12th Sep 2008, 09:52

I need a tow bar for my 1996 Serena FX 2.0 TD Japanese import; was thinking of buying a standard Serena towbar and adapting it however, if any of you have sourced a towbar or if any of you are selling parts of your old cars, please let me know. If you have had one made maybe, whoever did it for you had a schematic drawing done up. Seems a pity to waste all of that 4wd pulling power. I'm currently using my 1.4 petrol Berlingo to pull a trailer; not the ideal towing vehicle at all.

Have had some of the problems mentioned on the site, but not many considering I've done well over 100,000km.

Had to get alternator reconditioned and the speedo stops working on occasions, the cold start problem seemed to resolve itself (the mechanic probably changed the plugs, and the turbo problem also resolved itself.

I currently have 3 minor problems:

1. The shocks need replacing (Irish roads)

2. The clutch or some device related to the clutch is making screeching noise on occasion

3. If I drive through a flood, sometimes the battery warning light comes on and the dash lights go dim for a few seconds; this isn't a major problem, but I would have expected better from a car with 4wd and which has a very high clearance from the ground.

15th Dec 2008, 16:04

SO do you have to remove the seats to gain access to the engine bay, seems extreme just to check the oil.

21st Mar 2010, 04:34

To check the oil, you unclip 2 fasteners (one for each side); this allows you to tip the seat back (on a hinge). It's actually not that difficult :-)

31st Mar 2010, 05:55

Just thought I would answer a few questions and give a few comments.

I have owned one of these for 12 years. It was 3 years old when I bought it in Japan for just 400 quid!

It now has 380,000 MILES on the clock. Never been properly serviced, but HAS had its belts changed regularly.

It cost me about 400 pounds X4 for timing belts every 80,000 miles, always done by Nissan. 400 pounds to send to England when we went to live there. Probably 1000 more in tires, MOTs, and bits.

YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE BELTS. Do not trust the mileage.

You could do it on the cheap and just replace the cam belt, as the pump belt could be done every other time.

The exhaust can be fabricated from STAINLESS flexible tube and OEM parts, it costs about 50 quid.

Once the alternator is repaired, it only lasts a couple of years, only pay 150 max for the reconditioned units.

If the temperature doesn't stay up, get the thermostat replaced or it wastes fuel. Make sure the mechanic doesn't break the housing (warn him).

Do not convert to 135a aircon gas, you can get r12 from Hong Kong. If it leaks too much, fill it with butane propane mix, 3 quid a litre! My aircon works like brand new, not bad for 15 years hard service.

This car is ideally suited to run directly on used veggie / spirit mix, but replace the fuel filter REGULARLY, or dirt gets through.

That's all I can think of now. BTW I love the kick down in this thing, you get a beautiful cloud of black smoke, when it really drops down, (very handy!)

Don't forget change the cam belt, 60,000 miles to be on the safe side or it WILL go. If you do, this car can do half a million miles, cheaply.

30th Jun 2010, 06:42

Hello All,

I have a Nissan Serena import 2.0td auto with front and back climate control.

It has been running fine on bio diesel for a while now, but I went to start it this morning and it turns over but is not firing.

I (as a test) threw £5 pound of regular diesel in it but to no avail, (the tank had 1 quarter of veg in it). I don't if I will have to change the fuel filter. It had been getting sluggish lately.

Another issue is that the air con is not working, usually when you switch it on you can hear the pump go, and it brings the revs down a little, but I get none of that. I want to know will the pump work if the air con is spent? The display shows the air con is switched on.

To answer another point on this thread about the speedo not working, mine did that when it was really hot out, then after I drove it a little, and made a couple of stops, it came alive again (could be the start of something).

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts?

4th Aug 2011, 11:53

If you can contact Oldham Tyre company. Copster Hill Road, Oldham.. they do exhausts for your vehicle.. They did mine complete 3 years ago, £245.00. Also a new flexipipe 35.00. Their service is good.. they deal a lot with imports... just exhausts, brakes, tyres.. Good tho..

Dave Briggs.

14th Apr 2012, 03:09

I have just bought a Serena FX 2.0 TD.

Had to replace a split pipe and topped up the water. After a couple of days, on a return trip, the temperature shot up, so I pulled over and steam was pouring out of the engine compartment. The radiator was bone dry, but after I filled it up, I couldn't find any leaks. Any ideas?

15th Feb 2013, 10:20

Just changed the timing belt. Timing is spot on, but now it's throwing out black smoke. 2.3d grrr.

29th Jun 2015, 20:37

This happens when the PSI is too high and the relief valve goes off on the side of the manifold... The cause is a leak in the vacuum hose from the turbo to the vacuum unit that operates the waste gate... If waste gate stays closed, too much pressure builds up in the manifold, so a release valve kicks in. Check all your waste gate functions and the vacuum hose especially.

26th Aug 2016, 19:33

Hi there. I have a Nissan Serena TD 4WD FX. It was imported in 1997, but I have no idea what year it came out in Japan. Looking for a hanging camp or a cardan bearing as it's called in Europe I think, but when I go to websites for imports, they're asking me about the market model. I haven't got a clue how to find that.

5th Mar 2018, 21:16

You're a great guy and all your points are true.