Nissan VQ is a 2.0-4.0L V6 piston motor, keeping an aluminum block with a dual overhead camshaft featuring 4 valves per cylinder plus aluminum heads. It’s supplied with the brand’s EGI/ECCS sequential multi-port fuel injection while its subsequent variations keep different variable valve timing and direct fuel injection modifications. The latter is often referred as NEO-Di.
Motors of this lineup were built as alternatives to the VQ line. Being rather successful, they were among the 10 best engines for many years, according to Ward version.
Nissan VQ40DE, released by Decherd Powertrain Plant in Tennessee, United States, is a 4.0L naturally aspirated V6 60° four-cycle gasoline motor.
Keeping lightweight aluminum block with the balanced 4-bearings crankshaft, the motor features a double overhead camshaft with 4 valves per cylinder. VQ40DE is provided with a variable intake system, CVTC system on the inlet part, Nissan Direct Ignition System with separate coils for every spark plug (keeping platinum tips) plus a multi-point fuel injection system.
While the cylinder bore is 95.5 mm (3.76 inches), the piston stoke is 92.0 mm (3.62 inches). The compression index equals to 9.7.
Motor reaches output from 261 hp (265 PS or 196 kW) to 275 hp (279 PS or 205 kW) with torque from 381 Nm (38.8 kg/m or 281 lb/ft) to 390 Nm (39.8 kg/m or 288 lb/ft) depending on VQ40DE version.
VQ40DE Specs
| Manufacturer | Decherd Powertrain Plant |
| Also called | VQ40 |
| Production | 2005-present |
| Cylinder block alloy | Aluminum |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves per cylinder |
| Piston stroke, mm (inch) | 92 (3.62) |
| Cylinder bore, mm (inch) | 95.5 (3.76) |
| Compression ratio | 9.7 |
| Displacement | 3954 cc (241.3 cu in) |
| Power output | 195 kW (265 HP) at 5,600 rpm 198 kW (269 HP) at 5,600 rpm |
| Torque output | 381 Nm (281 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm 390 Nm (288 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| Redline | – |
| HP per liter | 67.0 68.0 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Weight, kg (lbs) | – |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg) -City -Highway -Combined | for Pathfinder 18.7 (13) 10.5 (22) 13.5 (17) |
| Turbocharger | Naturally aspirated |
| Oil consumption, L/1000 km (qt. per miles) | up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity, L (qt.) | 5.1 (5.4) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000) |
| Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F) | – |
| Engine lifespan, km (miles) -Official information -Real | – 400,000+ (250,000) |
| Tuning, HP -Max HP -No life span loss | 400+ – |
Nissan VQ40DE Engine Oil Capacity
The Nissan VQ40DE requires 5.4 quarts of 5W-30 oil with a filter replacement.
What Cars Have A VQ40DE?
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Xterra
- Nissan Frontier
- Nissan NV
- Suzuki Equator
VQ40DE Engine Code Meaning
- VQ – Engine Family
- 40 – 4.0 Liter Displacement
- D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
- E – Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Cylinder Block
VQ40DE features aluminum cylinder block equipped with 4-bearings crankshaft supported system, forged steel rods, micro-finished monoblock forged crankshaft plus molybdenum covered pistons. Diameter of crankshaft main journal equals to 70 mm (2.75 inches) while the one of crankpin is 54 mm (2.12 inches).
Compression index of 9.7 is reached thanks to 95.5 mm (3.76 inches) cylinder bore and 92.0 mm (3.62 inches) piston stroke. Additionally, motor keeps 2 compression and 1 oil control rings plus 165.85 mm (6.53 inches) connecting rods.
| Cylinder block alloy | Aluminum | |
| Compression ratio: | 9.7:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 95.5 mm (3.760 in) | |
| Piston stroke: | 92.0 mm (3.622 in) | |
| A number of piston rings (compression/oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| A number of main bearings: | 4 | |
| Cylinder inner diameter (standard): | 95.500-95.510 mm (3.7598-3.7602 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 95.480-95.490 mm (3.7590-3.7594 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter: | 21.989-21.995 mm (0.8657-0.8659 in) | |
| Connecting rod bushing inner diameter: | 22.000-22.006 mm (0.8661-0.8664 in) | |
| Connecting rod big end diameter: | 57.000 mm (2.2441 in) | |
| Connecting rod center distance: | 165.82-165.92 mm (6.5283-6.5323 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance: | Top | 0.045-0.080 mm (0.0018-0.0031 in) |
| Second | 0.030-0.070 mm (0.0012-0.0028 in) | |
| Oil | 0.065-0.135 mm (0.0026-0.0053 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap: | Top | 0.23-0.33 mm (0.0091-0.0130 in) |
| Second | 0.33-0.48 mm (0.0130-0.0189 in) | |
| Oil | 0.20-0.50 mm (0.0079-0.0197 in) | |
| Crankshaft main journal diameter: | 69.975 mm (2.7549 in) | |
| Crankpin diameter: | 53.974 mm (2.1250 in) | |
| Crankshaft center distance: | 45.96-46.04 mm (1.8094-1.8126 in) |
Cylinder Head
Being built of sturdy but lightweight aluminum alloy, cylinder head provides motor with a great cooling effect. Intake camshafts keep hydraulically driven Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control. One primary and two secondary chains manage camshafts. The primary timing chain forwards rotational movement from the crankshaft to inlet camshafts while secondary ones unite intake and exhaust rag-wheel on every head.
Inlet valves are 37.0-37.3 mm (1.45-1.46 inches) while exhaust ones are 31.2-31.5 mm (1.22-1.24 inches). Camshafts duration is 240/244 degrees. Having no hydraulic tappets, VQ40DE regulates valve clearance with especial valve tappets.
| Blockhead alloy | Aluminum | |
| Valve Arrangement: | DOHC, chain drive | |
| Cylinder head height: | 126.3-126.5 mm (4.97-4.98 in) | |
| Valves: | 24 (4 valves per cylinder) | |
| Intake valve timing (Intake valve timing control-OFF): | 240° | |
| Exhaust valve timing: | 244° | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 37.0-37.3 mm |
| EXHAUST | 31.2-31.5 mm (1.228-1.240 in) | |
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 96.46 mm (3.7976 in) |
| EXHAUST | 93.99 mm (3.7004 in) | |
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 5.965-5.980 mm (0.2348-0.2354 in) |
| EXHAUST | 5.955-5.970 mm (0.2344-0.2350 in) | |
| Valve spring free length: | INTAKE | 47.07 mm (1.8531 in) |
| EXHAUST | 47.07 mm (1.8531 in) | |
| Exhaust camshaft journal diameter: | №1 | 25.935-25.955 mm (1.0211-1.0218 in) |
| №2, 3, 4, 5 | 23.445-23.465 mm (0.9230-0.9238 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height: | INTAKE | 45.465-45.65 mm (1.7900-1.7974 in) |
| EXHAUST | 45.075-45.265 mm (1.7746-1.7821 in) |
VQ40DE Engine Problems And Reliability
Being a pretty reliable motor, Nissan 4.0 V6 engine still may have some shortcomings:
- Excessive oil consumption. The catalytic converter condition is very dependable on fuel quality. It may create ceramic dust able to damage cylinder sleeves along with piston rings. Consequently, motor will get decreased compression, exceeding the amount of fuel and oil consumed. This malfunction means that the motor must be either repaired or substituted. The preventive measure is the replacement of upper cat converters for a high flow cat converter. You will avoid this trouble though your vehicle will be less eco-friendly.
- Motor’s 3 timing chains may run for 150,000 miles (200,000-250,000 kilometers) with no faults. However, it’s important to regulate valve clearance after every 60,000 miles (90,000 kilometers) are run. On the whole, VQ40DE is able to serve for 200,000 miles (300,000 kilometers).
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The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information presented. The reader is advised to consult a qualified professional, such as a mechanic or dealership, before making any decisions related to their vehicle's engine oil or maintenance.
I bought my Nissan 4.0 V6 new and it has been a good motor but always Reved to about 2,000 rpm on a cold start which did not alarm the dealer,but did me. for the last two years the motor has a noise when it is cold above 2000 rpm for about the first couple of miles then the rest of the day it is perfect. do you have any ideas? II thought Rod knock but it would get worse and it only does it when it is below 40 degrees.
Timing chain / and or timing chain tensioner wear.
What’s the difference between this motor in a pathfinder compared to a NV2500?