Nissan Terrano engines

The Nissan Terrano is a Japanese compact crossover vehicle from Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. It began to be produced again in 2013 in India, in 2014 – in Russia. The car is a modification of the more opulent Renault Duster, as an option for fast-growing markets. Previously produced cars under the Nissan Terrano brand are completely different cars, their characteristics are lower. The model has a front- and all-wheel drive layout. The translation of the name from Latin means “earthly”.

The Nissan Terrano was offered with 10 engines since 1985 (6 petrol, 4 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.6 to 3.2 liters, power output from 80 to 200 hp. 2 use a timing chain and 4 a timing belt. 4 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Nissan QD32ETi (about 400,000 km).

Nissan Terrano engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Nissan Terrano 1 (WD21) 1985–1995
Nissan VG30i1985–19893.0 L V6130–140 hppetrolbelt3.9 L~380,000 km
Nissan TD271986–19952.7 L R480–125 hpdiesel, NA / turbogears5.9–7.2 L~400,000 km
Nissan VG30E1990–19953.0 L V6150–180 hppetrolbelt3.9 L~390,000 km
Nissan Terrano II (R20) 1993–2006
Nissan KA24E1993–19962.4 L R4115–140 hppetrolchain4.3 L~375,000 km
Nissan TD271993–20062.7 L R480–125 hpdiesel, NA / turbogears5.9–7.2 L~400,000 km
Nissan TD27ETi1996–19992.7 L R4130 hpdiesel, turbogears7.2 L~350,000 km
Nissan ZD301999–20063.0 L R4105–170 hpdiesel, NA / turbo6.3–6.9 L~250,000 km
Nissan Terrano 2 (R50) 1995–1999
Nissan QD32ETi1995–19993.2 L R4150 hpdiesel, turbogears6.9 L~400,000 km
Nissan Terrano 3 (D10) 2014–present
Renault K4M2014–20161.6 L R490–133 hppetrolbelt4.8 L~400,000 km
Renault F4R2014–present2.0 L R4135–200 hppetrolbelt5.9 L~350,000 km
Renault H4M2016–present1.6 L R4110–115 hppetrolchain4.6 L~300,000 km

Nissan Terrano engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Nissan Terrano?

Nissan Terrano 1 (WD21) (1985–1995): Nissan VG30i, Nissan TD27 and Nissan VG30E; Nissan Terrano II (R20) (1993–2006): Nissan KA24E, Nissan TD27, Nissan TD27ETi and Nissan ZD30; Nissan Terrano 2 (R50) (1995–1999): Nissan QD32ETi; Nissan Terrano 3 (D10) (2014–present): Renault K4M, Renault F4R and Renault H4M.

Which Nissan Terrano engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Nissan Terrano engines are: Nissan QD32ETi — about 400,000 km; Nissan TD27 — about 400,000 km; Renault K4M — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Nissan Terrano engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Nissan KA24E — 4.3 L (5W-30); Nissan QD32ETi — 6.9 L (10W-30); Nissan TD27 — 5.9–7.2 L (10W-30); Nissan TD27ETi — 7.2 L (10W-30); Nissan VG30E — 3.9 L (5W-30); Nissan VG30i — 3.9 L (5W-30); Nissan ZD30 — 6.3–6.9 L (5W-30); Renault F4R — 5.9 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Renault H4M — 4.6 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Renault K4M — 4.8 L (5W-30, 5W-40).

Does the Nissan Terrano have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Nissan KA24E and Renault H4M; timing belt: Nissan VG30E, Nissan VG30i, Renault F4R and Renault K4M; gear drive: Nissan QD32ETi, Nissan TD27 and Nissan TD27ETi. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Nissan Terrano available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Nissan QD32ETi, Nissan TD27, Nissan TD27ETi and Nissan ZD30.

Engine details

Nissan VG30E

Nissan VG30E

1983–1999 · 3.0 L V6 · petrol · 150–180 hp · belt

The main problem is the bending of the valves due to the breaking of the crankshaft shank.

Nissan VG30i

Nissan VG30i

1985–1989 · 3.0 L V6 · petrol · 130–140 hp · belt

The main failure is breaking off the crankshaft shank and bending the valves.

Nissan KA24E

Nissan KA24E

1988–1999 · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 115–140 hp · chain

Most often, owners complain about very high fuel consumption or oil consumption.

Nissan QD32ETi

Nissan QD32ETi

1995–2000 · 3.2 L R4 · diesel · 150 hp · gears

This engine is very noisy and vibration-loaded due to the timing gear drive.

Nissan TD27ETi

Nissan TD27ETi

1995–2001 · 2.7 L R4 · diesel · 130 hp · gears

All the most common breakdowns of this diesel engine are somehow connected with the high pressure fuel pump.

Renault F4R

Renault F4R

1998–present · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 135–200 hp · belt

The first versions of the unit had a compression ratio of about 10 and were considered very reliable, however, when switching to…

Renault K4M

Renault K4M

1998–present · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 90–133 hp · belt

In the modifications of this motor with a phase regulator, it is he who is the weak link. Sometimes it starts to…

Renault H4M

Renault H4M

2004–present · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 110–115 hp · chain

The most notorious problem with this very reliable engine is lubricant consumption. Oil consumption may appear immediately or when the engine mileage…

Nissan TD27

Nissan TD27

2.7 L R4 · diesel · 80–125 hp · gears

The engine has a huge resource, but few people like noise and vibration.

Models with the same engines

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