MajorCommonEngine

Mitsubishi Delica: 4M40 timing chain stretch and worn guides/tensioner

4M40 timing chain stretch and worn guides/tensioner is a common engine fault on the Mitsubishi Delica on the 2000–2006 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,200 to $2,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 18 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Delica.

Vehicle: Mitsubishi Delica
Engine: 4M40
Years: 2000–2006
Fuel: diesel
System: Engine

This page covers the Mitsubishi Delica as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mitsubishi Delica faults18 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

What goes wrong

Unlike belt-driven rivals the 4M40 uses a timing chain, and on higher-kilometre PD Space Gears the chain stretches while the plastic guide rails, idler-sprocket bush and hydraulic tensioner wear. Owners typically report the problem emerging beyond roughly 150,000 km, presenting as a rattle or chatter from the front timing-chain chamber, especially on cold start-up. Left unchecked a badly stretched chain throws out valve timing and, worst case, can skip and cause valve-to-piston contact. It is a known wear item rather than a design defect, so budget for it on any import that has no chain-service record.

What you would notice

Rattle or chatter from the front of the engine, worst on cold start
Timing-chain noise that settles once oil pressure builds
Rough running or slightly retarded injection timing
Chain noise persisting after a tensioner replacement

How to check it

Where to look. Front of engine - timing chain, guide rails, idler sprocket and tensioner behind the timing cover

Listen at the front timing cover on cold start-up for chain rattle; ask for evidence of chain, guide and tensioner replacement given the vehicle's kilometres; check service history for any prior front-cover work and whether noise returned afterwards; note higher risk beyond about 150,000 km on unserviced imports.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$1,200 to $2,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the timing chain, guides and tensioner ever been replaced, and at what kilometres?”
“Is there any rattle from the front of the engine on a cold first start?”
“Do you have invoices for any timing-chain-chamber work?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Delica you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

DelicaUSA 'L400 Diesel Timing Chain Kit' product/service page (delicausa.com) - documents 4M40 chain, guide and tensioner wear
ProductReview.com.au Mitsubishi Delica MK4 (1994-2007) Q&A - owner reports of stretched chain, worn guide plates and bad idler-sprocket bush beyond 150,000 km
Fixya thread 'Timing chain 4m40 mitsubishi Delica 2.8' (fixya.com/cars/t10268689)

Mitsubishi Delica buyer questions

Is 4m40 timing chain stretch and worn guides/tensioner serious on a Mitsubishi Delica?

We rate it major and common on the Mitsubishi Delica. Unlike belt-driven rivals the 4M40 uses a timing chain, and on higher-kilometre PD Space Gears the chain stretches while the plastic guide rails, idler-sprocket bush and hydraulic tensioner wear. Owners typically report the problem emerging beyond roughly 150,000 km, presenting as a rattle or chatter from the front timing-chain chamber, especially on cold start-up. Left unchecked a badly stretched chain throws out valve timing and, worst case, can skip and cause valve-to-piston contact. It is a known wear item rather than a design defect, so budget for it on any import that has no chain-service record.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mitsubishi Delica?

$1,200 to $2,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mitsubishi Delica years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2000–2006 Mitsubishi Delica. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.