Thread: D4 3.0 SDV6 catastrophic failure

Originally Posted by Tins

Great example of what happens when an engine is overstressed. The ZD30 is actually a very good engine in the correct application, as shown by it's reliability in the Navara. Put it into a Patrol, which weighs about a tonne more, unladen, and the poor thing struggles, so instead of fitting an appropriate engine for the task Nissan simply wound up the boost and hey presto, a hand grenade was born. Sound familiar? Got a feeling Toyota may find this out with the 300. Ford sure is with the EcoBoost family, at least in the US.

I know I've oversimplified the issue a little, but the engine builder we are talking to re a TD42 ( bloke is regarded as a guru by the Datsun fraternity ) loves the ZD30 in the correct application.

The ZD30 in my dads Navara **** itself so definitely not just a patrol problem.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

The ZD30 in my dads Navara **** itself so definitely not just a patrol problem.

Far rarer though. Nothing's perfect Nick.

Popcorn time:

Opinion: Why the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series 3.3-litre V6 diesel has a lot to prove

https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/w...-lot-to-prove/

Much of the negative speculation comes from a few basic observations. Firstly, the power density of the new 3.3-litre V6 is significantly higher than previous-generation turbo diesels.

How do you get more performance out of less capacity? You make it as efficient as possible, and add extra boost and fuel.

...which means the turbochargers are nestled within the vee of the cylinders. Hence the name: hot vee.

Hot vees have a chequered history since BMW brought out the first production engine in 2008

However, there is a potential problem: turbochargers can get bloody hot. And when they are nestled in between the cylinder banks with precious little airflow around them to help keep them cool, problems can arise.

If it does prove to be less reliable, it wouldn’t be the first time a respected manufacturer of diesel engines did a less than reliable job.

Nissan’s infamous ZD30 turbo diesel engine – its first common-rail motor after a prestigious history of stout reliable mechanical diesel engines – quickly earned its ‘hand grenade’ reputation as it made a habit of religiously melting pistons.

It was, unfortunately, a reputation that was fairly earned. There was an inherent design fault with the ZD30; something Nissan eventually ironed out.

Having just rode in relatives $140k LC300 GR its nice on the inside, i think the front end and bonnet looks terrible, and the v6 sounds underwhelming and nothing compared to a v8

seems like they are only just adopting features LR has had for over a decade: electric controlled viscous fan, electric controlled anti roll, electric controlled dampers, electric controlled engine mounts

Originally Posted by haydent

Popcorn time:

Opinion: Why the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series 3.3-litre V6 diesel has a lot to prove

https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/w...-lot-to-prove/











Having just rode in relatives $140k LC300 GR its nice on the inside, i think the front end and bonnet looks terrible, and the v6 sounds underwhelming and nothing compared to a v8

seems like they are only just adopting features LR has had for over a decade: electric controlled viscous fan, electric controlled anti roll, electric controlled dampers, electric controlled engine mounts

Toyota have always been imitators, never innovators.

Fantastic to see such a sore and sorry response to a youtuber comparing a well know LR design fault to excellent and simple engineering. Very typical of this forum.

My RRS was nice but I wouldn't take it to the anywhere near the places my old 1HZ powered LC80 goes and still goes after 570,000kms.

Originally Posted by Arch

Fantastic to see such a sore and sorry response to a youtuber comparing a well know LR design fault to excellent and simple engineering. Very typical of this forum.

My RRS was nice but I wouldn't take it to the anywhere near the places my old 1HZ powered LC80 goes and still goes after 570,000kms.

Thats your choice and I respect your opinion and rights to it. SOunds like you may have had a poor run with your RRS.


However; Comparing your low powered 1HZ (a reliable, old school, very understressed, high emissions engine) with a basic suspension system against any modern, low emissions engined, tech filled vehicle is Apples and Oranges.



As for the reverence of a Youtuber - They have a great channel, I find much of it entertaining, and find the things they do interesting. I do take much of it with a grain of salt and I do have access to some seriously good resources to test their hypothesis.
Its quite an amazing phenomenon that making a nice video is treated with almost complete adherence to the content provided without actually validating it.

Originally Posted by Tombie

As for the reverence of a Youtuber - They have a great channel, I find much of it entertaining, and find the things they do interesting. I do take much of it with a grain of salt and I do have access to some seriously good resources to test their hypothesis.

Its quite an amazing phenomenon that making a nice video is treated with almost complete adherence to the content provided without actually validating it.

I actually really struggled watching that last video. Took me three attempts to watch it in full. Was too much “smug know it all” attitude for me to enjoy it. And still had inaccuracies which are misleading.

Rebuilds one engine and clearly thinks he is now an engine designer - but fails to make the connection that you can not compare a V6 crankshaft design with an inline 6 and then claim it is because Ford Management know nothing about engine design.

Ford know a lot about engine design and yes there is a weakness with the TDV6 design, as is common in many V6 engines, and yes there have been assembly and manufacturing issues along the way, but it a very successful motor that Ford still use to this day after 2 decades since it was first designed. Truly transforms any vehicle it is fitted to.

Designing a compact high torque/high power/fuel efficient engine that can be used across multiple platforms is a challenge and Ford did well. It was the right engine for its time and well ahead of what others had to offer. So good in fact that the engineering team at Ford Australia are backing it 20yrs later in what has the potential to be one of the highest selling vehicles across the world (for its class).

Take out the slander and stick to being entertaining and it would have been enjoyable to watch. He made a few good comments….in the wrong context. Was click bait and turning into what is hated about many self-proclaimed experts on you-tube.

P.s. but I do believe worn/high mileage TDV6 engines operating in warm to hot climates should use 5W-40 (to the right minimum spec). I also believe the oil pump should be changed with every timing belt change - and always with the latest version of the original Ford pump.

Sorry Margaret - I did not like it - I gave it 2 stars.

Originally Posted by Tins

Great example of what happens when an engine is overstressed. The ZD30 is actually a very good engine in the correct application, as shown by it's reliability in the Navara. Put it into a Patrol, which weighs about a tonne more, unladen, and the poor thing struggles, so instead of fitting an appropriate engine for the task Nissan simply wound up the boost and hey presto, a hand grenade was born. Sound familiar? Got a feeling Toyota may find this out with the 300. Ford sure is with the EcoBoost family, at least in the US.

I know I've oversimplified the issue a little, but the engine builder we are talking to re a TD42 ( bloke is regarded as a guru by the Datsun fraternity ) loves the ZD30 in the correct application.

My understanding was that the catastrophic blow ups were due to EGR associated problems.

I am a fan of Nissan drivelines incl engines, having had many Patrols as a company vehicle.

Their gearboxes and diffs are (historically at least) much stronger than their main competitor (Toyota).