The 2.5-liter Nissan VQ25DE engine (or VQ25 for short) was first shown in 1994 as the main power unit for the popular Cefiro, Cedric or Leopard models on the Japanese market. In 2004, the motor was slightly updated and began to be installed on the Fuga, Teana sedans and the Elgrand minivan. It was installed on Renault and Samsung cars under the V4U index.
VQ20 family: VQ20DE, VQ23DE, VQ25DE, VQ25DET, VQ25DD, VQ25HR.
Specifications
| Production years | 1994 |
| Displacement, cc | 2495 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 190 (1994 version) 185 – 210 (2004 version) |
| Torque output, Nm | 235 (1994 version) 230 – 265 (2004 version) |
| Cylinder block | aluminum V6 |
| Block head | aluminum 24v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 85 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 73.3 |
| Compression ratio | 9.8 (1994 version) 9.8 – 10.3 (2004 version) |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | three chains |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 4.0 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 3/4 (1994 version) EURO 4/5 (2004 version) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Nissan Cefiro 2002) — city — highway — combined |
14.4 7.7 10.1 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~330 000 |
| Weight, kg | 185 |
| Features | ECCS, NDIS |
| Phase regulator | no (1994 version) CVTC at the intake (2004 version) |
The engine was installed on:
- Nissan Cefiro 2 (A32) in 1994 – 2000, Cefiro 3 (A33) in 1998 – 2004;
- Nissan Cedric 9 (Y33) in 1995 – 1999;
- Nissan Elgrand 2 (E51) in 2002 – 2010;
- Nissan Fuga 1 (Y50) in 2004 – 2007;
- Nissan Gloria 10 (Y33) in 1995 – 1999;
- Nissan Leopard 4 (Y33) in 1996 – 1999;
- Nissan Teana 2 (J32) in 2008 – 2013;
- Renault Latitude 1 (L70) in 2010 – 2015;
- Samsung SM5 1 (A32) in 1998 – 2005, SM5 3 (L43) in 2009 – 2019;
- Samsung SM7 2 (L47) in 2011 – 2019.
Disadvantages of the VQ25DE engine
- The main problems are caused by catalyst crumbs entering the combustion chamber;
- An oil burner exceeding 1 liter / 1000 km hints at the appearance of a scuff in the cylinders;
- The engine is afraid of overheating, from which mating surfaces quickly warp;
- After 200,000 km of run, it often stretches here and the timing chain begins to rattle;
- The culprit for floating speeds is often a dirty idle valve;
- Oil oozes from under the valve cover and from the camshaft position sensors here.
Frequently asked questions about the Nissan VQ25DE
How much power does the Nissan VQ25DE make?
Power output of the Nissan VQ25DE, hp: 190 (1994 version); 185 - 210 (2004 version). Torque, Nm: 235 (1994 version); 230 - 265 (2004 version).
How much oil does the Nissan VQ25DE take and which one?
Engine oil capacity: 4.0 liters. Recommended oil: 5W-30.
Does the Nissan VQ25DE have a timing belt or chain?
Timing drive of the Nissan VQ25DE: three chains.
Is the Nissan VQ25DE turbocharged?
No, the Nissan VQ25DE is naturally aspirated.
Does the Nissan VQ25DE need valve clearance adjustment?
Yes, there are no hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearances have to be checked and adjusted periodically.
How long does the Nissan VQ25DE last?
The typical lifespan of the Nissan VQ25DE is ~330 000 km with proper maintenance.
What is the fuel consumption of the Nissan VQ25DE?
Nissan Cefiro 2002: city 14.4, highway 7.7, combined 10.1 L/100 km.
What cars was the Nissan VQ25DE installed on?
Nissan Cefiro 2 (A32) in 1994 - 2000, Cefiro 3 (A33) in 1998 - 2004; Nissan Cedric 9 (Y33) in 1995 - 1999; Nissan Elgrand 2 (E51) in 2002 - 2010; Nissan Fuga 1 (Y50) in 2004 - 2007; Nissan Gloria 10 (Y33) in 1995 - 1999; Nissan Leopard 4 (Y33) in 1996 - 1999 and 4 more (see the full list above).
What are the common problems of the Nissan VQ25DE?
The main problems are caused by catalyst crumbs entering the combustion chamber. An oil burner exceeding 1 liter / 1000 km hints at the appearance of a scuff in the cylinders. All known problems.
