2.7 D4 on loan.

[discojools]

Just got 2.7 D4 on loan from Lance Dixon while mine is being serviced. 2.7 engine seems to have a bit more go than my D3 although it be could that I have ATs on mine and a bit of extra weight with a bull bar. Also my D3 has a snorkel, I wonder if that may affect performance. I know that it definitely has upped my fuel consumption. Once I had adjusted the D4s tyre pressures (they were set to well above 40) the ride seemed comparable with mine. very annoying that the recirculation resets after 10 mins. Why have they done this?
Most annoying is the slowness of the suspension height setting that used more than once or twice seems to take forever! I Both these probs have been noticed by a few D4 owners.
Apart from these things everything else is better I think. Certainly the 2.7 has more than enough go and also takes more bush friendly wheels and tyres.

[Graeme]

Certainly the 2.7 has more than enough go and also takes more bush friendly wheels and tyres.
I shyed away from the 2.7 because of the continued reports of hesitation even in the D4 coupled with the reports of the 3.0 not having hesitation, after having bad hesitation with my manual TD5 D2s for so long prior to my fixing it. In all other respects the 2.7 in standard 5 seater guise would have been better suited to my needs, and my pocket!

[rmp]

I think a lot of owners driving D3s and D4s are people who aren't used to 4WDs and diesels, thus they are comparing the car with roadcars of the same price bracket. Compared to that yes both D3 and D4 hesitate, but in reality it's more than liveable, just requires a different driving style. Try a Nissan Patrol 3.0 auto if you really want to experience hesitation ;-)

The specs for the 2.7s are the same but the lack of accessories, and 40psi+ in the tyres would make for a more sprightly performance.

[Dingmark Jim]

If chronic hesitation at launch is a concern, then a good used D3 V8 may be the solution. I can attest that they certainly have no hesition (and using Sand mode, best have your head firmly against the headrest). The extra expenditure on fuel can be offset by the savings on purchasing a good used one (simpler and less expensive engine to maintain too). They will take 18" wheels too. Despite having a 3.0 D4 on order, I'll miss my D3 V8 (stolen and torched) on occasion.

[Hoges]

Quote: The extra expenditure on fuel can be offset by the savings on purchasing a good used one (simpler and less expensive engine to maintain too).

My mate the T****a dealer principal believes that petrol engines are far more reliable and economical when total through life costs are added up and advises his customers accordingly. He is of the view that the new diesels are now more complex and expensive to repair than the equivalent petrol version and expects to see lots more in the workshop due to dodgy biofuel blending which is being mandated (NSW?). Apparently it has been blamed for delamination of injector casings in some some Nissan diesel models...

[trobbo]

Jim,

I know you set your d3 up with a few accessories ;) did you ever do any remote desert trips or long range touring in it and if so how did you go with fuel usage and real life range? I torn between the extra go of the v8 and the frugalness of the tdv6.

thanks
tony

[ADMIRAL]

I think a lot of owners driving D3s and D4s are people who aren't used to 4WDs and diesels, thus they are comparing the car with roadcars of the same price bracket. Compared to that yes both D3 and D4 hesitate, but in reality it's more than liveable, just requires a different driving style. Try a Nissan Patrol 3.0 auto if you really want to experience hesitation ;-)

The specs for the 2.7s are the same but the lack of accessories, and 40psi+ in the tyres would make for a more sprightly performance.

Having just come from a 3litre auto Patrol ( chipped ) They don't really hesitate, ( well mine didn't ) the auto actually spools up pretty quick without lag, but slurs forever between gears, and it just runs out of puff on the top end. I find the D4 hesitates unless you give it a good boot. It is either gently bentley, or green light grand prix.

[rmp]

How did I know someone here would be an ex Patrol owner ;-)

The chip makes the difference...stock standard it's a slug until the turbo decides to assist. I should have qualified that a little, the throttle response may seem ok but by the time the noise has been translated into turning force it can be a while.

Driving style has a lot to do with this.

Santa Fe IIs are another one known for this, but again it's very driver dependent.

[discojools]

Once I got used to the slight "hesitation" I don't notice it at all now. Its all down to your right foot compensating for it. For me modern diesels are so powerfull and efficient I don't think I would go back to a petrol car for everyday use.

[Neil P]

...... very annoying that the recirculation resets after 10 mins. Why have they done this?.....

Stops the buildup of CO2 and reducing O2 in a sealed cabin.
Many vehicles reset after 30 mins or so , to fresh air moves
through the occupant volume . This maybe alterable with a
FaultMate . PM RichardK or BBS and ask ..........

[CSBrisie]

Jim has done more remote desert trips than most!!! I know he will respond shortly - but he does have the 115l long range tank.....!

[Dingmark Jim]

did you ever do any remote desert trips or long range touring in it and if so how did you go with fuel usage and real life range

Alas, the alloy V8 was melted by the thieves' fire before any good long offroad trips. Longest I had was about 600km of mostly 200 mm deep mud pulling a 700kg camping trailer. Needed mud/ruts mode to keep on the road. It consumed on average 18 litres/100km but that was being light on the throttle (not to save fuel but to avoid running into the trees). Also did quite a few 60km beach runs in very soft sand (engine struggling to keep from overheating and was nearly floored - but the V8 sounded :BigThumb:). On the sand the computer said 22 l/100 km, so that means it was in reality more like 24 l/100 km.

One other thing about the V8 is that a bug/sand screen can be put in front of the radiator, which I understand is a no-no for the diesel's intercooler.

[powella]

One other thing about the V8 is that a bug/sand screen can be put in front of the radiator, which I understand is a no-no for the diesel's intercooler.
I haven't heard that one....

Bugger the bugs, a cleaner intercooler has to work better, but there may be less room to put one in.

The old man's TDV6 has one in place, not LR approved I am sure... but then what is?

AP

[ozscott]

Your kidding! How come the engine was struggling with the heat. I have towed very heavy campers and vans in deep sand with my V8 Manual D2 and never had that problem (with a scangauge II to see what is actually going on too)...is the cooling system only just good enough and is it only a V8 D3 thing?

Cheers

[Graeme]

The old man's TDV6 has one in place, not LR approved I am sure... but then what is?
My 3.0 got flyscreen from top to bottom from day 1. It looks a bit rough but I'll make it more presentable when a bullbar goes on. However I recently cleaned the strained insect debris from my D2's radiator which was almost totally clogged even though the I/C was in front of it and it had a commercially available insect screen from new. Regardless, I'm sure that straining the bigger bugs like grasshoppers increases the time between cleanings.

[Dingmark Jim]

In answer to a couple of the above queries:

The engine was barely holding its temperature as my at the time 20 yr old daughter was having a lesson driving on sand (there's about 60km of beach south of Mandurah we were on). She was deliberately driving up onto the driest part of the beach where if walking, one would sink to above your ankles (ie, rediculously soft sand). The V8 was floored and at redline for about 15 minutes straight and was barely able to keep the D3 afloat on the sand. After said 15 minutes I asked her, "Umm, why are you driving so far from the water where the sand is so hot and soft?" Her answer, heard barely above the roar of the RAI and the engine fan, was, "Because it's more fun!". It was also a 40C day. Most engines will get a bit warm if treated this way. When the coolant temperature started to drift upwards, the engine fan would make a marked change in its roar, and the coolant would slowly cool back down.

Regarding the flyscreen, I know I read somewhere important (The owners manual? This website?) something to the effect that diesels can't have bugscreens or anything else in front of the intercooler to keep from overheating the air intake system. Who knows, maybe sniffing all that 98 octane when filling the V8 has had a deleterious effect on my memory[tonguewink] I took note of this as back in the mountains of Colorado, where I grew up, we put cardboard over about 95% of the radiator to keep some heat in the engine. Turns out when it's about -50C (Not kidding. It can get colder than that and the cows still need food) the coolant, which has to be 80% glycol, 20% water, in the radiator gets so cold that it glugs up and won't flow, effectively freezing off in the radiator. This leads to no coolant flow in the engine, which as I painfully learned, can cause the cylinder sleeves to crack. Now you all know why I like living so far from snow.

[shining]

My 3.0 got flyscreen from top to bottom from day 1. It looks a bit rough but I'll make it more presentable when a bullbar goes on. .

I put my screen behind the grille. The grille pops out easily and I cable-tied aluminium mesh to the frame behind. It extends down to the air scoop under the bumper. It fitted very nicely. And is not visible. I haven't noticed any problems with performance or overheating.

[Dingmark Jim]

The cable ties behind the removeable grill is exactly what I did on the V8, and what I plan to do on my 3.0 TDi D4, despite any prohibition to the contrary. I suspect LR issued a screen prohibition on intercooled diesels to cover warranty claims, as if the screen becomes blocked, hotter-than-design air enters the engine before a driver would notice the coolant temperature starting to climb (which is what happens in non-intercooled engines). Any one who likes their engine to last does daily screen inspections (or sometimes more frequently) when in serious bush, irregardless of it being a petrol V8 or TDi.