Nissan VG30DE
The most problematic is the frequent cracking of the exhaust manifold.
Nissan Cima engines
The Nissan Cima is a Japanese full-size luxury sedan manufactured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in the period from 1988 to 2010 and from 2012 to the present. The name of the car comes from the Spanish word “top / crown”. In 2010, the company discontinued production of the Cima due to the need to upgrade it as part of safety regulations. Since 2012, the release of the 5th generation of the model in a hybrid modification has been resumed. It is also known as Infiniti Q70L in the North American market and Mitsubishi Dignity in other markets.
The Nissan Cima was offered with 6 engines between 1988 and 2003 (6 petrol). Displacement ranges from 3.0 to 4.5 liters, power output from 185 to 315 hp. 4 use a timing chain and 2 a timing belt. 2 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Nissan VH41DE (about 400,000 km).
Nissan Cima engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Cima 1 (Y31) 1988–1991 | |||||||
| Nissan VG30DE | 1988–1991 | 3.0 L V6 | 185–230 hp | petrol | belt | 3.4 L | ~375,000 km |
| Nissan VG30DET | 1988–1991 | 3.0 L V6 | 255 hp | petrol, turbo | belt | 3.4 L | ~360,000 km |
| Nissan Cima 2 (Y32) 1991–1996 | |||||||
| Nissan VH41DE | 1991–1996 | 4.1 L V8 | 270 hp | petrol | chain | 5.3 L | ~400,000 km |
| Nissan Cima 3 (Y33) 1996–2001 | |||||||
| Nissan VQ30DET | 1996–2001 | 3.0 L V6 | 270–280 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 4 L | ~300,000 km |
| Nissan Cima 4 (F50) 2001–2003 | |||||||
| Nissan VK45DE / VK45DD | 2001–2003 | 4.5 L V8 | 280 hp | petrol | chain | 6.4 L | ~400,000 km |
| Nissan Cima 5 (Y51) | |||||||
| Nissan VQ35HR | 3.5 L V6 | 300–315 hp | petrol | chain | 4.9 L | ~400,000 km | |
Nissan Cima engine FAQ
What engines were used in the Nissan Cima?
Nissan Cima 1 (Y31) (1988–1991): Nissan VG30DE and Nissan VG30DET; Nissan Cima 2 (Y32) (1991–1996): Nissan VH41DE; Nissan Cima 3 (Y33) (1996–2001): Nissan VQ30DET; Nissan Cima 4 (F50) (2001–2003): Nissan VK45DE / VK45DD; Nissan Cima 5 (Y51): Nissan VQ35HR.
Which Nissan Cima engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable Nissan Cima engines are: Nissan VH41DE — about 400,000 km; Nissan VK45DE / VK45DD — about 400,000 km; Nissan VQ35HR — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the Nissan Cima engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: Nissan VG30DE — 3.4 L (5W-30); Nissan VG30DET — 3.4 L (5W-30); Nissan VH41DE — 5.3 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40); Nissan VK45DE / VK45DD — 6.4 L (0W-30 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40); Nissan VQ30DET — 4 L (5W-30); Nissan VQ35HR — 4.9 L (5W-30, 5W-40).
Does the Nissan Cima have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: Nissan VH41DE, Nissan VK45DE / VK45DD, Nissan VQ30DET and Nissan VQ35HR; timing belt: Nissan VG30DE and Nissan VG30DET. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.
Was the Nissan Cima available with a diesel engine?
No, all Nissan Cima engines in our database run on petrol.
Engine details
Nissan VG30DET
The problematic place of the motor is the exhaust manifold, it just cracks.
Nissan VH41DE
This engine uses metal guides, so there are no problems with the chain.
Nissan VQ30DET
Most often, owners complain about the oil burner due to the appearance of scuffing in the cylinders.
Nissan VK45DE / VK45DD
Like all units in this series, there is a problem with the formation of scoring due to the suction of crumbs of…
Nissan VQ35HR
The most famous problem of this engine is seizures in the cylinders and oil burner. The main reason for their appearance, many…
Models with the same engines
- Nissan Leopard 4 shared engines
- Nissan Cedric 3 shared engines
- Nissan Gloria 3 shared engines
- Infiniti Q45 2 shared engines
- Infiniti Q70 (M)/Nissan Fuga 2 shared engines
- Infiniti QX70 (FX) 2 shared engines
- Infiniti G20/Q40/Q60 1 shared engine
- Infiniti Q50 1 shared engine
- Infiniti QX50 (EX) 1 shared engine
- Nissan Fairlady Z/350Z 1 shared engine