Nissan ELGRAND who has one?

[dvldoc]

I probably could give you a answer if this was in English, Google translate is not working well on this post.

[Mwangi1965]

Hi there.
Erwin from kenya here .
I own 3 nissans elgrand of wich 2 high way stars.

I have to say that these are great cars... I travel with them over african roads full of dust, mud, pot wholes and so on.

I also own 2 land cruisers and toyota Noah's but for me in the morning going to the job I choose the nissans.
I have to say that I have only 6cylinder petrol engines, with lots of power, specially the 3.5 ltr V6 engine is unbeatable for me .
Lots of luxury and comfort on the road.

They are carrying me and my technicians to my projects true out east africa,band I have hardly any problems with them.
Just the regular maintenance, as oil changes, air cleaners and oil filters, that's all for many 100,000 kilometers.

Only my newest one a Nissan elgrand from 2005 had some issues with the so called MAF senser mass airflow sensor.
This is one of the weak point of the newer versions.

I can only recommend the nissan elgrand vans,
Erwin ketel
Nairobi . Kenya
Eketel*drcstructures.net

[dvldoc]

They probably don't have CRC MAF sensor cleaner there but you can use electronic contact cleaner or Carb cleaner. Make sure you spray at least 10 inches from the sensor when cleaning. And let it air dry for 10 minutes.


MAF sensors are one of the most neglected items in a vehicle, They are should to be cleaned every filter change.

[dvldoc]

This should be helpful to owners who's Elgrands are a bit smokey or running underpowered or over boosting due to a dirty MAF sensor. If use the right cleaner you can save yourself lots of money in repairs.

Dirty MAF


Clean MAF


You might be able to pick this up in someplace like ACE Hardware. I found a few places on Sulit Just search for contact cleaner.

Here is one that carries many different brands of non-residue electronic cleaners.



New Maf cost 8000P
Blown Head gasket 25000P
Blown turbo 25000P to 35000P if you can find one.

If your a new owner of a Elgrand go ahead and clean the MAF. It can save you from some expensive repairs down the road. Clean it every time you change your air filter.

[dvldoc]

Fill capacities

Engine oil 4 cylinder diesel:
With filter change

4WD - 7.9 quarts (7.48 liters)

Without filter change:

4WD - 7.1 quarts (6.72 liters)


Automatic transmission fluid - 6.15 quarts (5.82 liters) Nissan J ATF fluid or Dexron III and up.

Power Steering fluid (can use Dexron III) Power - 2.15 pints (1.02 liters)

4 cylinder diesel - 13.5 quarts (12.78 liters)

Brake fluid DOT and up, don't have the capacity yet.

We don't have a Locking diff unfortunately
Rear diff - 5.85 pints (2.77 liters) Transfer case oil - APL GL-4 80W90

Front transfer case 2.75 pints (1.3 liters) Transfer case oil - APL GL-4 80W90

(philllx) pics

[dvldoc]

If you ever find yourself at a surplus shop looking for a part for your Elgrand these might be helpful.

[apol capili]

Just got one black elgrand a year ago.still run smoothly,no headache,comportable ride

[dvldoc]

They are a great vehicle.

[emw79]

Hi guys, highwaystar owner here with 3.2l motor, my intake pipe broke too the Turbo. Anyone know where I can get one? Also want to fit a boost guage, best place to go? Have read slot here and am impressed! Place help if u can emw79*live.com. this is our second e50 here and we have a e51 in Australia so I truely love these vans:D. Need advice from the pros here and would like to meet up with the club.
Best regards Eddie!

[dvldoc]

Replied to your PM,

I would try Bermmia Diesel or Speedlab for the boost gauge.
http://www.diesel.asia/
Speedlab - Home

If you feel like waiting a few months, I got a bunch of the Nordkog Viking series gauges like what I have. There are real metal, powder coated, UV sealed glass, and designed for Marine use. Won't fade like the cheap plastic lenses of most gauges you see there. The stock backlight is green.




My current gauge set up on the Elgrand



I install for free, cause it's just a hobby, (ASE Certified Master Mechanic) I just like to mod vehicles.

[Ericgt]

Hi Dvldoc,

I am very much interested. Please reserve 1 set(3gauges like yours) for me. When are you visiting the Philippines? I'm from Metro Manila I can meet you anywhere> I just dont know how to intall. We met at Berrima on your last visit.

[dvldoc]

I'll be back in July, I don't have the 3 gauge set like mine I do boost and voltage gauges like in the above photo, (I hate having a surprised dead battery) I will be making a trip to Speedlab and Bermmia diesel at least once in July. I'll keep you in mind. They are very easy to install. My third gauge is a pyrometer (EGT Gauge) super important if your modded like mine. I do have a digital version of that as well.

I was going to use it but I already got a oil temp, oil pressure and water temp gauge to add so I don't feel like putting it in for post intercooler temp gauge. Needs a probe to use.

[Ericgt]

Thanks Dvldoc!! how much will it(the 2 gauges) cost me? also can you bring some good oil filters for my ZD30 neo di elgrand please. my oil filter is the one without the metal housing - just the filter element. I dont know if it is possible to replace that with Baldwin filters or something with the metal case?

[dvldoc]

Your filter is dang hard to find but I have a Baldwin Source for them, It's best if you got more than 1. 4 of them shipped is 70USD or around 2300P probably cheaper than 2 VIC versions.

The Boost gauge is 40 usd They cost 126 new, and the Volt is 25USD cost 90 New, These are built way past automotive gauge standards. They are ment for a high salt water environment so they basically last forever in a car. The EGT gauge I will sell for 100 usd. It's also industrial and has a high low alarm on it. (Come with the digital gauge and pyro probe with 1/8" npt bung.

Get a local gauge and in a few years they will look like this in a few years, I don't like gauges with plastic bodies and plastic lenses on them.




Feel free to PM for the details if your wanting this stuff. I have Forex here in Texas so you can always go that route.

[Ericgt]

Hi Dvldoc,

What is the best cone-shaped air intake filter that you can recommend for the elgrand? hopefully the washable one.

[dvldoc]

I used the Simota air filter, got it at SM Clark at a speed shop there, Think it was 900P last year. Made a big difference in performance. It's a pretty solid filter and cheap enough I won't bother cleaning it I will just replace every 25000klm.



You'll have to get a MAF sensor adapter for a cone filter to work. If you can't find one almost any shop that does metal work can make it just using the MAF sensor as the template. The ZD30 has a different shaped one than the QD32ETI does.

[Ericgt]

According to anothr forum, this cone filters are not that good because they tend to suck hot air from the engine and cause the engine to perform poorly especially during noon traffic. they say the additional horse power can only be felt during night time when it's not hot anymore. How true is this?

[dvldoc]

The Elgrand has a huge grill, it has plenty of airflow over the filter, The stock airbox is super restrictive and cost power. Your pulling air through a big silencer plus the inlet is only 2" to the actual filter.

It's the first mod I did to my Elgrand, power difference is immediate and noticeable. Plus you get that nice turbo whistle.

It's a cheap mod that is well worth the money. Plus you will notice a fuel economy increase so it pays for itself.

You can also move the filter closer to the fender.

[splumyeb]

could you give me some advise. my odometer is not not working (blinking), likewise with my rpm indicator. but my speedometer is functioning well. tried to press the reset button several times but to no avail.

[dvldoc]

Sounds like a wiring issue, Your probably going to have to pull your cluster and inspect the wire connections and make sure it's not a hack job from the conversion. Both the RPM gauge and odometer are both signal driven.

To remove the cluster you will need to remove the screws under your steering wheel, should be for of them and take that off, then the screws around the actual cluster and it will pull right out. Be carefull with the connection on the right hand side it can be tricky.

Also check your fuses. Here's the original layout of the Elgrand electrical.