Tragedy has struck

[goldy]

G'day All

TRAGEDY HAS STRUCK.

My ZD 30 has died. Without warning on Sunday arvo it just stopped with a little pop and a sound and feel like it popped out of gear.

The feeling of seeing it dragged onto the tilt tray is not one I want every day.

I don't know at this stage what exactly is wrong, the "doctors" have it and will keep me informed as test results come to hand.

I am finding as I talk to various engine re-builders that the ZD 30 does this regularly !?!??? Some won't even touch them !!

I am shocked, I thought it was good for 400k.

A depressed Goldy

 

[Dave]

Could well just be the injection pump.

Early GU Patrol ZD30's were prone for melting piston's.

Hope its something simple mate.

D22 spec engines run different computers, turbo and run a MAP sensor instead of the AFM like the GU.

There the trouble in the Patrols.

How many km's ?

 

[Leprechaun]

Thats bad luck, Can you give us more details, type of oil, service history/intervals.

ZD owners get a chill up their spine when they hear of yet another one going pop.

 

[goldy]

155k, all with 600kg in the tub many with the little boat

 

[Dave]

What tune is the Chip on ?

No pyro ?

 

[goldy]

Thanks for the good wishes Gents.

My services are at 10k done by my local servo. Been with him for years. All my cars and my 3 sons when they were at home. I will check on the oil and a filter goes in every time, at least I'm charged for one. Having said that I'm confident that Andy is doing what he charges me for.

The chip is at 5 or 6, (about half way). There are no gauges or controls on the turbo, but I think there might be after this.

Had a beer at "the office" this arvo. The usual suspects at the table of knowledge are keen to predict a broken timing chain as the culprit. I think I would be happy with this outcome.

Indicators to this are the short gear clash sound and complete loss of circular motion of the crankshaft. This linked with no apparent compression when turned over points the inexpert mind to this conclusion. Again, I hope this is correct. Could be the cheap way out?

It is now with a bloke that specializes in Nissan, seems to be up front with the shortcomings as well as positives. He is on to various forums like ours picking out good ideas to reduce risks like over boost etc. I feel confident that I will end up with a good result, costly it may be, what do you do?

Goldy

 

[goldy]

I have the report from the specialist.

Turbo gone !! Bits in the top of the motor hence little or no compression.

Once the head comes off all will be revealed. Perhaps the damage will be isolated. Fingers crossed.

Goldy

 

[Bvandermaat]

That is no good to hear mate. Once you get it back on the road look at getting an intercooler and a boost controller. The intercooler will not only cool but act as a catcher should another turbo go.

Keep us informed on the progress mate. Best of luck.

 

[navarian]

Ouch Goldy,sounds expensive.Hope it's not.
Good luck.

 

[Dave]

Mate do you have a turbo timer ?

My Nav has 240,000km's on the clock and is still on the stock turbo.

 

[robmacca]

What actually causes the Turbo to fail? Is it a build up of oil sludge via the EGR?; failure of the bearings?; failure of the fins?; Overheating?, etc

What can be done to prevent this from happening.... other than installing a Intercooler?

Would getting it looked at / serviced by a mechanic every 100,000kms or so prevent any issues from happening?

very interested to know b4 I get one

 

[goldy]

G'day All

I don't know what came off at this stage, I'm hoping it was fins. I guess the failure is over boost?? I was stirring it up at the time of failure. About 3krpm uphill in 2nd from standstill. Must have been some kind of weakness there anyway.

I have no controls on the turbo of any kind. I fitted a catch can about 15k ago. May have it plumbed back to the sump.

I am thinking about a few precautions. A cooler would be good, I would like something in front and low down to minimise the effect on the radiator cooling system. If I only put it on to catch the bits of the next turbo blowout I might be better to put a Hyclone or two in instead, cheaper LOL

If I install a boost gauge, it tells me to lift the right foot I guess. Is this about the case is a controller a better option. Is a controller an automatic thing?

I would be interested in your opinions. As I said before my new mechanic is a Nissan specialist and has some ideas as well.

I use the Nav for work mainly, other than that it pulls my little boat (about 700kg) or creeping up or down to a river somewhere.

Some of the "smart money" is saying swap it for a Toyota. I can't do it.

Thanks for all your concern and input. I will add details and perhaps a pic or two (if I can figure out how) as the story unfolds.

Goldy

 

[Bvandermaat]

The controller would be the best way to go to stop over boosting.
I have mine installed between the turbo and the actuator, it is set to 15PSI and the actuator is a 9PSI. So the controller opens at 15 which in turn opens the actuator.
Have you thought about a top mount intercooler?

 

[goldy]

No, not really. I don't want it looking like a 2.5 LOL

I really haven't given it a lot of thought at all. I note you want a front mount unit. I am thinking that a front mount gets more clean air,

 

[tanz]

What actually causes the Turbo to fail? Is it a build up of oil sludge via the EGR?; failure of the bearings?; failure of the fins?; Overheating?, etc

What can be done to prevent this from happening.... other than installing a Intercooler?

Would getting it looked at / serviced by a mechanic every 100,000kms or so prevent any issues from happening?

very interested to know b4 I get one

robmacca,

I had a vehicle through the workshop just before Christmas, that had blown a turbo. Luckily it let go in only a couple of big pieces and they didn't find their way into the engine (the smallest piece was wedged into the rubber hose just after!). I sent it to MTQ, the local turbo specialists, and they tell me it's as a result of the shaft size being too small. They upgrade the shaft along with the compressor wheel for around $1200.

Cheers.

 

[nakedape]

G'day All



Some of the "smart money" is saying swap it for a Toyota...



Goldy

So you can fret about the timing belt letting go... no, not for me thanks.

Like Dave, my ZD is up about 230k without any real dramas (touch wood).

 

[tweak'e]

What actually causes the Turbo to fail? Is it a build up of oil sludge via the EGR?; failure of the bearings?; failure of the fins?; Overheating?, etc

the egr butterfly does not help.
having a throttle butterfly snap shut in the intake when you drop revs below 3k certainly would not help.

 

[Leprechaun]

It's not sounding good.

$7.5K for a new crate(bare) engine from Nizzbits,

 

[robmacca]

robmacca,

I had a vehicle through the workshop just before Christmas, that had blown a turbo. Luckily it let go in only a couple of big pieces and they didn't find their way into the engine (the smallest piece was wedged into the rubber hose just after!). I sent it to MTQ, the local turbo specialists, and they tell me it's as a result of the shaft size being too small. They upgrade the shaft along with the compressor wheel for around $1200.

Cheers.

Thanks 4 that... It would seem that this would be money worth spending

If I was to take one to a Mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, is there any visible tell-tail signs of a approaching problem in the near future ?

cheers

rob


Re: Toyota Timing Belts.... I've had a fair share of 4wd's that have had timing belts.... if u don't know the history of the car b4 buying, then just change it.... but I've never had a timing belt break b4, so having a 4wd with one is no real problem for me....

 

[joshman]

the only tell tail signs would be obvious signs of abuse of the vehicle. if there is a turbo timer fitted, and pulling teh air intake off and spinning teh compressor wheel by hand.