Preferred oils

[Blownlc]

Hi Guy/Gals,

I'm about to do an oil change on the GU and was wondering what oils people are using. As
When I bought the rig the previous owner told me that he had issues with the oil light coming on when a poor quality oil and filters were put in the car. I'm guessing it has something to do with oil pressure.

Since I'v had the rig the oil light has come on occasionally but more frequently of late. I'm due to change the oil (done every 5K) this week, so I'm wondering if anyone has had an issue like this before and could recommend any good brands of oil.

Thanks in advance for you input!

[cairnsGU]

I would probly get a expert to look at why the oil light is on. Shouldnt come on unless loss of oil pressure

[Blownlc]

The previous owner said that he had it looked at and they couldn't locate a problem. He seemed to be a very honest guy and I'm still in partial contact with him. It is probably worth my while to get it looked at. But I'm the mean time what oil do you use?

[Chappa]

I've always stuck to Penrite and had a really good run i cant say i've had alot to do with diesel patrols but starting to drop oil pressure every 5K isn't a good sign, unless it does have shit oil in it as some do tend to thin out pretty quickly but it's hard to pick up without a proper oil pressure gauge on the dash.

[pearcey]

Hi mate
Get someone to fit an oil pressure gague and do a proper test, ie through the whole engine rev range. hot, cold, under load etc and see if an there is a fault.
Only use top quality oils and filters.Always change the filter when you change the oil as oils don't wear out they get dirty hence the filter change

[Blownlc]

Thats a good point. The installation of a pressure gauge will be the best way to keep and eye on it.

[GQPorkroll]

I've just done an oil change on my 4.2 petrol and unfortunately used Penrite. I'm not a fan of it, I think its too expensive and not great quality. I run Nulon in my wifes Territory and also in my classic Falcon and it is a great oil, unfortunately my shop didn't have enough to buy for the Patrol as it holds over a bottle. I would have run 25W60 but elected to go with Penrite 40W70 as they had 2 bottles of it. Next oil change it will be swapped back to Nulon. I've noticed Penrite is fine when cool, but even running a 70 heat range, it loses oil pressure at running temp, where as the old oil, Valvoline, from memory, had a consistent pressure, once warmed up.

[Blownlc]

I have 125k on the clock, what grade of oil do you think I should use. We do mostly highway driving and 5min trips to the shops.

[GQPorkroll]

If its diesel, 15W40, if its petrol, 20W50. Maybe run a good quality oil additive to protect your bearings on startup. I usually run a Nulon or a Lucas Oil Stabiliser.

[Blownlc]

Yep its diesel. 15W40 you reckon. I'll have a look for Nulon and give it a go. Thanks mate.

[Blownlc]

Ok. So after a whole heap of cursing I managed to get the oil filter housing undone. Damn it was on there tight!

So the oil and filter have been changed. On start up, no oil light. Good sign! The mrs took the car down the street, no oil light! I get into the car to go get some smokes, OIL LIGHT! GRRRRRRR
I turned the engine off, counted to 5 and turned it back on, no oil light.

Some thing odd is going on here, whether its a fault with the sender, the light. Not sure. I think I'll book it in to get looked to make sure nothing serious is join on.

[Rusty86]

For ZD30 GUs Nissan brought out an upgraded document in 2004 recommending 10w40. A lot of guys use Dello 400 (not sure 10w or 15w) which is semi-synthetic and of a high quality and performance. I'd definitely steer clear of the mineral oils.

I've just upgraded to Valveoline Synpower mst which is a fully synthetic 5w40. Quite a bit more $$ but very high quality and is meant to counteract carbon buildup. Especially as I'm just in the process of finishing NADS I wanted to keep the engine as clean as possible. Some others have used Mobil 5w40 fully synthetic with good results and even going to 10,000km oil changes the oil is so clean.

I'd also recommend using genuine filters.

Have a look at the Dello 400, not sure if it's Caltex or another brand but for the ZD30 this seems to be a good oil. There's a good thread on Patrol4x4 forum 'oils ain't oils' which is worth reading. Please note this site is still having bad Malware problems currently so proceed with caution! :)

Cheers,
Rusty

[Blownlc]

I've given Nulon 15w40 (fully synthetic) a go, on the recommendation of GQporkroll. I'll see how it goes and report in.

How many km's do you have on the clock?

This document released by Nissan in 2004 recommending 10w40, would this still be relevant for vehicles eight years on? Or for new vehicles under 100,000km?

[Rusty86]

I'm up to 205,000km and a '04 GUIII. Someone might have the link to the document but I think the original recommendation was 15w40, it would've been for the DI though so not sure what the recommendation is for the CRD.

[Blownlc]

Mine is an '05, so DI.

Took it out again last night and no oil light. Hopefully its just a case of the rig not liking shit oil, and not something more sinister.

[Rusty86]

Here's the bulletin: Main points are recommending change from 15w40 to 10w40 semi-synthetic (or better of course) and 'The revision of the new oil
specification is retrospective and will apply to all ZD30 engines.' Still not sure about CRD though but definitely DI.

NISSAN MOTOR CO. (AUSTRALIA) PTY. LTD. ABN. 54 004 663 156
Locked Bag 1450, Dandenong South, VIC, 3164 Phone. (03) 9797 4111 Fax. (03) 9797 4400
www.nissan.com.au

The information in this bulletin should not be interpreted as a basis for claims unless so designated.

Part numbers referred to may not always be immediately available.

Always order parts from relevant parts information and not this bulletin.
First Published: 30th September 2004 Bulletin No: MA04-001
Recommended circulation

THIS INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL TO NISSAN DEALERS ONLY

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Re: Revised Engine Oil Specification

Applied Model: Y61 & D22 Applied range: ZD30 Engines
Please be advised that the specification for the oil fill on the ZD30 has been revised. Engine
Oils that meet the specification listed below are the only oils that are permitted for use in the
ZD30 Engine.

Oil Specification: ACEA B3 or JASO DH-1

Nissan strongly recommend that a viscosity rating of 10W40 be used. For specific viscosity
relating to ambient temperature ranges please refer to the viscosity chart in the relevant
workshop manual.

Note: API CG-4 oils must never be used in the ZD30 engine.
To support the revision in oil specification, Nissan has developed a semi-synthetic 10W-40
engine oil that meets all the operational demands of this engine. The revision of the new oil
specification is retrospective and will apply to all ZD30 engines.
The oil will be available from Nissan Parts & Accessories in 5lt and 200lt quantities using the
following part numbers.
5lt - B3005-10W40PK
200lt - B3200-10W40PK
Authorised by:
R Bahn
Manager - Engineering Support
National Service & Engineering Department

[Blownlc]

"API CG-4 oils must never be used in the ZD30 engine. " What type of oil is this?

How did you get your hands on this information? I like this "THIS INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL TO NISSAN DEALERS ONLY " :D

[Rusty86]

"API CG-4 oils must never be used in the ZD30 engine. " What type of oil is this?

How did you get your hands on this information? I like this "THIS INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL TO NISSAN DEALERS ONLY " :D

Don't know about the specific grade of oil mentioned but search for it on Google and you might have some luck. Might just be a rating of some sort. I think it's got nothing to do with the weight or viscosity, just some other specs.

I've seen the Bulletin posted numerous times on forums, this is where I got it. Not sure when it was originally available but again you could do a search and see what comes up, it might even be something Nissan link to themselves.

Cheers,
Rusty