Looking to fix a 2001 GU 3.0TDI

Hello everyone,
My In-laws 2001 GU3.0TDI just blew its engine at 240,000ks. They were on their way up the NSW coast from Melbourne with a caravan and it just started shaking badly, lots of smoke, black oil, no power. It been towed back home now. The engine starts but it sounds like only 1 or 2 cylinders, shaking like crazy & no power. They've had a really bad run with the Patrol in the last 6 months, broke down 3 times, so they just bought a Territory and offered the Patrol to me for basically wrecking price. I'd really like to take them up on the offer because I know they looked after it and a GU Patrol would help me for my work & maybe some 4WD trips, though I'm really new to the 4WD scene.
I'm assuming a new engine is required. I think I'd go with either the 2.8 (I'm told, apparently a bit more reliable but less power) or another 3.0 engine. I've been suggested some other engines (V6, V8 etc), which would be great, but I'm guessing they would be pricey. If I do go with either the 2.8 or 3.0 I'd definitely be doing the NADS stuff, so putting that aside, can anyone help me with these questions -
1. Would you recommend getting the existing engine rebuilt? It turns over but I don't know anything else. I know they replaced the injector pump about 3 months ago and it was servcied by Nissan about a week before they left.
2. Whats the general price difference between a reco'd ZD30 engine and a new ZD30 engine?
3. Where is the best place to look for engines? I know there are some companies in NSW & Qld. what about Vic?
Cheers, Bill

Try SMS diesel spares for a new engine. I reckon you wont see change out of 6k whichever way you go. Unless you go the TD42, then its 10k....

4.2T/D if you can spare the $$$$$ faultless motor go forever
3lt TD get the common rail or you may have the same problems
Stick with a nissan engine Dont go down the V8 road M2Cw

Depends on how much $$$ you got and time.
Got $ and time. TD42 or good V8 conversion
Got limited $ and no time. Swap for what you have and do NADS at same time.
I got a 3.0L. Wish it was 4.2TD. Goes well so far and saving for a possible LS3 V8 chev as another forum mbr has already done. This may not be their option as petrol and towing usually = fuel fuel fuel

I have a feeling (not sure though) some people have forced the issue with Nissan and some limited success with Nissan coughing up short motors to replace the exploded one give it was a known fault.......


Tip tip tip......tap tap tap....

Have you considered what a running 2001 patrol is really worth seems to me to be an uneconomic proposition,fine if you want to complete the project for non economic reasons...all the best.

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Originally Posted by mudski

Try SMS diesel spares for a new engine. I reckon you wont see change out of 6k whichever way you go. Unless you go the TD42, then its 10k....

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Hey! Rob from SMS Diesel =]

Zd30 engines love the work if they are taken care of,

However its not cheap... if you have any mechanic friends try them first and see if there is anything major wrong and see if it can be repaired.

If its rebuildable, then you have to worrie about your pump and injectors and they condition.

If its not rebuildable, we can do recon exchange motors.


Give me a call or email and I can let you know what I can do for you.
07 3277 9888
robertg@smsdiesel.com.au

Regards,

Rob

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Originally Posted by Pepper

Have you considered what a running 2001 patrol is really worth seems to me to be an uneconomic proposition,fine if you want to complete the project for non economic reasons...all the best.

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Yes, that has crossed my mind. I'm still trying figure out if the engine can be rebuilt. they put in a new injector pump late last year. tyres are virtually new and has a good winch. they only towed a caravan and it was regularly serviced. The engine does run but vibrates a lot. I think I'll get it towed to my mechanic and make a decision then. cheers

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Originally Posted by SupRob

Hey! Rob from SMS Diesel =]

Zd30 engines love the work if they are taken care of,

However its not cheap... if you have any mechanic friends try them first and see if there is anything major wrong and see if it can be repaired.

If its rebuildable, then you have to worrie about your pump and injectors and they condition.

If its not rebuildable, we can do recon exchange motors.


Give me a call or email and I can let you know what I can do for you.
07 3277 9888
robertg@smsdiesel.com.au

Regards,

Rob

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thanks Rob, I'm going to do just that. the engine does run, but it vibrates quite a bit. new injector pump was put in late last year. I'm going to wait and see what my mechanic says before I do anything. cheers, Bill

hey mate

I just finished rebuilding a zd30, what a job, rebuild cost me about $3500 with new injectors, waterpump, timing chain, belts, hoses etc... long process doing it in spare time though.

The "wrecking" price for a car wouldn't be much: About 15 or so years ago, I was with my dad and uncle out the front of a big name commodore wrecker in sydney where I was chasing parts for my 1st car a vb commodore, A flatbed pulls up with a VK commodore on it, fair bit of work done to it 253, etc etc, was spotless except it had a dingle in the rear. My uncle and I were joking about the car offering to buy it, towie goes you can have it for $200, thinking he was joking we dismissed it. Until the chick walked out and handed him 4 pineapples, car easily had 1000's worth of parts on it.

Long story short, In my opinion a wrecking price wont be much regardless the car, so lets just say its $2k, it costs you $6k to rebuild, you have a vehicle you know the history of for $8k. You wouldn't be able to even buy one for that price. If the wrecking price is cheap, also consider buying, rebuilding it then selling it for a profit!

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Originally Posted by kull3n

hey mate

I just finished rebuilding a zd30, what a job, rebuild cost me about $3500 with new injectors, waterpump, timing chain, belts, hoses etc... long process doing it in spare time though.

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if I had the time I'd really like to do the same, but ive got too much on at the moment. if the engine is not too bad I'll probably get an engine rebuilder to rebuild it. did you do all the NADS stuff? if so, was it difficult?

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Originally Posted by trekster

The "wrecking" price for a car wouldn't be much: About 15 or so years ago, I was with my dad and uncle out the front of a big name commodore wrecker in sydney where I was chasing parts for my 1st car a vb commodore, A flatbed pulls up with a VK commodore on it, fair bit of work done to it 253, etc etc, was spotless except it had a dingle in the rear. My uncle and I were joking about the car offering to buy it, towie goes you can have it for $200, thinking he was joking we dismissed it. Until the chick walked out and handed him 4 pineapples, car easily had 1000's worth of parts on it.

Long story short, In my opinion a wrecking price wont be much regardless the car, so lets just say its $2k, it costs you $6k to rebuild, you have a vehicle you know the history of for $8k. You wouldn't be able to even buy one for that price. If the wrecking price is cheap, also consider buying, rebuilding it then selling it for a profit!

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I reckon you are about right. they offered it to me for 3k. its got near new tyres, new injector pump, bull bar, winch and they looked after it. I've got a small Subaru Forester with 160k and a bigger vehicle like the patrol would be more helpful with my work. hopefully the changeover should be minimal.

If they are selling you at good price, better buy and rebuild the zd30.

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Originally Posted by BeeSure

if I had the time I'd really like to do the same, but ive got too much on at the moment. if the engine is not too bad I'll probably get an engine rebuilder to rebuild it. did you do all the NADS stuff? if so, was it difficult?

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Yeh mate in the process of doing full NADS at the moment, dawes valve in, catch can in, glowplug timer will go in when parts turn up, boost and egt guages in, not that hard if your mechnically minded or have someone who is to help you, just takes time

the hardest bit of my rebuild was the gearbox conversion i did, manual to auto... nomad valve body and hgm aftermarket auto computer but have it all up and running now.. not long now and ill take it on its first big trip to test it