Safe to buy 2nd hand 3L GU?

[mabsydney]

I know the 3L problems have been done to death on here. That's not what I'm asking about.

When was the 3L engine fully fixed. Ive been told different things and I want to make sure I buy a vehicle recent enough to not have the engine blow up on me.

Thanks,

[morkz]

you want to make sure it's at least a series 3 GU

[bazzle]

I would hazard a guess that all the prob ones have a new motor by now. Just check the service records.

Bazzle

[bogged]

When was the 3L engine fully fixed.

when it was swapped for a 4.2

[alki]

As mantioned above,get series III,built date 10/01 on and clear reverse light on both sides(only one working though).
Those models should be OK.
I have 12/01 series III and 72000km,still going strong.For how long?Time will tell

[embryo]

When was the 3L engine fully fixed.

when it was swapped for a 4.2

do you ever give constructive advice? obiously he doesnt want a 4.2

[bogged]

do you ever give constructive advice? obiously he doesnt want a 4.2

Is there anything constructive you can say about them? Letting him know which is the better vehicle.

[Evan]

From what i can tell there isn't all thats many problems and the ones that were a problem should have been replaced by now.
Newer ones seem fine from what i hear.

Fingers crossed because i am considering a brand new 05 model and the 4.8l petrol is just too thirsty but atleast its faster.

E

[morkz]

yeah once again just check the service records.

if its had a new motor put in and in the box out to fix 5th gear on it and your pick it up cheap then you'd be doing alright.

but my only concern would be the doubt it may stuff up again and something like that can plague you on trips.

[4by]

Why do you want the 3.0 mabsydney?

You need to also look into servicing, engine reputation, etc.

Ive owned a 3.0l and a 4.2l. Sure the 3.0 is zippier of the mark but apparently with some cheap mods the 4.2 can go better.

The 4.2 is a bulletproof engine proven to travel the k's and distance. Its easier and cheaper to service. The 4.2 cost me less to run.

The 3.0 requires higher grade fuel. (read the manual) Service dept. told me not to own a 3.0 without roadside assist cause if it breaks down most people can't get it going again. The 3.0 is a great motor but why do Nissan charge extra $8,000 to buy the 4.2 and why don't they have the 3.0 available in the ute's. Most utes are used for rugged work, farmers, servicing industry, and carry heavy laods. Are Nissan saying that the 4.2 is a better motor and you need to pay for quality and relaibilty.

Just my opinion...........................

Cheers 4by

[alki]

Why would you bother buying 4.2 if you can get 4.8 petrol for less.
better performance
not much differance in running costs(actualy 4.8 could be cheaper to run)

[J Top]

I'm with Bogged on this one.
I think the 4.2 is a very constructive comment.
J Top

[4by]

[quote="alki"]Why would you bother buying 4.2 if you can get 4.8 petrol for less.
better performance
not much differance in running costs(actualy 4.8 could be cheaper to run)[/quote]

I don't think the 4.8 is cheaper to run. I get 13 - 14 litre per 100ks. A recent 4x4 magazine tested the 4.8 patrol vs the V8 cruiser and the V8 cruiser was less to run. I have seen figures of around 20 litre per 100ks, but perhaps someone owning a 4.8 can confirm this.

Another mag awarded the 4.2 diesel patrol as their 2004 best 4WD.

The 4.8 has electrics and might cost more to service. plugs, leads etc. All I do is change oil and filters.

Morkz on this forum has done some mods to his 4.2 and apparently get it sideways in the wet and chirps the tyres in the dry. And thats with 35" tyres. I am too getting this done. So performance might not be a problem, and after all how fast can you go before you get caught.

Resale value on a diesel might also be better as most want diesels for outback travel.

I would drive all of them, consider the purchase cost, resale cost, service and running cost before making a decision. You can get a pretty good deal a couple year old patrol especially as the new shape has arrived.

I bought the 4.2 mainly for the reasons I listed. I know more about petrol engines but found the diesel better for my use including outback travel.

Again..........only my opinion.

[mabsydney]

Thanx to those who offered constructed comments.

To those who just want to harp on about the 4.2L, pull ya head out of your arse.

[embryo]

do you ever give constructive advice? obiously he doesnt want a 4.2

Is there anything constructive you can say about them? Letting him know which is the better vehicle.

To those who just want to harp on about the 4.2L, pull ya head out of your arse.

so your half arsed comment was not the type of constructive advice he was looking for, as i suspected.

[GUHOON]

i boght my GU as a nov 2001 model and havent had any problems as yet 120,000k just had to get the airflow meter replaced as it shit itself and made the car very slow, once fixed it goes ok---for a deisel

[viperguy]

every person i know with a 3l gu has had to replace air flow meters..most of them more than once..im not convinced on these motors. espescially when the 4.2 is available and can be made into a serious weapon pretty easy...just my oppinion though

[J Top]

Careful V Guy , you will have obscene suggestions made about your posterior if you don't give the answer he wants to hear.
J Top

[alki]

every person i know with a 3l gu has had to replace air flow meters..most of them more than once..im not convinced on these motors. espescially when the 4.2 is available and can be made into a serious weapon pretty easy...just my oppinion though

You'll have to get to know me than.
3 years old GU III,72000km and original airflow meter.Hasn't even been cleaned.
I know few owners of 3.0 l GU and none of them had to change airflow meter

[bogged]

To those who just want to harp on about the 4.2L, pull ya head out of your arse.

So what answer would you like us to put down, what answer do you want to hear, make it easy, register yourself another name and answer yourself. You will always hear what you want, not the facts that way..

I'll take 1 TD42 over a fleet of 3.0 GU's anyday...

[DR Frankenstine]

I get to drive all types of vehicles in my job and they are allways towing 2+ tonnes. The 3.0l patrol and the 4.2 litre patrol both tow about the same. BUT The question you have to ask yourself is. What is going to last longer a 4.2l slugger or a tricked up 4 cyl motor tuned to perform? How often do they rebuild a V8 supercars engine? (after every race). Because they are built to perform. USE YOUR BRAINS BOY

[big red]

I know the 3L problems have been done to death on here. That's not what I'm asking about.

When was the 3L engine fully fixed. Ive been told different things and I want to make sure I buy a vehicle recent enough to not have the engine blow up on me.

Thanks,

the early ones were a problem, the recent ones have not been tested long enough.
they are still a hotted up little 4cyl trying to pull a couple of tonne !

if they only made a bigger 6 cyl understressed motor it would be perfect

[alki]

I'll take 1 TD42 over a fleet of 3.0 GU's anyday

I'd take 4.8 petrol over TD4.2 any time,but that's only my opinion and it probobly won't suit you.

[Bartso]

i know prob don't want to hear this but i know people and heard of people blowing up their 3.0l engines and gearboxes being rebuilt its just a matter of time before it will happen if it hasn't happened yet
i would buy the 4.2

[patrolman]

my old man brought his 3.0ltr in september 2001 and had the engine replaced, cracked piston, and now with the new engine i'm pretty sure the same thing had happened. IMO go the 4.2 just a better all round engine

[viperguy]

im a friendly guy alki.. id like to get to know you.. everybody else for that matter..
on the 3.0l matter though.. if u havent done one (air flow meter) it wont be long away.. it mightnt happen over night.. but it will happen..

[alki]

im a friendly guy alki.. id like to get to know you.. everybody else for that matter..
on the 3.0l matter though.. if u havent done one (air flow meter) it wont be long away.. it mightnt happen over night.. but it will happen..

As I live in Merrylands we might have seen each other many times without even knowing

On the subject of airflow meter,I have heard that they die,but no one I know had to replace it.I have been replacing air filters more often than normal servicing requires,becouse I check my filter and find that it can hardly survive more than 20 000km on average.I have replaced it once after only 8000km.

[djr320kw]

The best people to ask is mechanics. Go and ask a couple of diff and clutch places. Go and ask some gearbox places. they will tell you all about what breaks how often and what model. Hope this helps your question.

[roly]

im a friendly guy alki.. id like to get to know you.. everybody else for that matter..
on the 3.0l matter though.. if u havent done one (air flow meter) it wont be long away.. it mightnt happen over night.. but it will happen..

As I live in Merrylands we might have seen each other many times without even knowing

On the subject of airflow meter,I have heard that they die,but no one I know had to replace it.I have been replacing air filters more often than normal servicing requires,becouse I check my filter and find that it can hardly survive more than 20 000km on average.I have replaced it once after only 8000km.

i had 3 or 4 in 4 years

[bogged]

i had 3 or 4 in 4 years

and a motor on the LAST day of warranty!!! LOL