The 2.0-liter Nissan CD20 diesel engine was produced by the company from 1990 to 2000 and was installed on such well-known models of the concern as Almera, Primera, Pulsar and Avenir. A modification of this unit with an electronic high-pressure fuel pump was installed on Bluebird under the index CD20E.
The CD series also includes internal combustion engines: CD17 and CD20T.
The engine was installed on:
- Nissan AD 2 (Y10) in 1997 – 1998;
- Nissan Almera 1 (N15) in 1995 – 2000;
- Nissan Avenir 1 (W10) in 1990 – 1998;
- Nissan Primera 1 (P10) in 1992 – 1996;
- Nissan Pulsar N15 in 1995 – 2000;
- Nissan Serena C23 in 1991 – 1993;
- Nissan Sunny 3 (B13) in 1993 – 1998;
- Nissan Wingroad Y10 in 1997 – 1998.
Specifications
| Production years | 1990-2000 |
| Displacement, cc | 1973 |
| Fuel system | vortex chamber |
| Power output, hp | 75 |
| Torque output, Nm | 132 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 8v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 84.5 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 88 |
| Compression ratio | 22.2 |
| Features | no |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 10W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.7 |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | EURO 1/2 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Nissan Avenir 1992) — city — highway — combined |
8.1 5.5 6.4 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~275 000 |
| Weight, kg | 180 |
Disadvantages of the CD20 engine
- You can’t call the fuel system capricious, but it really doesn’t like bad fuel;
- Most often, the owners of such cars are struggling with airing the cooling system;
- If overheating is allowed, the minimum will pierce the gasket, and often the head will crack;
- The timing belt usually runs no more than 80,000 km, and when it breaks, the valve always bends;
- The compression in the cylinders decreases to a run of 250,000 km, get ready for a major overhaul.
Dear Mr. El Guardiola,
I am an owner of a Nissan Almera N15, and your findings are 100% accurate. At exactly 250,000 kilometers, my car’s head gasket failed and it underwent a major overhaul. This is a classic car that I value greatly, but it was found that the previous owners used water instead of antifreeze, which caused significant damage to the cooling system. I am now very careful to use only the highest quality and most suitable motor oil and antifreeze.
Could you kindly assist me by providing recommendations on the appropriate oil viscosity and the type of antifreeze I should use for this engine? Also, are there any other important aspects I should pay attention to? I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me a message at my email address with advice.
Best regards.