Nissan Prairie Petrol Engines
from £850 to £2,400
Rebuilt units from £850 · Common codes: CA18DE, CA20E, CA18DET
Get quotes from trusted UK Nissan Prairie engine specialists. Compare reconditioned, rebuilt and used prices for 1.8L to 2.4L - CA18, SR20DE & KA24E covered. Compare supply & fit options today.
Nissan Prairie Petrol Engines
from £850 to £2,400
Rebuilt units from £850 · Common codes: CA18DE, CA20E, CA18DET
Nissan Prairie Diesel Engines
from £950 to £2,600
Rebuilt units from £950 · Common codes: LD20, LD20II
Nissan Prairie Turbo Engines
from £1,400 to £3,200
Rebuilt units from £1,400 · Common codes: CA18DET

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
The table below shows typical UK rebuilt engine costs across Nissan Prairie variants - compare failure causes, engine codes, fuel types, and price ranges to benchmark what UK drivers are paying.


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Not sure which variant your Nissan Prairie is- Enter your registration number above - we'll identify the exact sub-model, engine code and compatible replacement options instantly.

Every engine code fitted to the Nissan Prairie across all generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed petrol and performance engine families across Nissan Prairie variants.

CA18DE - 1.8L Petrol
Main replacement demand comes from timing-chain, cooling-system and performance thermal-management faults.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£850 - £1,600
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can't find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we'll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Nissan Prairie engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

The Nissan Prairie's CA18DE, CA20E and LD20 engines are robust when maintained, but vintage mileage brings known failure points. Every rebuilt engine supplied through EngineMarket includes upgraded internal components designed to address original failure points - plus a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty. Use this decision tool to compare repair vs...
Timing Chain Tensioner Failure
Most affected vehicles
Nissan Prairie S, GX, 4WD (1983-1992, CA18DE)
Failure mileage range
60,000-90,000 miles
Typical failure window
Root cause
Original tensioner design loses hydraulic pressure over time, allowing chain slap that damages guides and sprockets.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - Preventative Tensioner Replacement | £450-£750 | £280-£480 | Replace tensioner, inspect guides, reset timing | Viable only before chain damage occurs; not suitable if rattling already present |
| Intermediate - Chain & Guide Kit | £850-£1,400 | £520-£890 | Full timing chain kit with upgraded tensioner per Nissan vintage bulletin | Restores reliability if block/head undamaged; suitable for Prairie worth £1,500+ |
| Full Replacement - Rebuilt CA18DE Engine | £1,200-£2,100 | £850-£1,600 | Supply & fit rebuilt engine with upgraded tensioner, bench-tested, 12-month warranty | Best value for high-mileage Prairie; eliminates all timing-related risk |
Our recommendation
If your Prairie is still running smoothly, a preventative tensioner replacement at 60k miles offers excellent value. Once rattling begins, chain damage is likely - at that point, a rebuilt CA18DE with upgraded components is often more cost-effective than piecemeal repairs on a 30+ year old engine.
Compare rebuilt CA18DE engine prices for your Nissan Prairie
Every engine type for the Nissan Prairie is available through our UK network, with typical price ranges based on variant, engine code and budget.
Compare Nissan Prairie engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Nissan Prairie within hours.

Every displacement fitted to the Nissan Prairie is listed below, with compatible engine codes, production years and common failure notes to help you identify the correct replacement.
The LD20 2.0L diesel powered the Prairie from 1985, offering economy for fleet and family use - now requiring specialist injector pump calibration for MoT-compliant classic replacements.
Engine Code(s)
LD20, LD20II
Compatible Models (UK)
S Diesel (M10, 1985-1990), GX Diesel (M10, 1985-1992), SGL Diesel
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
Injector pump calibration drift, glow plug relay failure, EGR carbon buildup
Production Years: M10, 1987-1992
Get quotes for Nissan Prairie 2.0L diesel engines
Choose your Nissan Prairie engine by fuel type to compare realistic replacement prices, known issues, and compatible UK supply options - from early S petrol to late SGL diesel.
The LD20 2.0L diesel powered Prairie variants from 1985-1992, popular with fleet users and now requiring specialist injector calibration for MoT-compliant classic replacements.
Common Nissan Prairie Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
The LD20 2.0L diesel powered Prairie variants from 1985-1992, popular with fleet users and now requiring specialist injector calibration for MoT-compliant classic replacements.
Common Nissan Prairie Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
CA18DE, CA20E and CA18DET petrol engines powered the Prairie throughout its 1983-1992 production, with timing component upgrades now essential for vintage reliability.
Common Nissan Prairie Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Nissan Prairie has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Nissan Prairie specialists.

This timeline covers all major engine changes across the Nissan Prairie's 1983-1992 production, organised so classic owners can quickly identify their engine and compare rebuilt prices from UK specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
CA18DE- 1.8L petrol (S, early GX)
CA20E- 2.0L petrol (GX)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
CA18DECA20E