[seanclarey]

Hi all,
I am considering buying a Navara as I think it will be an ideal tool to stick my dogs in the back of when going for walks over muddy terrain, but still be able to take our 3 foster kids in. I currently have a Discovery 4 but I don't want it trashed by muddy paws and the separate cab idea really appeals.
I have seen one which look okay for the money. It needed a bit of welding on the chassis, but not much. Also a rear wheel bearing as there was oil all over the tyre. These jobs are being done for the MOT. There is also quite a lot of oil at the bottom of the engine, which might well be sump or rocker cover. Other than that it seems alright, with AT tyres. it is a 2012 model. Do these have locking diffs?
Is there anything else you guys in the know suggest I need to check in advance.
Thanks

 

[gfromleeds]

No they have limited slip diffs!
The timing chain is a known weak spot when they get to high miles!
Alot of people replace the chain around 80k-100k as a preventative measure as when it goes you often get little or no notice and it'll trash the engine! but if its leaking oil like you say I doubt its been looked after to that extent!
The rust on the chassis is a big alarm bell as they are well documented for rusting from the inside out and actually snapping! so make sure whoever welds it up uses the proper plates (ebay search) and knows how to fit them!

 

[seanclarey]

Wise words, thanks. The chain would be a first job anyway. The welding is being done by the owner who is a metal welder and fabricator. He is sending some photos of the work for me to have a look at. Apart from this part of the chassis, the rest actually looks reasonably sound. Certainly no worse than the average Defender.
I think it has been maintained given the receipts but I will ask about chain. I wouldn't usually have done so as usually seems to be cam belts with issues, but clearly not in this case.

 

[gfromleeds]

The chain is a known fault with them
They used to be duplex chains (2 rows of chain) on the D22 and for some reason nissan changed it to single on the D40 and the chain just can't take it and stretches! Doesn't help that there made of cheep steel!

 

[seanclarey]

That's crazy. One of the first upgrades of classic minis was to change from simplex to duplex chains to keep the timing accurate, especially with faster cams.

 

[seanclarey]

I think when i next go for a look i shall tap the chassis more vigorously and take some photos. It does seem to have had routine maintenance but perhaps not the preventative like the chain. It’s back in for a retest today.