If you landed here, you probably already know the story. Your van or pickup has been running on a tired Nissan diesel for years, and now it’s knocking, smoking, or it won’t start at all. We have a Nissan TD27 engine for sale, and this page tells you what you’re actually getting, how to make sure it fits, and how we get it to you wherever you are.
Ready to buy? See the price, photos and stock for our fairly used Nissan TD27 engine for sale in the shop.
We sell complete engines. Not parts lists, not a phone number that rings forever. You tell us your vehicle, we match the engine, we test it, and we ship it to your country. That’s the job.
I’ll keep this practical. Specs are near the top, fitment comes next, and the buying details are at the bottom if that’s all you need.
Table of Contents
Why People Still Hunt for a Nissan TD27 Engine for Sale
The TD27 is not a fancy engine. It’s a cast iron, pushrod, four-cylinder diesel that Nissan designed in the 1980s, and it shows. There’s no common rail, no fancy electronics on most versions, and no turbo on the base model.
That’s exactly why people want it.
In a lot of the world, a mechanic can fix a TD27 with hand tools and a bit of patience. Fuel quality isn’t always great, roads are rough, and the nearest dealer might be a day’s drive away. An engine with mechanical injection and gear-driven timing just keeps going in those conditions. Taxi operators in London used it in their cabs for years, and the drivers’ association there called it one of the best engines ever put in a cab. That kind of reputation doesn’t come from marketing. It’s also why demand for a Nissan TD27 engine for sale hasn’t dropped, even decades after Nissan stopped putting it in new vans.
So when someone searches for a Nissan TD27 engine for sale, they usually aren’t looking for an upgrade. They want the same engine back, because the old one did its job for twenty years and they’d like another twenty.
Nissan TD27 Engine Specifications
Here are the numbers that matter when you’re comparing engines or talking to your mechanic. Power figures depend on the version and the market, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise for every single unit. Every Nissan TD27 engine for sale we list is checked against these figures before it is offered to you.
| Specification | Nissan TD27 |
|---|---|
| Layout | Inline 4-cylinder diesel |
| Displacement | 2,663 cc (2.7 litres) |
| Bore x stroke | 96 mm x 92 mm |
| Block and head | Cast iron block, crossflow head |
| Valvetrain | OHV pushrod, 2 valves per cylinder (8 valves) |
| Camshaft drive | Gear driven |
| Injection | Indirect, swirl-chamber type |
| Power (non-turbo TD27) | About 85 PS at 4,300 rpm (JIS) |
| Power (TD27T turbo) | About 100 to 115 PS depending on vehicle |
| Power (TD27Ti intercooled) | Up to about 125 PS |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Cooling | Water cooled |
A few of these deserve a quick explanation, because they explain why the engine lasts.
Gear-driven timing
There’s no timing belt to snap on a TD27. The camshaft is driven by gears. You don’t have a belt service interval hanging over your head, and you don’t get the expensive surprise of bent valves when a belt lets go on a highway. It is one reason a good used Nissan TD27 engine for sale often outlasts newer engines with half the mileage.
Pushrods and two valves per cylinder
Old school, yes. But fewer moving parts up top means fewer things to wear out. Valve adjustment is simple, and the head is straightforward to work on.
Indirect injection
Swirl-chamber diesels are more forgiving of poor fuel than modern common-rail engines. They’re noisier and a bit less efficient, but they don’t throw a tantrum when the fuel station has seen better days.
If you want the deeper history of the whole TD family, the Nissan TD engine overview covers the TD23, TD25, TD27 and the big six-cylinder TD42 in one place.
The TD27 Versions You’ll Run Into
This is where buyers get caught out. “TD27” is a family name, and there are a few versions. Before you buy any Nissan TD27 engine for sale, it helps to know which one is sitting in your vehicle right now.
TD27 (naturally aspirated)
The plain one. No turbo. It’s the slowest of the bunch, but it’s also the most relaxed engine to live with. Vans, light trucks and many pickups ran this version. It’s also the one that was used in taxis and in industrial equipment like forklifts.
TD27T (turbo)
Nissan added a turbo in the late 1980s. You get noticeably more pull, which matters a lot if your vehicle carries loads or tackles hills. Many Terrano and pickup owners have this one. If you are shopping for a turbo Nissan TD27 engine for sale, make sure the turbo, oil feed and return lines come with it.
TD27Ti (turbo, intercooled)
Same idea, with an intercooler to cool the intake air. More power again, up to roughly 125 PS in some applications.
TD27ETi (electronic pump)
The last and most powerful version, built from the mid-1990s to around 2001. It’s intercooled and uses an electronically controlled distributor-type injection pump. If your vehicle has this one, you need the matching wiring and engine computer side of things to line up, so tell us up front.
Here’s my honest advice. Match what you have. If your van came with the plain TD27, swapping in a TD27Ti is possible, but it brings plumbing, intercooler and sometimes wiring jobs that eat into your budget. Most of our customers just want the same engine dropped back in, and that’s usually the smart move.
Which Vehicles Use the Nissan TD27?
The TD27 went into a long list of Nissan light commercial vehicles and 4x4s. These are the ones we’re asked about most often:
- Nissan Caravan, Homy and Urvan (E24 era) vans, where the TD27 was the most common diesel option
- Nissan D21 pickup, also sold as the Navara, Datsun Truck or Hardbody in different markets
- Nissan Terrano (D21 based) and the later R50 Terrano
- Nissan Terrano II (R20), sold as the Mistral in Japan
- Nissan Frontier pickups in some Asian markets
- LTI Fairway and TX1 London taxis
- Forklifts and other industrial machines, in low-output form
Don’t buy on model name alone. A Navara from one country and a Navara from another can have completely different engines under the hood. The engine code stamped on the block is what counts. If you’re not sure where to find it, send us a photo of the engine and we’ll help you read it. Once we have the code, we’ll tell you which Nissan TD27 engine for sale in our stock is the right one.
What Comes With Our Nissan TD27 Engine for Sale
People ask this before anything else, and fair enough. “Engine” can mean very different things depending on who’s selling.
Our standard Nissan TD27 engine for sale is a complete long-block assembly with the main external parts that come with it from the donor vehicle. Depending on the unit and what you order, that usually includes:
- Cylinder block with crankshaft, pistons and rods
- Cylinder head with valves and camshaft
- Injection pump and injectors
- Intake and exhaust manifolds
- Turbo on TD27T and TD27Ti units
- Starter and alternator on many units (we confirm on your quote)
We tell you exactly what’s included before you pay. No guessing, and no surprise missing parts when the crate arrives. If you want only the long block, or a full engine with the gearbox, ask. We can often do either. And if the Nissan TD27 engine for sale is going into a 4×4 rather than a van, say so, because the sump and mounts can differ.
We also sell a lot of related diesel engines, so if you’re comparing options, our page on used diesel truck engines shows the wider range.
How We Check Every TD27 Before It Ships
A used engine is only as good as the checks it went through. Here’s what our team looks at on every TD27 before it goes on a pallet:
- Compression test on all four cylinders. We want even readings. One low cylinder tells you something’s wrong with rings, valves or the head gasket.
- Visual inspection for cracks, especially around the head and the block.
- Oil condition. Milky oil is a warning sign for coolant getting where it shouldn’t. Metal flakes are another.
- Turbo play on turbo units. A little shaft movement is normal. A lot isn’t.
- Injection pump and injectors checked for obvious leaks or damage.
- Photos and, on request, a video of the engine before we crate it, so you can see what you’re buying.
If an engine doesn’t pass, it doesn’t get sold. Simple as that.
That’s the standard every Nissan TD27 engine for sale on this page has to meet.
Used, Rebuilt or Reconditioned: Which TD27 Should You Buy?
When you’re looking at a Nissan TD27 engine for sale, you’ll usually see three types. Here’s the plain version of what each one means.
Used
Pulled from a donor vehicle, tested and sold as is. This is the budget option and the most popular one. A good used TD27 with a clean compression test can run for a very long time, because the engine was overbuilt to begin with.
Reconditioned
A used engine that’s had wear parts replaced, things like gaskets, seals and sometimes a head service. You pay more, but you start with fresher parts.
Rebuilt
Stripped, machined where needed, and put back together with new internal parts. Most expensive of the three, and usually the longest-lasting. Ask which rebuilt Nissan TD27 engine for sale we have on hand that week, because that stock moves quickly.
For a work van that does short trips around town, a good used engine is often all you need. If the vehicle does long, heavy hauls every day, the extra spend on a reconditioned or rebuilt unit tends to pay for itself. Tell us how you use the vehicle and we’ll give you a straight recommendation, even if it’s the cheaper one.
Common TD27 Problems (and What They Mean for Buyers)
No engine is perfect. The TD27 is tough, but these are the issues we see again and again. Knowing them helps you understand why your current engine failed, and what to watch for with the replacement. They are also the faults we rule out on every Nissan TD27 engine for sale before it leaves our yard.
Overheating and head trouble
Most TD27 failures we see start with cooling. A weak radiator, a clogged core, a lazy fan clutch or a slow coolant leak, and suddenly the head is cracked or the gasket is gone. When you install your new engine, please replace or flush the radiator and check the fan. Putting a fresh engine behind a tired cooling system is the fastest way to ruin it.
Blow-by and smoke
High-mileage engines with worn rings push gases into the crankcase. You’ll see oil mist from the breather and blue or grey smoke. This is often the point where owners start searching for a Nissan TD27 engine for sale, because rebuilding the old one costs nearly as much as replacing it.
Injection pump wear
Old pumps leak and lose their tune. Hard starting and black smoke are common signs. On the electronic TD27ETi, pump problems can also show up as warning lights and limp running.
Turbo wear on TD27T
Turbos need clean oil and a minute of idle before shutdown after hard driving. Skip that habit for years and the bearings suffer. Change the oil and filter when your new engine goes in, and let it idle a bit after a long pull.
Fitment: Making Sure the Nissan TD27 Engine for Sale Matches Your Vehicle
This is the step that saves money. Ninety percent of engine headaches happen because the wrong version showed up. Before we confirm any Nissan TD27 engine for sale, we ask for a few details:
- Vehicle make, model and year
- Chassis or VIN number, if you have it
- Engine code from the block (TD27, TD27T, TD27Ti or TD27ETi)
- Manual or automatic gearbox, and 2WD or 4WD
- A photo of your current engine from the front and both sides
Mounts, sumps, manifold shapes and injection pumps differ between vans, pickups and 4x4s. A TD27 out of a van might need a different sump and mounts to sit properly in a 4×4. We’ll flag those differences for you before anything ships.
Should You Consider a Bigger Nissan Diesel Instead?
Some customers ask us whether they should step up instead of buying the same engine again. It’s a fair question, and it depends on the vehicle. For most vans and pickups, though, a like-for-like Nissan TD27 engine for sale is the answer.
If you drive a Patrol or a heavier truck, the six-cylinder TD42 is the engine people talk about. We have a full page on the Nissan TD42 engine for sale if you want to compare. For a lighter vehicle that originally had a TD27, though, the TD42 is too big to drop in without major work.
Nissan’s later diesels are another option for some vehicles. The QD32T was the TD27’s direct successor in several vans and pickups, and the Nissan ZD30 took over in later Patrols, Navaras and Caravans. In Patrols from the late 1980s and 1990s, the six-cylinder Nissan RD28 was common too.
Our honest take: for most TD27 owners, the cheapest and least stressful fix is another TD27. Everything bolts up, your mechanic already knows the engine, and parts are everywhere. That is why the Nissan TD27 engine for sale stays one of our steadiest sellers year after year.
Installation Tips From Our Workshop
You’ll likely have your own mechanic do the install, and that’s fine. Here are the things we always pass along with a TD27, because we’ve seen what happens when they’re skipped. We send these notes with every Nissan TD27 engine for sale that we ship.
- Swap over the parts that are new on your old engine only if they’re truly good. Don’t reuse a tired water pump just because it’s there.
- Fit a new thermostat and fresh coolant. Cheap insurance.
- Flush or replace the radiator. Seriously. Cooling problems kill these engines.
- New oil and filter before first start. Engines can sit in storage and in shipping for weeks.
- Bleed the fuel system properly. Air in an indirect-injection diesel makes it hard to start and rough to run.
- Check timing on the injection pump if it was removed or disturbed during fitting.
- Take it easy for the first few hundred kilometres. Vary the speed, avoid towing heavy loads straight away, and check the levels often.
Follow those and a well-tested Nissan TD27 engine for sale from us should settle in and do its job for years.
Price: What Affects the Cost of a TD27
We don’t publish one fixed price for every TD27, because it wouldn’t be honest. The final number depends on a few things:
- Version. Turbo and intercooled engines cost more than the plain TD27.
- Condition. Used, reconditioned or rebuilt.
- What’s included. Long block only, or with pump, turbo, starter and alternator.
- Shipping destination. Sea freight to a port is cheaper than door delivery to an inland town.
Send us your vehicle details and destination and we’ll give you a full quote with the engine, crating and shipping on one page. You can see our wider range of engines on the shop page too.
Worldwide Shipping on Every Nissan TD27 Engine for Sale
We ship engines all over the world. Africa, the Middle East, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific islands, North America. If there’s a port or an airport, we can usually get an engine there. Wherever you are, the Nissan TD27 engine for sale you order gets crated and sealed the same careful way.
Here’s how it normally goes:
- You send your vehicle details and we confirm the right engine.
- We send photos and a written quote, including shipping.
- You approve and pay through our checkout or a payment method we agree on.
- We drain the fluids, seal the openings and crate the engine on a strong pallet.
- It ships by sea or air freight, and you get the tracking details.
- You or your clearing agent collect it once customs is done.
Customs duties and local import rules depend on your country, and those are paid by the buyer at the destination. If you’ve never imported an engine before, ask us. We’ve done this thousands of times and we’re happy to walk you through the paperwork. Importing a Nissan TD27 engine for sale is easier than most first-timers expect. The details are in our shipping policy.
Warranty and Returns
Every engine we sell comes with a warranty against internal mechanical failure, and the exact terms depend on the engine and its condition. We’ll spell them out on your quote, in writing, before you pay. Please keep your installation receipt from a qualified mechanic, because warranty claims need it. The same rule applies whether you buy a used, reconditioned or rebuilt Nissan TD27 engine for sale from us.
Our full terms are in the refund and returns policy. Read it. It’s short, and it tells you exactly where you stand.
Why Buy Your Nissan TD27 Engine for Sale From Us
There are plenty of sellers out there. Here’s what we think actually matters when you’re picking one:
- We check fitment first. We’d rather lose a sale than ship you the wrong engine.
- Real photos of your actual engine. Not a stock picture.
- Clear quotes that include crating and shipping.
- Worldwide delivery, with help on the import side.
- Honest grading. If a Nissan TD27 engine for sale in our yard has a flaw, we tell you before you pay, not after it arrives. n
- People you can talk to. Call, email or WhatsApp us and a person answers.
We also stock a wide range of other diesels if your fleet has more than one type. Owners of Toyota pickups often ask us about the Toyota 5L engine, and Isuzu truck owners about the Isuzu 4JB1TCH.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TD27 a reliable engine?
Yes, as long as the cooling system is looked after. It’s simple, heavy and slow-revving, and those engines tend to last. Overheating is the main thing that kills them.
Will a TD27T fit where a plain TD27 was?
Often it can, but you’ll need the turbo plumbing, the right exhaust and sometimes an intercooler setup. It’s more work than a like-for-like swap. Ask us first and we’ll tell you what’s involved for your vehicle.
How long does shipping take?
Air freight can take days. Sea freight usually takes a few weeks depending on the route. We give you an estimate on the quote.
Do you sell the gearbox too?
In many cases, yes. Tell us your gearbox type and we’ll check what we have.
Can I see the engine before I pay?
Yes. We send photos, and video on request, of the exact engine you’re buying. Every Nissan TD27 engine for sale gets its own set of pictures, taken in our workshop.
nnIs a Nissan TD27 engine for sale cheaper than rebuilding mine?
nUsually, yes. Once you add machining, new parts and labour, rebuilding a worn TD27 often lands close to the price of a tested replacement, and the vehicle sits off the road for longer while the work gets done. A replacement goes in and most garages have you driving again in a day or two.
How do I order a Nissan TD27 engine for sale?
Send us your vehicle details through our contact page, call +1 (209) 733-0882, or message us on WhatsApp at +1 209 690 5983. We’ll confirm fitment and send a quote.
Ready to Get Your Vehicle Back on the Road?
A dead engine is a headache, especially when the van or pickup is how you earn a living. The good news is the TD27 is one of the easier engines to replace, and a tested one will give you years of steady work.
Send us your vehicle and engine details today. We’ll match the right Nissan TD27 engine for sale, show you photos, and give you a clear price with shipping to your door or port. Then you can get back to work.