<em>Nissan Safari</em> does not work well: symptoms, causes and what to do

Owners Nissan Safari (especially with a mileage of over 200,000 km) sooner or later they encounter problems with the engine: from loss of traction to a complete stop of the engine while driving. The most common culprits are worn fuel systems, clogged filters, or turbo problems—but there are also less obvious causes that even experienced mechanics miss.

This article will help you figure out why your Safari hard to start when cold, jerks when accelerating or stalls at idle. We have collected proven solutions for diesel engines TD42/TD27 and gasoline TB42/TB45, and we’ll also tell you how to avoid costly repairs. All instructions are adapted for self-diagnosis - without visiting a service station.

Top 5 signs that Safari something's wrong

The first symptoms of malfunctions are often ignored, attributed to the “age of the car.” But if you notice them in time, you can save on repairs. Pay attention to these signals:

• 🔴 Engine troubles — vibrations at idle, uneven operation of the cylinders. Most often, glow plugs (diesel) or high-voltage wires (gasoline) are to blame.
• 🟡 Power Loss — the car does not “pull” uphill, acceleration takes longer. The reason may lie in a clogged air filter or air leaks.
• 🟠 Black smoke from the exhaust - a sign of an over-enriched mixture. For diesel engines, this is often a signal of a malfunction. injection pump or injectors.
• 🔵 White smoke — antifreeze gets into the combustion chamber (the cylinder head gasket is broken or there is a crack in the block).
• ⚪ Jerks when moving — a problem with the fuel supply (clogged filter, faulty pump) or electrical problem (crankshaft/camshaft position sensors).

If at least one of these symptoms appears regularly, it’s time to move on to diagnosis. Ignoring black smoke from diesel exhaust Safari can lead to destruction of the piston group due to detonation - repairs will cost 150,000+ rubles.

⚠️ Attention: If the engine suddenly stalls while driving and does not start again, do not try to tow the car - this may damage the transmission. Better call a tow truck or check fuel pump relay (on petrol models) right on the spot.

Why Safari hard to start when cold

Cold start problems are the scourge of diesel engines Nissan Safari, especially in winter. There are several culprits, and they need to be checked in order:

1. Glow plugs — even one broken spark plug can make starting impossible at temperatures below -10°C. Check them with a multimeter (resistance should be 0.5–6 ohms).
2. Fuel filters - a clogged filter creates resistance, and injection pump cannot pump enough diesel fuel. Filters need to be changed every 10,000 km.
3. Air in the fuel system — diesel does not tolerate air jams. Check the tightness of the tubes from the tank to injection pump.
4. Wear of plunger pairs injection pump - if the pump is “tired”, it does not create the required pressure for a cold start. Diagnosed only on the stand.

On petrol Safari (TB42/TB45) cold start often suffers due to:

• 🔋 Discharged battery (voltage below 12.4 V).
• 🕯️ Polluted injectors or throttle valve.
• 📉 Faulty coolant temperature sensor (The ECU receives incorrect data and adjusts the mixture incorrectly).

Check battery voltage|Test glow plugs (diesel)|Replace fuel filter|Check fuel lines for leaks|Clean throttle body (petrol)-->

Jerks during acceleration: is the turbine or electrics to blame?

Jerks and dips when accelerating are one of the most common complaints from owners Safari. The reasons are divided into two groups: mechanical (turbine, fuel system) and electronic (sensors, wiring).

Rule out simple faults first:

• 🔌 Oxidized contacts on sensor connectors (especially DPKV And Mass air flow sensor). Clean them up WD-40 or a special spray.
• 🛢️ Clogged fuel filter - even if you recently changed it, check for counterfeit (low-quality filters crumble within 5,000 km).
• 🌀 Air leak through cracks in the intake manifold pipes or gaskets. Check with a smoke generator or soap solution.

If simple measures do not help, proceed to serious diagnostics:

Symptom	Probable Cause	How to check
Jerks at speeds of 2000–3000 rpm	Malfunction turbines (bearing wear, jamming)	Check the turbine shaft play by hand (play more than 1 mm is critical)
Dips when pressing hard on the gas	Clogged injectors or faulty injection pump	Measure the pressure in the fuel rail (standard: 2.5–3.0 bar for gasoline)
Jerking at low speeds	Defective throttle position sensor	Check the voltage at the sensor connector (should change smoothly when the damper opens)
Loss of power + black smoke	Wear piston rings or valves	Measure the compression (standard for TD42: 28–32 kg/cm²)

⚠️ Attention: If jerks are accompanied metallic knock from under the hood, stop immediately! It could be turbine destruction — its fragments can penetrate the intercooler or get into the cylinders.

How to check the turbine without removing it?

1. Start the engine and let it run for 2-3 minutes.

2. Pinch the pipe from the turbine to the intercooler with your hand - if the turbine is working properly, you will feel pressure (the pipe will “inflate”).

3. Listen to the turbine for whistling or grinding noises - these are signs of bearing wear.

4. Check the oil in the turbine crankcase: if it is black with metal shavings, the turbine needs to be repaired urgently.

Stalls at idle: what to check first

If Safari stalls at idle, the problem lies in one of three components: fuel supply system, ignition system (for petrol models) or electronics. Start with the simplest:

1. Check RXX (idle air control) - on gasoline Safari it often gets clogged with dirt. Clean it with carb cleaner.
2. Diagnose Mass air flow sensor (mass air flow sensor) - if he is lying, the ECU incorrectly calculates the fuel mixture. Check the voltage at the connector (normal: 0.99–1.01 V).
3. Eliminate air leaks — remove the pipe from the air filter to the throttle and start the engine. If the RPM stabilizes, look for cracks or loose connections.

For diesel Safari (TD42/TD27) another algorithm:

4. Check injection pump for wear — if the pump does not hold pressure, the engine will stall. Symptom: after stopping, the engine does not start immediately, but requires prolonged cranking with the starter.
5. Diagnose injectors — if one or more “pouring” rather than spraying fuel, this leads to unstable operation. It is checked at the stand or replaced with known good ones.
6. Control EGR valve - if it is stuck in the open position, at idle the engine will be “choked” with exhaust gases.

Turbine Safari: how to extend her life

The turbine is the most vulnerable point in diesel engines Nissan Safari. Average life of a standard turbine TD42 - 150,000 km, but with proper operation it can be stretched to 250,000+ km. The main enemies of the turbine:

• 🛢️ Dirty or old oil — the turbine is lubricated with engine oil, and if it has lost its properties, the bearings wear out 3-4 times faster.
• ⏱️ Sudden stops after load — if you turn off the engine immediately after a long trip, the oil in the turbine will coke (you need to let it idle for 1-2 minutes).
• 🔥 Overheating — operation at high speeds with a clogged air filter leads to an increase in the temperature of the turbine to critical values.

How to check the turbine without removing it:

1. Start the engine and let it run for 2-3 minutes.
2. Pinch the pipe from the turbine to the intercooler with your hand - if the turbine is working properly, you will feel pressure (the pipe will “inflate”).
3. Listen to the turbine for whistling or grinding noises - these are signs of bearing wear.
4. Check the oil in the turbine crankcase: if it is black with metal shavings, the turbine needs to be repaired urgently.

If the turbine has already “died”, do not rush to buy a new one. In 80% of cases it is enough to replace cartridge (inner part with bearings and shaft). The cost of repairs is from 15,000 rubles, while a new turbine will cost 50,000+.

Electrics Safari: where to look for problems

Electrical problems are often disguised as engine problems. For example, faulty crankshaft sensor may simulate problems with injection pump, and oxidized contacts on the fuel pump relay - lead to jerking during acceleration.

The most problematic nodes:

• 🔌 Relays and fuses — check the fuse box under the hood (especially the fuel pump relay and the main ECU relay).
• 📡 Crankshaft position sensor (DPKV) - if it is faulty, the engine will stall or not start at all. Check it with an oscilloscope or replace it with a known good one.
• 🔋 Generator — if it doesn’t charge, the battery runs out and the ECU starts to “fail.” Normal voltage at the terminals when the engine is running: 13.8–14.4 V.
• 🖥️ ECU (electronic control unit) - on old ones Safari capacitors in the unit can swell, leading to erratic failures. The solution is to resolder the capacitors or replace the unit.

To diagnose electrical problems, you will need a multimeter and an electrical diagram. Safari. Start by checking:

1. Battery voltage (must be at least 12.6 V when the engine is off).
2. Sensor resistances (For example, DPKV should show 550–750 Ohms).
3. Wiring integrity — especially in places of kinks (under the hood, near the pedal assembly).

⚠️ Attention: If after washing the engine Safari stopped starting, don’t rush to blame the electrics. Most often, water enters distributor connector (on petrol models) or connector injection pump (on diesels). Dry them with a hairdryer or compressed air.

What to do if Safari won't start at all

If the engine shows no signs of life, follow the algorithm:

1. Check the starter:
   • When you turn the key, you hear a click, but the starter does not turn? Guilty solenoid relay.
   • Does the starter turn over, but very slowly? The battery is discharged or the terminals are corroded.
2. Control the fuel supply:
   • On a diesel engine: unscrew the return line to injection pump - if no fuel flows when the starter is cranked, the filter is clogged or the booster pump is faulty.
   • On gasoline: check if the sound of the fuel pump is heard when you turn on the ignition (at the rear of the car).
3. Diagnose spark (gasoline):
   • Remove the high-voltage wire from the spark plug, insert a known-good spark plug into it and press it against ground. When the starter is cranked, a spark should occur.

If all checks have failed and the car still does not start, the reasons may be more serious:

• 🔧 Broken timing belt - check the integrity of the belt (on TD42 its break leads to the meeting of the valves with the pistons).
• 💥 Cylinder head gasket failure — signs: white smoke from the exhaust, oil in antifreeze or vice versa.
• 🖥️ ECU malfunction — if the block “died”, the engine will not receive signals to start.

How to start Safari in cold weather without glow plugs?

1. Heat the engine with an external heat source (for example, a blowtorch aimed at the pan).

2. Pour 100–200 ml of kerosene into the fuel tank (it will reduce the pour point of diesel fuel).

3. Before starting, turn the ignition on/off several times to allow the pump to pump in fuel.

4. When cranking the starter, lightly press the gas pedal (this will enrich the mixture).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about problems Nissan Safari

Why Safari with diesel TD42 does it smoke white?

White smoke is steam from the combustion of antifreeze in the cylinders. Reasons:

• Broken cylinder head gasket (the most common reason).
• Crack in block head or the block itself.
• Malfunction pumps (antifreeze enters the oil through the oil seal).

How to check: unscrew the cap of the expansion tank - if there is an oil film or bubbles when the engine is running, this confirms that exhaust gases are entering the cooling system.

Is it possible to travel if Safari troit?

Short term - yes, but not worth the risk. Triple leads to:

• Increased wear piston group (unburned fuel washes oil from the cylinder walls).
• Overheating catalyst (if there is one) or exhaust manifold.
• Increased fuel consumption (up to 30–40%).

If the diesel engine is running, check injectors And glow plugs. On petrol models - ignition coils And high voltage wires.

How much does it cost to repair a turbine? Safari TD42?

Prices depend on the type of repair:

• Replacing the cartridge (internal part of the turbine) - 15,000–25,000 rubles.
• Complete turbine replacement for a new one - 40,000–70,000 rubles.
• Repair with balancing (if the shaft is intact, but there is play) - 10,000–18,000 rubles.

Advice: buy turbines only with a warranty of at least 1 year. Chinese analogues often fail after 20,000–30,000 km.

What is the resource of the engine? TD42?

When used correctly TD42 easily covers 500,000–700,000 km. The main conditions for longevity:

• Regular oil changes (every 7,000–10,000 km) using diesel oil (For example, Mobil Delvac 1 ESP 5W-40).
• Timely replacement timing belt (every 100,000 km).
• Control over cooling system (overheating kills the motor in 10–15 minutes).
• Use high-quality fuel (in winter - always with anti-gel).

Weaknesses TD42:

• injection pump — fails after 200,000–250,000 km.
• Injectors - require cleaning every 100,000 km.
• Turbine — resource 150,000–200,000 km.

What to do if Safari Doesn't respond to the gas pedal?

Causes and solutions:

Reason	How to check	Solution
Defective throttle cable	See if the choke moves when you press the pedal	Adjust or replace cable
Clogged air filter	Visually assess the condition of the filter	Replace the filter (cost: 500–1,500 rubles)
Defective throttle position sensor	Check the voltage at the sensor connector (should change when the damper opens)	Replace the sensor (cost: RUB 1,500–3,000)
Problems with ECU	Check the fuses and power supply circuit of the unit	Reflash or replace the ECU