Nissan Patrol 2000 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2000 Nissan Patrol? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2000 Nissan Patrol issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2000 Nissan Patrol in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Nissan Patrol 2000: Speedo trouble
Answered by Graham Smith · 27 Sep 2013

It could be a number of things, sensor, speedo head etc. I would have it looked at by an auto electrician, who should be able to sort it out for you.

NISSAN is coy about the problems with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel in the Patrol, but it is clear there is a problem. A change was made to the dipstick to increase the oil level in the engine, and there are reports of work having been done on the cooling jets that deliver oil to the pistons. From the evidence we've seen it seems there is a problem with the lubrication of the pistons. The best course of action, seeing your's hasn't had a problem, is to keep the oil level up to the top mark on the dipstick. We approached Nissan and though they wouldn't admit there was a problem a spokesperson said the company would look after any owner who had one. Read into that what you will.

Nissan Patrol 2000: Lost fifth gear
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 04 Jan 2013

Loss of fifth gear was a problem that did occur with some Patrols, and Nissan was covering at least part of the cost to repair some of them when they were newer. Yours is now coming up for 13 years old and I doubt you would have any chance of getting the company to cover the cost of repairing it, even though you have done relatively few kilometers. If you feel you want to pursue it you might be able to get part compensation for the cost of repairs.

Nissan Patrol 2000: How to fix screeching fanbelt?
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 29 Jun 2010

Take to the pulley with some emery paper to take the gloss off them, if that fails consider replacing the alternator pulley.

Nissan Patrol 2000: Should Nissan pay for engine rebuild?
Answered by Graham Smith · 18 Jun 2009

IT'S not only out of warranty, it's a long way out being nine years old and with heaps of kilometres on it. While I can understand your frustration, Nissan won't come to the party for the full cost of repairs, but they might offer you part-compensation. We asked them for their current policy on this engine problem and this was the response we got: "Assistance to customers is judged on an individual basis. When looking at providing assistance the following things are considered: vehicle age, kilometres travelled, original owner, accessories fitted, service history, use of genuine parts et cetera.'' I suggest you get back to Nissan's customer service people and press your case for compensation.

THE 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine had problems when it was launched. The main one was a lack of oil capacity, which resulted in piston meltdown. It tended to occur when the Patrol was driven on the highway at high speed. The problem was traced to insufficient oil in the engine, which affected the cooling of the pistons. Nissan claims to have fixed the problem by increasing the oil fill by about two litres, simply by replacing the oil dipstick with one that has markings farther up the stick. The change was supposed to be carried out by dealers as the cars came in for servicing. Your GUII would have had the new dipstick from new, so you should have no problem.

Nissan Patrol 2000: Turbo-diesel cracked pistons
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 28 Jun 2007

THE 3.0-litre turbodiesel is notorious for burning pistons. It usually happens to No.4 piston first, but you seem to have all at the same time. It is not acceptable and Nissan hasn't handled the problem well at all. The best thing to do is approach Nissan and ask for compensation. The most likely offer you will get is to cover the cost of parts to rebuild your engine, leaving you to pay for labour.

Used Nissan Patrol review: 1996-2015
By Ewan Kennedy · 03 Feb 2016
Ewan Kennedy reviews the GQ, GU and Y62 Series Nissan Patrol from 1996,1997,1998,1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 as a used buy.
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Used Nissan Patrol review: 1997-2001
By Graham Smith · 29 Jan 2009
There are four-wheel drives and there are four-wheel drives. There are those that spend their time doing the rounds in town, while looking like they could go bush if need be, and there are those that are made to do their time deep in the mulga, but get bogged down in the ’burbs.Two vehicles fit into the latter category, no argument, Toyota’s LandCruiser and Nissan’s Patrol. They’re the two heavyweights that slug it out for the bush bragging rights.The LandCruiser had a head start. It was here first, won an enviable reputation on the Snowy Mountains project in the 1950s, built on it on mining and construction sites in the most remote parts of the country in the years since, but the Patrol has plenty of fans as well.Both are serious four-wheel drive wagons, capable of plunging deep in the bush or towing a heavy load. They’re heavy-duty workhorses, at their best on the job.The GU Patrol replaced the popular GQ in 1997. Coming after the GQ, a rough and tough four-wheel drive wagon that had a big following, the GU had some big tyre tracks to follow.The Patrol follows common practice in this class of off-roader with a wagon body perched atop a separate chassis, which is considered the best way of tackling the toughest of conditions a vehicle of this type might encounter.That not only makes it tough, it also makes heavy. The heaviest model the in the range, the 4.2-litre turbo diesel, weighs in at a fraction over 2.4 tonnes, which has an affect on performance, fuel consumption, handling and braking.A separate chassis also has the affect of raising the cabin quite high off the ground, which makes it a bit of a climb to get in to. It also cuts down on the interior space, and the Patrol is surprisingly tight inside given its overall size.Nissan offered a choice of one petrol and three diesel engines. The petrol engine was a 4.5-litre single overhead camshaft fuel-injected six-cylinder unit that had a chain driven camshaft and put out 145 kW.Performance with the petrol engine was good considering the massive hulk it was trying to move, and the fuel consumption was acceptable for the same reasons.The diesel choices were a 2.8-litre single overhead camshaft turbo diesel six-cylinder engine producing 95 kW, a 4.2-litre overhead valve delivering 91 kW, and a 4.2-litre overhead valve turbo diesel pumping out 114 kW.The 2.8-litre turbo diesel was replaced by a 116 kW 3.0-litre in 2000 in the GU II update, and with that came plenty of trouble.Performance of the diesels wasn’t as punchy, but the low down grunt they delivered was welcome along with the fuel consumption savings.There was also a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto trans.Drive was through all wheels, with a choice of two-wheel drive for the highway and dual-range four-wheel drive for off-road use. Front hubs were manual locking on the entry level DX model, but the others had auto hubs so you could switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive high range on the move.Buyers could choose between three models. The DX five-seater kicked off the action with steel wheels, power steering, vinyl trim and floor mats, basic sound, limited-slip diff, manual hubs.The popular seven-seater ST also had side steps, wheel arch flares, more civilised cloth trim, carpets, central locking, power windows and mirrors, cruise, console, better sound, CD player and map lamps.Atop the range was the Ti, the burger with the lot, which added alloy wheels, auto air-con, remote central locking, ABS, superior sound, leather trim, power driver’s seat, and two-tone paint.While the Patrol is generally a rough and rugged vehicle with few faults, there is a cloud hanging over the 3.0-litre turbo diesel. The problem generally manifests itself in the form of melted pistons, but the most likely explanation is that it’s caused by a piston oiling/cooling problem.Not all engines are affected, those most likely to succumb to the problem seem to be those doing a lot of highway cruising.Nissan have increased the oil fill, and played with alignment of the nozzles that spray oil on the pistons for cooling and lubrication purposes, but there seems to be no consistent fix for the problem.It’s important to keep an eye on the oil level in all engines, but particularly so in the 3.0-litre turbo diesel.Apart from the 3.0-litre turbo diesel engines woes the Patrol is generally a tough and rugged vehicle that gives good service over the long term.That said the manual gearbox can have problems with fifth gear spline and hub.It’s important to check for a service record, particularly if the vehicle has spent time off road.It’s also important to check under the vehicle for damage sustained off road, like bashed suspension and chassis components, brackets, exhaust etc.On the exterior look for scratches and scrapes from trackside bushes during of road excursions.Consider carefully before buying a Patrol that’s clearly been off road as there are plenty that haven’t spent much time off the black top and they are a better choice.It’s good to have mass on your side in a crash so the Patrol will provide protection if you hit a smaller vehicle when it will inflict considerable damage on the other car.The separate chassis construction, however, doesn’t perform as well in a crash situation as does a mono-construction body, which crumples in a more controlled way and absorbs the crash energy better.In a crash where the Patrol hits a larger, more solid object then occupants are likely to suffer greater injuries than if they were in a regular passenger car.It’s also worth remembering that because of its mass the Patrol takes longer to react, to the steering or brakes, in an emergency situation.All models except the DX had a driver’s airbag from the beginning, the DX joined the club in 2000 with the GU II update. The Ti had dual airbags.Ed Niemiec owns a 2000 GU II Patrol with the new 3.0-litre turbo diesel, and says it’s the best car he’s ever owned. He uses it in his work as a quantity surveyor with a need for high ground clearance and room to carry gear. It has now done 125,000 km, and apart from normal servicing, he has replaced the tyres and front disc pads. The fuel consumption has always been between 11 and 12 L/100 km. It has never missed a beat, he says, and sits on the highway like a dream. His only complaint is that he had to modify the suspension to handle the loads he has to carry.Nissan replaced the pistons and rings in Rex Rickard’s Patrol at 28,500 km, after which it suffered intermittent power loss and poor fuel consumption. Nissan has since replaced the air flow sensor, the injector pump, injectors, and the computer, and now say they can do no more. A lack of response to his phone calls has added to his frustration with his dealer and with Nissan.Colin Lockyer has a 2000 3.0-litre diesel Patrol, which he says is great, but he knows of five others that have melted piston number five at around 100,000 km and is concerned his, which has done 98,000 km, might suffer the same fate.• Avoid the GU II 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine• Reliable apart from 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine• Serious offroader at its best in the bush• Bulk makes it less responsive in an emergency situation• Poor fuel consumption• Small cabin for its overall sizeTough truck best suited to serious offroad use or heavy towing, but really unsuitable for every day use around town. Don’t touch the 3.0-litre turbo diesel GU II.
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