Common problems · 1980–89
Nissan Patrol MQ (160) problems: 8 things to check
The problems owners and specialists flag most on the Nissan Patrol 160 / MQ, the repairs they end up doing and what those cost, plus the years and recalls to watch. Sourced, not scraped.
Nissan Patrol MQ (160) problems to check before you buy
- Rust: where to lookNissanPatrol.com.au members list roof gutters, the plenum under the windscreen (a leak there rots the floor and the low-set body mounts), front floor pans, the radiator support, the inner guard under the battery tray, door bottoms, rear lower quarter panels and the top of the rear wheel arch. Chassis-to-body mount points are where the worst rust lives.
- Turbo or not?A turbo SD33T has 'Turbo' on the rocker cover and a turbocharger on the exhaust side. Owners warn that some non-turbo engines wear turbo rocker covers, so look for the turbo itself.
- 24 or 12 voltsMQ SD33 diesels ran 24-volt electrics with twin batteries; MKs are 12-volt. The engine number won't tell you. Owners say the starter, injection-pump solenoid and glow plugs are the voltage-sensitive parts, so a half-converted truck can be a headache.
- Which diff is under itRear axles were C200, H233 or H260 (utes) depending on market and model. The ratio is stamped on a tin plate at the front of the driver's-side inner guard (for example HG43 means H233, 4.3:1). Members warn that MQ H233 parts and lockers aren't interchangeable with the later H233B in GQs and GUs.
- Can you undo the plugs and grease it?One member's advice: make sure you can crack the drain and fill plugs on both diffs, the gearbox and the transfer case, and buy a good grease gun. The leaf-sprung Patrol has far more grease nipples than a coil-sprung GQ, including greasable shackles.
- Suspension historyOriginal springs are 40 years old and usually sagged. Ask what's been replaced. Owners say a rebuild with new leaves, U-bolts, shocks and shackles quickly costs more than an MQ is worth, and shackle extensions can invert.
- Overheating and the head gasketAn SD33T that keeps losing coolant isn't automatically a head-gasket job. Forum diagnosis starts with the radiator, cap, hoses, thermostat and fan clutch. If the head does come off, the SD33T needs its own head gasket; the non-turbo SD33 gasket doesn't fit it correctly.
- Import paperwork (US)Nissan never sold the 160 Patrol new in the US. US examples on Bring a Trailer came from Japan (Safari fire trucks), South Africa and Colombia. Check the title, the import documents and that the chassis number matches.
The repairs Nissan Patrol MQ (160) owners end up doing
| REPAIR | SYMPTOMS | DIFFICULTY | TIME | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swivel hub (kingpin) and front wheel bearing rebuild | Grease and oil weeping from the swivel seals, play at the top and bottom of the wheel, or a rumbling front wheel bearing. | 3 / 5 | ≈ A day for both sides | Full swivel kit about A$223; wheel-bearing kit about A$54 |
| Leaf springs, shackles and bushes | A truck that sits low or leans, harsh ride, cracked leaves, or shackles worn at the pins. | 3 / 5 | ≈ A day per axle | A$1,250–1,800 for springs, shocks and shackles in owners' 2003–04 reports |
| SD33/SD33T overheating: cooling system before the head | Coolant disappearing with no visible leak, pressurised hoses after hard work, or temperature that climbs when a thermostat is fitted. | 3 / 5 | ≈ Half a day for the cooling system; two days for a head job | Parts plus labor |
| Extend the axle, gearbox and transfer breathers | Water in the diff or gearbox oil after crossings, or snagged and split breather lines. | 1 / 5 | ≈ 1–2 hours | About the price of a breather kit |
| Steering: drag link and joints | Wandering, clunks over bumps or play at the wheel. Owners rebuilding tired MQs report worn ball joints throughout. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 2 hours | MQ drag link about A$111 (Patrolapart) |
| SD33 slow cranking or no-start | Clicking relays, a starter that barely turns the engine, or a truck that needs several key cycles to start. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1–3 hours | Parts plus labor |
| Fit a rear locker | Lifting a rear wheel on cross-axle ruts and losing drive, even with the LSD. | 4 / 5 | ≈ A day | Parts plus labor |
Each repair links to a step-by-step guide with tools, part numbers and where to buy the parts.
Take the printable Nissan Patrol MQ (160) inspection checklist: every check on this page plus the model-specific ones, on one sheet. Get the checklist →
Sourced from owners, specialists and factory documents; full sources are on the Nissan Patrol MQ (160) guide. Verify torque figures and procedures against the factory service manual (disclaimer).