KA24DE Engine
Manufacture of KA24, an alternative to Z24, was launched in 1988. Its first modification, KA24E, is a four-cylinder inline engine with cast-iron cylinder block, having cylinder diameter of 89 millimeters. Forged crankshaft features piston stroke of 96 millimeters plus forged connecting rods of 165 millimeters. It gained aluminum cylinder head featuring single overhead camshaft plus 2 intake and 1 exhaust valves for each cylinder. Diameter of intake valves is 34 millimeters plus exhaust valves are 40 millimeters. Camshafts have duration 240/248 degrees, lift 10.38/10.38 millimeters. Maximum rpm equals to 6,500.
KA24E SUVs modification keeps camshaft with duration 232/232 degrees and lift 9.7/9.7 millimeters, having maximum rpm of 6,000.
Starting from 1991, engine was supplied with double overhead camshaft and four valves for every cylinder. With 36.6 millimeters intake valves plus 31.3 millimeters exhaust valves, motor was named KA24DE. Unlike KA24E, this one features restyled oil pan and oil jets, modernized pistons and crankshaft with 9.5 compression index. Compression rate for SUVs was lowered to 9.2/9.3. Before 1994, camshafts had duration 240/248 degrees and lift 8.9/9.32 millimeters, leading to maximum rpm of 6,900. In 1995, Nissan 240SX S14 gained camshafts with duration 232/232 degrees and lift 8.73/9.06 millimeters. Later that year, after intake manifold restyling, revs maximum descended to 6,400 rpm.
Other brand’s automobiles utilized camshafts with 240/248 duration till 1997, when intake camshafts with 232 degrees duration replaced them. Engine’s stock injectors are 270 cc.
KA24DE for SUVs and big vehicles featured long length intake manifold and camshafts, constructed for low and mid revs. Maximum rpm was 6,100.
Having no hydraulic lifters, this motor is in need of regular valves adjustment. Cold motor has intake and exhaust valves clearance of 0.28-0.36 millimeters.
Timing chain must be replaced after 180,000-200,000 miles (300,000 kilometers) run. Engine firing order is 1-3-4-2.
In 2004, KA24DE production stopped due to release of more advanced 2.5L QR25DE.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- KA – Engine Family
- 24 – 2.4 Liter Displacement
- D – DOHC (dual overhead camshafts)
- E – Multi Point Fuel Injection
KA24DE Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Aguascalientes Plant Yokohama Plant |
| Also called | Nissan KA24 |
| Production | 1988-2004 |
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast-iron |
| Configuration | Straight-4 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves per cylinder SOHC 3 valves per cylinder |
| Piston stroke, mm (inch) | 96 (3.78) |
| Cylinder bore, mm (inch) | 89 (3.50) |
| Compression ratio | 8.6 (SOHC) 9.1 (SOHC) 9.2 9.3 9.5 |
| Displacement | 2389 cc (145.8 cu in) |
| Power output | 99 kW (134 HP) at 5,200 rpm 103 kW (140 HP) at 5,600 rpm 105 kW (143 HP) at 4,300 rpm 110 kW (150 HP) at 5,600 rpm 114 kW (155 HP) at 5,400 rpm |
| Torque output | 209 Nm (154 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm 206 Nm (152 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm 208 Nm (153 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm 208 Nm (153 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm 217 Nm (160 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm |
| Redline | 6,000 (KA24E) 6,500 (KA24E) 6,100 (KA24DE) 6,400 (KA24DE) 6,900 (KA24DE) |
| HP per liter | 56.1 58.6 59.9 62.8 64.9 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Weight, kg (lbs) | 167 (370) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg) -City -Highway -Combined |
for Xterra 12.4 (19) 9.8 (24) 11.1 (21) |
| Turbocharger | Naturally aspirated |
| Oil consumption, L/1000 km (qt. per miles) |
up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) | 4.1 (4.3) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000) |
| Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F) | – |
| Engine lifespan, km (miles) -Official information -Real |
– 300,000+ (180,000) |
| Tuning, HP -Max HP -No life span loss |
350+ – |
Applications
- 2000-2004 Nissan Xterra
- 1998-2008 Nissan Navara/Frontier (D22)
- 1991-1998 Nissan 240SX
- 1997-2000 Nissan R’nessa (4WD model, Japan)
- 1998-2001 Nissan Presage U30 (Japan)
- 1999-2001 Nissan Bassara U30 (Japan)
- 1993-1997 Nissan Bluebird U13
- Isuzu COMO (Japanese: Isuzu COMO)
- Nissan Largo
KA24DE Engine Problems
Having great endurance and reliability, KA24DE doesn’t demand any special care. It’s advised to maintain it periodically and buy only high class engine oil. Oil pressure on front-wheel drive cars can decrease if to press oil pan slightly. In this instance, it’s necessary to remove oil pan to examine the condition of oil receiver pick up pipe.
By buying engine oil of bad quality, you can cause motor malfunction and reduce its lifespan. When timing chain begins to work too noisy, the process of motor destruction has already started.
Besides, this motor consumes much fuel. But in total, KA24 is a secure and durable motor.
Written by Dan Hoffman
