How smooth is your 3.0 at idle?

[Graeme]

I noticed an engine-related harshness at idle when I started the D4 at the dealers after open heart surgery (and software updated to the latest levels) and thought an exhaust rubber must be slightly out of place. I finally got to have a poke around today and discovered that the engine has a roughness that can even be felt at the end of the exhaust pipes. The pipes are hanging freely and probably weren't touched anyway when the body was removed. The harmonic balancer is moving about a little but I don't know if that's cause or effect. There appears to be a regular thump amongst lesser vibrations making me think that an injector might not be quite right, but perhaps all the 3.0 engines are like this.

Any comments?

[rufusking]

My D4 was smooth as initially but I've noticed it getting slowly rougher at ideal especially when stopped and in drive. The vehicle only has 5k on it so at this stage I'm putting it down to the engine loosing up and the idle speed increasing although I would have thought it was electronically fixed. It's due for it's health check so I'll see how it comes back from that.

[LGM]

Coming up to 26,000km on the clock for my Sep 11 D4 3.0L. It runs well, is quiet, with no noticable roughness. It has also had a software update at 13,500km. The only noticable difference after that was (in my opinion) an improvement in the auto-trans gear changes.:D

[Disco4SE]

I noticed an engine-related harshness at idle when I started the D4 at the dealers after open heart surgery but perhaps all the 3.0 engines are like this.
Hi Graeme, I know a few people that have the 3.0 Lt engines including myself. No complaints so far, in fact one bloke I know has clocked over 240,000 Klm's.

Cheers, Craig

[roamer]

Hi Graeme
My 3lt (65k, 08/2009 build) has just been at dealers for a rough/miss idle,
when cold at start
if I slowly raise revs,. at 1100 rpm it is most noticable. :confused:
Dealer did reproduce, and has sent enquiry to LRA.
Will let you know what they say


Cheers Ken

[Graeme]

Thanks Ken. I only checked slightly higher revs so will do some more checking. I don't think the roughness is only when cold but will monitor that too. It may be that the engine has had this roughness all the while but that there is now a misplaced hose or something else after the body lift that is transmitting the roughness to the body, although I think the roughness shouldn't exist anyway. Having the harmonic balancer moving at the same time on such a new and modern engine makes me nervous too, especially as its purpose is usually to smooth harmonics created by the addition of ancilliary equipment at higher revs, not the engine itself. I thought the Faultmate might show injector information but not so. Warranty is running out with 80K on the clock so there's some urgency in getting it resolved.

[roamer]

Hi Graeme
A follow up on rough idle, mine was rough at about 1100 rpm, more noticable when cold, but still there when warm in the end run.
LRA wanted dealer to do live data test and send to them.
Came back with everything OK with engine, must be a vibration from somewhere.
Dealer has been over it with electronic ear, and reckons it is an ordinary engine mount.
They get replaced tomorrow, will see then

Cheers Ken

[Graeme]

I discovered on Monday whilst using CC at 110 kph up a rather steep incline on the freeway that the vibration was considerably worse, to the extent that the vibration through the steering wheel made all my fingers tingle until the crest when less power was produced. I still haven't had a proper look to see if something is out of place after the body-off job but must do so before any damage is done if that is the cause. I'd be surprised if mine's cause is an engine mount as it started with the body-off job but that could be a coincidence.

[discotwinturbo]

Bloody hell......that does not sound good Graeme.

Looks as though someone has certainly not put the body back on correctly.

Brett......

[robbotd5]

Bugger that!!!
I dont want a car that needs its body to be raised off the chassis for maintenance.!!!!! Thinking of updating the D2 in the next couple of years but a D4? No dont think so. New Ranger, D max, Navara..........mmm.
Regards
Robbo

[discotwinturbo]

Might be a good idea to forget navara. I have come across a number of clients that will pay people to take them away. Mostly due to fuel injection problems.

Brett....

[robbotd5]

The 2.5 (4) or the 3.0 (V6).
Regards
Robbo

[discotwinturbo]

Sorry Robbo....missed that important point.

All are the 2.5 diesel.

I keep forgetting about petrol powered cars as I have not had one for about 6 years.

Also had a mates 2.5 let go with 45000 on the clock. Engine being replaced.

Brett....

[Graeme]

Bugger that!!!
I dont want a car that needs its body to be raised off the chassis for maintenance.!!!!! Thinking of updating the D2 in the next couple of years but a D4? No dont think so.
I haven't read any other reports of problems after the body has been R&R'd so I don't think its normal to have problems afterwards, although I had hoped that mine wouldn't need removing as there's always the opportunity for something to get overlooked. Mine now has a very rattly steering column which may have been caused by someone forgetting to remove a bolt so is evidence that work doesn't always go according to plan.

[away]

Right after driving out of the showroom I noticed two things. When at idle and in neutral (at traffic lights) the engine was idling like it was "hunting". It was enough to set up a "wobble" throughout the car that could even be felt by my backside on the seat. If I placed the engine in "Drive" with the park brake on, the hunting disappeared.

The other thing I noticed was that the gear changes were horrible....almost like it was sliding into gears like the old Holden Hydramatic transmissions used to.

The good news is that by the time I got the vehicle home (1650 Km), the transmission had sorted itself out and was as smooth as silk. The engine also idles properly now, but I haven't given the car a cold start since I got back. I will post a further report next time I start the D4. (It's not getting used much while we still have the D3.)

Cheers

[PJJ]

Go for an Amarok Darren - if you must;)

Phil

[robbotd5]

Go for an Amarok Darren - if you must;)

Phil

The 2L motor is turning me away from the Amorak. I want something bigger than a 2.5L. Pulling power and towing capacity are my top priorities now.
Regards
Robbo.

[away]

Follow up to previous post. Cold started the D4 yesterday and it idles perfectly (or should that be purrfectly?) Obviously all of the electronic thingamejigs have sorted themselves out.

Cheers

Russ

[roamer]

Bit of a follow up on my rough idle /vibration

They fitted the new engine mounts, ...still there

Then it started to go into restricted mode, 1 out of 4 cold starts with in 1km
turn off ,wait, restart all OK.

They then found harmonic balancer at front had deteriorated,
changed that, still there.
and o rings on intercooler faulty, causing restricted performance, I might add every thing is OK after warm up, nope not fixed.

then it developed an oil leak from turbo pipe connection and found that an intercooler pipe in the V of the motor cracked , replaced that, still no good.

Now they are getting desperate,and found a fault code for rain sensor comms fault, "that will be your problem, software upgrade'.
Well may be brake light can give tranni fault
"Yep all fixed come and pick it up" after being in there 17days this time.

Well I got about 30km down the road and restricted performance again

Had it trucked back to them and it now has a fault code for
"bi turbo recirculation solenoid stuck open".
They have now gotten back on to LRA tech, because they do not know what or where it is.

I think it's time to change dealer and or brands


Cheers Ken

[Graeme]

Not doing well, Ken. A change of dealer may improve the outcome but if LRA are involved then the dealer should be getting all the advice that's needed. I'm surprised there weren't faults codes stored for the restricted performance trigger condition.

Mine's booked in for its end of warranty service and I've mentioned the idle vibration and harmonic balancer movement. However I suspect any HB movement would be the result of vibration rather than the source.

[roamer]

Well another week in the shop, but fixed :D

After much head scratching and in stead of using the computer diagnostic,
actually looking at the motor, found the elbo on the air intake at the box sucked in and collapsed (the one that use to be perferated in the D3)

There is apparently a TSB on it, something to look out for.

Anyway all good, evenually :D

They just want to change lower control arm bushes now before warranty runs out, That will be twice in 63000 km

Cheers Ken

PS Have been driving around in a Nissan Narvara D/cab don't get one

[~Rich~]

How bad is the Navara turning circle!!!

[CaverD3]

They just want to change lower control arm bushes now before warranty runs out, That will be twice in 63000 km

Get the RRS bushes same as armoured D3/4. :D

[Pugrot]

Well another week in the shop, but fixed :D

After much head scratching and in stead of using the computer diagnostic,
actually looking at the motor, found the elbo on the air intake at the box sucked in and collapsed (the one that use to be perferated in the D3)

There is apparently a TSB on it, something to look out for.

Anyway all good, evenually :D

They just want to change lower control arm bushes now before warranty runs out, That will be twice in 63000 km

Cheers Ken

PS Have been driving around in a Nissan Narvara D/cab don't get one

hi ken, I have the rough idle in my d4 and even with new maf sensor and mounts it still idles just as bad as it did before and mechanic or should I say 'technican ' is clueless as to what it could be as the diagnostics is saying everything is fine which obviously it isn't. I assume that they had to remove the elbow and look inside to see the problem I.e. Can't tell from just looking at it assembled.

dave

[DiscoJeffster]

My D4 3.0 is smooth as silk at 230k km. I love my D4

[Ghost-Who-Walks]

My D4 3.0 is smooth as silk at 230k km. I love my D4

What he said!! [bigsmile]

I've had mine (bought 2nd hand at 2 1/2yrs, 61,000 kms) for almost 5years. Now has 198,000 kms on the clock, and is still going strong.
Smooth as silk.
Reliable as ... a D4
Comfortable as a limousine
Capable as ... a Landrover
Practical interior, economical, powerful... I could go on and on... I love it.

You could buy a (Navara/Amarok/insert other inferior brand here), but the D4 - IMHO - is the best. Why would you go for anything else?
I even sat in a D5 a couple of weeks back... Without having a drive, I would go for a runout D4 over the D5 ANY day of the week... (based purely on size, space, layout)...

Rob

[Pugrot]

My D4 3.0 is smooth as silk at 230k km. I love my D4

I wish I could say the same but it is a money pit and I am no closer to finding the cause of the vibration