ZD30 conversion

[Peter Connan]

I don't understand.

Just to make sure i have this straight, you put new pistons and injectors in when you rebuilt, and fitted the EGT gauge at the same time, so these pistons never overheated?

If so, then what the fudge happened?

My innige simpatie.

[Michael]

Watse pistons het jy ingesit Paul?

[Alex Roux]

Paul

My innige simpatie. Dit is die naarste gevoel daai.

Ek stem saam, gegewe jou budget, probeer eerder fix as ombouing.
Die engin vir ombouing is nie noodwendig so duur nie, maar die ombouing self, as reg gedoen sal nooit goedkoop wees nie.

As die pistons ligit was, is die probleem dalk dat die EGT nie reg gelees het nie.
Ek weet die posisie van die sensor maak 'n verskil.
Die pistons was dalk baie warmer as wat jy besef het.

[PaulvdMerwe]

Pieter,
Yip you got it right.
The original engine burned no 1 piston due to a faulty injector. I then overhauled the engine with new pistons.
New injectors and an egt gauge. But I must admit that I did not feel comfortable with the engine. I always felt there was something not quite right. Personally I suspected the headgasket, but there were no clear signs.
So I think that was the cause for the egt's to be on the high side and that cost me dearly now.

[Kagiso II]

The problem with the early ZD 30 engines was the ECU set to Europe avg conditions In Africa that caused OVER FUELING and tha burnt through the piston top.. The EGT guage would NOT register that.
You HAVE to have the ECU reset re programmed to SA conditions otherwise it will granade again.

The injectors should be calibrated at he same time

Sad and sorry to hear of your damage again ..

[PaulvdMerwe]

Michael
Ek dink nie die probleem was met die pistons gewees nie, Ek kan nou nie die maak onthou nie, sal moet gaan opcheck.

Alex
My EGT sensor is pre Turbo en ek het die probe getoets en dit baie akuraat gevind.
Die probleem was dat ek gesukkel het om my EGT's onder 650 te hou. Alhoewel die partol baie goed getrek het (veral na die nuwe turbo) was ek nie gelukkig met die enjin nie.
Ek vermoed dat daar blowby tussen nommer 2 en 3 cylinders was. dalk selfs bietjie na 'n water port toe, aangesien ek van tyd tot tyd gesien het hy stoot water uit by sy oveflow.

Kagiso,
I hear what you are saying, but knowing the previous owner, he did not have any clue of the problems with the 2002 ZD30 motors, he had no boost gauge or EGT gauge installed and drove hard from point a to point B.
The engine failed first time on just over 220 000Km, and that was due to a faulty injector. So if I can ask, how many guys with 3.0 Patrols on this forum has had their ECU's reprogrammed? and would that have made my engine go bang in just 2 850km after rebuild?

[Alex Roux]

Hi Paul

The only reason why I think you could lose a piston after only 2,800km is if the temps were higher, say over 800 degs. I have been told at 900 degs they would melt.

So if it was difficult to keep it below 650, how high did it get?

Reenen in his Hardbody permits his EGT to go to 700degs, and he seems still to be fine.

[PaulvdMerwe]

Alex,
The egt's were manageable below 750. but it was for short periods (under a min)
I must correct myself, initially I thought it hand grenaded on me, but after we striped it yesterday, I can confirm that it heat seized. the heat gauge just never went up due to a shortage of coolant.

[Tinus lotz]

Jis ou dis lelik.....maar as ek jy is sal ek 5 k verloor op n compleet mad man kyk vir water level . Water temp olie olie temp voltage en egt op n ouer kar is dit n nice saftey om te hê

[gupster]

Hi Paul, I too offer condolences to both your Troll and your wallet.

About 2 years ago I phoned a chap who owns a garage in Pretoria and asked about having my 2001 UK Patrol brought in to modify the ECU to SA standards and he said it was not needed because of all the sensors the 3.0 litre has, but I watch this post for further info. My engine had been changed before I bought the car and replaced with a 2005 one. I think your older 2002 still has the smaller oil capacity.

I had no issues with my Patrol but I must admit I nursed it as I was aware of the grenade problem and although I had no EGT, I did have a boost gauge which I watched like a hawk.

What has happened to you really scares me but I think if it was a lack of water and not a grenade, it might be worthwhile to repair that engine again. I bought the Mad Man with all the bells and whistles and am now going to get the low water sensor which I have been putting off.

Regards.