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The manufacture of KA24, an alternative to Z24, was launched in 1988. Its first modification, KA24E, is a four-cylinder inline engine with a cast-iron cylinder block, having a cylinder diameter of 89 millimeters. The forged crankshaft features a piston stroke of 96 millimeters plus forged connecting rods of 165 millimeters.
It gained an aluminum cylinder head featuring a single overhead camshaft plus two intake and one exhaust valve for each cylinder. The diameter of intake valves is 34 millimeters plus exhaust valves are 40 millimeters. Camshafts have a duration of 240/248 degrees and lift 10.38/10.38 millimeters. Maximum rpm equals to 6,500.
KA24E SUVs modification keeps camshaft with duration 232/232 degrees and lifts 9.7/9.7 millimeters, having maximum rpm of 6,000.
Starting from 1991, the engine was supplied with a double overhead camshaft and four valves for every cylinder. With 36.6 millimeters intake valves plus 31.3 millimeteкs exhaust valves, the motor was named KA24DE. Unlike KA24E, this one features restyled oil pan and oil jets, modernized pistons, and a crankshaft with a 9.5 compression index. The compression rate for SUVs was lowered to 9.2/9.3.
Before 1994, camshafts had a duration of 240/248 degrees and lifted 8.9/9.32 millimeters, leading to a maximum rpm of 6,900. In 1995, Nissan 240SX S14 gained camshafts with a period of 232/232 degrees and lifted 8.73/9.06 millimeteкs. Later that year, after intake manifold restyling, revs maximum descended to 6,400 rpm.
Other manufacturers utilized camshafts with 240/248 duration till 1997, when intake camshafts with 232 degrees duration replaced them. The engine’s stock injectors are 270 cc.
KA24DE for SUVs and big vehicles featured a long-length intake manifold and camshafts, constructed for low and mid revs. The maximum rpm was 6,100.
Having no hydraulic lifters, this motor requires regular valve adjustment. The cold engine has intake and exhaust valve clearance of 0.28-0.36 millimeters.
The timing chain must be replaced after a 180,000-200,000 miles (300,000 kilometers) run. Engine firing order is 1-3-4-2.
In 2004, KA24DE production stopped due to the 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 Specs
| Manufacturer | Aguascalientes Plant Yokohama Plant |
| Also called | Nissan KA24 |
| Production | 1988-2004 |
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast-iron |
| Configuration | Straight-4 |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC Four valves per cylinder SOHC Three 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 |
| Engine 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+ – |
What Cars Have A KA24DE Engine?
- 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
Is KA24DE An Interference Engine?
All the KA’s are interference.
On an interference motor, the valve will move down and occupy the same space that the piston does when it is at the top dead center. Of course, they don’t hit because we all have our timing set properly and the crank moves the piston out of the way
On a non-interference motor, the valves will not hit the piston no matter where you set the cam.
KA24DE Camshaft Torque Specs
Evenly tighten 1/2 turn at a time on each bolt until all of the caps are snug (1.4 ft-lb and again to 4.3 ft-lb). Then final torque the bolts from the center bolts outward to 6.7 to 8.7 ft-lb. Always use a 26 m.m. or 1” wrench on the cam hex to back up your torque wrench (never use the chain for resistance)! Torque the cam sprocket bolts to 123 to 130 ft-lb. More info is at the source
KA24DE Engine Problems and Reliability
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 the oil pan slightly. In this instance, it’s necessary to remove the oil pan to examine the condition of an oil receiver pick-up pipe.
By buying engine oil of lousy quality, you can cause motor malfunction and reduce its lifespan. When the timing chain begins to work too noisy, the process of motor destruction has already started.
Besides, this motor consumes a lot of fuel. But in total, KA24 is a secure and durable motor.
