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Nissan TD42 engine: known problems
Used in 2 guides · 4169cc diesel · 5 known problems
Displacement
4169cc
Fuel
diesel
Timing
Gear-driven timing (no belt or chain) - extremely robust
Known problems5
Everything our guides list for the variants with this engine: the engine itself plus the gearbox and ancillaries it's paired with. Each shows which cars it's listed for.
High
Overheating / cracked head from marginal cooling
Factory cooling is borderline, especially once owners fit an aftermarket turbo and work the engine hard while towing. A tired radiator, weak fan clutch or low coolant lets it overheat and crack the head or blow the gasket.
Fix: Keep the cooling system fresh - recore/upgrade radiator, replace fan clutch and thermostat, and fit a quality intercooled turbo (not a cheap kit) if adding boost.
Listed for: Nissan Patrol GQ
High
Overheating / head gasket if cooling neglected
The TD42 is reliable provided cooling is maintained; a tired radiator, fan clutch or worked-hard turbo conversion can cook the head gasket.
Fix: Keep cooling system fresh (radiator, fan clutch, coolant). Upgrade radiator on turbo'd examples.
Listed for: Nissan Patrol Y61
Medium
Injector pump and injector wear
The mechanical injector pump and injectors wear at high km, causing hard starting, excessive smoke and lost power.
Fix: Diesel-specialist pump and injector rebuild. Many examples have already been done - ask for records.
Listed for: Nissan Patrol GQ · Nissan Patrol Y61
Low
Age-related ancillaries and seals
These are 30-year-old engines - expect perished hoses, weeping rear main and timing-cover seals, tired engine mounts and a smoky cold start.
Fix: Budget a consumables and seal refresh on purchase.
Listed for: Nissan Patrol GQ
Low
Tired/aged ancillaries
These are old vehicles - expect perished hoses, weeping seals, worn suspension bushes and engine mounts.
Fix: Budget for a refresh of consumables on purchase.
Listed for: Nissan Patrol Y61
Cars with the TD422
From the FlamingCars guides for these cars. Specs are shown only where the guides agree and the value is verified.