Nissan Patrol GU ZD30 Engine Reliability After 300,000km – Long-Term Review.

Nissan Patrol GU ZD30 Engine Reliability & Maintenance | Over 300,000km Review

In this video, I share my long-term experience with the ZD30 engine in my 3.0 GU Nissan Patrol, which I’ve owned since 2009 — bought brand new! Despite the mixed reputation of the ZD30 diesel engine since 2000, my Nissan Patrol has proven to be extremely reliable with proper care and regular maintenance.

I discuss:

The common pros and cons of the ZD30 engine

How regular servicing every 10,000 km helped maintain engine health up to 100,000 km

Switching to oil and filter changes every 5,000 km after 200,000 km

My Nissan Patrol GU’s engine surpassing 300,000 km and still running strong

Tips on how to care for your ZD30 engine to ensure longevity, even when driven hard on tough 4x4 tracks

If you own a Nissan Patrol GU 3.0 ZD30 or are considering buying one, this video will give you honest insights into engine durability and maintenance strategies to keep your Patrol running for many years.

Keywords: Nissan Patrol GU, ZD30 engine reliability, ZD30 engine problems, Nissan Patrol maintenance, ZD30 diesel engine lifespan, 3.0 GU Patrol, Nissan Patrol oil change intervals, Nissan Patrol 4x4 reliability, Nissan Patrol engine review

[anthonylunt]

Hi Tim I’ve got a 2003-4 patrol zd3lt di and it’s been great since klm I have serviced it myself and changed oil and filter every 5000klm and changed all other oil and fluids regularly too. I’ve been towing a 18’6 pop top van around good old oz for eight years it’s done 360000 klms so far still going strong. Fitting a new turbo last year and injector pump . Apart from that it has not let us down. Thanks again for your videos keep up with the work.Anthony

[aus_patroltouring]

Hi Tim .i have a 2003 STL zd30 it's just done 414, 000 ks all original and no modifications have been done to the engine .cheers

[Volkoff]

Love it mate. Got my 2012 zd30 gu tuned by evolution tuning up on the glasshouse. 144hp 404nm at the rear on 33s. service it every 5000km. Absolutely no dramas with 130000km great bit of gear.

[jimmy.m]

Hi Tim....I got 2002 di with 504, 000 km's....and yes you are right there mate...oil and filter changes regularly, every 7, 500 I do without fail using Penrite oil...motor is stock and unopened....all I have replaced is clutch, turbo, intercooler and hoses recently...all fluids changed regularly also...love my 3.0 litre and still going strong...cheers !!

[ausoff-road]

A lot of good points about servicing and running the motor in. The way you drive it helps a lot, the big trips rather than a family bus that will drive with cold oils to the shops, school or work and rarely do highway k's.

[craigmartin]

Gday Tim, we got ourselves a 08' wagon ex police car with 89km on it in 2.5 yrs we gave just cracked the 200km. Been round Oz 1.5 times and VHC every chance we get (it's 20km to the King Valley) it's serviced every 10 or every 5 if we push it hard and has never missed a beat. Pre-filter, catch can, 3" exhaust and a safe tune it's the most reliable car we have had. It's off again this weekend for a run to Evan's creek, no.3 hut, razorback and Craig's hut and home again.
My 6yo and I love watching your episodes. Cheers

[southernx]

ZD30 Direct Injection, 2002 model. 340, 000kms on the clock. Still going strong & being driven hard!

[peter]

I have a well serviced 2004 3ltr Patrol that pulled 23ft caravan all over Australia. The head just went at 385klms, buying full recon head, VRS set, glow plugs and once installed will be ready to go again. 👍

[darrencrowther]

I have a 2006 patrol with the zd30 and just clocked 435000 km , ive always service every 5000 km had it for ten years and just now have signs of leaky head gasket cant complain love it

[neardood]

Good to see more videos like this dispelling people's arrogant and ignorant opinions. I have 340000km on my ZD and it has been very reliable. I have also managed to make good safe gains with power and torque, and get my fuel economy as low as 10.7L/100. Mind you that's on 35's and with hundreds of kilos of mods bolted to it.

[pooshoe]

Hey Batesy, love hearing all the work and effort that gets put into the car to get it where it is. My gu is a 2016 and have only got 25000 kms. Atm only got a 3 inch exhaust and Tillix valve for a bit of power, catch can second fuel filter from new, 2 inch lift and 33s and set up for camping and 4x4. It has taken me everywhere I’ve taken it and never faulted. Also get it serviced every 5000 km . Absolutely love it. Next year will be bigger inter cooler and tune I think. This car will last me many years to come. Maybe even my young fella will use it one day! GO the zd30! Cheers

[adamraggq]

G’day Batesy, good to see your patrol is going well again. I’ve got an 03 series 3 with 380k on it. (All original) It’s towed a 2 1/2 ton van around for the last 10 years and done a fair bit of off road work. (A lot in the high country). I’ve got quite a few mods done to it which has been the secret to its longevity. Keep up your vids mate I enjoy watching your channel. All the best. Adam

[RCDflownwithpassion]

Hello i am from south Ireland and i have been driving Patrols over 14years now. I am on the Patrol 4x4 ozz forum almost since it started too sharing info and knowledge aswell as getting it. Anyway i sold a grey one still running last year with 570000K on the clock (2004 model) the injection pump was done @ 300k and the head finally cracked after a faulty radiator only with 570000k onboard, that would have kept going only for that rad. I had the earlier 2000 model which made it to 160000k and overheated due to a faulty belt tensioner (bad luck) and leaking oil cooler. Now i have a 2007 model and have up with no problems at all only done the injection pump but i expect it to be bulletproof too for many K's to come. I also break Patrols here and know every nut and bolt and can testify that maintainence is key and i do all my own work on the Patrols i own, i would say watch the cooling system like belt tensioner etc cause if you maintain the cooling system that engine will run forever, do coolant flushes every 50000k and change fan belt with it.I would suggest fit a new rad and hoses around 150000K. If you service it and maintain it well you won't kill it!! I also run my own business as a tree surgeon and tow heavy trailers everyday with them, i agree the harder they are worked the better they go, I just love the ZD30 3.0 Patrols they are so reliable and dependable thati honestly could not drive nothing else!! Great vid, nice Patrol by the way and greetings from Ireland!

[jayireland]

I Love my 2001 Di zd30, 235000kms with all the mods done to hopefully keep it reliable and it hasn’t skipped a beat, loves getting driven hard in toolangi mud and the high country

[travellinbeavers]

We've only got a young pup, Batesy, a 2016 ZD30 with only 60k on the clock. We look forward to pushing up the kms in the years to come and of course looking after the power plant. Thanks for the vids.

[Toyoqwerty]

I’m a mechanic and wanted a patrol so badly but people still talk shit about it
This video and comments gave me inspiration. Now I’m buying one ☝️

[jamesstitt]

Hi and thanks for the incite, i just picked up an 03 3liter its service history is good I'm getting a full service and safety check it has 240k so I'm expecting some issues, its a great car to drive and I'm very happy with it . i understand the importance of clean oil and filters, I'm not such a hard driver as some i take the view if it has lasted to this point ill give it TLC when its with me,

[noelcovert-zxnx]

Patrol 04 models, pretty looking beasts. Once lifted and kitted, theyre a sight to envy. But cant beat ol school for off rd trips

[timmoss]

Hey Tim I had the d22 nave with the ZD30 non crd. Everything eles in that Ute I had to replace but the motor and front diff where the only things never let me down the fuel pump on the other hand wat a night mare I did 3 in the 6 yrs I owned the car sold it with 185 on the clock It’s still going strong for the new owner now I do believe. 👌🏼

[darcykeddell]

I have a 2000 3L Di 350000 ks, got a remap, 3 inch exhaust, bigger intercooler and I couldn't be more happier with how it goes, I get plenty of shit for it but it gets the job done