Concerns about a 4.2 motor

[Russ Kellermann]

To redo a 4.2 NA motor should be in the region of 40k-55k , but,...it all depends on what is done, where it is done, and what parts are used. ie:these figures could be higher, but also lower.

If i could offer my opinion. Please dont go and buy a 4.2 that has a turbo,or has had a turbo (obviously) . Stick with your original choice and purchase the original 4.2 NA motor, you just know its gonna have had less abuse and you'll run a lower risk of a dud vehicle. (yes yes guys, i know any vehicles can be a dud, but in general this is true)

I've seen quite a few around of late, let me know your price range, no matter what it is,between x and x , and i'll help you look. (you can PM me this info if you dont want to post it here)

[tour de frans]

Hello
If I may ask,What is wrong with a 4.2 Turbo enjine?
Rdgs
Frans

[SRXy]

Nothing wrong with the 4.2D Turbo...it's the monkey who operated the right pedal that might be the problem...lol. Turbo diesels (especially after market added ones) always have that extra bit of potential risk, if the previous owner wanted max power without consideration for engine longevity then chances are the engine won't last very long...there are plenty of cowboys in SA who drive turbo diesels, but don't seem to understand the difference between a TD and a petrol engine (Jislaaik it, this turbo diesel pulls like a train hey!". That being said, if the guy looked after his vehicle and serviced it when it he was supposed too, then there shouldn't be any problems at all! I would never buy a 2nd-hand 4.2D that had been turboed that doesn't have some kind of service history (at least to show the oil was changed and what oil was used!). There seems to be plenty guys out there that think "oil is oil" and whatever you get can go in. When you add the extra heat generated from boosting that's where I reckon the problem will come in. These engines aren't invincible...they can break like all other engines I reckon. If someone like yourself own's it and know's what they're doing then the chances of having issues a pretty minimal....but I reckon the majority of people don't have a clue and "pop-goes-the-diesel". If some moegoe did the injector service/setting or it was tuned by the appie then you are basically playing the lottery when you buy the vehicle.

I had a chat with a good family friend who's been a diesel mech for 30+yrs (mainly on heavy construction vehicles like Caterpillars etc) and reckons that modern TD's are pretty tough and don't suffer from a lot of the "old wisdom" beliefs from the early TD's. He swears by TD's and won't drive anything else, but he's adamant that a driver can dramatically reduce the engine's lifespan if he drives it like a petrol and doesn't pay too much attention to servicing. He says that there's a big difference between a modern turbo-diesel and our old-school 4.2D's, but he doesn't see why they can't be turboed and why they shouldn't last as long with a "reasonable boost", but they need to be serviced regularly. I'm still dead keen to slap a turbo on the wee-beasty...I must give you a call sometime soon about the manifold etc!

[ricster]

my search is still on-going..........come to daddy my little (big) 4.2 diesel......come safely to daddy.....daddy will look after you...

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE SELL ME YOUR NICE 1998 - 1999 4.2 DIESEL...PLEASE......HA HA

[SRXy]

Oh...ok...you twisted my arm...I suppose I could be convinced to let "The Wee Beasty" go for R1million...but only cos you're such a nice guy!

[ricster]

WOW !!!.....only a million ..... I'll fax you a cheque straight away ...

oh..shhhh....oops, I mean oh dear....I missed the powerball lotto..... watch out the faxed cheque will bounce....

[tour de frans]

Hello SRXy
I agree with you on the service and how you drive/handle a car/enjine.The biggest enjine killer we all know are,start a cold enjin,petrol or diesel and drive it flat foot full boost...
You are most welcome to have a look at my turbo setup or to phone me.If I am not mistaken you are from Cape Town?If so you can visit me in a week or two.I am finishing Pieter du Toit's 4.2 transplant and then I am going to pull my enjine to develop some more on it.My turbo are fitted a year and a half ago,and my car is still running great.I want to better some internals on the enjine,not for duribility but for more horses.Durebility those 4.2's dont come short.My 4.2 are making 130kw and 400nm,I am going to make the enjine more efficient,and that will give more power.I would like to see 150kw and 500nm,but The fuel pump are to small to keep up,the turbo are whay big enough to make that power,but you need fuel.So I will see where it will end up...
For what it's worth.I ran my enjine @ 1.5bar boost for 6 months,never missed a beat or blow by...I changed the boost to 1bar and other impeller on the compressor side of the turbo,The power went up,more airflow.
Dennis on the forum,ran his 4.2 @ 1.8 bar boost,for ages.He won his class in AUS.(with a diesel)
What I am trying to say is that the Nissan 4.2 diesel are a very strong enjin! I can not speak for other diesels.Yes and it does not matter how strong a enjine are,Like you said if you do not look after it,it will let you down in a big matter.
Rdgs
Frans

[Pieter du Toit]

To redo a 4.2 NA motor should be in the region of 40k-55k , but,...it all depends on what is done, where it is done, and what parts are used.

Hi Russ,

I beg to differ a bit from you - from my own experience with my TD42T project. The figure you projected in your post will most probably be in that region if you use only Nissan original parts - but behold - it will take you the better part of a year to get the job done

Firstly we did my engine over completely (except for pistons) - and all in all I am currently just over R26000-00 - of which roughly R5000-00 was just for the 24v/12v conversion. And I was not "suinig" - we used good quality aftermarket parts. Frans is full of sh*t when it comes to vehicles he works on - and he will not let you buy the cheapest crap because he knows it will only come back to him at the end of the day.

If i could offer my opinion. Please dont go and buy a 4.2 that has a turbo,or has had a turbo (obviously) . Stick with your original choice and purchase the original 4.2 NA motor, you just know its gonna have had less abuse and you'll run a lower risk of a dud vehicle. (yes yes guys, i know any vehicles can be a dud, but in general this is true)

I am glad you are only offering your opinion and reffering to in general - because that is exactly what your statement is - an opinion in general. (It sounds harsh but there is no ill intent meant here - all in good spirit). I bought a TD42T motor - imported from Japan - so no one knows exactly what it has been put through or how it was looked after. That is why we decided to open it and make sure everything is 100% fine - and to hell with the so called "warranty" given by the importer.

Well the day when we took the head off and Frans could see the pistons he said that the enigne is in an excellent condition - in fact most things he came about indicated to him that the engine is still a virgin - in otherwords we were the first to see the inside of it. His exact words to me was "Pieter we might as well have put this engine straight into your car". The thing is you will never know until you are there - and the last thing I wanted was to be stuck in the middle of Mozambique or Botswana in the middle of December with a broken vehicle. Now I have piece of mind that my engine is in a 100% condition. Even DupDiesel who serviced the diesel pump and turbo said that the turbo is in an excellent conditions and looks like it hardly had done any work!!

Sorry I am off the topic - my point is - anyone who drives our kind of vehicles with any sanity and regard for money is going to (or should rather??) drive his car with respect and maintain it well, very well. If money is no object he might end up abusing it - if it breaks they pay someone like Frans to fix it !!

[ricster]

Don't worry about going off topic mate..... the subject here is "Concerns about a 4.2 motor" .....so thank you for all the replies here. I'm learning a lot and value all "opinions"

But going back a bit to the Blue Patrol (pictures on the first page) I was told, again by the salesman, that the "new" motor that is in there was a transplant done by Nissan from an accident damaged Patrol. He says that they payed R45 odd K to do the transplant. The motor was not opened, but the diesel pump was serviced by Nissan. The salesman said that there was a 3 month warranty on the motor but this has since expired as they have had the Patrol on their floor for longer than that. I told them I will in no way offer them anything close to R130k for that. Again this was from the salesman, but he told me that the transplant motor had only done 65 000 Km. I'm in 2 minds as to what I should do. Do I waste time and schlep through to Centurion and try do the paper trail back to Nissan and where that motor comes from or to shut the door on this Patrol.

How tough are the gearboxes and diffs on the 4.2 Patrols? I remember reading somewhere about a weak link on the 5th gear. Can these gearboxes and diffs take a bit of punishment?

[ricster]

Hey Ricster.....have you seen this one??

http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars ... 4186824365

Good milage, if the service history checks out. The photo looks nice. The price is a little high,but maybe you can negotiate a bit? Also, its worth paying a bit more for a good one.

BTW ....I saw the AA report on this one ....hmmm no ...I'll give it a skip I think..... will cost too much to much for repairs..