3 Litre is it a bad engine?

[jims-terrano]

I’m rather puzzled by this. Ive seen on a Facebook group a number of people that will tell you the 3 Litre is a bad engine. I just don’t get it as in all the years I’ve been on here I don’t recollect any major issues cropping up. All I remember seeing is the oil pressure sensor and the odd thing that crops up but nothing springs to mind.

Has anyone got any ideas?

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

I’m rather puzzled by this. The Faceache group that goes by the same name as our forum has a number of people that will tell you the 3 Litre is a bad engine. I just don’t get it as in all the years I’ve been on here I don’t recollect any major issues cropping up. All I remember seeing is the oil pressure sensor and the odd thing that crops up but nothing springs to mind.

Has anyone got any ideas?

I'm a relative newbie to the ZD30 myself but look forward to using one as a daily to do a good 30 miles each way to and from work soon. I've decided I'm going to put Terrance into temporary retirement and sort a few niggles out on it including the front arches, rubber arch inners, Bosch Injector Pump, interior parts etc etc.

It gets some bad press due to the early issues with the ones they put in the Patrol from what I've read but this was sorted out in the later ones, it seems the only problem ZD30 engines were fitted into the earlier Patrols, something to do with oil pathways? I believe this is why people do the NADS mods too Barrbeast will be along shortly

By the time the ZD30 got into the Terrano it was strong and reliable, only issues really is the dodgy oil pressure switch issue that I know of, I think sometimes people just jump on the bandwagon when someone else shares an opinion.

Hate to say it as well but a lot of guys probably wish they had one over their 2.7 and is probably just jealousy

[solarman216]

Zac is about right, the only thing I can add is stick with neat diesel, Rick

[Mr K]

That's pretty much it as far as I know them too. I've never had one though.

But I've also seen early patrol 3.0s do 160,000 miles plus no problems and also heard of later Patrol engines giving up the ghost but very rarely.

Never heard of a Terrano one going though I must say.

Banshee....Terrance.....Retirement.....
Are you thinking of keeping the 3.0 and getting rid of Terrance?

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by Mr K

That's pretty much it as far as I know them too. I've never had one though.

But I've also seen early patrol 3.0s do 160,000 miles plus no problems and also heard of later Patrol engines giving up the ghost but very rarely.

Never heard of a Terrano one going though I must say.

Banshee....Terrance.....Retirement.....
Are you thinking of keeping the 3.0 and getting rid of Terrance?

Nope!!! It's temporary so it can stay in parts for a while so I don't have to worry about getting it back on the road for the next morning for the commute to work.

I think I'd struggle if I had to get rid of Terrance

[micken]

My 3.0l is still a smoker but it just got through mot on a single advisory, arb drop link. I've got 2 to put on and see how it goes. If I was able to have sorted the smokey engine by now I would have gone for rose joints.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by micken

My 3.0l is still a smoker but it just got through mot on a single advisory, arb drop link. I've got 2 to put on and see how it goes. If I was able to have sorted the smokey engine by now I would have gone for rose joints.

Black and sooty?

[jims-terrano]

Pretty much how I saw the 3 litre too. There’s a lot of untruths banded about on there as well as bad advice. Glad we got this place.

As for the soot smoke, mines improved now I’ve stopped using supermarket fuel which seems to go against what I have always thought that there’s no difference in quality.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Pretty much how I saw the 3 litre too. There’s a lot of untruths banded about on there as well as bad advice. Glad we got this place.

As for the soot smoke, mines improved now I’ve stopped using supermarket fuel which seems to go against what I have always thought that there’s no difference in quality.

Meh!!!! Diesel

If it don't smell like chips then it aint going in

[jims-terrano]

Hmmmm glad you are joking

[Mr K]

Please never ever use supermarket fuel!!!!!!!!!

Especially on new age diesels, in my opinion, a sure way to shorten the life of your fuel system.
Fuel pump, injectors, injector seals, engine, everything.

I hate the stuff big style!

[jims-terrano]

What about the likes of Shell V Power, is that any better than standard Shell?

Have to say my little Skoda 1.2TSi seems to have a heck of a lot more go about it with V Power.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

What about the likes of Shell V Power, is that any better than standard Shell?

Have to say my little Skoda 1.2TSi seems to have a heck of a lot more go about it with V Power.

Tests have proven that shell v power will give you the biggest hp increase of all the higher octane fuels but is that what you really need for your vehicle that's up to you.

If I was to choose a fuel to map my rb25 engine on, it would be shell v power without a doubt. But on a 'normal' engine normal fuel is fine just not supermarket fuel.

[micken]

Originally Posted by Banshee

Black and sooty?

Yes, when the weather turns a bit more pleasant I'm going to flush with a few oil changes and try out a few ideas. Have found that it can run nice if solenoid boost control is replaced with just needle valve. Have Dawes valve to play with too and have used a variable resistor to lower the voltage from the MAF to ECU.

Possibilities still include injector spray pattern and piston rings but I'm not too sure how far I want to get into having the head off etc.

Another thing is that it's auto so that throws in a few more variables on the ECU side, Sport mode and Snow mode for example.

You've got to love your 3.0l haven't you?

[terranosaurusdoug]

Originally Posted by micken

Yes, when the weather turns a bit more pleasant I'm going to flush with a few oil changes and try out a few ideas. Have found that it can run nice if solenoid boost control is replaced with just needle valve. Have Dawes valve to play with too and have used a variable resistor to lower the voltage from the MAF to ECU.

Possibilities still include injector spray pattern and piston rings but I'm not too sure how far I want to get into having the head off etc.

Another thing is that it's auto so that throws in a few more variables on the ECU side, Sport mode and Snow mode for example.

You've got to love your 3.0l haven't you?

Do a youtube search on this stuff, I'm doing mine soon, well soonish its flippin cold round innit

EDIT: Well it would not upload the pic, the stuff is called Diesel Purge by Liquimoly.