Nissan Navara 2008 Problems

A NUMBER of companies offer gas-on-diesel systems for vehicles like your Navara. They're not dual-fuel systems as used on petrol engines, rather a substitution system that adds some LPG to the mix of air and diesel going into the engine. The LPG boosts performance and the theory is the driver then backs off the throttle and gets better fuel economy as a result of lower throttle openings. Do your homework as I have had reports of engines blowing up.

The diesel mechanics are correct, there was/are problems with the injectors in the Navara. One dealer told us to stop blaming Nissan as all brands use the same injectors and they too have the problem. But that head-in-the-sand approach doesn't help the poor customer who has shelled out to buy a car with a known problem, and it doesn't help that you now have to shell out even more money to fix it. It helps that you reported the problem when the car was still under warranty, so I would go back to Nissan and give them the full history of your car and press them for some assistance with the cost of repairs. You could also try consumer affairs.

YOU would like to think the people servicing your car are up with its specifications, but sadly sometimes that's not always the case. As you've discovered, and Nissan has confirmed, your Navara does have anti-skid brakes standard. It's always a good idea to do the research before buying a vehicle.

As the repairs were not carried out by a Nissan dealer you need to submit a detailed report on the failure written by the people who did the work. It should be accompanied by a letter requesting that Nissan reimburse you for the cost of repairs. Unfortunately you are in a situation where it's your word against theirs, so you need to have good backup documentation in support of your case. If you don't get any satisfaction there you could resort to legal action.

I'd be inclined to take the advice of your mechanic, but if you are still concerned get the opinion of another mechanic. It should be easy, simply by listening to it, to determine where the noise is coming from, and from that whether it is a timing chain or not.

I have had the odd reports of timing chains breaking, but every time I have checked into the issue I have been told the main reason for the failure is either a lack if servicing or poor servicing. It would appear that Nissan engines are more sensitive than most to having fresh oil running through their galleries and regular oil changes should be carried out religiously to avoid a build up of sludge resulting in blocked oil passages.

GOING gas is an attractive option and the numbers now favour LPG over diesel. Repco recently opted to go that path with Mitsubishi Tritons and reckon the petrol engine running on LPG is cheaper than going with the diesel alternative.

THE guys at the Australian LPG Warehouse have a kit for your car, but they advise you take out a warranty policy because problems have been reported from the field with that engine. It seems the catalytic converter can fail and bits of the catalyst can be sucked into the engine through the EGR system. There are cases where the bores in the engine have been scored. They say they haven't had the problem with their kits, but they do advise caution.