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CriticalCommonEngine

Mitsubishi Triton: 4N15 2.4D Timing Chain Stretch and Cold-Start Rattle

4N15 2.4D Timing Chain Stretch and Cold-Start Rattle is a common engine fault on the Mitsubishi Triton on the 2015 onward cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $6,000 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 34 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Triton.

Vehicle
Mitsubishi Triton
Engine
2.4L
Years
2015 onward
Fuel
diesel
System
Engine

This page covers the Mitsubishi Triton 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 Triton faults34 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The 4N15 2.4-litre diesel fitted to MQ/MR Tritons uses a timing chain that is dependent on oil pressure at startup for adequate lubrication of the chain tensioner. On vehicles with extended oil change intervals or where oil quality has degraded, the chain and tensioner wear prematurely, producing a characteristic cold-start rattle that clears as oil pressure builds. Widely documented on Triton MQ owner forums in NZ and AU, and confirmed by multiple independent mechanics as an escalating problem if ignored.

What you would notice

  • Loud rattling or chattering noise from engine on cold start, clearing after 10-30 seconds
  • Check engine light with timing-related codes (P0016, P0017, P0335)
  • Rough running or misfires during warm-up phase

How to check it

Where to look. Front of engine, timing chain cover

  1. Start the engine from cold and immediately listen for a rattle from the front of the engine.

  2. A rattle that persists beyond 15-20 seconds is a serious concern.

  3. Request a scan tool reading for timing chain fault codes.

  4. Ask when oil was last changed and what grade was used.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $6,000 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

  • “Does the engine make a rattling sound on cold start?”
  • “What is the oil change interval used and what oil grade?”
  • “Have any fault codes relating to timing chain or cam position been logged?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Triton 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 published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mitsubishi Triton buyer questions

Is 4n15 2.4d timing chain stretch and cold-start rattle serious on a Mitsubishi Triton?

We rate it critical and common on the Mitsubishi Triton. The 4N15 2.4-litre diesel fitted to MQ/MR Tritons uses a timing chain that is dependent on oil pressure at startup for adequate lubrication of the chain tensioner. On vehicles with extended oil change intervals or where oil quality has degraded, the chain and tensioner wear prematurely, producing a characteristic cold-start rattle that clears as oil pressure builds. Widely documented on Triton MQ owner forums in NZ and AU, and confirmed by multiple independent mechanics as an escalating problem if ignored.

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

$2,500 to $6,000 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 Triton years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2015 onward Mitsubishi Triton. 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.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Start the engine from cold and immediately listen for a rattle from the front of the engine. A rattle that persists beyond 15-20 seconds is a serious concern. Request a scan tool reading for timing chain fault codes. Ask when oil was last changed and what grade was used. Look here: Front of engine, timing chain cover