Nissan Problems

Clutches are becoming a problem with modern cars, many of which are wearing out or failing at quite low kays. The D40 Nissan is one that we often get complaints about, and 38,000 km is way too few for a clutch under normal driving conditions. Nissan’s reaction that it is a wear and tear issue, but I would say that it is not ‘fair’ wear and tear. You have two options, seek the advice of a four-wheel-drive specialist and have a heavy-duty clutch fitted that will last longer, or consider taking Nissan to court. If you choose the latter get the advice of your state consumer advice people.

Nissan specialist Jerry Newman tells us that 20w-50w is regarded as a little heavy for a modern multi-valve engine, and that 10w-40w or 15w-40w is preferable depending on the temperature of the area you live in. Either grade would be suitable for your area, but the 10w-40w would be better if you were driving regularly to the snow where it would be much colder.

I would have suggested that you clean the injectors, but as you have already done that I would go through the plugs, leads, coils etc. and make sure all is well with them, and make sure the idle is correct.

The dealer’s advice is correct that your transmission is working normally as it should. Nissan specialist Jerry Newman told us there is no quick fix that would enable the transmission to select fourth as you would like it to.

It’s probably not doing any serious damage, but it’s unusual that the synchroes should be worn as is suggested. Make sure you’re fully disengaging the clutch when you shift and try shifting a little slower and giving the synchroes a little more time to work. You could also try double de-clutching to see if that helps. If it proves to be a case of worn synchroes have the gearbox rebuilt and replaced.

There have been issues with the catalytic converters overheating and breaking up and being ingested into the engine with Pathfinders running on LPG and installers generally don't recommend it. The guys at the Australian LPG Warehouse tell us that they have recently fitted a Pathfinder with one of their JTG liquid-injection systems.  They tell us that the combustion temperature with their system is the same as it would be on petrol, alleviating the problem with the cat converters.

Putting the blankets over the engine and bonnet means the engine doesn't cool as much while sitting overnight, so isn't as cold when you come to start it in the morning. I'd say you need a new battery, one with good cold cranking power, as I reckon the drain on the battery as it tries to turn the engine over is too high and the engine isn't getting enough power to start. Once it fires it's fine, that's because it's then not having to power the starter.

I have to assume you are talking about diesel engines here and want to swap a 3.0-litre turbo engine for a 4.2-litre non-turbo. In that case it is possible to make the swap without major surgery, but it is likely to be hard to find a decent 4.2-litre engine and gearbox. You might be better to install a 4.2-litre turbo diesel, that way you would get the better performance, but again finding an engine for the swap would be difficult. It would be more economical to swap your car for another one with the engine and gearbox combination you want.

We haven’t had any other such reports at Cars Guide, perhaps our readers could let us know if they have experienced the same problem. To find the cause you need to establish what is, or perhaps more importantly, what isn’t happening. Are there any leaks around the heater? Is the core blocked or broken? Are all the hoses intact etc.?

I would top it up and watch it for a week or two. If it drops substantially then take it back and have it checked, but if all was well before the service there’s no reason to think anything has happened during the service to change that. Trying to prove the mechanic didn’t top it up properly is too difficult to attempt. If you’re unhappy with him go somewhere else next time.