Nissan Patrol 2009 Problems

There were a lot of problems with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel some years ago, but we haven’t had any reports of engine problems on later models like the one you’re looking at.

Read the report from Howard Ramsay and see you're not alone. The claimed fuel economy is 14.3 L/100 km for your model in urban, or city driving, but it the ultimate real life outcome depends heavily on the sort of driving you're doing. I reckon the dealer is probably correct, there isn't much wrong with your car.

While the ZD30 engine should have been a major step forward in terms of technology with common-rail technology and double overhead camshafts, in reality, the engine was not one of Nissan’s finest moments. Bottom end failures were not uncommon with cracked pistons necessitating full rebuilds.

Several causes have been suggested including poor fuel-air ratio management and boost spikes form the turbocharger putting sudden, huge loads on the engine’s internals. Either way, though, the engine is far from remembered fondly.

CarsGuide has looked at this engine in depth, and even published a guide to the Nissan Patrol ZD30 engine.

THE 3-litre turbodiesel has a propensity to melt pistons. I've been told the later ones don't have the problem, but I've also been told they're no better, and Nissan won't say anything, which makes me suspicious. I would avoid it, particularly if you're doing much highway driving, because that seems to bring it on.

Early 3.0-litre turbo-diesel Patrols were trouble, but the engines of the later years are not giving any trouble to speak of. It's important to check for a service record, changing the oil regularly is critical to a long engine life. Also check the diff bushes. It's recommended that you have your chosen car checked by a mechanic with knowledge of Patrols.

We haven’t heard of any problems with the new liquid-injection technology, but it is relatively new and yet to be fully proven like the alternative vapour-injection system. There is plenty of debate over the benefits of liquid-injection, the proponents of the technology claim substantial increases in power and economy, while opponents, those who favour the well-proven vapour-injection technology say the benefits are minimal and not worth the risk that comes with being a pioneer and adopting the new technology. As an aside we have heard that Ford has delayed introduction of its Euro 4 E-gas engine, which was to use liquid-injection, for at least six months. While the reasons for the delay are not clear, it has been suggested it could be because of refueling problems at high ambient temperatures. That’s speculation at this stage, but whatever the problem it’s serious enough to have Ford going ahead without an E-gas option for the next few months.