Here is some text from UK forums
Gents,
I have just bought one with a rod through both sides of the block, and the con rod end cap through the sump!!
I have extensive engine building experience from Transits through Lotus' to Porsche Carrera's, in my humble opinion gained from reading others misfortunes, and inspecting both my original blown engine and the replacement I have bought, I believe the fault lies with con rod bolts that are NOT up to the job.
I think that the bolts are permanently damaged during the angle torqing phase of their instalation, the lack of quality of these bolts means that they pass through their elastic limits (meaning that when undone they return to their exact original size, specification and condition) into their plastic limits (meaning that permanent changes to their dimensions has occurred (due to being overstretched), and to their molecular makeup (causing graining to take place, a form of work-hardening, leading to a critical catastrophic failure or snapping).
My own blown engine shows no bluing or scoring to the journal of No 3 cylinder, indicating no lack of lubrication, indeed if you read the accounts from other unfortunate owners suffering the same catastrophic failures they do not mention a long term knocking that was getting worse with age (indicating a slow wear rate taking place), many just state that the car was driving perfectly normally, when a loud knocking was heard (the first bolt snapping allowing the endcap to open up) this was then closely followed by the terminal failure of a rod coming through the block (second bolt snapping)!
In my own case timing chain problems would not result in the end cap coming through the sump, the only explanation for this is the failure of the securing method I. E. the end cap bolts.
I have worked on many cars with timing belt failures NONE have put rods through the side, even severe cases of pistons/bores being hydraulically locked after being driven through water have only resulted in bent rods.
Think about it there is very little stress on the end caps, they being under a little more than usual when drawing in a fresh charge of air.
A rod through the side of any engine must mean that it has become disconected from the crankshaft journal the only way this can occur is for the bolts to come undone or snap, especially so considering the reports from owners when the failure happened.
I have also inspected the bolts from my replacement engine (24K miles), these already show a decrease in diameter of some .12mm due to stretching, and require firm use of a spanner to screw the nut along their full length, indicating permanent deformation of the bolt affecting the thread!
I am currently trying to obtain upgraded bolts NOT of Nissan origin, however should this be unsucessful I will have to use new Nissan bolts but modify the way they are installed by reducing the angular torqing by 66.6 or 75% (I haven't decided yet), to compensate for this I will not be fitting them oiled up (as per the Nissan technical manual) but dry, ensuring they have a copious amount of Loctite.
I only bought a Navara after taking medical advice that I ought to buy a dog to ensure I exercised an ailing back, after running Lexus LS 400's for the last eight years (where the only troubles were a battery and an alternator) I really am beginning to regret this decision.
Please would someone give me some good news about these cars that I can look forward to?
Här är lite klipp ur flera andra trådar på samma forum, det verkar vara samma problem med att Nissan ignorerar problemet även i andra länder.
Hi, im thinking of buying a d22 pickup,i have heard horror stories about conrods being chucked out around 60-70 0000 milescould anyone confirm this please,i currently run a 98 d22 which runs great but just getting on a bit in age previous owner fitted a nissan terrano engine in it i pressume it must be different engine to whats in the d22 has now, any advice on 02-03 d22 would be appreciated cheers ,. fred
Hi all ,your D22 engine will blow up at ,circa 80,000 miles.No 4 cyl or bearing
Dont even think about getting a nissan navara i am on to my secound engine first 1 blew at 65000 miles then it has done the same at 154000 aparently there isnt enough oil to get to the back of the engine hense it drying out resulting in con rod flying out of the block nissan know about this common fault but arent doing enything about it if the waranty has expired just dont even think about buying one you will spend a fortune recon engines alone start off at about £3000 thats not including labour
I too have had my Navara D22 throw a conrod through the side of the engine. 62000 miles - warranty only to 60,000, and dealership told me that because mine wasn't quite serviced every 6000 they couldn't help.
This IS A COMMON PROBLEM! Why don't Nissan own up and help out all these poor Navara owners?
Secondhand or recon engines are like gold-dust and very hard to source. Any ideas?
We are the sad owners of three Nissan Navara diesel pick ups all purchased over the last three years. They have all been kept fully serviced yet all THREE have now experienced catastrophic big end failures leading to engine write offs. This has occurred between 70,000 and 100,000 miles, not a lot for commercial deisels. The bottom end of the con rod develops hair line cracks then breaks up. We also had one shed a rear wheel complete with half shaft in the middle of the M1. By a miracle no one was injured or killed. We certainly will NOT be buying any more...it's back to Land Rover and Toyota that have served us well over many years.
Just had conrod go through side of the engine yesterday on my 04 outlaw. 59,200 miles but 3.5 months outside warranty. I'm fuming. Trading standards say because i bought car froma dealer at 2 years old and am on HP i can only get redress from the HP company as technically they own it until last payment.
This cannot be right. The truck is obviously unfit for purpose. I'm going to watchdog.
Just had 04 navara no 3 con rod cracked due to big end shell breaking in half for no apparent reason. vehicle under warranty told that under no circumstance will they honour warranty because the vehicle may have been used in 4 wheel drive or towed a trailer!!! Had to stand the cost and carry out repairs ourselves.
I've just been through this ordeal. the last 3 weeks have been a nightmare,and cost 4,000 quid do yourselves a favour and get relay insurance and a good 2nd hand engine Because it is going to happen to you
Big end failure at 67k conrod snapped just out of warranty. Nissan response no goodwill as fsh was not with Nissan. Anyone out there with similar problem? Engine builders say there has been problems but Nissan deny - any comments/suggestions please.
My D22 blew up last week in Penrith I must have been luckyI have 84.000 miles on mine My last trooper did 200,ooo These engines are suspect and Nissan should recognise that Let,s organise some sort of action against Nissan?
You are not alone! We have THREE Nissan Navara pickups and all THREE have had catastophic failures of the bottom end of the con rods, writing off two engines. All this at 70,000 - 100,000 miles. Not a lot for fully serviced commercial diesels. The con rods develop hairline cracks then fail. They are all the same.
I have an 02 Frontier (navara import) just chewed its way through the second engine.
First engine diagnosed with cam chain tensioner fault which was relaced and lasted about 2 weeks before chucking a rod through the block.
8 grand later a new engine is fitted and lasts 47k and 14 months before making the same noise. But this time I stopped it within a few seconds and had it transported to Dan Perkins who diagnosed a worn fan belt???
After changing the belt they decided it was not that. ?600 in advance to strip and ispect and I have been told today that its a worn big end journal, and get this, will require a complete new engine to rectify as its knackered the bores and valve gear. And that Nissan UK have said they will not help
