Nissan Serena/Largo/LDV Cub help

[Can'tWeld]

Hi all,

Just bought a Nissan Serena and there doesn't seem to be a huge amount of information about them on the internet - I have a few questions and was wondering if you kind people would be able to answer them.

Here is my beastie:

My main concern is that the clutch seems to judder a bit when setting off. It doesn't slip when moving at all (I can stick it in 4th going up a big hill and the engine will stall rather than the clutch slipping). Is this anything to worry about? Are the clutches particularly difficult to do on these (middle-engined layout)?

Also...

- The brake warning light (handbrake light) is on. The fluid resevoir is full and the brakes work fine. The vehicle has no ABS so am I right in thinking the only thing it could be is a faulty fluid level sensor (or a stuck handbrake switch)?

- Changing the cambelt. Any guides for how to do this online at all? It's the 2.3 non-turbo diesel. The belts do look pretty recent but I'd rather not take any chances so I'd like to get it changed as soon as possible.

- There is a rear heater in the back that seems to be plumbed into the cooling system. I am looking at converting the van to a camper and don't really want a big metal box sticking out of the floor - can I remove it and simply join the two pipes together? (see Projects forum for the camper conversion!)

Cheers everyone

 

[Bigjoe]

Well from the top,it could be a worn engine or gearbox mount if the clutch is not slipping generally,erm the timing belt....its a pretty straight forward engine to work on,autodata will have instructions on the job,if you can find a friendly person with an autodata manual or even but one of the workshop manuals on ebay,im sure what else is available for these.

Depending on the heater you should be be able to remove it and join the pipes but until its out its difficult to say really.

Hope this is of some little help.

Joe

 

[johnik]

book time for a clutch is 1.8 hours,plenty room and they are pretty light,no time for timing belt but they are usually pretty easy,some timing belt boxes have destructions on the box.
fluid level,could be the switch on the res top/hand brake switch or pads if it has sensors

 

[oz.]

Juddering clutch as you pull off could mean it's knakered. The springs inside which makes the introduction of power to the clutch plate smoother.

 

[blenkie1]

Think oz is right sounds like a broken spring in the clutch plate. Its either live with it or a new plate

 

[stormin]

Clutch could be the reason previously mentioned or slight oil leak from rear crank seal, also build up of clutch dust due to wear. Early nineties asbestos free clutches were renowned for judder.
Only cure is replacement.
Regarding brake light switch, try disconnecting then shorting together the wires from hand brake switch then resevoir level sensor and see what happens to light.