Severe loss of power in ZD30 Patrol

[Conroy22]

In February 2012 I noticed a severe drop in power in my 2003 Patrol Wagon auto. The first thing I did was check the air filter. I had just had the fan belt changed and blamed it on something the garage had accidently disconnected during dooing this. When I opened the bonet I saw one of the air cleaner clips was off. When I took the cover off the chamber was full of insects, bits of plants, sand and dust. I carefully cleaned and vacumed all this stuff out and replaced the air filter. This made no difference. I then got the fuel filter changed. This also made no difference.

I then removed the MAF sensor and found it was covered with dust and stuff that had been sucked in because the clip was off. I cleaned the sensor with the special CRC compound. Nissan had previously told me cleaning a MAF sensor usually did not work. Anyway, it made no difference.

I then took the vehicle to my usual service garage and they checked the engine with their computer equipment. They found the Intercooler leaking oil. The design of this intercooler is very bad, the in and out sections are only clipped on. It was replaced with a refurbished unit which was welded. Still no change to the power problem.

After a few weeks it went back to the garage and the computer showed voltages on the MAF sensor wer way to high. A new MAF sensor was installed. Still no change in the power problem.

I then heard of a mechanic in Atherton that was trained by Nissan and was a "Nissan Expert". I took the vehicle to him and he had a quick look at it straight away. He got me to start it up after lifting the bonnet and told me to rev it up. He then pulled a small hose of and said to rev it again, sticking his finger over it as I reved the engine. He then said, "This is your problem, the waste gate solenoid valve is not working, so your turbo is not working also". In just a few minutes he had solved the problem. This part is not available from Nissan, it only comes with a turbo unit (at great expense). He managed to find a second hand one from a wrecker. It was fitted today the the vehicle now goes like a rocket! From long term non functioning of the turbo the gaskets are new leaking and need to be replaced.

Already a second person on another forum has had his Patrol fixed this way.

If you have this loss of power, get this solenoid valve checked out.