If You Own a Y61/GU Nissan Patrol With a ZD30 3.0L DI/CR Turbo Diesel Engine, These Are Invaluable Tips To Help You Increase The Life Expectancy Of Your Engine.
The ZD30 Engine Has Suffered a Poor Reputation For Premature Failures Including Melting/Cracking Pistons And Over-Boosting, Largely Due To Some Common Issues.
These Engines Run a Variable Vane Turbocharger With Boost Controlled Via A Electric Boost Controller & ECU, And To Meet Emission Standards, These Vehicles Run An Exhaust Gas Re-Circulation (EGR) System. Being A High Compression Engine Causes The ZD30 To Be a Heavy Breathing Engine, Oil Vapour Is Forced Into The Inlet Pipe From The Rocker Cover Breather Contaminating The (MAF) & (MAP) Sensor's, Working Its Way Through The Intercooler And Into The Inlet Manifold. The EGR System Can And Will Turn This Oil Vapour Into a Thick Tar-Like Consistency, Blocking Inlet Runners, Which In Turn Can Lead To Poor Fuel Economy & Power, Some Cylinders Running Rich And Some Lean Resulting In Melted Pistons And A Failed Turbocharger.
So What Can You Do To Prevent Some Of These From Happening?
Fit An Oil/Air Separator (Catch Can). This Will Reduce The Amount Of Oil Vapour/Blowby Entering The Air Inlet System.
An EGR Blanking Plate Will Stop Hot Exhaust Gasses Entering The Inlet Manifold & Also Make The Engine Run Smoother.
Clean The Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Located In The Inlet Pipe Near The Airbox Every 10,000KM. A Contaminated MAF Sensor Can Cause Poor Communication To Ecu Resulting In Overboost/Underboost Condition.
Fit a Boost Gauge And An Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Gauge. Whilst This Won't Prevent Anything, It Will Give You a Heads Up Of Any Issues.
Fit a Free-Flowing Exhaust System, This Will Lower EGT’S Dramatically. We Recommend Full 3" Mandrel Bent Exhaust Systems (Turbo Back).
If You Are Noticing Boost Pressure Spikes Over 20psi (Up To 25psi Is Not Uncommon) From Factory Boost Controllers, Fit a Boost Limiting Device Such As a Dawes Valve Or Tilix System. These Can Be Set So That The Turbo Can't Boost Over Say 18psi.
Some More Handy Tips & Tricks
If Your Intercooler Looks As Though It Has Oil Leaking From It, It Can Also Leak Boost Pressure. Whitch In Turn Will Cause The Turbocharger To Overspeed As Its Spining Faster To Try To Make Up The Lost Pressures. Replacement Units Where The Tanks Are Welded On Instead Of The Factory Crimp Fittings Are Available And Recommended.
Have Your Inlet Manifold Removed And Cleaned. We Have Seen Inlet Runners Closest To The EGR Almost 50% Blocked.
Most New Diesel Engines Need Regular Maintenance Done, Every 5000KM-7500KM Is Best Using The Correct Grade Diesel Oil.
A Good Drive Once A Month To Clean Out Carbon Deposits Will Help The Engine Out Dramatically, Short Drives Are The Biggest Killer For Most Petrol & Diesel Engines.
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