2001 Nissan Patrol 3Di GL Diesel

[Geoff Popple]

I am about to buy a 2001 Nissan Patrol 3Di GL Diesel and have heard and read some negative comments on the engine of these models. This vehicle has done 223,000km and had a new engine fitted in 2003 at 60,000km by Nissan SA. I have had it AA tested and no major faults were detected.

I spoke to a very knowledgeable chap at Mega World and he seriously has some doubts about the reliability of this engine.

I would greatly appreciate any views members have to guide me on this matter

Geoff

[Peter Connan]

Welcome Geoff

Firstly, I would recommend thoroughly dredging this forum, there is a mass of information here about exactly what the problem is/was with those engines.

In a nutshell though, it is prone to what is known as the "hand grenade". If the engine control unit is not correctly adjusted, temperatures inside the combustion chamber reach levels higher than the materials the engine are made of can handle. The problems are that the ECU is not actually adjustable, that the map Nissan originally installed was not optimised for our high temperatures and low air pressures, and that the damage is cumulative.

Thus the engine usually does not explode the first time temperatures are exceeded, but the nth time. And there is no way to effectively test for damage except by dismantling the engine and having the pistons x-rayed and cylinder head pressure-tested. Thus you can buy one of these, baby it like crazy and still have it explode.

Having sayd that though, by 2003 Nissan had a handle on the problem and had corrected the mapping.

Personally I am not very keen on these engines and would rather get a petrol engine (I beleive in the long term the costs are broadly similar), but if an EGT gauge (preferably with an audible alarm set at something below 700degrees C)) was fitted at the time the engine was overhauled, I would be prepared to consider it, as this would indicate a good probability that the engine was looked after properly from new.

[Herrie]

If Nissan had replaced the engine it should be the better engine than the old one. They normally replace the engine with the better model.

[Herrie]

I do have a Patrol Manual on cd in PDF that have all the extra info for the 3.0l diesel.

[Geoff Popple]

Thank you everyone for the input on buying a Nissan Patrol 2001 3Di GL Diesel. Peter,Is there anyway I can check whether the new engine fitted by Nissan in 2003 has the new mapping you talk about? For example I can contact Nissan SA and give them the engine number.

I will search the site for more info on this problem.

Go well

Geoff

[Kagiso II]

Take the VIN number to a Nissan dealer and have them check it out to see if tha COMPUTER [ECU] has been rectified
The problem with the 30. Di engine is the computer - the idiots have stuck the EUROPE settings on it - then, when you drive in Africa's heat and our above sea level hights, the ECU cannot compensate and then overfuels and THAT causes the engine to go BANGgranade.
Sort the ECU [ev en SAC chip it if you will
And that 3.0Di will last as liong as ANY other make's 4-cyl turbo diesel on the market [Isuzu; Colt; Toyota; even Merc, Benz and others...
[Id is sad sad sad that Nissan does not admit their fault and rectify the 2001 / 2003 early 2003 3.0 Di engines' ECUs ...
Go buy the 3.0 Di Patrol. Check the ECU - iinstall an EGT reader FIRST - an gaan genoiet jou daai Trol [daaqi 3.0 skop gat selfs oor die 4,5 en 4,2 petrol en diesel trollies wat "cruise spoed' aanbetref,
Ek het een gehad - ja sy engin het geblaas [As gevolg van die ECU en "over fuelling"] Sal ek weer een koop ?? BESLIS en ja en beslis ja [as ek nie so armgat was nie het ek nounog vir Agarob gehad.. verseker]

[Grootseun]

I agree with all thats said concerning the 3.0 DI , BUT

I own a 2001 and specifically bought that model just to try and see if i can lenghten the handgrenade pin or not

Bought mine with 245 000km on it and have already put another 7000km on it

Have so far fitted an EGT and Boost gauge , Oil catch Can and Bigger Intercooler - the bigger intercooler has brought down my EGT temps already and im still playing around with a few other mods

Ive played off road with some other Patrols and the 3.0 neednt stand back in my opinion and on road as Oom Mac said she cruises like a beauty but you must be aware that she could have been damaged previously and as Peter says even if you nurse her she might blow or she might not

One thing i will say - after all my above mods ive done 2 LOOOOOONG trips this week and i got an average fuel consumption of 9,46 km per liter so im happy there

[Kagiso II]

- Dankie Grootseun - iemand wat sy BREINS ook inspan [hartseer dat nissan hulle aandadigheid in fout ontken - Maar Boetaaaaaa, as daai 3.0 opp draf is .. alles behalwe die 4,8 kan maar vergeet van saamdraf - alli pad [en sy kragkurwe maak hom selfse beter op PARTY plekke as ie 4,8 ook [minder krag is minder wielspin - PUNT]

Jippp -= ek sal weer een ry [eendag]

[Grant]

I agree will Ooooooooooom Mac en Grootseun,


EGT Max should never exceed 730C. Being a direct injection engine EGT's can run a little hotter but never more than 730C. EGTmeter is a must. Add a few bob and get the bigger unit which includes oil pressure, coolant temp, and oil temp.


Maintain your diesel well, and drive it like it should be driven and it will last forever (almost). My suggestion is to see if you cannot get it to a SAC branch. SAC Diesel maintain many of the diesel Trolls and have extensive knowledge on these engines.


Call Mynhardt at 012 621 9060