Update: Major Problem

[ova50]

The dealership Service Manager refused an appointment with me.

The dealership Service Manager refused the offer to view the video.

The dealership Service Manager refused to enter into any discussion relating to the prior work they had done, and my concerns of what, if any work has been carried out on the vehicle. I asked on three occassions.

The dealership Service Manager says all my model vehicles blow smoke.

The dealership Service Manager used scare tactics in an attempt to avoid having my vehicle looked at again. This was done buy saying if I take the vehicle back to them.The engine will be stripped down and checked for a glazed bore, and they require written documentation of past servicing, stating what coolants, oils, parts etc were used and that they must meet Nissans specifications. If they dont, then someone will have to pay.

I remained extremely calm, and very polite, and pressed him on these issues a number of times, but all to no avail.

I am beginning to wonder if they may be shafting me???. Surely not.

I cant add too much at this stage, but will say that we are carefully positioning our wagons in preparation.

Anyone know where I get a Declaration of War from, would prefer pdf file.

(my humor, service manager)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeF4i26IXHQ&feature=youtu.be

[my third 256]

why not go to the dealership principal (owner)
or nissan customer service

[fracster]

I don`t know how it works over there, but dealers are just that,dealers. Get onto Nissan themselves, you may get a bit more out of them.

[scotty83]

I would agree with the going to Nissan Australia direct. I have a friend who has had a wining rear diff since he bought his Patrol. the deal "Serviced" it twice and "Rebuilt it" once then refused to see there was a problem.... He has recently contacted Nissan Australia who were very "disappointed" (I have a feeling this is their phone word for P1553D OFF) in the dealer's reaction as it is supposed to be their duty to escalate these types of issues. They shipped a new Diff from Japan to a different Dealer who then allowed him to inspect the new Diff on arrival to the dealer and inspect the old one on removal. Finger crossed to him at this stage but no wining yet.

Just to check as i can't remember from your previous threads it is still under Nissan Warranty, not one of those Dealer Extended warranties?

[ova50]

Vehicle is currently within the new vehicle warranty period and mileage.
As the dealer has refused any further assistance we have arrange to have the vehicle inspected and repaired if neccessary by a independent specialist.
I have been receiving professional advice, since I first felt I was getting the run around from the dealer.

[Cuppa]

The dealership Service Manager refused an appointment with me.

The dealership Service Manager refused the offer to view the video.

The dealership Service Manager refused to enter into any discussion relating to the prior work they had done, and my concerns of what, if any work has been carried out on the vehicle. I asked on three occassions.

The dealership Service Manager says all my model vehicles blow smoke.

The dealership Service Manager used scare tactics in an attempt to avoid having my vehicle looked at again. This was done buy saying if I take the vehicle back to them.The engine will be stripped down and checked for a glazed bore, and they require written documentation of past servicing, stating what coolants, oils, parts etc were used and that they must meet Nissans specifications. If they dont, then someone will have to pay.

I remained extremely calm, and very polite, and pressed him on these issues a number of times, but all to no avail.

I am beginning to wonder if they may be shafting me???. Surely not.

I cant add too much at this stage, but will say that we are carefully positioning our wagons in preparation.

Anyone know where I get a Declaration of War from, would prefer pdf file.

(my humor, service manager)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeF4i26IXHQ&feature=youtu.be


Grrrrrrrr! I feel so pi$$ed off for you.
Just a suggestion to add to the mix (feel free to ignore) - I had a bad experience when on the road - needed to get a 2nd hand motor installed in our bus, had it freighted from Melbourne to Katherine & fitted. Bought from the seller because they offered the best warranty out of several available to me. Motor blew the rear main seal within 100kms because the supplier had renewed it but had failed to fit it with it's backing plate around the right way. Supplier refused point blank to honour the warranty ("Rear main seal is a consumable item - tough titties!") & I was looking at having to throw a fair bit more money at the whole thing to get it fixed. I was severely pi$$ed off & mentioned online how I felt, including the location (suburb) of the supplier. Within 24 hours I had the supplier contacting me saying he would pay for the whole thing to be fixed after all. Unknown to me a number of people had taken it upon themselves to contact him, both by phone & by email to tell him what they thought of his failure to honour what was clearly a warranty situation. He was not a happy chappie, but he coughed up the dollars. With appropriate contact details at Nissan Australia folks here might act similarly without you asking them to do so. Just a thought.

[threedogs]

@ Fracster you say you don't know how it works over here................................it doesn't
@Ova50 stay calm keep times conversations had etc that might be hear say but IMO go to the top
dont stuff around with this clown, and tell them to get their PR man to join THIS FORUM
Nissan really need to grow a set over warranty issues.......makes a bloke want to buy a T......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bwwwaaahhh bbwwwaaahhhh

[ova50]

Cuppa: Thanks, It has been extremely frustrating, , but I will not let this drag me down. We are preparing for a fight, and if we lose, I will go down knowing that we put up a good fight, and can walk away feeling good about my efforts. To do this I must give it my best shot, as I think I only have one chance at this.
Thanks.

Threedogs: I have been keeping records of dates, conversations etc, since I suspected that this may snowball.
Your comment, making reference to "this clown". It was only last night while we were working on stratergies that I made a similar comment.
The analogy I used was: "I personally think the dealership is run like a circus, but at this one, the Ring Master happens to be the Clown".

I wont be charging up bunker hill on my own with this, as I said in my update, we are carefully positioning our wagons for an assault.
Have spent a lot of time discussing different options and stratergies, to achieve a good outcome.
Thanks mate.

[fracster]

@ Fracster you say you don't know how it works over here................................it doesn't


Does that mean that most of your dealers are as crap as ours?

The odd few are ok, but finding a good independant garage can be a Godsend, I`m lucky in that I have a great one man garage near me who drives,loves and can mend Patrols.

[stevogq]

Ova50 give the ACCC a call and if its still under warranty as you say the acc will be on your case but sorry to here mate
cheers stevo.

[threedogs]

@ Fracster seems you solved the nissan issue ,I to use a shop owned by a 4x4 driver who knows Patrols
@ go get them OVA I'll let you use my new guard dog lol Ggrrruuuuffff

[ova50]

@ Fracster seems you solved the nissan issue ,I to use a shop owned by a 4x4 driver who knows Patrols
@ go get them OVA I'll let you use my new guard dog lol Ggrrruuuuffff

That is one mean looking dog, TD.
I almost sh#t myself when I seen the pic.

[Ben-e-boy]

The dealership Service Manager refused an appointment with me.

The dealership Service Manager refused the offer to view the video.

The dealership Service Manager refused to enter into any discussion relating to the prior work they had done, and my concerns of what, if any work has been carried out on the vehicle. I asked on three occassions.

The dealership Service Manager says all my model vehicles blow smoke.

The dealership Service Manager used scare tactics in an attempt to avoid having my vehicle looked at again. This was done buy saying if I take the vehicle back to them.The engine will be stripped down and checked for a glazed bore, and they require written documentation of past servicing, stating what coolants, oils, parts etc were used and that they must meet Nissans specifications. If they dont, then someone will have to pay.

I remained extremely calm, and very polite, and pressed him on these issues a number of times, but all to no avail.

I am beginning to wonder if they may be shafting me???. Surely not.

I cant add too much at this stage, but will say that we are carefully positioning our wagons in preparation.

Anyone know where I get a Declaration of War from, would prefer pdf file.

(my humor, service manager)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeF4i26IXHQ&feature=youtu.be

Are you going to take this advice??

I have paid very close attention to your threads. Including watching the videos and I can see the smoke (although low video quality)
Starting from the beginning.

You had fuel pipe issues, it would not have been running properly then
Found that the egr pipe was cracked considerably, the egr was cleaned as it was built up with soot.
You were told to take it for a long drive, how many km has been done since then.
For some reason you dont believe that carbon build up is an option as stated in the other thread ( why I dont know) as the EGR (exhaust gas recirculator) does exactly that. If your egr valve and pipe had carbon build up, which it did/does, It is highly likely that the carbon build up is also in the intake manifold, The intake runner and the intake valve. Have you disproved this theory yet? (if no why not)

After reading your threads and many others about zd30 detonation, I am certain untill you prove otherwise that that is your issue.
You have been told by nissan that it is NOT over fueling
You have connected a scan gauge and you are not showing signs of over fueling and was commented in the other thread that your fuel usage was within reason and even comments saying that they have seen worse.

But you are clearly sooting.

I think (until proven otherwise) that this is caused by a lack of air reaching the combustion chamber. Caused by old mate carbon reducing the cross sectional area of your intake and not allowing the correct volume of air to flow into the combustion chamber.

The way I read the bold section in the above post. It is nissan giving you a bit of a heads up. If you want nissan to play the game you need to prove that the vehicle has been properly serviced with correct fluids, filters etc, Judging by the fact that you found loose hoses, the egr pipe was cracked as YOU have stated "THE EGR PIPE WAS SPLIT ALMOST THE ENTIRE WIDTH" You may struggle to prove this point. These things dont happen over night.
How often do you perform routing preventitive maintenance and inspections?

A leading cause of carbon/sludge deposits in any engine, petrol or diesel is short trips and poor servicing.
especially poor servicing.
The longer it is left there the worse it is going to get, it is a snow ball effect until the point the motor detonates.

My advice is to disassemble the motor and inspect and clean it thoroughly.

[ova50]

First: Am I going to take your advice??, Your advice is to disassemble the motor and inspect and clean it thoroughly. No, not without having the vehicle diagnosed by someone that shows honesty.

Will try to answer a few things for you to the best of my ability.

Fuel pipe: The vehicle showed no signs of not running properly, no smoke, no lose of power etc, Only a fuel smell. The same day I noticed the fuel smell, I immediately took the vehicle back to where I was staying, a distance of about 10 to 12 ks. I phoned a dealer that was a couple of streets away from where we we staying, it was booked in for the next morning and the pipe was replaced.

EGR Pipe: It was the Sydney dealer that diagnosed & replaced the pipe, and it WAS THEM that told me the pipe had split almost its entire width.

Long drive: I have followed what the dealer asked me to do, and more. I have clocked up over a thousand kilometers. (about two hundred or so has been local running the rest has been freeway running as requested by the dealer.)

Servicing: I have only owned the vehicle since about late Sept last year, or early Oct. Prior to this it was a country govt vehicle. Not all the service records have been entered in the service book. ( prior to retirement I was employed by the govt and it is quite common for service books not to be stamped showing services.
I contacted the relevent Govt dept and I have been supplied the vehicles full service records. The records I now have shows the vehicle has been serviced by the same dealer for most services, (only one was done by another dealer, this was its first 1000k service. All have been done around the required intervals (most within a couple of hundred ks of intervals).
I have not had the vehicle serviced since I have owned it as it is not yet due. I regularly check oil levels/coolant level etc. I have travelled approx 7000k since purchasing and vehicle has done approx 8000ks since its last service.

After the dealer replaced the Maf sensor, I was told that it was much better (the smoke). When I left the dealer it was worse, and had now developed a intermittent flat spot when accellerating, that is why I returned it to the dealer the same day, and was rebooked for the next day, I was told their top Nissan mech would not be there, but would re-check things.
The following day I picked it up and was told to give it a good run up the freeway, and hoses etc had been rechecked. (I question whether it was re-checked as it was after this I noticed the hoses). It was then taken on the good run as directed. (It has now had two long runs up the freeway of about 700ks). I was also told that if it persists, to contact them. It persisted, so again I followed the dealers instructions. This is when I called the service manager, and he returned my call. I asked for an appointment to discuss the issue, view video, concerns about the hoses etc.
What I didnt expect was the service managers attitude. Particulary as they had asked me to contact them if the problem continued.

The video: It is very hard to see, when driving and looking at the left side mirror, often under average accelleration, particulary up inclines (not neccessarily steep) the smoke is quite noticeable, seems to be a steady steam but it sort of pulsates at the same time.

I did take the vehicle elsewhere to have it looked at but when the mechanic seen the mileage he said a few times that i should take it to the dealer for warranty. I didnt push the issue with him. I have arranged to have the vehicle inspected next week elsewhere.

Referring back to your comment "these things dont happen over night". I tend to agree with what you say. This does however make me wonder whether the services have been done properly, and inspections carried out accordingly. If this were to be the case then it is quite possible that this pipe may have shown signs of splitting or corosion and maybe for some time, that also makes me question the services.

We were to start on a round the country trip, decided to go to Qld first to visit a son, and a test for the vehicle as we had only recently aquirred it, as said..
What I dont want is to stranded somewhere because of something that goes wrong that could be avoided, and that I will not take the dealers word or dianosis as gospel. Particulary after the discovery of the hoses. Whether I can prove (the hoses) or not is irrellevent to me. I know what I seen.

I am not a diesel mechanic and I'm not ashamed to admit that I have no knowledge of diesel engines. What I do have is experience in negotating a resolution to a problem or problems. I attempted this with the dealer in question, but they declined all. This has left me with two options. Say to the dealer "do what you have to, fix my vehicle and I will pay for all repairs if it is not covered by warranty".
That may be fine if one is to trust the dealer, I dont, period. Would you, if in a similar position??

Next option is to have an independent diagnose it, This I have already attempted but the warranty factor came into it. ( often a third party does not want to end up in the middle of a dispute.)This is why it has been booked in elsewhere and hopefully I wont encounter the same next week.

In closing, thanks for putting forward your opinions on the matter, some I agree with, and some not.
Sorry for the length of this, but I have tried to condense this and hopefully it has given you a bit more insight. (for full details you may have to wait for the book lol)
Thanks
(have to wait till next week for the diagnosis, the upside, I can now put this on the back burner till then.)

Edit: Clarification of "Same Dealer" When I mentioned the services by the same dealer, i refer that it was done by the same dealer each time. It is not the dealer I have been dealing with.

[Ben-e-boy]

Responces in red.


Will try to answer to the best of my ability.
Fuel pipe: The vehicle showed no signs of not running properly, no smoke, no lose of power etc, Only a fuel smell. The same day I noticed the fuel smell, I immediately took the vehicle back to where I was staying, a distance of about 10 to 12 ks. I phoned a dealer that was a couple of streets away from where we we staying, it was booked in for the next morning and the pipe was replaced.

EGR Pipe: It was the Sydney dealer that diagnosed & replaced the pipe, and it WAS THEM that told me the pipe had split almost its entire width.

Long drive: I have followed what the dealer asked me to do, and more. I have clocked up over a thousand kilometers. (about two hundred or so has been local running the rest has been freeway running as requested by the dealer.)
Ok I would class that as a long drive

Servicing: I have only owned the vehicle since about late Sept last year, or early Oct. Prior to this it was a country govt vehicle. Not all the service records have been entered in the service book. ( prior to retirement I was employed by the govt and it is quite common for service books not to be stamped showing services.
I contacted the relevent Govt dept and I have been supplied the vehicles full service records. The records I now have shows the vehicle has been serviced by the same dealer for most services, (only one was done by another dealer, this was its first 1000k service. All have been done around the required intervals (most within a couple of hundred ks of intervals).
I have not had the vehicle serviced since I have owned it as it is not yet due. I regularly check oil levels/coolant level etc. I have travelled approx 7000k since purchasing and vehicle has done approx 8000ks since its last service.

Servicing can be proved a win

After the dealer replaced the Maf sensor, I was told that it was much better (the smoke). When I left the dealer it was worse, and has a intermittent flat spot when accellerating, that is why I returned it to the dealer the same day, and was rebooked for the next day, I was told their top Nissan mech would not be there, but would re-check things. I question whether it was rechecked as it was after this I noticed the hoses.

The fault code could have been related to the fact it is starved of air can you access that code

The following day I picked it up and was told to give it a good run up the freeway, which was done. (It has now had two long runs up the freeway). I was also told that if it persists, to contact them. It pesisted, so again I followed the dealers instructions. This is when I called the service manager, and he returned my call. I asked for an appointment to discuss the issue, view video, concerns about the hoses etc.
What I didnt expect was the service managers attitude. Particulary as they had asked me to contact them if the problem continued.

This is obviously well documented

The video: It is very hard to see, when driving and looking at the left side mirror, often under average accelleration, particulary up inclines (not neccessarily steep) the smoke is quite noticeable, seems to be a steady steam but it sort of pulsates at the same time.

I did take the vehicle elsewhere to have it looked at but when the mechanic seen the mileage he said a few times that i should take it to the dealer for warranty. I didnt push the issue with him. I have arranged to have the vehicle inspected next week elsewhere.

Referring back to your comment "these things dont happen over night". I tend to agree with what you say. This does however make me wonder whether the services have been done properly, and inspections carried out accordingly. If this were to be the case then it is quite possible that this pipe may have shown signs of splitting or corosion and maybe for some time, that also makes me question the services.

This is good leverage for your side of the argument with the 'proof they request

We were to start on a round the country trip, decided to go to Qld first to visit a son, and a test for the vehicle as we had only recently aquirred it, as said..
What I dont want is to stranded somewhere because of something that goes wrong that could be avoided, and that I will not take the dealers word or dianosis as gospel. Particulary after the discovery of the hoses. Whether I can prove (the hoses) or not is irrellevent to me. I know what I seen.

I am not a diesel mechanic and I'm not ashamed to admit that I have no knowledge of diesel engines. What I do have is experience in negotating a resolution to a problem or problems. I attempted this with the dealer in question, but they declined all. This has left me with two options. Say to the dealer "do what you have to, fix my vehicle and I will pay for all repairs if it is not covered by warranty".
That may be fine if one is to trust the dealer, I dont, period. Would you, if in a similar position??

Yes I would.
My experience is fault finding on Large industrial processes, Questioning operators regarding faults and finding holes in the story. This is the very reason why I have mentioned carbon deposit as I read it is a path that has not been explored further

Next option is to have an independent diagnose it, This I have already attempted but the warranty factor came into it. ( often a third party does not want to end up in the middle of a dispute.)This is why it has been booked in elsewhere and hopefully I wont encounter the same next week.

In closing, thanks for putting forward your opinions on the matter, some I agree with, and some not.
Sorry for the length of this, but I have tried to condense this and hopefully it has given you a bit more insight. (for full details you may have to wait for the book lol)
Thanks
(have to wait till next week for the diagnosis, the upside, I can now put this on the back burner till then.)

Edit: Clarification of "Same Dealer" When I mentioned the services by the same dealer, i refer that it was done by the same dealer each time. It is not the dealer I have been dealing with.

[ova50]

Ben, sorry mate I was editing my post as I had not answered your question about was i going to take your advice.
My answer is in no way an attempt to offend you.
Like you, the facts is what is required, I need to get as many as I can.
The correct diagnosis is paramount, without this, it is pure guess work.
Its been a real pain in the butt, has stuffed our plans, but on the upside, being retired I have plenty of time (lol). (My twisted humour has helped not to let it get to me, another lol)
The place I am taking it to next week, I have been up front with them, explained all details of the vehicle, past & present, they have even asked me to bring the video (I have about 6mins in total) so they can view it.
It seems the hotter the vehicle gets the worse it becomes, last week I was out the western suburbs of syd, the day was hot and temp guage was at 92c. (usually runs 89 most times)
Even on flat ground taking off from traffic lights about 1/3 throttle it was slow to pick up speed, at about 1/2 throttle it was only doing 50kph, and quite smoky, this happened on a few occassions.
This was a mystery. Next day, and since it has not done it as bad, sometimes and intermitently, it feels like there is no power, sometimes it will get two flat spots, one sometimes when you go to accelerate (this is the one it never had until the dealer replaced the sensor, it does a hiccup) and the other which I think may be common is if you got to put your boot into it and it changes down gear.

I appreciate any comments or opinions at anytime from people. It allows for a different prospective on things, and ones that should be considered.
Thanks

Edit: The vehicle never smokes when cold, some days depending on temp it may start to slowly appear in about 5ks, and slowly gets worse. other days may take much longer, If the dealer has not run this themselves on a reasonable trip, maybe 20ks or more, it may not always be noticable. I have told the dealer this and also gave them a written paper supplying them will as much information I could about the problem (whether they read it or not, I dont Know)