Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi guys, I will shortly be ready to do a 185 000km service, so I decided to take Tinus' advice and take the old girl to Graham Cumming as he is a Patrol fundi. He has recomended a number of items that should be replaced at this mileage ie. Top & bottom radiator hoses and the smaller heater hoses that attach to the radiator and move with it. I have seen some strange boost patterns, so he has also suggested that we replace the boost pressure control solenoid. I also have discovered a scary fault with sudden braking on wet tar - the brake pedal vibrates, and there's a horrible noise almost like when your pads are shot and are chowing the disks - and the car does'nt want to stop. He says that he knows what to look for there, and then he found out that the car has been "chipped" about 2 years ago - this he recons is bad news, and that the chip must be removed and thrown out at all costs!!

Can anyone else suggest what to do or replace on a diesel at this mileage? Also what are your general thoughts regarding unichips on the ZD 30 motor?

Hi Tony,

As Graham is the mechanic , I would trust his advice.

In my humble opinion, the ZD30 has enough risk without having to add a chip. If it was my car, I would remove it asap.

Tony,

I would not be so hasty. I would get hold of SAC Diesel and talk to Myhard at 082 889 9974. If the Troll is setup correctly and the egt's are within the correct specs, there should not be a problem.

When last where the injectors tested/overhauled ? This would be my biggest concern. Call Mynhard, he has a welth of knowledge on these engines and will be able to assist you.


Regards

Injector tips were done at around 130 000 km's - I must be honest Grant, when the chip was installed I never felt any difference in performance, so removing it will make no difference to me - apart from the waste of money in the first place. I was also advised a while ago, by Glyn Demmer (Ex Nissan) that it would be better to do away with the chip. So my question is - What is this Unichip doing for me / for my car ? If there is any chance of affecting the long term reliability of the Patrol - its out, and if Graham is the so called Patrol fundi and he recomends to remove it why should I question him. Mynhard is looking at performance figures, Graham is talking engine life !!

Tony, a chip is primarily a way to override the factory settings.

Therefore the difference in performance is primarily a function of how the chip is calibrated. Since Nissan spent hundreds of hours calibrating the standard chip for the best compromise between performance, economy and reliability, therefore most of the improvements will have accompanying disadvantages in other areas.

Tony I know of about 10 people with sick patrols that problems dissapeared as soon as the chip was bypassed or removed
jaco bez is a good example car got hot and gave all sorts of errors as soon as chip was out the problems dissapeared
what we need to remember is that we do not drive race cars ,ok most of us dont .when we take a trip from gauteng to moz we go from 2000m above sea level to the sea if the chip is set up fot here it does not work well at the coast .the chip is only as good as the guy that does the programming I would trust nissan to have the best one for being a all rounder.most chips has a bypass brige .fit it and have a look??

Thanks guys, i'm going to do just that and let Graham have a good look at her.

tony u wont be sorry!!!!!let us know what happens but mr Cumming does not like to modify ect he keeps it like the people with thick glasses intended it to be .

I am a petrolhead, but I can echo what Thinus says.
Graham Cumming will advise you to keep it as standard as possible keeping longevity in mind.
If you do mods to enhance performance something else is sooner or later going to give.
I have only had good and honest service form Graham and will not take my Troll anywhere else. He will go the extra mile for you.

I would replace the belt tensioner , or keep one as a spare.
I have a second hand one in good condition that you could keep as a spare.

Also have your Intercooler and radiator flushed out and clean the MAF with some carb cleaner.