Nissan Navara Problems

We were asked if it was necessary to change the timing chain on a D40 Navara and we correctly advised the reader that it wasn't. There is no requirement to change the chain regularly as there is on engines with timing belts, but chains do wear and sometimes they loosen or even break as we reported in our used review of the D40 a few weeks ago. Of course, when that happens you must replace the chain. It's pretty easy to hear a chain when it's loose, there's usually a loud rattling noise from the front of the engine. If you hear such a noise best get it checked out before you do some serious damage to the engine internals.

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.

I can understand why you would think it's dangerous. We haven't had any other reports of this issue, so can't say that it's widespread as you claim, but it's something that needs to be addressed on your vehicle at the very least. It would not appear to be a problem of the vehicle going into a limp-home mode, as you would expect a warning light to come on. That said, switching the car off and on again usually reboots the computer and eliminates the problem. I would suggest it's a fuel supply problem, perhaps the pickup that the dealer is suggesting, or even the fuel pump or injectors.

Unfortunately they are serious; it's not uncommon as you can see from Peter Dunn's report. You could consult a brake specialist and see what options they have in aftermarket pads and rotors.

It's only necessary on engines that have belts and the Navara engines have chains, so there's no requirement to replace them.

Fitting an external cooler would do no harm, it can only help. The other thing to keep in mind when towing is not to let the gearbox lug in overdrive, but change down when the road demands it.

Nissan's response isn't acceptable, and you're right, the EPA  would probably put your car off the road if they saw it. It isn't  normal, and sounds like it's getting too much fuel when accelerating.  I would have a diesel engine specialist check it; I'm sure they would  be able to find the cause of the problem for you.

We haven't been alerted to the injector problem, so it's something else Navara owners should be listening for. With all the problems occurring today, you could conclude that carmakers have been cutting costs.

If it were normal why would they clean the EGR valve and reset the fuel pump? Clearly there is a problem, either with the pump or the injectors, as it seems to be getting too much fuel. Take it back and demand a real fix.

It's possible that they might come to the party and help out with part of the cost of repairs, so you should approach them with a claim. You might find, however, that because the car is six years old, you bought it secondhand so there's no record of its previous use, and it's well out of warranty I think your claim could be rejected.