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firstfleeter Profile
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X-TRAIL NEWBIE
 


Date Registered: 08-2013
Location: Mount Morgan, Qld
TOTAL POSTS: 4
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posticon To replace or rebuild?


I'm the hubby of a not-so-proud owner of an '03 xtrail which has been giving us grief lately, although it's not the car's fault. It's a t30, QR25D (?), 2.5l, deep blue. tow bar and nudge bar. It's been tough but has now fallen on hard times. Read on to find out more....

It was bought in very good condition a few years ago and then suffered a seized engine courtesy of a helpful child who checked the radiator and then forgot to put the cap back on.

The t30 2.5l engine (auto) was replaced by a reconditioned one from a group who turned out to be less of a GEM than promised. A few months later and a new head was required, through the same crowd and mechanic (now at a discount from both parties - but it was neither's fault).

A year later and a timing case seal was needed. Now it has major issues with water and oil mixed together and visible via the oil refill cap.

Head gasket? warped head? Cracked block? New engine? (No gems this time.) Rebuild?(expensive!)

Car has recently had a new alternator, front disk rotors, wheel bearing, replaced variable valve timing solenoid (s/h). Needs at least 2 new tyres and the clock spring also died at about the time of the first bit of engine surgery so no airbags, cruise control or horn. Oh, and a cracked windscreen.

Do we wreck? fix? sell as is? We owe on the new engine although the car is almost paid off. Just paid 6 months rego before the latest failure.

Could sum it all up as "bugger!". I'm not looking for sympathy, but some feedback would be helpful.

Last edited by firstfleeter, 22/Aug/2013, 8:47 pm


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Peter Edman
Mount Morgan, Central Qld
2003 Xtrail, dark blue, auto
22/Aug/2013, 8:45 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
jalalski Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: To replace or rebuild?


Hi Peter,

I think the car has served you well for all those years and it's now got to a point where one thing will drag many more problems, so I reckon cut your losses and let it go.

It's either that or get a 2nd hand engine from the wreckers if you love the car so much.

---

22/Aug/2013, 8:47 pm Link to this post Send Private Message MSN Blog
 
DogTrail Profile
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X-TRAIL FANATIC
 


Date Registered: 05-2012
Location: Sunshine Coast
TOTAL POSTS: 481
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Re: To replace or rebuild?


I'll boil it down to the only elements which matter:

Your last replacement engine was a dud. Was there a warranty?

How good is the rest of the car?

Do you want to go for a third motor, or has the car turned unfriendly?

(If not inimical, it does seem to have started to nag ).

If it is now unfriendly - walk away and cut your losses.

Been there and done that with trying to keep cars alive which have indicated they would rather die peacefully.

It rapidly becomes a no-win situation, and the carcass of the car still sits in the yard. No benefit to anyone.

---
2011/12 Australia:- 2.5 litre petrol 4WD, Series IV ST, CVT : + some gadgets and cosmetic add-on's. Dirt, (it protects the paintwork) X-2429(c).
22/Aug/2013, 10:04 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
frozenpod Profile
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X-TRAIL NEWBIE
 


Date Registered: 08-2013
TOTAL POSTS: 33
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Re:


Find out the cause of the oil/water issue and go from there.

Worst case replace the motor with a good used motor.
26/Aug/2013, 1:09 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
DJR9000 Profile
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X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
 


Date Registered: 08-2012
Location: Blue Mountains NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 169
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Re:


A leakdown or exhaust gas test will tell you if it's a bad headgasket or crack in the block/head. My money would be on the headgasket but there is a couple of other things that could do it.

If your one has an oil cooler, not sure which ones these are fitted on (is it x-trails with auto transmissions?), the seal on the oil cooler can go and could potentially cause coolant and oil to mix, but I think the usual symptom is an oil leak. See http://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/t130293

If you are willing to replace the headgasket yourself you could probably get away with around $500 in repairs for the bare minimum aftermarket VRS set (Ajusa are good and cheaper than nissan), aftermarket head bolts (again Ajusa are good and lots cheaper than nissan) and crack test (price goes up depending on how much else you want e.g. valve seat regrind, flow test, head skim etc), if you are talking a mechanic then $1000-1500 plus again depending on how much they do and how thorough they are

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Ben
Hazelbrook, Blue Mountains NSW
2002 T30 Ti Dark Blue Mica
26/Aug/2013, 1:57 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
firstfleeter Profile
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X-TRAIL NEWBIE
 


Date Registered: 08-2013
Location: Mount Morgan, Qld
TOTAL POSTS: 4
Reply | QUOTE
posticon Re: To replace or rebuild?


Thanks for the replies. I take the point about starting again but there is the case of the devil you know... Will get it properly looked at and follow your advice. I have a good mechanic prepared to do it at a reasonable rate, so will go down that track for now.

In the meantime, any ideas of a good place or places to look at for a used engine that are reputable? We now have some leeway in what we can spend but would hope I could get away with around $2500. Obviously Qld would make for cheaper freight.

Just in case it's more than the head/ gasket...

cheers

---
Peter Edman
Mount Morgan, Central Qld
2003 Xtrail, dark blue, auto
26/Aug/2013, 9:52 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
firstfleeter Profile
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X-TRAIL NEWBIE
 


Date Registered: 08-2013
Location: Mount Morgan, Qld
TOTAL POSTS: 4
Reply | QUOTE
Re: To replace or rebuild?


The engine that looked so promising apparently won't start, so we'll be calling a few wreckers...

Thanks for the input.

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Peter Edman
Mount Morgan, Central Qld
2003 Xtrail, dark blue, auto
9/Sep/2013, 9:46 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
evorock Profile
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Date Registered: 12-2010
Location: Rockingham,Perth WA
TOTAL POSTS: 146
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Re: To replace or rebuild?


+1 for a leak down and compression test as it can determine the source.
If its just a head gasket leaking it really isn't that hard to get the head off and replace with a new one with basic tooling.

I just don't like second hand engines, they sit around with no coolant or oil and can lead to corrosion and seals etc drying out. It's a real gamble..

Hey just thinkin out aloud but take the fuel fuse out and crank the engine for a bit, then take the sparks out and check for any coolant leaking on the top of the pistons. Surely that's a good indicator that the head gasket is kaput.

Gl,

Scotty

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2002 T30 Xtrail Ti , White 5Sp
Full engine rebuild, Single Mass flywheel upgrade,
Scott, Rockingham, Perth WA
10/Sep/2013, 4:15 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
AugustusXTrail Profile
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Date Registered: 07-2013
Location: Cowes Phillip Island Victoria
TOTAL POSTS: 123
Reply | QUOTE
Re: To replace or rebuild?


Gu' Day evorock, better the devil you know I reckon.

Get a leakdown test and go from there, but if you want to go the full rebuild route here's the guys to use.

Dad uses G&P Engine reconditioners in Mildura Vic, as they are not only one of the cheapest in the business they are also one of the best and definitely one of the fairest, they do stand by their warranties 100%. He's had several Hi performance engines done by them and couldn't do them cheaper himself! They have been flogged ULTRA HARD and stood the test of time easily!!

Nuff Said!!

Give them a call on 03 5021 1712 you will be very surprised on the price!!! If you supply the engine torn down correctly they do it even cheaper!! emoticon

These guys also do one of the best head services in the country, their modded heads deliver the goods big time.

They will be doing my engine when it needs it, they do a great job and boy will I fly once I have one of their rebuilt donks under my bonnet!! Yee Haaa!!!!!!

Well off to get Muddy and have fun tomorrow, Its raining Tabbies and Mutts here at the moment, LOL Augustus the X Trail emoticon





Last edited by AugustusXTrail, 30/Sep/2013, 10:00 pm
30/Sep/2013, 9:57 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 


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