Engine Overview and Common Failures
The weight of the VQ35HR engine according to the catalog is 190 kg. The engine number can be found at the junction of the block and the gearbox. The most well-known problem with this engine is cylinder scoring and excessive oil consumption. Many consider the main cause to be debris from deteriorating catalysts that gets pulled into the combustion chambers. Oil consumption is a common occurrence in these engines. Another weak point of this motor is the cardboard gaskets for the oil channels, located under the front engine cover. They can start to leak as early as 100,000 km, which usually leads to rapid loss of lubrication and the risk of engine seizure. In rare cases of very aggressive operation, the air filters can get crushed and the valve covers can become clogged, causing the engine to stall at low speeds. Since there are no hydraulic lifters, valve clearances will need to be adjusted periodically.