Questions needing clarification re: yd25 timing chain issue

[Christos_Vic]

Ok guys,

I have been going through the forum for a while reading pretty much every thread on the timing chain issue in yd25 engines and just had a few questions that need clarification.
1. Most of the posts that i have look like they are in the year range 2008-2011 so was wondering if the timing chain issue had been fixed in the D22 Series 5 2014 STR 4wd Model?
2. There seems to be alot of issues with the D40 models and was wondering if this issue was still present in the D22?
3. Is there any difference in issues between the manual and auto transmission engines?.

Apologies if these have been answered i may have missed the info.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[tony d22]

To my knowledge most of the issues are with the D40.
D22's have very minimal issues regarding the timing chain, touch wood, with 237 000 k's, mine is still going well.
There are no auto transmissions in a D22.
A lot of people install a dual row timing chain but honestly, it is not really needed. More for peace of mind.
Hope this is helpfull.

 

[glennm]

Agree with tony d22 I replaced mine for peace of mind. oldtony should chime in soon as I recall him mentioning there was little or no mention of the issue in the d40 after a certain year. You could also speak to Paul at yd25.com.au as he does the kits and I have always found him to be straightforward.

 

[jonney]

I can,t remember the countries but the early model d-22,s had faulty chains supplied until another manufacturer was used.

 

[Old.Tony]

I can only remember one D22 having any sort of timing chain problem, and that's what you should expect - I mean, ANY component can fail. But in the earlier D40s (2006-2009 and maybe a couple from 2010) there were a raft of failures, and almost all of those resulted in the chain tensioner being damaged as well. Now whether that's "the tensioner failed and caused the chain to fail" or "the chain had a fault and destroyed itself and the tensioner" is anybody's guess but I'd put my money on the tensioner being the root cause, and a weak chain being the failure point.

However - my own 2009 model (and auto/manuals are the same engine) has now seen 308,000km. A lot of that is towing. It's booked in on Monday to see an auto transmission specialist who is going to investigate why I'm getting some vibration when the TCC is trying to lock up, we suspect that she's just a little old now and the torque converter wants some attention. But my timing chains have never given me any trouble.

Still, it's worth calling Paul at yd25.com.au and having a chat to him. He'll know how many dual row chains he's sold to D22 owners. I suspect it's not many.

The replacement cost (supply and fit) of timing chains in the YD25 motor isn't small (although it's less than a full rebuild/replacement engine), so you should make sure they're an actual problem before leaping.

 

[Czechmate]

Just thought id add my 2 cents

The vast majority of timing chain issues were with spain built D40 STXs from 05-09. Navara StX dualcabs and pathfinders were built in Spain, all other navaras built in thailand.
There were some engine differences between spain and thai built.

Nissan sold a ***** load of these STXs because at the time the D40 was the best looking and most powerful ute on the market, and the STX was the top model which everyone wanted.

Of course, because such a huge number of these vehicles were sold and there was an inherent issue with the engine, it became a massive story for Toyota owners to rattle out at every BBq etc.

I read somewhere ages ago that the early timing chains in the spainbuilt navaras and pathfinders were supplied by a french manufacturer who wasn't briefed correctly on the requirements of the chain, whereas the thai built navaras had a chain sourced from nissan in Japan.

So yeah i wouldnt be overly concerned about a d22 with 2.5 yd25 because theyre all made in thailand, with a tiny number being built in japan (2012 i think) when thailand had bad flooding. (find a Japanese built if at all possible)

That said, Paul from yd25.com.au makes an amazing dual row timing chain kit, it really gave me the confidence to give my D40 a bit of stick after i installed it.

 

[Tms40]

I’ve only recently had the pleasure of being a Jan built Spanish 2014 D40 owner. 55k on the clock and my reasearch after the purchase led me to the dreaded timing chain problem. Love my rig but I’ve basically been concerned ever since. Are my fears justified on this model? I must also add I haven’t found out much info on the later models of Navara on forums. I’m starting to think later chat may be on FB which I’m not into

 

[jonney]

you should be pretty safe with the later 2014 model.

 

[Czechmate]

As i said I'm fairly sure most failures were with the 05-09 era of STXs, but some other models have had issues too
If you love the car and you're going to keep it long term, put in the dual row Iwis kit from Yd25.com.au and be done with it
Think of it as preventative maintenance

Dont forget, the 2006-2010 Hiluxes had injector problems that are as expensive if not more expensive to remedy than upgrading a timing chain

 

[Christos_Vic]

Thanks so much for the replies guys

Tony D22 – yeah I got the feeling that most were issues with the D40 model. Glad to hear that yours is going well. Definitely sounds like a dual row timing chain is a good idea, just trying to prioritize it in the list of upgrades. Was thinking of trying the dual row install myself if I get a kit in the future. Thanks

Glennm – Glad to hear that you have had good dealings with the seller of your dual row chain. Something to think about.

Old Tony – Sounds like your getting some decent mileage out of yours whilst doing a lot of towing. I tow a soft top camper once or twice a year, and the D22 does it nicely. I understand what you mean about any component failing, very valid and there is definitely a cost in replacing or not replacing if it fails.

Czechmate – You sound like you know your stuff about the variants and models of the Navs Mate. Sounds like mine wont have too much of an issue (touch wood) being a 2014 Thai make. Thinking of starting to do a few upgrades for some off roading so might make me a bit more comfortable getting it done. However cost of dual row timing chain (if not required) or get a chip, exhaust,etc.. time will tell.

Thanks heaps for the responses guys, really appreciate it.

Anyone who has done the kit on a D22 remember around about figure how much it was for supply and do you need a rocket scientist degree to do it?

Cheers Guys.

 

[jonney]

christos, how many K,s on your navara ? I think the chain kit is around the 1500 mark and it is quite a big job to do going by what i have heard and seen on you-tube vids. normally when the timing chain or guides wear out or the chain starts to stretch you will hear an unusual noise coming from the front of engine , atleast this is a good indication that something needs to be checked asap . one good thing to do with your model is to change the engine oil and oil filter every 5k as this assures the oil is clean with no chances of any blockages in oil passage journals that could assist in a dry chain guiide etc etc.

 

[glennm]

Christos
mine is a march 2008 Japanese build. I had mine inspected at around 115ks and the chain tensioner was showing signs of wear and the chain had minor but definite signs of wear on a few links. Paul is very thorough. Paul did a mod to the tensioner that would prevent it from allowing too much slack in the chain. As mine is a long termer at around 130ks I had the dual row put in and had the tensioner replaced with a yd25 modified one. Not a cheap exercise on the 22 as the gearbox has to be moved back to allow the oil pan to drop. $3800 if I recall correctly but maybe the silly oil pan design was changed on the Thai built ones. I agree with oldtony about the tensioners my original was definitely on the way out and he replaced the replacement free after 50k as it was faulty. First one he had seen, lucky me. He checked the chain while he was at it and it was perfect.

 

[Christos_Vic]

Hey Guys,

Jonney - i am bout to hit 50k on my Nav and looking to keep it for a while. The youtube vids i have watched looked like it could get a bit difficult at times and the yd25 website has a fitting time of around 20 hours for the D22 models. I have been changing oil around 8km mark but will definitely move it to 5k mark if it decreases the chance of timing chain issues. Haven't heard any weird noises, just trying to be vigilant and keep an ear out for worrying noises.

Glennm- think that i might look at getting it done around 100k like most timing chains get done and i wonder i if the gear box was moved in the Thailand mode. #### 3800, wow. Will have to give paul a call at yd25 and talk about options.

Thanks so much for your replies guys. this forum is so helpful. Chris

 

[jonney]

50k is nothing on the clock and certainly nothing to worry about in regards to the timing chain failing.

 

[Christos_Vic]

Yeah Jonney, have put bugger all k`s on it. Was thinking of getting the timing chain inspected at 100k and go from there. It runs nicely. Was just a little concerned as want to get a little more power out of it safely for some off road trips. I have done a snorkel, looking at an exhaust and possibly a chip (but probably not) is all i really want to do in the engine area that i think might put more strain on it. Shouldn't be too much extra pressure should it?
Thanks, Chris

 

[Czechmate]

Have to point this out right now

Ive already mentioned this a few times in other parts of the forum

The timing chain in my 07 d40 STX snapped at 70,000 ks, no noise or rattle, no other signs of wear or failure, it just snapped
I was boosting nicely at 110 up a very steep long hill in SA called willunga hill

I was planning on doing the dual row kit at 100,000, just didnt quite make it

I had to do new head as well because the pistons smashed the valves when the chain broke

 

[jonney]

That is the d-40 model to be wary of with timing chain failures. the d-22 late model does not have this issue as a better quality chain has been used.

 

[Czechmate]

Yea we already covered the changes and differences on timing chains earlier in this thread

Just wanted to make the point that low ks isnt necessarily a factor in what makes yd25 timing chains go ping

 

[jonney]

not all yd-25 engines have premature timing chain failures, the D-40 / yd-25 engine is not the same as the D-22 / yd-25 engine.