Nissan Murano Z52 is a crossover that has gained popularity thanks to its combination of comfort, dynamics and reliability. The heart of this model was the legendary engine VQ35DE, known for its endurance and tuning potential. However, even such time-tested engines have weaknesses that are important for every owner to know about.
In this article we will look at technical specifications engine VQ35DE modified for Murano Z52 (2015–2021), typical breakdowns and their causes, and also give practical advice on maintenance and repair. We will pay special attention to the questions that car owners most often ask: from choosing oil to diagnosing faults by sound and vibration.
If you are planning a purchase Murano Z52 If you have used it or are already using this crossover, the information below will help you save on repairs and extend the life of the engine. And for tuning lovers, we have prepared a section with proven ways to increase power without harming the resource.
VQ35DE (Z52) Engine Specifications
Engine VQ35DE - this is a 3.5-liter gasoline unit of the family VQ, which was installed on Nissan Murano Z52 from 2015 to 2021. It belongs to the series VQ35DE Rev-Up, characterized by an increased compression ratio (10.3:1) and a variable valve timing system CVTCS on the intake shaft.
Main parameters of the motor:
- 🔧 Type: V6, 24 valves, DOHC, aluminum block and cylinder head
- 🔥 Volume: 3498 cm³
- ⚡ Power: 260 hp at 6000 rpm (depending on market)
- 🌀 Torque: 336 Nm at 4400 rpm
- ⛽ Fuel: AI-95 (recommended), AI-92 is allowed
- 🛢️ Lubrication system: combined (spraying + under pressure)
- 🔄 Recommended oil change interval: 10,000 km (for Russia - 7,500 km)
The special feature of this engine is timing chain drive (instead of a belt), which theoretically should increase reliability. However, in practice, the chain requires attention after 150–200 thousand kilometers. Also VQ35DE equipped with a system EFI (electronic fuel injection) with individual ignition coils for each cylinder.
Paired with a motor Murano Z52 works variator Jatco JF011E, which is often the subject of criticism. But this is a topic for a separate article - here we will focus specifically on the motor.
- Up to 50,000 km
- 50,000–100,000 km
- 100,000–150,000 km
- More than 150,000 km
Weaknesses and typical problems of the VQ35DE engine
Despite its reputation as a reliable unit, VQ35DE has several “diseases” that appear with age. Here are the most common:
- Timing chain stretch. It manifests itself as noise when the engine is cold (similar to “crackling” or “clanging”) and unstable speed. If you ignore the problem, the chain may jump, which will lead to the valves meeting the pistons.
- Oil leaking through the valve cover. Gaskets harden over time, especially if the engine frequently overheats. An oil leak on a hot engine is the first sign.
- Throttle valve dirty. Due to the crankcase ventilation system, carbon deposits form on the damper, which leads to floating speeds and jerks during acceleration.
- Problems with ignition coils. After 100,000 km, insulators often begin to “break through”, which causes tripping and error
P0300(misfire). - Wear of hydraulic compensators. It manifests itself as a knocking sound on a cold engine, which disappears after warming up. More often found on engines with mileage over 200,000 km.
Critical feature: VQ35DE engines are sensitive to oil and fuel quality. The use of cheap oils or gasoline below AI-92 accelerates wear on the timing chain and leads to the formation of deposits in the VVT system.
Another problem - overheating, which often occurs due to a faulty thermostat or clogged radiator. When overheating, the cylinder head gasket and valve stem seals suffer. Therefore, it is important to monitor the coolant temperature, especially in traffic jams.
How to check the timing chain without disassembling?
1. Start a cold engine and listen to the noise at the front of the engine.
2. If you hear a metallic clanging sound that disappears after warming up, the chain is stretched.
3. Accurate diagnosis can only be made after removing the valve cover or using an endoscope through the spark plug hole.
Maintenance schedule: what to change and when
Compliance with maintenance regulations is the key to long service life VQ35DE. The manufacturer recommends the following intervals for Nissan Murano Z52:
| Component | Replacement interval (km) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | 7 500–10 000 | For Russia it is better to stick to 7,500 km due to difficult operating conditions |
| Air filter | 30 000 | More often if you drive on dusty roads |
| Spark plugs | 100 000 | Iridium spark plugs last longer, but you need to check the gap every 30,000 km |
| Fuel filter | 60 000 | On Murano Z52 the filter is built into the fuel pump, requires replacement of the module assembly |
| Coolant | 90,000 or 5 years | Use only original fluid Nissan L250 or analogues |
Particular attention should be paid oil. For VQ35DE Suitable oils with viscosity 5W-30 or 5W-40compliant with the standard API SN or ILSAC GF-5.among best options:
- 🛢️ Nissan Strong Save X 5W-30 — original oil optimized for VQ engines
- 🛢️ Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 - suitable for harsh operating conditions
- 🛢️ Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 - a good choice for used engines
⚠️ Attention: Never use oils with a viscosity 10W-40 or higher in temperatures below –20°C. This can lead to oil starvation during cold starts and accelerated wear of the timing chain.
1. Warm up the engine to operating temperature (60–70°C)
2. Prepare a new oil filter and drain plug O-ring
3. Check for oil leaks under the car
4. After replacement, start the engine and make sure that the oil pressure lamp goes out
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Diagnosis of faults based on symptoms
Many problems VQ35DE can be detected at an early stage if you carefully monitor the behavior of the car. Here are the most common symptoms and their possible causes:
1. The engine hesitates or runs rough
- 🔥 Faulty ignition coils (most often at fault at mileage of 100,000+ km)
- 🛢️ Polluted injectors (requires flushing or replacement)
- ⚡ Punched high voltage wires (on older versions)
- 🔧 Incorrect spark plug gap or their wear
2. Extraneous noise in the engine
- 🔊 Knocking when cold — wear of hydraulic compensators or timing chain
- 🔊 Noise when hot - problems with the oil pump or crankshaft bearings
- 🔊 Whistling - wear of the alternator belt or rollers
3. Increased oil consumption
- 🛢️ Wear oil scraper rings (typical for runs of 200,000+ km)
- 🛢️ Flow through crankshaft oil seals or valve cover gasket
- 🛢️ Occurrence valve stem seals (manifested by blue smoke from the exhaust pipe)
For accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to use a scanner ELM327 or contact a service center with equipment to read errors OBD-II. The most common error codes for VQ35DE:
P0300- random/multiple misfiresP0171/P0174- lean fuel mixtureP0420- low catalyst efficiencyP0011— malfunction of the variable valve timing system (VVT)
If the engine begins to “eat” oil (more than 1 liter per 10,000 km), do not delay diagnostics. Early wear on rings or caps can be eliminated without major overhaul by using special additives (e.g. Liqui Moly Oil-Schlamm-Spulung).
Major repairs: when is it required and how much will it cost?
Engine life VQ35DE with proper maintenance is 300,000–400,000 km. However, major repairs may be required earlier if:
- 🔧 There were system overheats (for example, due to a faulty thermostat)
- 🛢️ The engine was operated with low-quality oil or with extended replacement intervals
- ⚡ The timing chain has broken (which leads to bending of the valves)
- 💥 There were mechanical damages (for example, water hammer after driving through a deep puddle)
The cost of a major overhaul depends on the scope of work:
| Type of repair | What does it include | Cost (RUB) |
|---|---|---|
| Easy (replacement of rings, caps, gaskets) | Disassembling the cylinder head, grinding the plane, replacing consumables | 80 000–120 000 |
| Medium (replacement of timing chain, bushings, valves) | Complete disassembly of the engine, replacement of chain, guides, seals | 150 000–250 000 |
| Complete (liner, replacement of crankshaft, pistons) | Boring the block, replacing all rubbing parts, balancing | 300 000–500 000 |
⚠️ Attention: During major repairs VQ35DE be sure to check the condition oil pump And timing chains. These components often become the reason for repeated repairs if they are not replaced in advance.
If the engine is “tired” and repairs are too expensive, you can consider the option contract motor. Used engine VQ35DE in good condition costs approx. 150,000–250,000 rub., but it is important to buy it from trusted suppliers with a guarantee.
Regular oil changes (every 7,500 km) and monitoring the timing chain (check every 100,000 km) allow you to delay major repairs by 100,000–150,000 km.
Tuning and increasing power: what can be done
Engine VQ35DE has good tuning potential. Without major modifications you can get an increase in 30–50 hp, and with turbocharging - up to 400+ hp Here are the main directions:
1. Software tuning (chip tuning)
Flashing the ECU allows you to:
- 📈 Increase power to 280–300 hp (due to optimization of ignition timing and fuel maps)
- 🛢️Improve gas pedal responsiveness
- ⚡ Disable the speed limiter (if permitted by law)
Cost: 15,000–30,000 rub. It is important to choose trusted studios to avoid “crooked” firmware that can kill the engine.
2. Mechanical tuning
For a more serious increase in power, modifications will be required:
- 🔥 Installation cold intake (for example, from K&N or Injen) — +5–10 hp
- 🌀 Replacement exhaust manifold on spider 4-2-1 - improves cylinder purging
- 🔧 Lightweight flywheel — increases acceleration dynamics
- ⚡ Installation turbo kit (for example, from Stillen or GReddy) - up to 400 hp, but requires block strengthening
⚠️ Attention: Turbocharged VQ35DE Without strengthening the block and replacing the pistons with forged ones, it is fraught with engine destruction. Minimum set for supercharging: forged pistons, reinforced connecting rods, high-performance injectors.
3. External tuning to improve sound
If sound is more important to you than power, you can install:
- 🔊 Direct flow muffler (For example, MagnaFlow or Borla)
- 🔊 Throttle valve increased diameter (60–65 mm)
- 🔊 Exhaust system without catalysts (legal for track use only!)
Remember that any tuning requires individual ECU settings and regular diagnostics. For example, after installing a turbo kit, it is necessary to check the compression and condition of the turbine every 5,000 km.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Nissan Murano Z52 engine
What is the service life of the VQ35DE engine on the Murano Z52?
With proper maintenance (oil change every 7,500–10,000 km, high-quality fuel), the engine passes 300,000–400,000 km before major repairs. However, the timing chain may require replacement at 150,000–200,000 km.
What oil is better to fill in VQ35DE?
Optimal options:
- Nissan Strong Save X 5W-30 (original)
- Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 (for severe conditions)
- Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 (for used engines)
Important: do not use oils with a viscosity higher 5W-40 in cold climates!
What to do if the engine starts to misfire?
First check:
- Spark plugs (gap, carbon deposits)
- Ignition coils (check resistance with multimeter)
- Injectors (clean or replace)
- Compression in the cylinders (must be at least 12 bar)
If the problem persists, diagnose it ECU for errors.
How much does it cost to replace a timing chain on a Murano Z52?
Cost of work in the service:
- Spare parts (chain, tensioners, seals) — 20,000–35,000 rub.
- Work - 15,000–25,000 rub.
Total: 35,000–60,000 rub. depending on the region.
Is it possible to drive on 92 gasoline?
Manufacturer recommends AI-95, but allows the use AI-92 without loss of warranty. However, on 92 gasoline:
- Power decreases by 5–10 hp.
- Increased risk of detonation during aggressive driving
- Accelerates the formation of carbon deposits on valves
For engines with a mileage of more than 150,000 km, it is better to use AI-95 or AI-98.