1998 Nissan Terrano II R20 from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

The air flow meter failed at ~60000km / 4 years old causing a severe loss of power. The local Nissan dealership had experienced the same problem on 3 other vehicles of this model. He considered it a fairly common problem although Nissan corporate disagreed. The local dealer said he could replace it for A$1150 other dealerships quoted A$1395. My local turbo diesel mechanic could source and replace the part (Bosch) for A$520.

The car has been great otherwise - very comfortable and generally reliable.

I'm very disappointed with Nissan for not accepting this as a design fault and fixing it without an argument.

Yes we have a 1999 terrano II. Same problem, but we managed to get it fixed within the warranty period. Nissan wouldn't accept it was the air flow meter, but eventually had to listen to us. We also found out it was a very common problem with this particular model and age.

Same problem with my 1999 terrano II TDi - the MAF packed in at 120000Ks. Nissan wanted excess of $1200 to supply part. Sourced one and self installed for less than $600. Appears to be a problem with this vehicle. Learnt that Nissan prices are exorbitant. Learnt that the MAF does not like oil impregnated Air Cleaner filters. Other wise apart from a spongy clutch (Air in line?) this has proved to be a great and economical vehicle.

My 2000 TDi MAF seems to have been going for a while, it took my local mechanic to actually confirm that it was the mass air flow meter, it had been twice in Nisan main dealership with this complaint.

When confronted with the readout they quoted €600 for the part plus fitting which necessitated the car being “booked in” and would take about an hour’s worth of a mechanics time ~ but all that would cost ME a half a day!!!

I sourced one on Ebay for €98, my mechanic took five minutes ~ drop in have a coffee and on my way.

Have 1997 ti td27, the MAF started causing problems. After a bit of internet surfing and forum reading I pulled the MAF out and cleaned it out. It has two 'elements' that detect the airflow that look like a resistor in a electric devices. I have a oil impregnated filter and these where covered with oil and dust etc. I gently cleaned the 'elements' with metho and cotton buds (thank to my dear wife) and replaced. power back to normal. I now give it a clean out every 10k Kms and no further problems.

Just read the comment about cleaning the air flow meter and am pleased to say it works. Would recommend anyone to try first before buying a new one.

Thank you for the information; it's good to have my Nissan back to full power.

Thankyou - Cotton bud and Meths - cheaper than $600!!! no more power loss.

13 Feb 2008, 0930.

We have a 1998 Terrano II 2.7 TDI. we love it, plenty of room in the 7 seat set up, tows with ease and it has been very reliable and with better fuel economy than my wife's RAV4.

But it seems the MAF is now playing up at 110,000 km. The engine light would come on and at the same time it would experience loss of top end power. This would then seem to right itself for awhile, after two more times I started to do some investigating. It has now done it again and stayed that way and won't go over 80kph. I have read with interest the last three reviews (one as late as 7 Jan 08) which stated cleaning the MAF with metho and cotton buds! Is this something a novice like me could perform? I am mechanically minded, but I don't have a manual and cannot identify the MAF. Any advice would be appreciated as I love my Terrano II and miss driving it.Thanks.

Townsville, 1998 Terrano II 2.7tdi Loss of power big time. After reading previous comments I removed Air filter (dry type) pretty clean. I then removed the MAF device to inspect, looks good (looks almost new) however I note it has only one resistor/sensor the other side looks like it should have one as well (but nothing).

I removed the air intake pipe to see if it had come off it might have been further down the pipe, no luck. surely it coulndn't have passed through the small intake fan.

I read today on this site that there are two resistors/sensors on the MAS if this is so, where could mine have gone?

I have since found replacements through the UK on e-bay for 39 pounds, local Nissan dealer quoted $350.00. If someone could confirm if it should have one or two resistors/sensors I would most appreciate it before I part with the cash. Thanks.