Tips on 1999 Turbo Diesel Patrol 3.0L

[Rod_Bender]

Has anyone got any good points I should be aware of about these vehicles? I'm looking at purchasing one that has 198346 Km's on the clock. The car has a lot of after market offroad accessories fitted to it. Seems very dry underneath the vehicle. and for 15K, its hard to look past.

I'm looking at doing some upgrades to it to give it more performance? Has anyone got any worth while ideas that they have personally done or seen completed thats worth doing.

Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Rod_Bender

[seameter]

they are are fairly good car but the earlier 3.0L engines were known to have a few problems. Most of them were fixed later on though

[steve99]

Hi Rod Bender, I currently own a Navara with the 3.0Litre turbo. That particular motor is called a ZD30 and its a good motor. However, its been well documented that nissan has had problems with that motor in the bigger and heavier patrols.
Its not just hearsay, I have often read it in 4x4 magazines and the dealership were I take my car for servicing has mentioned it as well.
My advice would be to ring the service department of a large dealer and ask them about the any inherant problems with that particular model. Im sure they would be only too willing to help.
Despite the motor issue they are a damm good 4x4.

Cheers steve99

[INDUNA]

Hi Rod Bender,

I've got a '02 3.0 turbo patrol and its the best car I've ever owned. Its just had its 110km service and apart from tyres, brakepads, battery and a new cambelt at the last service its been fantastic.

[Rodman]

Mate

In 1999/2000 Nissan Patrol installled a 3lt turbo diesel that had the inside of the sump painted. The paint started to lift off the sump and got sucked into th oil filter blocking it and not allowing the oil to be distributed around the motor and hence caused the engine to seize. This happened at about the 110000km mark when the warranty was over. Nissan would not fix this problem and some car owners were up for a $20000 engine replacement.

SO BE CAREFUL AND CHECK IF THERE IS A SERVICE HISTORY>

I own a 2004 3lt turbo diesel Nissan Patrol.
Ken

[FNQCairns]

Mate

In 1999/2000 Nissan Patrol installled a 3lt turbo diesel that had the inside of the sump painted. The paint started to lift off the sump and got sucked into th oil filter blocking it and not allowing the oil to be distributed around the motor and hence caused the engine to seize. This happened at about the 110000km mark when the warranty was over. Nissan would not fix this problem and some car owners were up for a $20000 engine replacement.

SO BE CAREFUL AND CHECK IF THERE IS A SERVICE HISTORY>

I own a 2004 3lt turbo diesel Nissan Patrol.
Ken

Is that really the true reason? there has been so much conjecture over these engines and the time-bomb they are - no matter how softly they were treated, people have been shockingly treated by Nissan, no none looks after us here in OZ. People have been stuck with $10k worth of engine rebuilds with no explanation as to why it could have happened or how long the new engine will last.

Good luck cheers fnq

[dicko1980]

I would not buy a 3L Patrol built before 2001 as they have have issues with the early ZD30's oil supply which results in reliability issues. After this that year the motor was modified to include oil squirter's in the block to aid in lubrication. Just search any 4x4 Forum using Patrol 3L and you will get answers.

Cheers
dicko1980

[FNQCairns]

I would not buy a 3L Patrol built before 2001 as they have have issues with the early ZD30's oil supply which results in reliability issues. After this that year the motor was modified to include oil squirter's in the block to aid in lubrication. Just search any 4x4 using Patrol 3L and you will get answers.

Cheers
dicko1980

Yeah that's what I heard also as well as a common overboost condition and also the adding of a longer dipstick so a person actually overfills the sump compared to its original designed full height.

They scare me a little.

cheers fnq

[dicko1980]

Thats correct with the sump dipstick and there were also issues with the EGR valve becoming faultly causing over boosting.

dicko1980

http://patrol4x4.com/forum/
http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Default.aspx
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/
http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/

Yeah that's what I heard also as well as a common overboost condition and also the adding of a longer dipstick so a person actually overfills the sump compared to its original designed full height.

They scare me a little.

cheers fnq

[KAGEY1]

Induna, How Could You Get A New Cam Belt? The Motor Doesn't Have One??!! Nissan Have Only Used Chains And Gears For Timing Since The Demise Of The Rd28 6 Cyl Model.
Rod Bender, It May Wel Be A Good Deal At The Price. I Would Personally Go For One A Little Younger And Spend A Bit More.( If The Budget Allows) After The Second Series, It Seems The Bugs Were Pretty Well Sorted.
Cheers, Geoff

[Flex]

I believe post 2002 models they simply shortened the dipstick so as to fill the engine with an extra 2-3l of oil.

Regular oil changes are paramount for these cars. pre 2002 models having such small oil capacity the oil was prone to overheat and degredate causing the back cylinder to sieze. as we all know oil quality is extremely important for diesels.

Im not sure if they changed the the way the oil is delivered either. cant find any info on it.

But generally speaking if you maintain good quality oil then then the ZD30 will last ages.

[KAGEY1]

You Can Also Get A Piggyback Chip For It That Plugs Into The Oe Harness. A Relatively Cheap Power Upgrade. Have Seen No Evidence Of This Causing Troubles With The Longevity Of The Donk.
Transforms The Car Though!
Geoff

[Tangles]

I went through all this before i got my Patrol, i ended up getting up a 2003 model. personally Im satisfied Nissan fixed the problems by then, from reading all the patrol forums i wouldnt look at a 3.0 lt Patrol before 2003.

cheers
mike

[Rod_Bender]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice! I've had some opinions throw at me about the following as possible upgrades

How many Km's are people getting off their 3.0L patrol's for both tanks?

- chips
- bigger dump pipe
- bigger exhaust

Is there anyone who has completed this already and can comment about it first or 2nd hand.

Is there a particular brand of oil that you suggest?

Thanks in advance

[steve99]

Hi Rod-bender,

Nissan have been specific about the type of oil used in the ZD30 motor.

Ring the toll free number of any major oil company and they will give you an idea on what to use.

Im know Nissan send bulletins to oil companies suggesting what oils to recommend for each engine type.

My Navara STR has the same ZD30 motor and I use Mobil 4x4 - 70,000 klms later - no problems.
My previous Navara did 250,000 klms using the same oil.

Regular oil and filter changes certainly increase engine life. I change both every 5000 klms.