Should i buy a 3ltr turbo diesel

[tuff 45]

Hi guys, maybe looking a buying a nissan patrol but not sure which way to go, i can get a late 2003 GU 3ltr turbo diesel automatic for 20k and a 2001 model 5 speed with a lot of extras for same price, been told fuel pumps can be a problem and expensive, if so is the 03 model pump better than the 01 model or are they the same, what is fuel economy like and power wise, it will be towing a camper van and a 3.5 ton boat, any info would be appreciated, both cars have around 230 000 k's on them.

Thanks
Tony.

[GaryP]

In a word no, I would not be buying a 3l Di for towing a 3.5 tonne boat, it will be alrightish for the camper trailer but will really struggle with the boat. These are the series of engines that were well known for their lack of reliability.

[bally]

no, unless you have a shit load of cash ready to do an engine rebuild with then avoid the 3L ones like the plague, later models after 05 i think it is have not got the same likeliness of blowing themselves to pieces like the earlier ones do.

[Judge]

Hi guys, maybe looking a buying a nissan patrol but not sure which way to go, i can get a late 2003 GU 3ltr turbo diesel automatic for 20k and a 2001 model 5 speed with a lot of extras for same price, been told fuel pumps can be a problem and expensive, if so is the 03 model pump better than the 01 model or are they the same, what is fuel economy like and power wise, it will be towing a camper van and a 3.5 ton boat, any info would be appreciated, both cars have around 230 000 k's on them.

Thanks
Tony.

Hello mate the pumps are the same and the reason why they #### up is because the lift pumps suck air and cause the pump to cavatate witch causes internal problems!!
the 3lt patrol only has a 2.5t towing capacity the same as a TD42 only the 4.8 has a 3.5t towing capacity. cheers Rick.

[GUtripper]

Hi guys, maybe looking a buying a nissan patrol but not sure which way to go, i can get a late 2003 GU 3ltr turbo diesel automatic for 20k and a 2001 model 5 speed with a lot of extras for same price, been told fuel pumps can be a problem and expensive, if so is the 03 model pump better than the 01 model or are they the same, what is fuel economy like and power wise, it will be towing a camper van and a 3.5 ton boat, any info would be appreciated, both cars have around 230 000 k's on them.

Thanks
Tony.

Hello mate the pumps are the same and the reason why they #### up is because the lift pumps suck air and cause the pump to cavatate witch causes internal problems!!
the 3lt patrol only has a 2.5t towing capacity the same as a TD42 only the 4.8 has a 3.5t towing capacity. cheers Rick.

Hmmm never heard that one.

More commonly it's related to over boosting and over fueling. Common cause is oil build up on the MAF sensor.
Common fix is a oil catch can, a Dawes valve to limit boost, and regularly clean the MAF sensor wire.
Earlier models, ie 2001 had more problems, I believe 2003 onwards had redesigned oil squirters to the underside of the pistons to increase cooling. However, it didn't remove all the issues.
I recently saw a 2005/6 model do and engine counterbalance shaft and crack the head.
In short, it's a dud motor.

You could be lucky, you could be unlucky.

[Skegbudley]

Normally I would recomend getting a 2003 or later Patrol but in your case I won't. You can't legaly tow a 3500kg boat with a 3.0l Patrol.
Its a stupid rule that has no basis but unless you can change Nissan's mind. It ain't gona happen.

[joshy]

Hi guys, maybe looking a buying a nissan patrol but not sure which way to go, i can get a late 2003 GU 3ltr turbo diesel automatic for 20k and a 2001 model 5 speed with a lot of extras for same price, been told fuel pumps can be a problem and expensive, if so is the 03 model pump better than the 01 model or are they the same, what is fuel economy like and power wise, it will be towing a camper van and a 3.5 ton boat, any info would be appreciated, both cars have around 230 000 k's on them.

Thanks
Tony.

Hello mate the pumps are the same and the reason why they #### up is because the lift pumps suck air and cause the pump to cavatate witch causes internal problems!!
the 3lt patrol only has a 2.5t towing capacity the same as a TD42 only the 4.8 has a 3.5t towing capacity. cheers Rick.

Td42 wagon can tow 3.5t

[turbo gu]

Hi guys, maybe looking a buying a nissan patrol but not sure which way to go, i can get a late 2003 GU 3ltr turbo diesel automatic for 20k and a 2001 model 5 speed with a lot of extras for same price, been told fuel pumps can be a problem and expensive, if so is the 03 model pump better than the 01 model or are they the same, what is fuel economy like and power wise, it will be towing a camper van and a 3.5 ton boat, any info would be appreciated, both cars have around 230 000 k's on them.

Thanks
Tony.

Hello mate the pumps are the same and the reason why they #### up is because the lift pumps suck air and cause the pump to cavatate witch causes internal problems!!
the 3lt patrol only has a 2.5t towing capacity the same as a TD42 only the 4.8 has a 3.5t towing capacity. cheers Rick.

The TD42T wagon i own has a 3.5t tow capicity
The Td42t and 4.8 have a 3.5t capicity. Manual 4.5 are 3.2t.
utes only have 2.5t

And no Dont buy a 3l

[Judge]

Hi guys, maybe looking a buying a nissan patrol but not sure which way to go, i can get a late 2003 GU 3ltr turbo diesel automatic for 20k and a 2001 model 5 speed with a lot of extras for same price, been told fuel pumps can be a problem and expensive, if so is the 03 model pump better than the 01 model or are they the same, what is fuel economy like and power wise, it will be towing a camper van and a 3.5 ton boat, any info would be appreciated, both cars have around 230 000 k's on them.

Thanks
Tony.

Hello mate the pumps are the same and the reason why they #### up is because the lift pumps suck air and cause the pump to cavatate witch causes internal problems!!
the 3lt patrol only has a 2.5t towing capacity the same as a TD42 only the 4.8 has a 3.5t towing capacity. cheers Rick.

The TD42T wagon i own has a 3.5t tow capicity
The Td42t and 4.8 have a 3.5t capicity. Manual 4.5 are 3.2t.
utes only have 2.5t

And no Dont buy a 3l

hello, my mate had a 03 Y61 3lt patrol that had a towing capacity of 2.5t and his new van came in at 2.8t so he gave the patrol to his son and got a v8 with a 3.5t capacity. when the next 4.2 Y61 that comes in to work i will have a look!! for my own peace of mind cheers Rick.

[tuff 45]

Thanks everyone for the info, back to the drawing board i guess,

just sold my petrol 100 series cruiser, 4 - 4.5 k's to the ltr gets a bit expensive so thought i would look at a patrol.

[Judge]

Hello I had a look at work today and a ZD30 and a TD42 both had a towing capacity of 3.5t maybe my mate truck had a tow bar off a ute ?????????

[Skegbudley]

Hello I had a look at work today and a ZD30 and a TD42 both had a towing capacity of 3.5t maybe my mate truck had a tow bar off a ute ?????????

Just because the towing setup is rated to 3500kg and the chassis + suspension is the same. It is still not legal to tow 3500kg with a 3.0l.
My Haymen Reece towbar is rated to 3500kg and I know my 3.0l will pull 3500kg just as easy as a 4.2. Nissan has rated it lower so we don't get a choice.

[Bingham]

I have had 3 x 3L wagons and none could pull the skin of a rice pudding ! Farks me how people tow big boats and vans with them comfortably! Loaded Box trailer behind and steadies I have done one motor and one gearbox. They wrote the book on reliable No warranty = no 3L!

Or lift your budget mate to 35k and you can have my 04 gxl live axle turbo diesel cruiser that will be for sale from wednesday Cheap Plug

[Jimbo]

Or lift your budget mate to 35k and you can have my 04 gxl live axle turbo diesel cruiser that will be for sale from wednesday

How do they compare with a 4.2 patrol? You don't get many (gu 4.2) under 300,000km for that price.

[Bingham]

Yes when i heard of an 04 patrol td42 at a yard with 100 000 km for $50 000 is was slightly shocked. Good old 3L's have certainly aided in the resale of the the old tractors.
Mine only has 153 000 km. Is actually to nice and don't wish to sell and may not if i don't get my company Patrol car back soon

The answer is still no... no you should not buy a 3L warranty. Buy one just inside warranty then buy extended warranty Trust me.

[Micka]

Buy a Duramax and then find a blown up 3L Patrol to put it in

[Bowie]

You couldn't give me a 3L. I am a patrol fan and since working in mining i have only seen 1 ZD30 make it past 100,000 k's (not well by the way). Just do the right thing and stuff around to find a TD42. If you want something that will last get a Landcruiser 75 series non-turbo. I drive them regularly that have been underground since day one and have 250,000k's+ and still start every day. Given they are on their 75th pair of cv's but surely you can get equivilent cv's as longfields for hiluxes???

[Skegbudley]

I have done over 210,000km in my 3.0l without an issue.
I use 15l/100km when towing a 6.3m 1700kg (Empty, no fuel) boat.
I easily keep up with traffic with this much load on the back. The temp gauge does not even move from its normal position. Even on big hills.

Sure there have been some failures but most people have never had an issue with their 3.0l.

[Motty1]

I have done over 210,000km in my 3.0l without an issue.
I use 15l/100km when towing a 6.3m 1700kg (Empty, no fuel) boat.
I easily keep up with traffic with this much load on the back. The temp gauge does not even move from its normal position. Even on big hills.

Sure there have been some failures but most people have never had an issue with their 3.0l.

Most people.... I've seen and heard a lot of ZD 30 engines shitting themselves. I had one that gave up at 154000 kms. Maintenance wasn't the issue either as I did the oil and filter every 5000kms and air filter regularly. As for towing, I used to tow my 20 ft caravan and 3 tonne service trailer all the time it was all right till you had to take off on a steep incline. TD 42 for me any day.

[HUSSLN]

I just bought a 3 litre, its already been rebuilt though. I needed the fuel economy of the diesel and im pretty happy with the car overall even on 35s.

[Skegbudley]

I just bought a 3 litre, its already been rebuilt though. I needed the fuel economy of the diesel and im pretty happy with the car overall even on 35s.

Jump onto patrol4x4.com and do a search on NADS. You WANT to monitor your EGT and boost levels.

Most people.... I've seen and heard a lot of ZD 30 engines shitting themselves. I had one that gave up at 154000 kms. Maintenance wasn't the issue either as I did the oil and filter every 5000kms and air filter regularly. As for towing, I used to tow my 20 ft caravan and 3 tonne service trailer all the time it was all right till you had to take off on a steep incline. TD 42 for me any day.

And there is your issue. You cooked your motor towing. I take it you did not have a EGT and boost gauge fitted. It was not the motors fault.


And yeah. Most people don't have issues with them.

[Jimbo]

Jump onto patrol4x4.com and do a search on NADS. You WANT to monitor your EGT and boost levels.

If you also jump on patrol4x4 you will see that patrols with NADS fitted still blow up!

[Skegbudley]

Jump onto patrol4x4.com and do a search on NADS. You WANT to monitor your EGT and boost levels.

If you also jump on patrol4x4 you will see that patrols with NADS fitted still blow up!

Yes, but not from the normal "grenade" issues. There have been a couple but they were also installed post 100,000km so a lot of the damage could have already occured.
It has cut the number down dramaticaly. Is not a fix to end all issues but it has proven to work in reducing issues as well as providing a more responsive engine as a result.
The last one to die with NADs was because the tip of one of the glow plugs dropped off and smashed a hole in the piston. With the one prior to that. The driver kept driving after the head gasket failed causing a bigger issue.

They way I see it is that it is better than sticking your head in the sand.

[Jimbo]

Ok but any 3 litre non CRD is going to have a fair amount of km on it already so if he is fitting NADS now after the magic 100,00km then it may still fail.

[Skegbudley]

Ok but any 3 litre non CRD is going to have a fair amount of km on it already so if he is fitting NADS now after the magic 100,00km then it may still fail.

Correct. Like I said it is not a magic fix but it goes a long way towards it.
It does resolve issues caused by overboost and removes the oil and soot mixture that continues to block the intake manifold causing a over rich condition on #3 & 4 cylinders. Boost is now linear and is available from just off idle. Being able to monitor EGTs means you can tow large loads without cooking the motor.