Nissan YD25 diesel engine. Common problems and life expectancy

If you are a fan of Nissan vehicles, you’ve certainly heard about the YD25 engine. This is a legendary diesel engine that powers the most popular pickup trucks and minivans of Nissan in many different markets all around the world. This is the 2.5L diesel engine that has two main versions and has been manufactured since 1998. It’s still offered new today!

In this article, I will tell you about some features and common problems of the YD25 engine, will outline its main advantages and flaws. I will also calculate its average longevity so that you know when you should get rid of the car powered by this engine. I should say first that the machine is astonishing. This is one of the best diesel engines I’ve ever seen.

Here’s what I will cover in this article:

1. The versions and key facts about the YD25 engine.
2. How many kilometers will this engine last in your Nissan car?
3. What are the most common problems with these diesel machines?
4. How can you prolong the life of these engines?

Key facts about the YD25 Nissan engine

This is a living legend. The machine offers a lot of years of experience in one unit. I can’t say that Nissan has made a lot of modifications to this powerplant since it first made this engine in 1998. Surprisingly, even after a quarter of a century, this diesel machine is still up-to-date and is used in the Navara and Pathfinder in several countries.

Also, the engine was installed in Presage, Bassara, and Murano. Some vehicles were JDM (sold only in Japan) while others were sold all over Europe. Some other JDM cars still use this engine and buyers are more than happy with what they get.

Here are the key facts about the machine:

• this is the 4-cylinder 2.5-liter diesel turbocharged engine that offers 110-190 horsepower depending on the version;
• the main advantage is the torque that can go up to 450 Nm in stock versions;
• there are two main versions – the NEO-Di direct injection and also the Common Rail injection, the latter is commonly referred to as DCi;
• both versions have an intercooler, the common-rail version also has the EGR for better efficiency in terms of emissions;
• the cast-iron block is standard for the time when the YD25 was engineered, the head is aluminum, of course;
• the engine has the two-row timing chain to drive the camshafts, but it’s not eternal and may cause some problems if neglected;
• the engine is ridiculously economical – the Pathfinder can show about 11.5L/100 km in the city and 8 L/100 km on highways.

This engine is great for towing and hauling something not extremely heavy. Also, it’s not bad in terms of overall dynamics. The Pathfinder will accelerate from zero to 100 km for just a little more than 11 seconds. It’s not bad for an all-purpose big SUV with a pretty high level of reliability and quality.

This engine is fun to drive. I almost never say that when I review diesel engines, but this one deserves your attention. With a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission, this powerplant will surprise you with the low-end torque and the opportunities it gives you. In the third-gen Pathfinder, it’s the most economical and most desirable engine for everyday use.

How long will the YD25 engine last?

When talking about lifespan, we should be careful because everyone has different driving habits. While one person maintains the car really well and buys OEM products for oil changes and some repairs, the other driver may just drive the Nissan till it drops. So, the durability is a very flexible thing and I don’t like making predictions.

But when it comes to the YD25, I’m pretty sure this engine will last about 300,000 kilometers or 200,000 miles without serious damage and expensive repairs. All it needs for this is regular maintenance and a little attention to possible minor issues.

I should say that if you tow a lot with this engine, it will most likely die faster. Also, I’ve seen a Navara 2.5L diesel with almost 450,000 kilometers on its dash. The engine hadn’t been repaired or replaced, so it was just the original YD25 and the owner wasn’t going to get rid of that car!

While such occasions are rather exceptions, you can still expect a lot of miles from the YD25 engine if you give it a little of your care and attention.

What are the common problems with the YD25 engine?

Now, let’s look at the dark side of the Nissan 2.5 diesel engine. Unfortunately, like any machine in the world, it has some flaws and you should know about them before buying this vehicle. If you already own a Nissan car with a 2.5 diesel unit under its bonnet, read the following part of the article to know when you should pay attention to the engine and give it a little help to last longer.

So, here are the common problems with the YD25 powerplant:

1. Expensive fuel supply system repair

The majority of cars in Europe have the Common Rail version of the YD25 unit. And it’s pretty reliable and doesn’t cause any early problems. But after the car hits 200K kilometers, the common rail system asks for a repair. Unfortunately, repairing this common rail and injectors will cost you a fortune.

Even if you have Bosch high-pressure fuel pump with rotary injection, it still costs a lot to repair or replace.

So, both fuel injection types are pretty questionable. They will live long but their repair may make you doubt the correctness of your decision to buy exactly the Nissan.

2. Turbocharger needs turbo timer

This engine is not equipped with the shutoff timer by Nissan/ And if you just keep driving the car like it is, you will have to replace the turbocharger at about 150K kilometers (90K miles). Why? Because it hates sharp changes in temperature and can easily get stuck if you just turn it off after a long trip.

Installing a turbo timer is not a big deal, but you need to know about that before problems start showing up.

3. EGR problems in common-rail engines

If your 2.5L engine has the EGR, it will get on your nerves regularly. The EGR valve is often clogged and has a lot of buildup. You will have to pay for cleaning it (which is also not that cheap) almost at every other regular maintenance. This will significantly raise the overall price of driving the car.

Also, at high mileage, the EGR may simply get stuck and the cleaning will not help. Replacing the EGR is also extremely expensive.

4. The chain is not eternal

Although Nissan doesn’t recommend replacing the chain at a certain mileage, it should be replaced at about 200,000 kilometers. Otherwise, the chain may stretch and jump. This will lead to the situation when pistons meet with valves because of the mistimed rotation of the crankshaft and camshafts. If this happens, it will be easier to buy a new engine than to repair the damaged one.

5. Weak engine head

It’s very important to avoid overheating. When this engine is overheated because of high load or cooling system problems, the head may just crack. If this happens, you will need to find the new (or used) head and install it. Such repair will cost you a fortune and will obviously not prolong the overall lifespan of your engine.

Keep an eye on the engine temperature and also fix any minor problems that the engine may show. Otherwise, the quick and sad death of the engine may happen at any moment.

Can you prolong the life of the engine?

The YD25 machine is really great and it can live very long. You just need to remember some limitations when driving it and also maintain the engine just as Nissan asks you to.

Here are several important habits that will help you drive the YD25 much more than 300K kilometers:

• remember about regular maintenance, reduce the oil change interval to 5000 miles / 8000 kilometers when the engine is old and has a lot of miles on it;
• check the oil level regularly and top it up if needed;
• install the turbo timer so that the engine keeps working when the temperature of the turbo is too high;
• watch the engine temperature and stop driving immediately if it’s not within the normal limits;
• avoid abusing the engine – it doesn’t like high revs and hates sports driving style.

Other than that, there is nothing you should worry about. Read the manual for your car and remember about towing capacity and other limitations that the manufacturer outlines.

To wrap up

I really like the YD25 engine and I believe this is one of the best diesel machines that you can get now. It’s only available in the new Navara in several countries now, the new generation of the Pathfinder doesn’t offer this machine anymore.

If you own this engine, just keep driving it carefully, and don’t forget about the regular maintenance. This will help you get the most out of the machine and drive it for years.

Have anything to add or want to ask a question? Write in the comments!