Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi all.
I need some advice. My arse is itching to flog my 95' Pajero 3500 V6 for a Patrol 3L diesel. I found a 2002 for sale for R90k with 212k OD with the following description from the owner. "Motor still runs but been using water, about a liter a week, turbo is blown". Firstly - would you purchase this patrol for that price? What could the cause be for the water usage and what do you think repairing such a motor could cost inc the turbo?
Who's the best person/workshop in JHB to chat to with regards to this and who could possibly repair the vehicle if i do decide to purchase?
Would replacing the motor or repairing be best? I got a quotation form MYMautoWorld for an imported Zd30t motor with less than 100k OD for R20K.

CBotha wrote: ↑10 May 2018 10:02 Hi all.
I need some advice. My arse is itching to flog my 95' Pajero 3500 V6 for a Patrol 3L diesel. I found a 2002 for sale for R90k with 212k OD with the following description from the owner. "Motor still runs but been using water, about a liter a week, turbo is blown". Firstly - would you purchase this patrol for that price? What could the cause be for the water usage and what do you think repairing such a motor could cost inc the turbo?
Who's the best person/workshop in JHB to chat to with regards to this and who could possibly repair the vehicle if i do decide to purchase?
Would replacing the motor or repairing be best? I got a quotation form MYMautoWorld for an imported Zd30t motor with less than 100k OD for R20K.

Welcome to the forum.

I'd be very careful of that vehicle. 3L Patrols prior to 2004 (IIRC) were known as "hand grenades", as the motors seemed to regularly blow up. The fact that it's using water is probably also quite a bad sign.

I'd suggest you chat to Graham Cumming from G-Tech ("Pathmaker" on the forum), or Michael Steyn from Soho Automotive ("michael" on the forum). Michael specialises in TD42 stuff, and that might be an awesome motor to replace the damaged 3L for, but I'm not sure of diff / gear ratio differences in terms of 3L vs 4.2. He'll be able to give you good advice though.

Good luck. Let us know.

Leave that one. Sounds like its destined for the scrap yard.

You say you currently have a v6, so youre not scared of fuel consumption - I would recommend you look for a 4.5 Patrol

R90k is a lot of money if you have to replace the engine..
water usage can be a cracked head.

R90k for a 2002...... nope not with a "suspect motor".

That model of ZD30 motor was a problem child for Nissan. Having said that, there are a few guys here on the forum that have the same ZD30 motors that pull like a steam train, but they have been looked after, with preventitive maintenence having already been done.

One can keep that motor, strip and rebuild properly, and fit the madman and do the EGR blocking thing etc, and new turbo & exhaust and bigger intercooler etc. This will cost a good few Rands though. However once done properly, that motor is quite a beast, and pretty damn good on fuel consumption.

Micheal is a bit of a diesel guru on the Patrols, Graham is also our other Patrol guru, so either one will give you straight up honest advice on what it would cost to do something like this. The value of that Patrol if in good condition is probably around R120K if the motor was known to be in good shape. You are going to spend a lot .... buying it for R90 and spending lets say R50 - R60k or more if the head is cracked ( water usage ), then it is not worth it in my opinion. However...... If you can get it for R 70 and you spend R70k on a TD42 conversion that Micheal does, then R140 - R150k for that will be acceptable as the TD42's are quite sought after, hence the higher selling prices. But I don't know what all is entailed in converting a ZD30 Patrol into a TD42 Patrol beast

The Pajero and the 4.5 Patrol are not too different engine power/drivability wise. The Patrol size is bigger though and exceptional articulation make it a great 4x4 and touring machine, but if you are looking for a more fuel efficient way to go, then The TD42 will be a bit better, and then the ZD30 will be the best in that regard..... It's a tough call ....

By the way ... I was guessing the prices to rebuild and/or do the conversion..... Speak to the guru's

I would walk away!! If you are going to replace the motor with a 4.2 you are looking at about R65K for a rebuilt motor fitted and tuned, so why pay R90K?? Rather look for one with a blowen motor and pay 50-60K for it then put in a 4.2

Speak to Micheal!!!!!!!!!! he is the diesel man.

Anything is possible - only factor is budget

What is overall condition of rest of vehicle???

Anny extra's?

Pic's if possible to get better overall idea on vehicle.

Turn and walk, not worth the hassle. You will be spending R 150k in the end to fix it up where you could get a decent 4.5 or maybe even a 4.8 for that price.

offroadbiker wrote: ↑10 May 2018 11:32 Speak to Micheal!!!!!!!!!! he is the diesel man.

Anything is possible - only factor is budget

What is overall condition of rest of vehicle???

Anny extra's?

Pic's if possible to get better overall idea on vehicle.

It has a bigger intercooler, Catch can, EGR is blanked, Daws valve and needle, 75mm stainless exhaust from turbo to tailpipe.

Snorkel, ARB front bumper. Drawer system. leather seats. ARB front locker with compressor and standard rear.

Cracked heads were replaced on 174K OD. So 50,000 KM ago.

Hmmm... then why the water leak...... interesting......

ok ... here is the crunch question ..... does that Patrol have an EGT gauge wit an audible alarm already fitted, and how long has it been fitted.

This will tell you also if the motor has been at least monitored.

The heads having been replaced can be a tricky one. Many years back I bought a brand new head for my TD42 ( not from the agents, and for less than half the price of Nissan ), that had an issue where the water ports had not been frilled out properly on some of the ports around the head. Unfortunately, I never checked them when I fitted the head, and a few months later .... the head cracked. So where did the heads come from? Who fitted them?

It is a chance you will take with that motor. But I think that is an expensive chance. If I were you, I would open the motor up anyway... so there are going to be costs involved. While open, replace the pistons and rings and bearings. ( minimal cost due to nothing having been broken). Have the head checked out by a proper engineering shop. Who knows, it may have just been a leaky head gasket. And here again, I am a FIRM believer in the head gasket being bought from Nissan. This motors run high compression. ( I know the TD42 motor is something like 22.7:1 !!!!)... so then you should have a good motor if all of the above that you mentioned has been done.

Then you take it to Steves Auto Clinic in Boksburg to tune as I believe from what I've heard, they have some knowledge on setting up the injector pump properly for SA conditions.

However... it is your call completely.... personally R90k is still a bit high for what you will need to do to ensure piece of mind