Dying Patrol

[pbrandrick]

Gents
I am reaching the end of my tether with my 2013 3.0 GL Patrol.
Since 84000 km the car is cutting out on the first trip of each day once the tank fuel level goes below half.
My Nissan Dealer first replaced both the main filter and water trap Problem un resolved.
Vehicle went in again for three weeks and had the common rail and pressure switch changed Problem unresolved.
Vehicle went in for three weeks priming (Hand) pump changed Problem unresolved.
At one stage Nissan RSA requested permission for one of their staff to use the vehicle to experience/resolve the problem. The feedback was that the long range tank was the issue. I checked with the supplier, their tank utilizes the original sender unit to which the suction is connected and it is located the same distance from the bottom of the tank. Notwithstanding the fact that the tank has been in for at least 65000km.
The vehicle cuts out at almost exactly the same place on my route to work when the tank level gets below half and will not start unless I utilize the hand pump to prime it. If the tank is full the engine wants to die when I change gears but manages not to cut out.
Furthermore I have complained about the car surging when accelerating since new and I believe the two problems are related.
I believe that the fuel lines are draining back to the tank when the car stands overnight.

Has anyone experienced this? Can any one give me any advice?

[Wilkie]

Hi paul , just and easy simple test is to install a electric fuel pump (temporary) before the fuel line goes into the fuel filter , but one of those ones from midas or spares places(FACET)
it makes loud noises when its sucking air and you can feel it and hear it pumping specially when its not getting fuel..
1 if while you driving and you can hear that pumpmake a fast pumping noise your problem is between the tank and filter.i had a land cruiser with the same problem and the pickup pipe
inside the tank had hairline crack in it
2 if while you driving and the pump is working normally and it still doing it then its something to do with pump and ecu
3take it to Graham

[pbrandrick]

Thanks Wilkie
I was also thinking of putting a check valve in the line from the tank just for a test. Do you think this would harm the pump.

Who is Graham?

[Tinus lotz]

Hello en welkom hier
Joshj op die forum het dieselfde probleem gehad en het dieselde kar as joune ek kannie mooi onthou nie maar hy sal al die detail hê...josh bly in secunda maar is op kursus in jhb vir die volgende week miskien moet jy sy masjien ry jy ga skrik as jy sien hoe mooi hulle kan loop

[Herrie]

Graham is van G-Tech!

[Brett Bignoux]

GOOD DAY GENTS .

Your vehicle is suffering from fuel starvation . It may just be a loose hose clamp on the fuel line or a problem with the pickup tube in the tank .
Check your fuel line for any wet areas . Check the flow rate through the fuel line , a clogged pickup strainer in the tank will cause power loss and / or the pump to suck air from anywhere it can . If possible , remove the pipe between the priming pump and injector pump to see the flow rate and to look for air bubbles while pumping the priming pump .
Check your fuel line for damage / crushing from stones that have been thrown up from dirt roads . Any of your pipes have kinks in them ? Are your filters screwed on properly ? I hope this helps you guys .

[JoshJ]

Hi Paul,

I had the same problem with my 3.0GL. Since day one it stalled as soon as the tank gets around qauter. I had to prime it and then off I went. Nissan checked all the feul lines for air leaks. They replaced the feul tank pick up, after removing and inspecting the tank. They where at the point of changing the feul pump, when the one machanic suggested bypassing the water trap filter for a test. They bypassed the filter and I was able to drive the car empty. They did not suspect the filters for the car only had around 1700km on the odo when the problem accured. When we saw that the filter might be the problem they replaced them and cut open the old ones. They where full of sludgy stuff.
I did notice you said that they replaced filters on yours. This is where I think my blessing in disguise was. They did not have stock of the VIN suggested water trap filter. So the workshop manager took a blue filter of the shelf and installed it. Aparently this is the common water trap filter used in nissans hardbodies, older Patrols and small trucks. I have since only replaced this filter with the same blue tipe filter. This filter is not cover by the service plan. So the reason why I always replaced with the blue filter is money. This filter costs R241 at nissan. The silver VIN suggested filter costs R1200.
I think that the silver one might be to fine, and the blue one a bit more coarse. Hence it is normally used on older 500ppm diesel engines.
The filter sits on the right hand side if you are infront of the car. Maybe you can bypass it for a test. Nothing should go wrong because you still have the particle filter on the left. Or you can buy one and try it.

I will try and find an old one and post a pic with the part number for you tommorrow.

[Kagiso II]

There is a pipe that is bent.

[pbrandrick]

Gents
Thanks for all the information. I have been to see my Nissan dealer. The car is going in again on Tuesday. They have planned to remove the fuel pump and injectors and send in for test. I will share all the information received from the forum. I will let you guys know what the outcome is

[Wilkie]

goodluck is this under warranty ??