Engine Overview and Common Failures
The weight of the VQ35DE engine according to the catalog is 180 kg. The engine number for VQ35DE is located at the junction of the block and the gearbox. This is a very reliable unit with a high lifespan, but oil consumption is often encountered. The cause may be due to coking from long drives at low revs, such as in traffic jams, or due to cylinder damage caused by debris from deteriorating catalysts. Oil leaks are also common. The weak point is the cardboard gaskets of the oil channels under the front cover, over time they get squeezed out, pressure drops, and errors appear regarding the phase regulators. If left unattended for too long, the oil level will drop below the critical mark. The cooling system here is not well thought out, and the fifth-sixth cylinders often overheat. Usually, this leads to a fairly rapid deterioration of valve cover seals and oil getting into spark plug wells. Owners often modify their engines themselves. Other minor breakdowns include the unreliable viscous fan clutch, and periodic adjustments are necessary due to the lack of hydraulic valve lifters.