As I mentioned before, there is a huge amount of talk about these engines and its hard not to be concerned about the negativitiy directed towrds them. I have just been through the rebuild process and by the time you do it all properly (new everything, filters, belts, stripped bolts, oils (don't forget all these little items add up quickly) recon pump etc.), using a combination of my own and hired labour you are looking at about $10,000 and six months off the road to research, plan, wait for quotes, get other quotes etc.(of course would be less if you pay someone or have alot of time on your hands).
To be absolutely honest, I am still nervous about my car, and the main reason for that is the unkowns regarding this problem. I know for sure that my turbo was the root cause for my failure. The bearings went, and from what I can tell, no bits went therough the motor, so, a new turbo was all that would have been necessary, but, then I would be woried about the unknown of the engine condition, so need to strip it down, so while it is stripped down, may as well rebuild it with new internals and machining........
But what exactly caused the turbo to fail?
I am an electrical engineer and am frequently involved in finding root causes to problems. It is always satisfying to find the exact cause of a problem and fix that root cause, otherwise you end up with band aid solutions or solving the wrong problem. But this is often not easy to acheive particulary the on vehicles. So, I am nervous about these engines because I am not convinced I know what the root cause to the failures are.
For me, stress and worry are only caused by unknowns, not knowing what the outcome to a situation, and having no control over the outcome leads to stess and worry because the question always rolling over in you mind is WHAT IF??? (In this case, what if my engine dies again???). If we can have some control over it or better yet fix a problem, at least we can effect the outcome, and not worry, then happy days.
Well, getting a bit philosophical, but leads my to my main point:
What is(are) the ultimate cause(s) to these engines failing? If we can answer this question, we can solve the problem, and not worry or talk about it and just enjoy our vehicles.
So, a call to all the Nissan/Diesel/Engine/Turbo gurus out ther, what is the problem and how is it fixed? I don't want to hear any more heresay and conjecture, I want the truth, surely somebody must know!
Cheers
Simon