Originally unveiled in 1987, the 4.2-liter Nissan TD42 diesel engine was designed for the upcoming Patrol SUV or its Japanese sibling Safari. In automobile markets with lax environmental regulations, this motor is still widely used.
Although the Nissan TD42T is primarily utilized in commercial vehicles and has been manufactured in Japan since 1993, it is more well-known for the local Safari SUV. This unit comes in five different versions: TD42T1, TD42T2, TD42T3, TD42T4, and TD42T5.
The TD23, TD25, TD27, and TD27ETi internal combustion engines are part of the TD series.
The engine was mounted on:
- Nissan Patrol 4 (Y60) in 1987 – 1998;
- Nissan Patrol 5 (Y61) in 1997 – …
Specifications
| Start of production | 1987 |
| Displacement, cc | 4169 |
| Fuel system | vortex chamber |
| Power output, hp | 115 – 125 (TD42) 145 – 160 (TD42T) |
| Torque output, Nm | 265 – 275 (TD42) 330 – 340 (TD42T) |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R6 |
| Block head | cast iron 12v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 96 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 96 |
| Compression ratio | 22.7 – 23.0 (TD42) 22.0 – 22.8 (TD42T) |
| Features | no |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | gears |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no (TD42) Hitachi HT18 (TD42T) |
| Recommended engine oil | 10W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 9.4 |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | EURO 1/2/3 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Nissan Patrol 1990) — city — highway — combined |
16.2 10.8 13.4 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~500 000 |
| Weight, kg | 340 (TD42) 365 (TD42T) |
Disadvantages of the TD42 engine
One of the most dependable diesel engines in the world vibrates and makes noise;
Cutting the vacuum pump drive’s splines in frost is a proprietary breakdown;
Water frightens the oil pressure sensor, and replacing it will be very expensive;
Pump leaks and timing gear block gaskets occur during extended runs.
Over time, the timing gears deteriorate, the phases stray, and the motor begins to triple; the detonation caused by faulty diesel fuel causes the jumpers between the vortex chambers to crack.