Major Problem- some advice appreciated

[Lonicus]

The gauge does pick up a few things when plugged in, such as engine size, and other presets may be different to what is in the book. I'd say software/firmware is updated more regularly than the paperwork.

Good luck with the drive mate.

[ova50]

The gauge does pick up a few things when plugged in, such as engine size, and other presets may be different to what is in the book. I'd say software/firmware is updated more regularly than the paperwork.

Good luck with the drive mate.

Thanks mate, will post up what I notice and what the readings are and compare with yours.
Regards.

[Ben-e-boy]

Ben-e-boy: With the alledged carbon build up. The dealer says it needs to be taken for a long run and by doing this it should blow out & clear the built up carbon, claims the carbon build up would have happened because of the split egr pipe. I will ad, that statement does not sit well with me. The egr was supposedly removed and clean. Surely there is only so many places where you may get carbon build up. (maybe when Im at the dealer again, maybe I will be told its in the boot or glove box )


They may or may not have checked the intercooler for leaks, they have not mentioned the intercooler.
I will take off the top cowling on the weekend and check as many hoses & clamps as I can.

Can I check the intercooler for leaks myself and what is involved, is there any particular area that is a common place where a leak might be or happen.??

I have to use the vehicle tomorrow morning and will be travelling about 60ks, hopefully I will be able to check the numbers on the scan guage and compare with what Lonicus has supplied. Then check as many hoses I can.

If I think the smoke has reduced, (and since tightening the clamp) I am planning on taking it for a run up the coast on Sunday.

Interestingly, I was searching the net this morning for diesel guys around my area and came across a link to exploreoz. A guy had posted, asking for a diesel mech in or near his area. Wrote, that he is fed up with his local Nissan dealer damaging his Pathfinder. (his area is the same as where I am and there is only one Nissan dealer in our area). Thats a concern!!!
Looks like Im not the only one that has had trouble with this dealer, and bet there are plenty of others.
(apologies for any spelling errors guys, been a long day.) Damm that took a long time to type.

There isnt many places that carbon can build up with an EGR I agree, just the intake port and valve. Have you ever tried breathing through a straw?
If there is carbon buildup around the intake valve your motor will be trying to breath through a straw. The lack of air explains the lack of power and black smoke.

A long drive might help a little bit, You should remove the intake manifold and inspect the port and valve, if it is built up around there you need to remove the head get it cleaned

[mudski]

When you remove the engine cover, leaks can sometimes be easy to spot. Given signs are black oil deposits on the core, usually where the tanks are joined to the core. If you see any oil, even a small amount it will be leaking. Plus, look under the intercooler on top of the engine too. As if the cooler is leaking on the underside, the oil will drip onto the top of the engine. Might be easier to take the cooler right off to inspect properly. Its not hard to do. A couple of hose clamps to undo, a sensor clip or two, and then the mounting bolts. Its a ten minute job to take off.
You can get them pressure tested too. I saw a chap, block one end of his IC, cap the other with an air fitting on it, and then filled the IC with smoke and then blew compressed air into it and saw the smoke leaking out of a tiny pin hole. Or cap both ends, one end have a fitting on it so compressed air can be pumped into it, drop the IC into water and fully submerge it and then pump air into it. See bubbles? Its leaking. You can even use a bike pump as it doesn't need a lot of pressure to test it.

[happygu]

I occasionally get a little black smoke out of the CRD, but it is definitely not bellowing smoke all the time.

I would say that if you have checked all the obvious stuff, and can't find anything wrong, then your only option is to do the 'long drive' as the dealer suggested and see what happens.

It will be the only way you can get it back to them to look at it, and I don't think that you will do much damage in 200 klms.

[ova50]

Today:
Went for a short run and, that then became a long run. Clocked up over 350ks.
I had 4 things displayed on the Scan gauge: LPH, Boost, Temp and RPM. Also took some readings using the MAP instead of the Boost.
We wrote down all the readings we got, depending on how we drove. I will post them once I get them together in an order to read.
Thanks guys

[ova50]

First up, Its been raining in Syd, so didnt have a chance to remove the top cover off the engine to check other hoses. However I did find this one.
Had a spilt in it about an inch from the end, has gone brittle, probably through heat. I cut the piece out, and re-attached, till its replaced. Then we decided to head of up the coast with the scan guage set. First I noticed that the smoke didnt appear to be as noticeable, particualry under acceleration.

Having now found two hoses that were loose or damaged, it put a huge question mark over the quality of workmanship from the dealer. How the hell can they say that they have checked all the hoses.
This doesnt sit well with me at all, and Im far from happy about it. Im not sure at this stage what my next move should be.
Should I go back to the shonky dealer or contact Nissan direct??.
I have lost all confidence with this dealer and do not trust them, period.

About to post the Scan Guage figures.

We gave the Patrol heaps, put it through its paces big time.

[ova50]

Temp: readings maintained between 88c to 90c

1. Boost: Drove to speeds listed and held throttle, then slight pedal to maintain the speed. PSI
60kph = 5.5 maintain speed = 6.0
70kph = 5.5 maintain speed = 8.5
80kph = 3.1 maintain speed = 8.1
100kph = 5.0 maintain speed =10.0

Next is acceleration from 0 to 60kph using different throttle pedal positions.
1/4 throttle to 60kph = 12.4
1/2 throttle to 60kph = 14.4
Full throttle to 60kph = 14.6.
Driving on a flat road.

2. LPH readings.
Coasting down hill and no throttle = 0
Next was cruising at following speeds
60kph = 10.7
80kph = 13.5
100kph= 14.9
LPH: The following is acceleration from 0 to 60kph using different throttle pedal positions.
1/4 throttle = 23.2
1/2 throttle = 34.1
Full throttle =39.4

Also thought I would check acceleration times, with full throttle.
0 to 60kph = 8.52 seconds
0 to 80kph = 12.36 seconds
0 to 100kph = 20.57 seconds

Map readings
Idle = 14.4
60kph = 6.5 to 7.1
60kph firm acceleration = 16.9
80kph = 8.2 to 9.5
80kph firm acceleration = 18.2

So guys, how do they compare or is there something odd???.

Clocked up 355.2 used 48.65 litres = 13.69 L/100
I thought this was good considering the way we drove it.

Vehicle smoke was a lot less and we noticed as soon as we left home. Do notice that if sitting at a set of lights , and then take off its get that puff of black. Under firm acceleration up a slight hill, I can notice a little doing about 40 to 50kph and vehicle has changed into second gear. Sitting on around 100 -110 up a steep hill, (Mooney Bridge) and kicking back while still accelerating, is more noticeable.

Both of us say it is nothing like it was.
Not certain how it will be with our caravan hooked up to it.

[Pepper]

I had similar problem with my 2007 model 3 litre,heavy over smoking (black soot all over the camper i towed) it took several visits to nissan dealership before they agreed to fix under the extended warrenty,turned out they replaced all injectors and associated plumbing,result no more black smoke,dont give up it is a genuine warrenty claim....My vehicle had about 100000klm and nissan advised that the injectors had been replaced by the original owner...

[Lonicus]

Hey Ova,

Boost readings look pretty good, even a smidge lower than mine so shouldn't be an overboost problem.

Your LPH readings again are pretty much guesswork by the Scangauge at the moment. You will be able to refine the rates and get more accurate readings once you have run through a couple of tank refills and made the adjustments in the gauge. They are pretty close to my figures though before adjusting the gauge.

The 13.9LPH usage looks pretty good, plenty of people on here have stated they get a lot worse.

0-100 times I'm no help with sorry mate. After my last car I feel like Fred Flintstone in the 'Trol and I'm just glad it gets to 100+

The smoke situation sounds a lot better. I get a puff when I give the peddle a quick kick and my wife was following me one day and said it blows a bit on gear changes. It's an auto so I assume she saw puffs as kicked up or when I gave it a bit of right foot.

Hopefully someone on here might know of a decent mechanic in your present location. I'd be getting someone trustworthy to go over it, especially the hoses, fixing what needs it, then present the list and invoice to the dealership with a copy to Mr Nissan, highlighting the two hoses you've found yourself that had problems.

Things definitely sound a lot better though mate. A good check of the hoses, replace the ones that need it and maybe throw it on a dyno to get it purring!

Good luck!!