Loosing power when towing

[The Baz]

Hi All,
I have a 2001 GU Patrol 3ltr turbo DI auto. The pin dropped out at 270,000 ks, replaced engine in January this year new head and fuel package, radiator 12 months old, new alternator. Hooked up the caravan in June for 3 month trip, found going ok on the flat but any climbing it would loose power, had it dyno tuned in Townsville but little or no improvement.
On arriving home thinking it could be a transmission problem I took it to my guy to check out he could not find any problems so suggested it was an engine fault. Booked it into diesel engine specialist in Dandenong found leaking IC so replaced it, new MAF sensor and other bits, after further testing they advised that the turbo was ceasing so replaced that apparently all was ok. No problems cruising around home so last Friday hooked up the caravan for our next big trip and off we go, once again no problems cruising on the flat but when the climb starts the power drops off, some of the big climbs we were lucky to make it to the top also temperature was peaking. Did 300 ks then headed home. Truck is booked in to Dandenong for next Monday, my trouble is I have spent shed loads of money apparently for nothing (apart from the IC).
I have not fitted N.A.D.S. for fear of loosing engine warranty but have installed a Provent catch can.
Any thoughts or ideas to what's causing my problem would be much appreciated as it is doing my head in.
Thanks,
Barry

[Fireblade]

brother inlaw had a engine swap on his patrol and no power afterwards and that turned out to be a vacum hose not connected to the turbo boost solenoid.
so the turbo actuator wasn't working, easy test take the vacuum hose off of the turbo actuator and get someone to rev it up there should be suction at that hose if not the lack of power is because turbo isnt working. then you need to find out why theres no vacuum.

loose hose? failing boost solenoid?

might not be this though

[4bye4]

The temperature that is peaking, is that EGT or water temp mate? Or both?

[BillsGU]

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be vacuum hoses. I know it is a new engine but sometimes they use the old hoses. Check them for leaks or splits and it is critical that they are in the correct position. There is a page in the manual you can download from here which shows the proper connections. Often when mechanics work on the ZD30 they get the hoses under the IC wrong when they put it back together. It will sometimes start and run OK but run like crap or go into limp mode when under load.

Also, if your boost is low the EGT/water temp can increase. Again may be caused by vacuum problems.

[threedogs]

Replace all your vacuum hoses cheap as chips, personally
Id be fitting NADS and set your peak PSI to about 14_16Psi
you want 10 psi at 100 kph. also is it an auto, you should not be driving
in over drive. You really need gauges so you can see whats happening under
the bonnet, boost gauge is easy to fit just buy the adaptor that fits under the OE
boost sensor

[GQtdauto]

Yeah don't drive in overdrive while towing , we have a 2002 model .

[Bidja]

Hi All,
I have a 2001 GU Patrol 3ltr turbo DI auto. The pin dropped out at 270,000 ks, replaced engine in January this year new head and fuel package, radiator 12 months old, new alternator. Hooked up the caravan in June for 3 month trip, found going ok on the flat but any climbing it would loose power, had it dyno tuned in Townsville but little or no improvement.
On arriving home thinking it could be a transmission problem I took it to my guy to check out he could not find any problems so suggested it was an engine fault. Booked it into diesel engine specialist in Dandenong found leaking IC so replaced it, new MAF sensor and other bits, after further testing they advised that the turbo was ceasing so replaced that apparently all was ok. No problems cruising around home so last Friday hooked up the caravan for our next big trip and off we go, once again no problems cruising on the flat but when the climb starts the power drops off, some of the big climbs we were lucky to make it to the top also temperature was peaking. Did 300 ks then headed home. Truck is booked in to Dandenong for next Monday, my trouble is I have spent shed loads of money apparently for nothing (apart from the IC).
I have not fitted N.A.D.S. for fear of loosing engine warranty but have installed a Provent catch can.
Any thoughts or ideas to what's causing my problem would be much appreciated as it is doing my head in.
Thanks,
Barry

How did your veh come up after the shop in Dandenong checked out your engine mate? Was sounding like limp caused by too much boost while hauling(with tow under load).

As 4be4 asked:


The temperature that is peaking, is that EGT or water temp mate? Or both?

Do you run EGT and Boost gauges?

What about Scan tool - used for clearing fault codes?

[mudski]

You will lose engine warranty if you install the NADs? Wow!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The Baz]

Sorry for the delay in getting back, took it to the engine mob asked them to check vacuum hases etc., they stuck it on the dyno and loaded it up to towing 2 ton, found all ok apart from a leaking seal which they replaced, now advise me the problem is the transmission and nothing to do with their work, wish they had told me that in the first place would have saved me a heap of cash which I could have thrown at the transmission. Booked in for 2nd January for transmission overhaul and rebuild. Gone too far now to turn back, also do not tow in overdrive.
Thanks again for your input.
Regards Barry

[Bidja]

they stuck it on the dyno and loaded it up to towing 2 ton, found all ok apart from a leaking seal which they replaced, now advise me the problem is the transmission and nothing to do with their work,


Barry what seal was replaced?

So what is the story with you having boost/egt gauges? good idea for you to be able to observe behaviour, especially when towing mate.

Maybe get an other opinion before throwing more cash.

[4bye4]

Hay mate, sorry to hear you are still having issues.
From your first post

On arriving home thinking it could be a transmission problem I took it to my guy to check out he could not find any problems so suggested it was an engine fault.
And your last post
now advise me the problem is the transmission and nothing to do with their work, .

Sounds like you are being given the run around. As Bidja suggests, it sound like a boost problem. I have the same motor and gearbox and monitor my water temp and gearbox temp with aftermarket guages. The closest I have had to your symptoms is pulling a fully loaded camper trailer up a large long hill here at Collie in WA. I hit 120deg water and 90 deg gearbox and was unable to exceed 40K to get over the top. It turned out to be the viscous hub and partially blocked radiator. Swapped the lot out, including water oump and all perfect now. The point I am trying to make is that there is gearbox cooling in the radiator and if the cooling system is not performing properly it can effect the transmission, in fact can kill it if you burn the transmission fluid. Anyway it sounds like a vacuum or boost leak to me and maybe not a transmission issue. It only takes a very small vacuum or boost leak to throw the entire system out a wack. make sure the transmission mechanics have a good reputation and get a written assesment if you can. Same for engine mechs. You shoudnt have to continually pay for new seals and things for no result.
Good luck with it mate and hopefully you are back to noemal for Christmas. Keep us informed of progress plaese

[The Baz]

Hi All,
In regard to the engine MTQ in Dandenong came recommended and with their reputation I presumed they would know their stuff. With the cooling system the radiator was replaced, system flushed and new thermostat fitted last year prior to blowing the donk. I presume the thermostat was fitted to the new engine I know the radiator hoses were replaced. The motor was replaced by Riverina Nissan in Wagga Wagga I had no other option as we were a long way from Pakenham Victoria, the cost was what I was thinking plus with the replacement being carried out by a Nissan Dealer I thought would give me an edge. I even made contact with Nissan Customer Service asking their advice what steps should be taken to stop the grenade going off again, the young Lady who contacted me sounded like she was only a couple of years older than the Patrol, she advised me that herself and her Supervisor took exception to me calling the engine a grenade, I asked if she new the history of such engine she did not so my advice was to get on to Mr Google and find out. The conversation finished with because of the age of the vehicle no compensation would be offered, I then asked again what advice Nissan would give to me to stop the engine failing again, her only advice was "Nissan stand by there product"!!!!!
In regard to the current situation I do not have any gauges fitted but will look at those options, the temperature spike was probably caused by the transmission overheating, when the transmission fluid was checked it appears burnt and there are metal flecks in the fluid. I can't remember which seal was replaced because I was pissed off and if they had charged me for it the situation would have escalated. Anyhow I am between a rock and a hard place and being retired finding cash to splash is not easy. So I am back to AW Automatics in Ferntree Gully for the repairs, I have dealt with Andrew for many years prior to moving to Pakenham and he has always been honest and trustworthy.
Thanks again for your input it is much appreciated
Regards,
Barry