Nissan Navara Problems

Our Nissan specialist, Jerry Newman, says the only timing chain failures he has had to repair on the Navara are because of poor maintenance, mostly because the oil hasn’t been changed, and the tensioner has failed leading to the failure of the guide and the chain. It’s vital to keep up the maintenance.

The DPF requires a certain drive cycle to do the automatic burn it must do to rid itself of the accumulated carbon. Your driving cycle obviously doesn't meet the criteria so the automatic burn hasn't been done and the dealer has attempted a forced burn in an attempt to save the DPF. In one sense you're lucky that it only cost $3200 as many people find they also have to replace the catalytic converters and the cost can climb as high as $6000 or more when that happens. You might have a case against Nissan, consult the consumer affairs people in your state and get their advice.

First, have it assessed by a paint specialist, like Graeme Cuthbert (0422 444 335), and get a report on the likely cause. Then take that to Nissan with your claim, if that fails consult the consumer affairs people in your state.

The owner’s book will tell what oil you should be using, but it’s generally a high-grade gear oil, like 81-40 GL5.

It can happen if someone overtightens the sump plug. The thread can be damaged and distorted, but the usual way of fixing it is to use an oversize plug as has been used on your car. The thread can sometimes be retapped to repair it as well. Replacing the sump seems overkill. If it's not leaking and the oversize plug can be unscrewed and retightened without any problem then I would leave it.

It sounds like the torque converter locking up, which is a normal function of the transmission to save fuel. When it does you should see the engine speed drop as the converter locks up and rises again when it unlocks. It’s likely that you’re driving on or around the lock-up speed so you’re getting it cycling in and out of lock-up. Taking it out of overdrive at that speed will get around the problem.

There are systems available for the Navara and there are vehicle running well on LPG, but some specialists have reported problems getting the gas injection timing correct with the Nissan’s variable valve timing system. One uses a liquid injection system, which has the same injection timing as the Nissan’s petrol system along with the same combustion temperature, and that appears to work well. If you’re going to do it make sure you choose an experienced and competent installer, and perhaps consider the liquid injection option.

Your cheapest course of action would be to fit a non-factory clutch kit and don’t replace the dual-mess flywheel. That would cost you around $600, but wouldn’t be my recommendation. A non-factory clutch kit with a replacement dual-mass flywheel would cost around $1800, a similar cost to an equivalent factory kit, but the best course of action given that you tow would be to fit a non-factory heavy-duty clutch and a solid flywheel. Cost for that would be about $1800.

I would send Nissan a letter attaching the invoice for the repair and ask that they reimburse you for the cost of the repair. They need to be made aware of your dissatisfaction, but I doubt they will come to the party.

My experience is that the D40 Navara is quite a smooth riding ute, sure it’s designed to carry a load, but compared to, say the old D22 Navara, which was a bone shaker the D40 is very smooth. It’s very unusual for a tyre to develop flat spots in a short period of time; the vehicle would have to be sitting for a long time for that to happen. Goodyear Wranglers are generally regarded as good tyres. If you wanted to try other brands, try B.F. Goodrich or Michelins.