Nissan Patrol GR

[austin10_4]

Purchased one last year, and also a caravan. The car is far too bug for the caravan anyway so im thinking about downsizing.
Anyway, driving down the motorway on monday suddenly changed down into 4th Gear and an almighty great crucnh noise followed by a sudden compression loss in the engine. You can clearly hear it is only running on 3 cylinders. The noise also sounded like something being chewed up in a fan, most probaly the turbo. Anyone have any idea what this could be before i send it to the garage. Its too specialist for me to carry out. I thought it could be,
Turbo Packed Up
Head Gasket (What another one!!)
Injector Valve
Exhaust Valve

im not very good at modern engine but just thought id share it with you all!

 

[austin10_4]

forgot to mention, ALOT of black smoke is being blown out the exhaust with unburnt diesel. smells like plastic and engine is shaking around a heck of alot in the bonnet

 

[Banjo]

Oof.. Us bloaks on this side of the pond probably won't be of much help. The Nissan Patrol is not imported to the U.S. And even if it was, we woulden't be lucky enough to get a turbo diesel version.
The U.S. market has not picked up on the advantages of diesel cars. Only our oversized status symbol pickup trucks (most of which never get used for what pickup trucks were actually designed for) seem to be acceptable homes for diesel engines.
But there's probably someone here that knows them inside and out.

 

[Nunyas]

a bit off topic, but seems VW is trying to bring the diesel powered car back to the US. I saw a new Jetta TDI on my way home today.

 

[swift6]

VW and Mercedes have been stalwarts of trying to 'enlighten' US customers about the benefits of Diesel engined passengers cars for decades. VW used to offer a diesel version of the Rabbit (Golf Mk1) in the late 1970's and Mercedes has had turbocharged and non-turbocharged diesel sedans from at least the mid 70's as well. My mom's first Mercedes was a 1978 300D (non Turbocharged diesel). After that she went through two 300SD's (an '83 and an '85) before she went back to a gasoline engine in her 430ML (SUV). The non-turbo charged cars were gutless but would cruise all day long at 85mph (but wouldn't go any faster). The S-Class Turbo-diesels would jump off the line if you wanted them too and could easily pull 120mph ( /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif ). My step dad is currently using a 2004 VW TDI Jetta as his commuter and is averaging 48mpg. That modern Jetta keeps pace with traffic at all speeds, doesn't blast any black smoke when you stomp on the gas and you can barely hear the diesel rattle standing next to the car. You can't hear it when your in it. The real sad part is that the best European diesels that we see over here are old tech compared to the current crop of diesels across the pond.

 

[Sherlock]

I saw an interesting Toyota Land Cruiser tonight... It's the basic body design of the FJ40, but a 4-door station wagon version... And it's also a left-hand-drive version...

It was parked in the parking lot of the local Toyota dealership minus licence plates, but in decent shape from all appearances, except for being typically rough around the edges (as per old 4x4's anyway)

And it did have a windshield sticker from a 4x4 club in Ottawa...

Photos you ask? Of course I took some, which are currently being downloaded off the camera amongst all the other photos I took tonight...

 

[70herald]

Turbo Packed Up
Head Gasket (What another one!!)
Injector Valve
Exhaust Valve

Yep valves are most likely quite possibly hit the piston, maybe even sent a bit of junk downstream and took out the turbo.

I am not familiar with the engine (but I like the Patrol, not my style of vehicle but if i really wanted a mid sized SUV, I would certainly look at one) but if it was mine, I would open up the cover on the head, and see if there what the valve stems look like. If all looks normal you could try starting it and see if all the valves really are moving. Any more troubleshooting is going to require taking the head off.

your best bet is probably calling around to some wrecking yards and finding a good used engine.

 

[Nunyas]

Given that the car is about a year old, shouldn't the power and drive train be covered under warranty? I'd leave the innards alone if you still have warranty coverage.

 

[austin10_4]

Just as i thought my current car situation couldnt get any worse, it just has.

The car has no warranty left.
The main problem is a damaged piston (i took itto the garage today). They said the oil has all burnt off and thats what the smoke it. I am looking at literally thousands of pounds to have this repaired, as it has almost certaintly damaged the engine block and head aswell as whatever is flew off into.
So, it seems my best option is to find a replacement refurbished engine in good nick.
Has anyone, PLEASE, got even the remotest knowledge of where to get hold of one, or how much it would cost, (In pounds preferably!!).
I'm totally screwed with this one, as i still have alot of money left to pay on the car!
Cheers

 

[Nunyas]

ACK! I'm very sorry to hear that! I wish I could offer ya more than just my empathy. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

 

[70herald]

Ouch, that hurts.
Not sure where to get one in the UK, but the Patrol has been around for a few years so there have to be some which have been totaled. Ask your garage to recommend a supplier for used engines. I would not have the engine rebuilt exactly for the reasons you point out (possible damage to the heads, block...) Also the wrecking yards frequently are interconnected nowadays so that they can send out a request to all the other yards around the country when they need parts for a slightly less common vehicle.