Nissan Navara Engine Problems

It's not necessarily a problem that might require an engine rebuild to fix. When diesels blow a lot of smoke, it's usually because they're getting too much fuel. Take it to a diesel mechanic and have him check it before you go to the extreme of rebuilding the engine.

The dealer is telling you that there is no record of it being serviced by a Nissan dealer, which would seem to be correct given that you have had an independent mechanic do the servicing. I would agree that a timing chain shouldn't be worn and rattling at such low kilometres, but I doubt you'll get anywhere with Nissan on this. If you feel you need to follow through on this call Nissan's Customer Service Centre (phone: 1800 035 035).

It is an often reported problem with the Navara. It's too late to fix your car, but it's important that the sump plug gasket is replaced every time the oil is changed, and that the plug is not cross-threaded when installed, which could have happened at a previous service on your car causing it to jam in the thread, and that it is not over-tightened.

Ask them, why, if it's normal that they want you to take it back every 1000km. That's not normal. It's clearly using oil and they are clearly checking it to see how much it is using. Quiz them about the reasons for the check, and what they plan to do about fixing the car.

The ute is seven years old, a Nissan dealer hasn't serviced it, and you don't say how many kilometres it has done, so it's hard to make a judgment on the validity of your claim. The only thing I would suggest is that you attempt to convince Nissan to change its mind and come good with their goodwill assistance.

I wouldn't have thought that the independent suspension would be the cause, but whatever the cause is I wouldn't expect the radiator to crack to early. I would be pressing Nissan for a replacement.

That's a tricky one. Nissan's warranty doesn't cover the battery because it's regarded as a consumable, but the battery itself is covered by a warranty issued by its manufacturer. So, who's responsible when the battery is faulty? I would suggest it's Nissan in the first instance because they sold you the vehicle, the battery maker next as they produced it. Nissan should have replaced the battery and got their money back from the battery maker instead of putting the responsibility back on you as the customer.

You're right, the cam timing chain should last the life of the engine. They shouldn't be breaking, particularly at such low kays, as your friend's did. We have had other reports of failures in the Navara, but Nissan appears to be doing nothing about it.

Unless it’s a massive leak that drains the oil from the engine, which is most unlikely, it won’t affect the engine.

It would be nice to think that carmakers would own up to problems with their cars, but they always seem reluctant to do so, and our consumer laws are so pathetic that there's no incentive for them to do so. I would take the car to one of the diesel mechanics you refer to and have it repaired by them. I would expect they would be less expensive than the dealer.