2001 4.8L - was expecting more grunt

[mccpijs4]

Just test drove a 2001 4.8 manual with 190K on the clock. All seemed fine but have to say I was expecting a bit more low down grunt - my SWB 3.0L Pajero was much more sprightly on 33s.
Anyway, got back and noticed it was pissing fluid out the bottom - seemed to be coolant - checked under the hood but couldn't work out from where though. Seemed to be somewhere near where the steering column enters the cabin. Also had oil on the front diff and steering damper (I think thats what it is - looking from the front under the car, the first thing you see). Should I be very cautious? The guy claimed he wasn't very mechanically knowledgeable (like me!) so wasn't much help.

Says he will sell with a RWC (Vic).

P.S. Its dual fuel - could i run it on LPG all the time without any problems. He says he likes to run it on petrol for one tank, then on gas for the next.

thanks for your help - hoping to join you as a Patrol owner soon!

[coxy321]

I thought the 4.8's only came with a tiptronic transmission?

Was it low on power for both LPG and petrol? For the RWC i'd have it taken to a proper 4x4 specialist, just incase there's some odd bits and peices a "normal" workshop won't pick up.

[mccpijs4]

Early ones came with manuals. This is a 2001.

Didn't seem to different on gas or petrol. Just a slight glitch in the power as switched between them.

Engine seems to run real smooth.

[toy77]

Hi mate,
I don't own one, but looked at a few.

I drove one of the 5 speed autos first, then a manual...

The auto felt to have 50% more go... felt very well geared, the manual... well i wouldn't buy one.

Cheers
Stew

[bj on roids]

You gotta remember it is dragging 3 tonne of vehicle too.

[mccpijs4]

Maybe sounds like a stupid question, but given the choice of a 2001 4.8L Manual and a 2001 4.5L Manual - both on dual fuel - similar mileage, which would you go for? Both as thirsty as the other? Both as reliable?

[coxy321]

4.8's have bigger brakes, and going off the paperwork, with the 4.8 you get the same fuel consumption of a 4.5, but with the extra power, torque and refinement.

Same price?

[mccpijs4]

Yeah more or less (give or take 20K for 4.8, 19K for 4.5). The 4.8 has 190K vs 260K on the 4.5.

I'm upgrading from a $5K SWB Pajero so its a big step up in cash for me so just want to get it right - so appreciate your help!

[coxy321]

So an extra $1000 for a car that has 70,000km less than the other? I think you've just answered your own question. What spec are the cars (ST, Ti etc). I don't know a huge amount about the TB48DE, but if its like 99% of Nissan engines, a few smart mods, a proper service and a tune will see it going well. No doubt unless it was recently serviced that the spark plugs would be first on my checklist, followed by intake sensors and then the gas system. What sort of gas systems did they have by the way?

I suppose another good way to give you an "easy" comparison is to say that the evolution from TB42/TB45 to TB48DE is the same as the Ford AU six cylinder to the BA six cylinder - better technology resulting in better performance and economy. If money wasn't an issue, i'd buy one (4.8, that is ).

[mccpijs4]

Yeah - I said it was a stupid question!

Just wanted some reassurance. Thanks for your input mate.

[MyGQ]

the Auto based 4.8's have a new ECU and cam to get more power out of them, the early manual ones were very poor upgrades from the 4.5L but some additions to the motor (new cam and ECU) the TB48 gets the go. Driven the Auto 2008 4.8 and my god i never knew a Patrol could go so fast

[mccpijs4]

After market ECU and cam upgrade possible/worthwhile then?

[dave_str]

4.8L GU's have a tendency for the cats to collapse.

The 2 oxegen sensors are known to last 100,000km's aswell.

Look at these 2 if you think its down on power.

Dave.

[plowking]

I own an 04 GUIII ST-L 4.8 manual, seems to go pretty well... even with 35's. (not on gas)
They don't like LPG, it burns out the valves in em