Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi guys,

I have noticed over the last few months it seems like my patrol is getting sluggier and sluggier. The slightest uphill on the highway it gears to 4th, and more often than not down to 3rd. We cart our rubbish away on a trailer from the farm to the landfill, and climbing the hill up to the farm gate (tar road) is about 160m uphill over 2,3km. With an EMPTY trailer on the back, my trollies gears down to second. I honestly think if I had a fully loaded offroad trailer on it I wouldn't make it up that hill at all.

I have changed the petrol filter, and that made a slight difference for a short while, now its getting worse and worse again. Another thing I noticed is that it sometimes feels like its got a turbo, id be accelerating uniformly and at certain revs it pushes me back in my seat, then slacks again. Sometimes does this twice in one gear at different rpm's. Its a 4.8 GRX Auto.

Any ideas? I stay in Nelspruit, and seeing as I would have to sell my wife and kids to put a deposit on the petrol i'll need to get to Graham, I'm hoping one of you have had similar issues that I might be able to sort out myself to save me the drive (money).

Also when in High Range 4x4 on uphills, there's a loud whack sound every now and then coming from the front of the vehicle. Snapped off tooth on the diff??

Sharp :)

Gav

Fuel pump. Test the pressure, should be 3.5 barr on idle.
Or pinch the return pipe with a rag and vicegripp. By closing off the return the pressure will go up and the car would perform better.( this is for test purposes)
If so, the pump had its days.
Rdgs
Frans

What I mean with rag and vicegripp. Do not dissconect the return pipe. Use the rag over the pipe and then clamp the pipe with the vice grip. This wont dammage the pipe.

Frans

Does the tired fuel pump explain thee irregularity of the power?
I know before my pump was replaced, the car was just generally "pap", little power.
But in this case the car seems to jerk with more and then less power.

To me it sounds fuel starvation. And yes a pump not delivering the right pressure and or volume will make the car sick.
The ecu are mapped to do diffirent jobs @ one set fuel pressure. Now if the pump fail the " mapping so to speak go out"
Not two of the same parts fail in the same matter.
Rdgs

Why don't you just give graham a ring maybe he can suggest something or put you in touch with someone in the lowvelt. I would sell my wife and kids to live down your part of the world!!

The noise sounds like locking hubs to me. Try locking them manually to see if it makes a difference?

Might be cheaper to fly Graham to Nelspruit than drive to Centurion

No man nelspruit is about 400km...thats a tank and a little bit there and back

Sharp guys thanks man,

@Frans, Where is the return pipe so that I can test that?? If possible, could you post a photo??

Ja this thing has me confused, because I know the 4.8 should be super strong, and on a flat road it is, but the slightest hill and it sukkels...

Will try locking the hubs manually and see what happens.