Loads of Issues

[lostgirl]

Hi

I have a Nissan Patrol 1997 GQ TB42E on dual fuel / LPG.

Here is my list of issues
1. dle is shocking. When stopped at lights I have to choke otherwise it conks.
2. Air box filter is broken therefore car runs really bad if water gets up there and also keeps backfiring.
3. Hard to start have to crank like for a minute for it to start usually have to switch back to fuel. Can often smell gas when starting.
4. Radio wont switch on any more Im assuming I will just have to replace.

I am unsure of what part number to search for the air box as I believe that this has caused damage. Also I think the spark plugs might need replacing - please correct me if I am wrong. Just take forever to start or do you think it is the leads?

My husband is not help and I am really limited with time and money but I know that I have to fix the car ASAP as it has become unreliable.

Thanks for any help. :redface:

[NissanGQ4.2]

Hi lostgirl, post up an intro in the intro thread when you get a chance, I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will answer your questions shortly.

cheers

Todd

[Finly Owner]

I think thes have an air flow meter, so if air box is broken then air flow meter would be out. But I'm not up to speed with these. one of the geniuses will be able to answer you soon.

Tim

[DX grunt]

Gday lostgirl

To put it diplomatically, we love new members to put up an introduction in the intro section, to tell us all a bit about themselves and where they're from, rather than just go straight into your issues and concerns.

Take care out there.

Ross
DX grunt

[Finly Owner]

Ah,, you got me, I usually check post count and don't answer tech questions until I see an intro from new members. You had 2 posts and I assumed it was Intro. Please go to introduction and tell us about yourself and more about your truck and where you are from

Tim

[lostgirl]

thank you have now done so.

Sorry I skiped a step. Have just been searching the internet for some answers. :)

[YNOT]

1. Idle is shocking. When stopped at lights I have to choke otherwise it conks. This could be either fuel or ignition related. Does it do the same thing running on LPG and petrol? If it's the same on both fuels then it is most likely caused by ignition.

2. Air box filter is broken therefore car runs really bad if water gets up there and also keeps backfiring. A broken airbox is unlikely to cause it to run rough and backfire in wet weather, that sounds more like water getting into the ignition, specifically the distributor cap.

3. Hard to start have to crank like for a minute for it to start usually have to switch back to fuel. Can often smell gas when starting. Does it start OK on petrol? I suspect the gas system may need retuning and possibly also need LPG converter or mixer (depending on type of LPG components fitted) rebuild.
4. Radio wont switch on any more Im assuming I will just have to replace. You may be able to get the original radio repaired, but why bother, cheaper and easier to just buy and install a new radio/CD.

I am unsure of what part number to search for the air box as I believe that this has caused damage. I doubt the airbox has caused damage, more likely the airbox was damaged by the back firing caused by faulty ignition or poor LPG tuning.

Also I think the spark plugs might need replacing - please correct me if I am wrong. Just take forever to start or do you think it is the leads? I realize you say you have limited money but I think you're going to have to throw a bit of money at the car to fix these faults. I would start with a new rotar button, distributor cap, plug leads and spark plugs. Get the ignition timing checked also. That should take care of the ignition so you only have to get the fuel systems right.

One trouble with dual fuel cars that run most of the time on LPG is that the petrol system deteriorates from lack of use. The petrol goes stale in the tank, fuel pumps gum up and seize up, injectors get a carbon build up on the tips etc etc.

Tony

[lostgirl]

Thanks Tony. You have confirmed some of the stuff I have just been reading. I will totally be contacting a mechanic tomorrow and getting a quote. Thanks again.

[Finly Owner]

Go into mechanic sounding like you know what's wrong. I don't mean to sound sexist, but don't go sounding like a niave damsil in distress. Male mechanics actually like hearing from a woman who understands her car.

Tim

[lostgirl]

Yeah I dont do the damsil.lol I actually have shocked a few of them by saying I have researched it. I also like for them to prove to me what part needs fixing. I have never been burnt yet.

[lostgirl]

Oh now just make me feel better - The 5th gear has gone on holiday. I am going to get the money together today and get this fixed.

[AB]

Yeah I dont do the damsil.lol I actually have shocked a few of them by saying I have researched it. I also like for them to prove to me what part needs fixing. I have never been burnt yet.

That's exactly write LG, a mechanic should show you the part that has gone wrong. My mechanic always keeps the gaskets or whatever part has blown, cracked, broken, etc and explain how it happened and why.

[lostgirl]

Well I went under the hood today and found out that the air cleaner connector to the motor was off. Once I banged that carefully back on the car started without cranking and also ran smoothly on fuel. Runs on gas but pretty clear the gas needs a service.

I feel very accomplished. There were a heap of lead that had been disconnected I am sure that it must have happen when car was being serviced by Kmart. I rang them today and told them and they have taken responsibility for it. So that is a plus

Very happy now I am going to take the car and ahve a full quote done on it and go from there. :)

[lostgirl]

Yeah that is the thing. I have found that sometimes when I ask them to show me the part they are stumped and I quickly move on to a new mechanic. I dont like to be told something needs doing when it doesn't.

[Bob]

Well I went under the hood today and found out that the air cleaner connector to the motor was off. Once I banged that carefully back on the car started without cranking and also ran smoothly on fuel. Runs on gas but pretty clear the gas needs a service.

I feel very accomplished. There were a heap of lead that had been disconnected I am sure that it must have happen when car was being serviced by Kmart. I rang them today and told them and they have taken responsibility for it. So that is a plus

Very happy now I am going to take the car and ahve a full quote done on it and go from there. :)

You really need to find a Mechanic that is experienced with Nissan Patrols. A heap of leads not connected is a concern. Somebody on this forum should be able to point you to a good Mechanic

[lostgirl]

You really need to find a Mechanic that is experienced with Nissan Patrols. A heap of leads not connected is a concern. Somebody on this forum should be able to point you to a good Mechanic

Yeah I will be. 3 of them were to do with the gas. there were two that were to do with the fuel. They were connected before I took them to kmart so I am assuming they are meant to be connected

[AB]

Thats pretty sloppy work on Kmart's behalf LG. Well done for you to find it though!

Put up a post asking for a good mechanic in your area and see what response you get.

[lostgirl]

Thats pretty sloppy work on Kmart's behalf LG. Well done for you to find it though!

Put up a post asking for a good mechanic in your area and see what response you get.

Will do. And Kmart have apologised and assured me it wont happen again. Im like I know it wont.lol As you wont ever have the car.lol

[lostgirl]

Oh and car is now starting on gas and not conking if not chocked at traffic lights. MMMM

[the evil twin]

Apart from the year of manufacture you have a similar truck to my prev GQ... so "nice truck" hehehe

1. Airbox, almost every LPG TB42 has a broken Airbox due to an LPG backfire. Good luck finding another one at less than an exhorbitant price and when you do it will last up until the next backfire.

2. Unless you spend a LOT on a dual ECU mapping system so you can set it for LPG and Petty everything "dual fuel" is a compromise for tuning. Mine was tuned 'towards' LPG and would start and run better on gas than petty.

3. Probably most important thing. Find yourself a good LPG specialist mechanic. I am sorry but KMart et al are totally hopeless at LPG vehicles. An LPG specialist will get it all sorted for you and then you can go back to Kmart for standard servicings if you like.

[lostgirl]

Yah it is like the top of the air box has just exploded off.lol Yeah They are recommeding I replace it with a pod filter?

[the evil twin]

Yah it is like the top of the air box has just exploded off.lol Yeah They are recommeding I replace it with a pod filter?

ROFL... what was left of mine was held on by two Occy straps.

[lostgirl]

Mine was held on by wire but the guy at Kmart removed it as he thought it was a hazzard.lol

[Lambroast]

Hi Lostgirl,

The two halves of my airbox are not sealed together. They are held together by a couple of bolts drilled into them, 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom which are held by 4 loops of stretch rubber. The two halves still have a snug fit, and when it does backfire, it just pops apart without exploding and damaging the box. I just open the hood and put it back together. Occasionally I have to put the small vacuum (?) hose back on, but other than that it works well. Generally it only backfires if you give it some gas whilst starting on LPG. Is yours the same ?

I'm sure if I submerged the car it would be a problem, but I've never been under that deep.

Cheers
Simon

[lostgirl]

I am getting it replaced Simon. It doesn't keep together it keeps wiggling apart. Also when I washed the car that got wet and the whole car wouldn't start. lol

[lostgirl]

Got the radio to work. It need the security pin for some reason. Finally have music.

[Dhuck]

Doin well. You don't need us.

[lostgirl]

Hey Well Nissan themselves have given me a quote on the air box and they said that with filter and clips it will cost me. $186.00 and to fit will be $55.

[Dhuck]

Not a bad price from Nissan. Scotty (Bigrig) paid a little more and had to buy both parts seperately or that is what he was quoted. But please do not quote me on that one.

[lostgirl]

I was a bit shocked at the price. As everyone said it would be heaps more expensive. As to find one at a wreckers it is near impossible.lol I have rung about 10 of them have failed to find one. :)

I think I will go with the air box from nissan and get it fixed.

[lostgirl]

Bugger. He just rang me back and said he gave me the wrong price.lol It is $442.42 A lot more than I want to pay. I will keep searching for one.

[Dhuck]

Hope you called him lots of nasty names and cursed him!

[lostgirl]

Hope you called him lots of nasty names and cursed him!

Nah I was nice as I may need to buy one new.lol I just said ok and i might be able to guilt him later in a better price.lol

[lostgirl]

I just don't understand NO wreckers have them at all. Apparently they go so quick as they are often going on these cars.

[Woof]

Have you tried http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?915-Nizzbits-(vic) maybe worth a phone call or a PM, from all reports they are great.

[lostgirl]

will do that on Monday. Thanks for that. I have bene looking online and most places say they can't other than Nissan.

[the ferret]

Gary at Nizzbits will look after you.

[Dhuck]

Onya ferret. Seems to the only joint to buy second hand in Aus. No one else has anything.

[PATROLLER]

Having owned a duel fuel vehicle spark plugs and leads are the most common thing for causing back fires , use good quality spark plugs like ngk split fire and get someone to check resistance in leads. Again if you have a faulty lead make sure you buy quality.

[jaxt]

spark plugs, leads, check all the vaccuum hoses if they've become brittle and come undone.
try starting on petrol and then switch to gas after a few minutes.

[Bigrig]

spark plugs, leads, check all the vaccuum hoses if they've become brittle and come undone.
try starting on petrol and then switch to gas after a few minutes.

And trying to start it cold on LPG if you don't have a gas system that injects a spray of petrol on startup - mine doesn't, and if I try to start it cold (even with new leads and cold plugs) the manifold simply fills with gas whilst it's trying to kick over and then ... BANG ... all that gas eventually ignites and as per yours, will more than likely blow the guts out of the airbox - you can fit a pressure release valve to it to assist this, but I just start on petrol and switch over to gas - no biggie.

More than likely those two prices above were actually correct - the box is sold by Nissan as two separate pieces, the top being about $180 and bottom being about $440 - $600 plus all up!! Not cheap and hence my hash job on a commodore VN airbox as a substitute ... Millweld release their all alloy airbox later this month, and whilst they will still be expensive, at least they'll never blow apart (and they'll look the sh!t too I reckon!! LOL) - I'll be getting one!!!

[jaxt]

yeh I paid about 400 for mine at patrolaparts.
I even didn't do the clips up so that it wouldn't blow it to smitherenes....and the top part would just lift up
blew up on our last day on the charleville trip :(
I imagine even with that much pressure a pressure release valve would still blow it up.

[Bigrig]

yeh I paid about 400 for mine at patrolaparts.
I even didn't do the clips up so that it wouldn't blow it to smitherenes....and the top part would just lift up
blew up on our last day on the charleville trip :(
I imagine even with that much pressure a pressure release valve would still blow it up.

I reckon it would still split also mate, but my brother has one on his GQ and his airbox (after 8 years of gas) is still in one piece ... I was going to stealth into his joint and swap them over!!! LOL

With the amount of water I do - not to mention dust and crap - I have to have the clips done up. Problem is the filter sits in the bottom piece and if the top piece is jiggling around, then dust and muck goes straight past the filter through the gaps on the side and straight into the manifold inlet ducting (and straight into the mass airflow sensor and engine) ... would no doubt cause grief at some stage ...

[gec]

I read about your problem and remembered seeing this, I dont know if you EFI guy's will be interested but ya can have a look and its cheaper than a new one from Nissan and probably harder to blow up too.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200573462812&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Bigrig]

I read about your problem and remembered seeing this, I dont know if you EFI guy's will be interested but ya can have a look and its cheaper than a new one from Nissan and probably harder to blow up too.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200573462812&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks mate - for a ZD30 - dumb question, but would it slot into a TB42e??

[jaxt]

^^x2
I hazard to guess not.

[Bigrig]

^^x2
I hazard to guess not.

Yep - hopefully the millweld ones will be all I expect and more ... mine has done (and will continue to do the trick) but be nice to have something that robust in there that simply won't let you down (I hope) ...

[gec]

Thanks mate - for a ZD30 - dumb question, but would it slot into a TB42e??

Yes I think it would as stated on the add it does fit a GQ by drilling one extra hole, so my guess is that it would fit the TB42e right behind the left hand headlight, just like the diesel GQ air box

[Bigrig]

Yes I think it would as stated on the add it does fit a GQ by drilling one extra hole, so my guess is that it would fit the TB42e right behind the left hand headlight, just like the diesel GQ air box

Hmmmm ... Food for thought ....

[YNOT]

You would need to adapt ducting to suit the new airbox outlet position.

Tony

[MQ MAD]

Theres a young fella out at woodford that seems to wreck alot of GQs
Its not that far a drive what 15-20 mins from Caboolture

[Bigrig]

Theres a young fella out at woodford that seems to wreck alot of GQs
Its not that far a drive what 15-20 mins from Caboolture

Serious?? Didn't know. A mate of mine lives on Chambers Road just on the eastern side of Woodford, so I will get him to suss this out.

[Bigrig]

Just rang my mate and he's going to suss it out - how did you hear about it?? Would be pretty interested to see what he's got.

[MQ MAD]

His name and number
Shane 0425632020

I havent personally dealt with him yet , so dont know what he is like on prices ect

[Bigrig]

His name and number
Shane 0425632020

I havent personally dealt with him yet , so dont know what he is like on prices ect

You're a star! Thanks mate.