Out with the Old, In with the New

[modustollens]

So, my old engine decided it would no longer start. It would quickly overheat even at -20! I though - maybe thermostat, maybe water pump? I took out the thermostat but it opened in hot water. Never did get the engine started again after that.

So, rather than cry all the time I decided to cry once and get a replacement engine. My old was bad - I burned more oil than fuel and sometimes when i was driving on the highway it would make strange clunking sounds, loose all power and spew out grey and brown smoke. There was oil in the anti-freeze and if one tried to crank the engine with the radiator cap off exhaust gases would come out.

I went by the mechanic yesterday and took some pics of the old engine and one of the new. Here is what I saw:

This is the engine that will be installed:

http://www.imagerocket.net/photos/1365415770_Truck_April_2013_002.JPG

This is the top of the old engine with the turbo lying on the ground:

http://www.imagerocket.net/photos/1365415771_Truck_April_2013_003.JPG

Looking down at the pistons on the lower half of the engine still in the truck - it gets pulled out today:

http://www.imagerocket.net/photos/1365415771_Truck_April_2013_004.JPG

http://www.imagerocket.net/photos/1365415771_Truck_April_2013_005.JPG

http://www.imagerocket.net/photos/1365415771_Truck_April_2013_006.JPG

http://www.imagerocket.net/photos/1365415830_Truck_April_2013_008.JPG

I scrapped some of the crud off the top of one of the pistons:

http://www.imagerocket.net/photos/1365415830_Truck_April_2013_009.JPG

Do these pistons look normal?

Soon I will be driving again!

MT

[93patrol]

Pistons look ok to me but the ridges in the bores/cylinders look bad might be me looking from my phone is all. You will tell when/if you take the pistons out there should be 3 or 4 rings around the pistons they might be broken or missing


Just tap it in just tappy tappy tappy

[93patrol]

And see the residue(stuff) between number 2 and 3 cylinders might have also been your problem


Just tap it in just tappy tappy tappy

[Wine_maker]

Congrats with new engine! Show us pics of first start and ride.

[modustollens]

The new ride may be delayed. Just got a report from the mechanic. Apparently it is the same engine but there is a problem with the fit. Not sure exactly what the issue is though - engine mounts, transmission coupling - who knows. All I know is that my bumpy rides in the mud will be delayed even longer.

MT

[BigRAWesty]

Was the original a diesel?

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[modustollens]

Yes - original is diesel; new one too - supposed to be the same engine; 2.8tdl was written on the valve cover too. Not sure what the problem could be now. It will get sorted soon with either time or money.

MT

[Wine_maker]

Did you check turbo shaft free play?

[modustollens]

No - I have not done any of this work - the mechanic and my girlfriend`s father are working this out given that I can speak to any of the locals. So, I am not sure what she meant when she said it `doesn`t fit.` Indeed, even she does not understand how to translate car speak into English. So, I must wait and see what happens!

MT

[Wine_maker]

May be engine donor was non turbo Laurel or Cedric. So they can have differences in fixing point and fuel pumps.

[modustollens]

Yes - we had planned to use the old engine's turbo... not sure if they were retrofitting a non-turbo one or not. Hopefully I will get some news today about just what is the issue.

Do you know how many different models of 2.8tdl there are?


Hopefully this will not cause too much of a delay - the weather is super nice for driving and camping!


MT

[Wine_maker]

Yes here in Almaty mechanics retrofitting original turbo to donors engines with some adaptations.

list of RD28 engines you can find here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_RD_engine
I hope it will help you.

[Wine_maker]

Agree, the weather is great!

By the way. May be you should send engine № to Nissan official distributor in KZ and ask which model was donor?
Or try to ask it in Nissan parts shop, they have computer program that helps to find part № . May be they will help you to find some info.

[ellan]

Congrats on getting the new engine but the old engine is also looking ok to me it needs some work in a good workshop so this engine will be ok. have you went any workshop?

[modustollens]

Not been to a workshop yet. I was burning a great deal of oil - like all of it - even after only 200 km. So, there is a major problem somewhere. Not sure if it was a gasket or rings. I was wondering what to do with the old engine; trash it or give it to someone to rebuild; but I don't have a work shop at all. But it would be nice to try and recoup some of the money.

MT

[modustollens]

Still trying to get a turbo - apparently whoever sends turbo's from Almaty have sent the wrong one twice or the mechanic does not know how to connect it. So, almost 30 days past and no end in sight. I still must ride the bus. Anyone know how many different models of turbocharger there are?