Terminal Patrol ZD30?

[TassiePatrol]

G'Day all.

My 2003 ZD30 ST-L Auto has had a major "I don't want to go anymore" episode, and I need to find someone in Southern Tasmania who can identify if it's terminal or not.

The RACT mechanic's comment was there was no compression when he turned it over, so it was a case of calling the towtruck and now it's sitting waiting for me to sot it out.

Can anyone recommend a Nissan specialist who knows all about the 3.0 Turbo Diesel that won't mess me around, to a) identify the problem, and b) not charge a ridiculous amount?

Thanks in advance,

TassiePatrol

[4bye4]

G'Day all.

My 2003 ZD30 ST-L Auto has had a major "I don't want to go anymore" episode, and I need to find someone in Southern Tasmania who can identify if it's terminal or not.

The RACT mechanic's comment was there was no compression when he turned it over, so it was a case of calling the towtruck and now it's sitting waiting for me to sot it out.

Can anyone recommend a Nissan specialist who knows all about the 3.0 Turbo Diesel that won't mess me around, to a) identify the problem, and b) not charge a ridiculous amount?

Thanks in advance,

TassiePatrol

Sorry mate don't know anyone in Tas but please keep us informed. I don't like "no compression" disgnosis, as I have trouble understanding no compression, what, no compression at all on any cylinder?
A friend recently had his 2.8 diagnosed in WA country with "no compression" and turned out to be a fuel pump problem. Good luck with it.

[happygu]

TassiePatrol,

Usually when they blow a hole in a piston, it is only one or two, and the engine still runs - no power, and lots and lots of white smoke out the back ....

It could be a few different outcomes depending on what you have happening, but it looks like a trip to Nissan is in order regardless.

Hope it is an easy fix for you

[MyGU8]

Hello TP, how many k's your Patrol has done?

My old man used to own a Toyota Liteace van, which on one period was declared 'under-compression', which made it extremely hard to start. But once started it was OK for the rest of the day. Lots of black smoke under load or climbing up, and the car may move even in first gear (with engine shut down) on a reasonable slope are the indication. My understanding is it was due to wear in the cylinder/piston.

The Patrol just stopped or not starting in the morning?

[TassiePatrol]

Thanks happygu and escix,

My ZD30 Patrol has 236,500 Kms, regularly serviced and I had a 'catch-can' installed about 10,000 Kms back. I've had the vehicle about 2 and a half years and only traveled 11,000 Kms.

Scenario was I had traveled from Huonville to Hobart airport, and was on my way home (so I'd traveled about 75 Kms at this stage), driving up a reasonable gradient in 80 zone (Southern Outlet just out of Hobart if you know it). I was doing probably 75 KPH at around 3000 RPM (I think) and just clicked the Overdrive in (it's an automatic) as I was nearing the crest where it becomes a 100 zone in about 300-400m. Sudden loss of power, looked at taco and the revs jumped up to around 4000 (I think, as it all happened pretty quickly), and then dropped down again as everything cut out. I was able to steer off the highway almost immediately, but I wasn't looking at the gauges then... I was steering the beast! No impression of smoke out the back, but could have been. Nothing 'exploding' from under the bonnet - no noise/steam/ or smoke at all -THAT I would have noticed!

After we pulled over, there was no leaks in the engine bay or underneath. Oil and coolant was checked and appeared good. It would turn over, but not start. RACT Mechanic said there was no compression when he turned it over. Later my friend's mechanic (mine is still on holidays!) said the engine was turning over 'too easily', which indicated to him something fairly terminal in the engine. This bloke is a Land Rover guru, but I won't hold that against him.

I'm concerned that it may be an engine replacement job, which will probably cost more than it's worth as a going vehicle, but it may also be something simple (or not as serious) - so I would like some advice as to the best way to proceed. It's a nice vehicle, 2003 ST-L spec in reasonably good condition. Body panels are all good, tyres are excellent so it would be a shame to call in the wrecker. But I'm realistic enough to think with my head, not my heart.

So, any advice would be appreciated as (you may have guessed) I'm not an expert with any of this.

Cheers.

[happygu]

Thanks happygu and escix,

My ZD30 Patrol has 236,500 Kms, regularly serviced and I had a 'catch-can' installed about 10,000 Kms back. I've had the vehicle about 2 and a half years and only traveled 11,000 Kms.

Scenario was I had traveled from Huonville to Hobart airport, and was on my way home (so I'd traveled about 75 Kms at this stage), driving up a reasonable gradient in 80 zone (Southern Outlet just out of Hobart if you know it). I was doing probably 75 KPH at around 3000 RPM (I think) and just clicked the Overdrive in (it's an automatic) as I was nearing the crest where it becomes a 100 zone in about 300-400m. Sudden loss of power, looked at taco and the revs jumped up to around 4000 (I think, as it all happened pretty quickly), and then dropped down again as everything cut out. I was able to steer off the highway almost immediately, but I wasn't looking at the gauges then... I was steering the beast! No impression of smoke out the back, but could have been. Nothing 'exploding' from under the bonnet - no noise/steam/ or smoke at all -THAT I would have noticed!

After we pulled over, there was no leaks in the engine bay or underneath. Oil and coolant was checked and appeared good. It would turn over, but not start. RACT Mechanic said there was no compression when he turned it over. Later my friend's mechanic (mine is still on holidays!) said the engine was turning over 'too easily', which indicated to him something fairly terminal in the engine. This bloke is a Land Rover guru, but I won't hold that against him.

I'm concerned that it may be an engine replacement job, which will probably cost more than it's worth as a going vehicle, but it may also be something simple (or not as serious) - so I would like some advice as to the best way to proceed. It's a nice vehicle, 2003 ST-L spec in reasonably good condition. Body panels are all good, tyres are excellent so it would be a shame to call in the wrecker. But I'm realistic enough to think with my head, not my heart.

So, any advice would be appreciated as (you may have guessed) I'm not an expert with any of this.

Cheers.

Doesn't sound like the typical terminal engine problem with the early 3 L Di's .... it could be anything from a simple crank sensor, Throttle Position Sensor, turbo boost problem, to the more expensive injector pump, or the dreaded hole in piston......

[MyGU8]

I am sorry to hear that TP; I am not sure what would be the cause, if it's a damage in piston then I would expect to find something on the oil if you drain the oil - please note that this is only an expectation not assurance.

It may not be a big issue but a bit surprised to see you were doing 75kph at 3000rpm, I usually change gears at 3000rpm or about and on 4th it will be closer to 110kph and in third it will be around 63kph. It's a manual though.

[Kimbo63]

Try taking it to Nissan dealer at least for them to hook up to the ecm and check all sensors and maybe do a compression test should not cost heaps then make up your mind from there
Cheers Kimbo

[steve4377]

TP

Doesn't sound like you have any symptoms of a blown engine. Try the simple test before spending mega bucks. Buy a can of ether ie: Start Ya Bastard, and have someone crank it over while you spray it into the intake. If it starts and runs you have a fuel problem. It sounds more like a a fuel or injector pump problem, and thats the easy way to check.
If there is no overheat, coolant loss, oil sludging or crap out the exhaust it sounds just like a failure in your fuelling, so try that first before soemone tells you to spend mega dollars.
Good luck.

[blocko05]

Hi mate, I am from Hobart and I know a good mechanic however he is in QLD with his family. Shame to here about your problem. As others have stated, get someone to diagnose the issue before spending any money trying to fix it.