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Hello, I run the above vehicle, have done 120,000k. Recently on extreme cold mornings, engine would cut out until warm. It is now in at Nissan dealer rectifying the problem.
Been told that the diesel pump has been loosing pressure due to malfunction of seals, that the seals have deteriorated due to poor quality of NZ diesel.
the vehicle was purchased late 2009.
Estimate of repair 2.5k
Should a NZ spec vehicle suffer this problem if manufactures know this problem exists here?.
Is our diesel fuel here that bad?
Is there other makes of nz spec vehicles that also suffer the same problems
It irritates me after spending that sort of money, this sort of mechanical problem happens.
cheers
Annoyed
Based on what you are saying I cannot support the opinions of the Nissan Dealer concerned on this issue. If the quality of the fuel was the cause of the seal failure on your engine then every Nissan Diesel of a similar age/mileage should be suffering from the same fate.
From my research this is definitely not the case.
When the sulphur levels in our Diesel fuel were reduced to current levels (50ppm) from around 2005, there were a number of older and high mileage (many used imports) diesel vehicles that started to develop external fuel leaks from the injector pump seals.
This was considered a fair wear and tear issue as the sulphur had actually caused a swelling of the old seals which had in fact delayed an eventful pump overhaul.
Reducing the sulphur levels was done to ensure low emission engines could be fitted to vehicles sold new in NZ.
All fuel sold commercially in NZ must meet a NZ specification standard and its quality is audited on a regular basis. Its overall quality is currently considered to be one of the best in the world.
Late model common rail or modern diesels have introduced a number of challengers for fuel companies and new vehicle distributors alike, the biggest issue being clean fuel.
These engines will not tolerate contaminated fuel like the older diesels would so looking for a high turnover fuel outlet has become very important.
Changing fuel filters as recommended and not deviating from manufacturers routine maintenance schedule is also critical in an effort to reduce potential future problems.
Back to your problem; I would go back to the Dealer concerned and ask them to produce written evidence that the fuel quality has caused the failure of the seals in the injector pump. I would also be insisting they make contact with Nissan NZ and ask them for their opinion.
If they can prove beyond doubt contaminated fuel was the cause of the failure, then you may have to seek other avenues for reimbursement or assistance (if you use the same fuel station for example).
However, they may also need to consider another possibility; that is the seals have failed prematurely through no fault of your own and as a Nissan owner they should consider some sort of assistance package to help restore your confidence in their product.
Please keep me updated either via this channel or by the following email address;
Thank you for your reply. I did some Internet research and have come to the following conclusions.
1 the service representative did not really know what he was trying to explain
2 that the failure was caused by contaminated fuel.
Due to my work I can not always refuel at a deemed safe station so can very easily pick up dirty fuel.
But, from what I have researched and you have confirmed that high pressure fuel systems do not like dirty fuel.
I now do recall the sediment warning indicator coming on. Took truck to Nissan service, they attended the problem by fitting new fuel filters and thus me thinking problem solved. No advise from service dealer that one should flush out whole fuel system and why!
Now I expect from many many months ago is the catalyst of now a recon diesel pump. And this may notbe the end if problem as once pump us refitted, pressure tested, other leaks may be found in all the fuel lines or any where with in the fuel system that relies on seals etc. So this could quite easily be up to a 5k repair bill which could had only been the cost of a full flush, the dumping of dirty fuel and a fill of clean fuel.
I am just very annoyed that you pay good money for sound advice and workmanship which does not happen.
So anyone else running modern high pressure diesel engines, beware of dirty fuel and make sure you dump it and flush out
Thank you