.5, 4.8 etc. Each to their own, the 4.2 is not without its flaws, nor is the 2.8, the 3ltrs flaw is the electronics which can be easilly fixed.

I am just sharing on the forum for the benefit of other 3ltr owners (or owners of any other high tech turbo diesel motor) the importance of having an EGT and boost gauge on their truck, the risk of not knowing what the ECU is up to is mitigated and you will be able to enjoy the truck with confidence.

And for the record, I do not want something else and am very happy with my truck, it is my third GU patrol in 11 years and has been the best match for my needs out of the three.

Cheers