1998 GU 2.8 fuel economy/power issues

Submitted: Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 10:16
ThreadID: 105058 Views:11664 Replies:5 FollowUps:11
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Hi everyone, I'm only new to this forum (this is my first post on this site actually), just wondering about a 1998 GU 2.8L Patrol I bought about a month ago. It seems to have a few issues, namely that I get roughly between 400 - 500 km out of a tank, the thing blows a stack of smoke, loses power up hills in 3rd forcing me to downshift to 2nd, my EGT gauge tells me that the EGT is getting to around 600 - 700 degrees when it's going up grades. I was thinking about doing a chip, but obviously not until I sort out whatever's going on. I'm wondering if possibly somebody's done a home job and played around with the fuel pump, and potentially it might be over fuelling itself. What do you guys think? The thing's been fitted with a 3" exhaust, and it is absolutely gutless.
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Reply By: Mick O - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 11:39

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 11:39
Tom,

I'm no expert but as the previous owner of the infamous GU 3L T/D, I'd recommend the Patrol 4x4 site to you. You'll get good info here but for Patrol specific info, Patrol 4x4 is great.


Patrol 4x4 forum


Cheers Mick
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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Follow Up By: TrolTom - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:17

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:17
Thanks mate, I might have a look into that as well, thanks. My mate actually has a 2001 3L, and surprisingly, the thing has lasted to 280,000 and still not done a head!
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Reply By: Herbal - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 12:04

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 12:04
Did you get it checked by NRMA or a qualified mechanic before buying it?

The problems you are describing were there before you bought it. Those symptoms don't just appear in a month.

There is no home DIY fix. It sounds like it needs a full engine overhaul...Sorry to bear bad news but blowing smoke AND lacking power as you describe = worn rings.

It is 15 years old. If it did not come with a full log book service history with all receipts, then you have to assume that everything is 15 years old. So if something is suspect, like the EGT etc, you should assume it is original and replace it.
AnswerID: 521165

Follow Up By: Ross M - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 12:43

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 12:43
Depending on the smoke colour you actions will vary.

Blowing black smoke and high EGT could mean the airflow into the engine is not correct, ie air filter or insufficient turbo boost and therefore no power.
It doesn't automatically mean you need an engine rebuild at all.
Could be a wasp nest in the intake restricting air.

15 years old means nothing and the fact you may have service history and receipts also often can mean nothing too. A lot of what is marked in service books never happens to get done , just marked in the book that is all.

If it was blowing smoke because of worn rings that wouldn't be enough "fuel" to cause high EGT so that is very very unlikely. If it was that bad the sump would be dry before long.

Not sure what is meant by by the above
"So if something is suspect, like the EGT etc, you should assume it is original and replace it".

Not sure how you can replace the EGT as it is a transient measurement of something. OR is it the gauge which is being alluded to? and if something is 15 years old and working as it should and not worn out, why would you go the the trouble and expense of replacing it when it doesn't require that action.

Strangely enough in many vehicles it is rarely the rings which are the problem. To me that is Austin A 30 thinking.

Buying a new vehicle will eliminate the problem though.
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Follow Up By: Herbal - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:42

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:42
I understand were you are coming from Ross. I don't disagree either.

My comments were based on just what info was given...A 15 year old car with several problems and indication that it has been modified.

Any car that has been modified in anyway by the previous owner, should be looked at very closely before buying. Because it means that the previous owner has tried to use the car in a way that it was not designed for. In it's self a 3" exhaust means little, but it is not standard, which means the last owner might have done other things too.

Yes, I did mean EGT sensor...

I see that Tom says lots of smoke (above), but has now changed that to looks like diesel fumes (below). So I think he really needs to have someone look at it.
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Follow Up By: TrolTom - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:00

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:00
Yeah, I can see what you're getting at there. I probably should have been more specific in the first place as to the nature of the exhaust emitted, but given that it appears to be fuel, I don't think I'm looking at rings, or anything like that, and hopefully not any time soon either! But I definitely do have to be wary of anything, given it is still early days, I mean, I've come from a Pulsar to this, so it's quite a drastic change! I also agree that one does have to be very alert when purchasing a vehicle with modifications, however the different exhaust is (albeit seemingly) the only engine/powertrain modification that has been done on the vehicle. However, if all else fails, I'm sure I can source a good 4.2 from somewhere! For what it is and for what it's worth, I do think the RD28 still proves itself to be a mighty good little engine!
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Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 12:47

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 12:47
Sounds like someone has wound up the fuel but not the boost, I don't know where you are but I'd get it to a good diesel mechanic.
Cheers Dave
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Follow Up By: howesy - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:05

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:05
Gotta agree with Dave, excessive black smoke and high EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) at the back of the turbo if not from an air restriction (dirty filter or obstruction) is usually from blokes who want it to go harder so they dial up more fuel. Have a look at the back of the injector pump and toward the top there will be a long thread hanging out of the body with a lock nut. If the whole thread/locknut setup does not have some type of sealing device (a spot welded ollar or wired for a seal) then someone has removed it to do exactly that because all injection specialists seal it after adjustment as too does the factory. If it has been tampered with you can loosed the locknut and wind the thread out (leaning it) the smallest of hairs (about 2 degrees at time untill not excessive smoke but no more than 1/4 of turn any further tha that and you should see an injection specialist) if the pump has not been tampered with at all then DON"T touch it. WARNING winding it in will increase fuel and TOUCH AT OWN RISK,, incorrect adjustment can cause engine damage so bear this in mind before touching anything,,, if in doubt see a professional diesel engines are expensive to repair.
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Follow Up By: TrolTom - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:14

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:14
Yeah, I think I will end up taking it to a diesel mechanic and sorting out the problem, as I can't be bothered, because I'm already fixing up my old car so I can sell it (I am a third year apprentice with Subaru at the moment). There's one directly across the road from my work, so I may end up going there. The smoke coming out the exhaust definitely smells like burnt diesel, so I really don't think it's a major drama, it'll just take a bit of digging to get down to the cause of the problem. But I agree with what you guys are saying, I really do think somebody's had a play around with fuel delivery volume, because up hills, the turbo still provides between 10 - 12 pound boost.
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Follow Up By: howesy - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:18

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:18
get it done sooner rather than later because excessive EGT's can cause engine damage and/or failure,, good luck like to see how it turns out for you
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Follow Up By: TrolTom - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:52

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 13:52
Thanks mate. Hopefully it isn't anything too major.
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Reply By: Ron N - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:20

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 14:20
Tom, you need to have someone else drive the Patrol while you travel behind and observe the smoke colour and levels.

Black smoke is overfuelling, white smoke is incomplete combustion or water (head cracks), and blue smoke is oil burning caused by worn valve guides, or worn rings. You can generally smell burnt oil in the exhaust of a well-worn engine, when it's idling.
Worn valve guides show up as a puff of blue smoke from a warm engine, immediately after startup, after the vehicle has sat for 15-20 mins.

You don't say what the oil consumption is, or the kms currently registered.
Be aware that fully 1/3rd of used 4WD's are reputed to have incorrect speedo readings (i.e., the vehicle has done many more kms than indicated).
The engine may also have been "chipped" and is suffering from premature wear causing by high engine power output.
At least a 1/4 of used diesel 4WD's have been "chipped" and all owners who have "chipped" their engines, take great pains to remove chips when they sell the vehicle, and try to avoid leaving signs the engine has been "chipped".

Check the oil level when cold before startup and keep an accurate record of oil used over a 1000kms. If the engine is using more than 1/2 litre of oil in 1000kms, then it's suffering from ring wear (and associated wear) that only a full engine overhaul will fix.

Cheers, Ron.

AnswerID: 521177

Follow Up By: fisherPete - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 16:32

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 16:32
To my knowledge the 2.8 is non electronic, their for can not be chipped. AM I wrong'?
Cheers Pete
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FollowupID: 801839

Follow Up By: Ron N - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 19:12

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 19:12
Pete, the RD28ET engine in the GQ Patrol was the last fully-mechanical injection pump, the RD28ETi1 engine in the GU is an electronically-controlled injection pump, and it can be "chipped".
A lot of RD28ETi1 engines have been chipped to try and increase their original, somewhat modest, 99Kw of output.

Cheers, Ron.
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FollowupID: 801845

Reply By: exmouth1 - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 16:32

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 16:32
G, day tom
I would advise against putting a chip in your 2.8.
I had a 1999 2.8 patrol which I chipped! My fuel economy went out the window, sure it had more get up and go but 20 to 25 litres per 100 kms
was excessive.
Cheers
John
AnswerID: 521183

Follow Up By: Member - Keith P (NSW) - Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 21:49

Saturday, Nov 09, 2013 at 21:49
I have an earlier model RD28.
These little engines respond remarkably well to the basics to get them to go better...ie.. unresticted airflow on intake ...and unrestricted exhaust on the outgo. However..my exhaust guru said that 3 inch zorsts on that size engine just doesnt work ...as the system just gets pockets of "dead air" in them ...and this greatly decreases exhaust flow. So what he did to mine was a 3 inch dump out of turbo ...then a 2.5 system with a see thru muffler...and the last part of system where I wanted a bend to exit out the side behind left wheel was made back up to 3 inch. The bend was to try n keep diesel soot off the van ...which it mostly does.
To say that it basically lit up my Patrol is an understatement...it goes that well now...and fuel economy is better as well.
As well as this ..I turfed the original restrictive air cleaner and changed it out to a ZD 30 airbox...so now there is at least a 3 inch or better air travel tract from snorkle right to where the manifold reduces to go into turbo.
So good air in ...and good exhaust exit = better get up and go and better fuel economy..
Worked for me!
HTH.
Cheers Keith

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