Thread: ZD30 engines

Latest I heard of was 2004, I worked with 2 EX Nissan dealership employees

Let me know JC if you want some particular details and I'll chase it up

the electrical contractor i used to work for had a 2002 navara with the ZD 30, cracked a head and dumped coolant so fast the engine was trashed by the time the jesus light came on

Originally Posted by justinc

OK, I know this is a LR forum, but can i get some anecdotal and preferrably first hand info about later ZD30 engines and their propensity to melt pistons?
Navarra OR Patrol.
Thanks,

JC

is this following on/adding to this thread on overlander (and elsewhere) ?
What a nightmare

All I know is that early on in the ZD30's life in pootrols, Nissan gave the owners the run around big time.

I know a guy in Ringwood who paid $15k to a nissan dealer to replace the engine as "It had never happened before" at the time.

I think that was around 2001 or something like that, too long ago to remember details.

I do remember the second engine went in under warrenty after legal action forced the issue and the car never came out of the workshop with his name on the papers again.

He now drives a Rodeo dual cab.

I have heard about MAF sensors and over boosting etc etc but I doubt that Rays would have hit full boost in the time he had it as it was barely run in by the time the engine granaded.

Cant help you much more than that sorry JC

Sounds like a typically over complicated computer controlled (Or is that out of controlled?) engine. Thank goodness the Td5 doesn't have any of these issues!!!

When or IF I get to repair this particular vehicle, I will be fitting a Pyro and a boost gauge for him Front and centre.

Thanks for all replies, time to do a comp test and find out if any 1 cylinder has lower compression...It has a 'chuff chuff' on startup if you have the cap off and is hemorrhaging oil from the front seal

JC

My brother in law has had two of the 3 litre pootrols,an 01 & an 06 one.He never had a problem with either,but they did a change to the 01 one...think it was an increase in sump capacity,or maybe a different dipstick with a higher level mark on it.This was done under warranty.He never towed anything & they generally got an easy life.
The only time it went off the black top was for a wash on the lawn,with tank water of course.
One of my son has a zd30 navara with around 80k on the clock.
Recently had a problem where it leaked oil from the oil filter around 2 weeks after a service.
Luckily noticed it in time or the motor would have been wrecked.
The guys whos service it were very concerned,they mainly do nissans,and not much else.
They thought possibly either the o ring on the filter housing was faulty or the oil pressure relief valve got stuck and the over pressure pushed the oil past the o ring.


We are just hoping it doesnt happen again.
They have a nice little funnel under the oil filter & we have run a tube off it to the drivers side of the car so we can easily se if it happens again.

The ute does get good fuel economy,& the lsd is very helpful off road,but as for overall comfort ,not real good.

As for the pootrol,the td5 beats it in all departments,except maybe resale value.

Most ZD30s here have had major fuel system issues some times resulting with engine damage. Usually just out of waranty. The patrols that are lying down here are those towing heavy weights. The 2.8 also were bad for over heating here when towing but the lighter gear box breaks 1st in some cases.
There are thousands of complaints on over streased ZD30 engine failures. I think a phyro may saved some of them.
I have had Patrols in our fleet here and the lazy 4.2L 6 is only worth a mention on being robust. Pity the truck fell apart 1st
Tony

Hi Justin
Will take a bit of sifting, but lots of info on here:

GU/GR Nissan Patrol - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum

I joined before I bought the Disco...

Decided if I was getting a Patrol it would be a TD42T.

Having said that a friend towd a tralier from Perth to FNQ (Creb track etc) and back only recently traded on a 200 series (for the Kinetic suspension).
Cheers
Mike