Nissan Navara: D40 YD25DDTi Timing Chain Tensioner Failure and Chain Rattle

The YD25DDTi engine uses a single-row primary timing chain with a hydraulic tensioner that is known to lose oil pressure retention over time. The tensioner can collapse on cold start, allowing chain slack to slap against the guide rail. Prolonged operation with a failed tensioner causes chain stretch, jumped timing, and in severe cases bent valves and piston contact. The failure is often triggered by infrequent oil changes allowing oil pressure bleed-off in the tensioner check valve.

• Metallic rattling from front of engine on cold start lasting more than a few seconds
• Check engine light with cam-to-crank correlation fault codes (P0016/P0017)
• Engine runs rough or misfires after a cold start rattle event
• Ticking noise that increases with engine speed on a cold engine

1. 1

   Cold-start the engine and listen immediately for a metallic rattling or clattering from the front of the engine that persists more than 3 seconds before quietening.

2. 2

   Check oil condition and service interval history — neglected oil is the primary trigger.

3. 3

   Ask about any MIL codes related to cam/crank correlation (P0016, P0017).

Parts involved: Timing chain.

$900 to $3,200 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.

• “Does the engine rattle on cold start before oil pressure builds?”
• “What is the oil change interval and what oil grade has been used?”
• “Has a timing chain, tensioner, or guide replacement ever been carried out?”

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.