Nissan VQ35DE / Renault V4Y (3.5 L) Engine

The Nissan VQ35DE is a 3.5 l (3,498 cc, 213.45 cu.in.) natural aspirated V6 60° 4-stroke gasoline engine from Nissan VQ-family. The engine is producted on Nissan’s Iwaki Plant (Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) and Decherd Powertrain Plant (Tennessee, USA). The VQ35DE engine was honored by Ward’s 10 Best Engines list from 2002 through to 2007 and again in 2016. In Renault production line VQ35DE is called V4Y and used on the Vel Satis, Latitude, Laguna and Espace models.

The VQ35DE (V4Y) features a lightweight aluminum block with a fully balanced four-bearings crankshaft and two aluminum heads with two camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. The Nissan VQ35DE engine is equipped with CVTC system on intake valves, multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) and NDIS (Nissan Direct Ignition System) with individual coils on each spark plug.

Cylinder bore and piston stroke are 95.5 mm (3.76 in) and 81.4 mm (3.20 in), respectively. Compression ratio ratings are various: 10.0:1 or 10.3:1 on early versions, 10.6:1 on later versions.

The Nissan VQ35DE engine produces from 231 PS (170 kW, 228 HP) to 315 PS (232 kW, 311 HP) of maximum power and 334 to 371 Nm (34.0 to 37.8 kg⋅m, 246 to 274 lb⋅ft) of torque depending on the year and vehicle model.

Special versions:

• VQ35DE S1 This version was produced by Nismo for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT and produces 300 PS (220 kW, 300 HP) at 7,200 rpm
• VQ35DE Rev-up This engine was produced for Nissan 350Z 35th Anniversary Edition and used on some versions of Infiniti G35. The Rev-up engine has variable valve timing system (CVTC) on the intake and exhaust camshafts (eVTC), short intake manifold, enlarged oil pump gear and the camshafts with duration 248° on intake and exhaust sides. The valves lift are 10.59 mm for both sides.
• In 2006 Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) unveiled the 350Z GT-S. The Nissan 350Z GT-S was equipped the VQ35DE engine with radial flow supercharger. It raising maximum output to 388 PS (285 kW, 383 HP) and 425 Nm (43.3 kg⋅m, 313.3 lb⋅ft) without modifications to the engine components.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• VQ – Engine Family
• 35 – 3.5 Liter Displacement
• D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
• E – Multi Point Fuel Injection

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine code	VQ35DE / V4Y
Layout	Four stroke, V6
Fuel type	Gasoline (petrol)
Production	2000-present
Displacement	3.5 L, 3,498 cc (213.45 cu in)
Fuel system	Sequential multi-point fuel injection (MPFI)
Power adder	None
Power output	231 PS (170 kW, 228 HP) to 315 PS (232 kW, 311 HP) at 5600-6400 rpm
Torque output	334 to 371 Nm (34.0 to 37.8 kg⋅m, 246 to 274 lb⋅ft) at 3500-4800 rpm
Firing order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Dimensions (L x W x H):	–
Weight	313 lbs (142 kg)

Cylinder block

The VQ35DE-V4Y has an aluminum cylinder block with a four-bearings crankshaft supported system, forged steel connecting rods, a micro-finished one-piece forged crankshaft. The crankshaft journal diameter is 60 mm (2.36 in), the crankpin diameter is 52 mm (2.04 in).

The cylinder bore is 95.5 mm (3.760 in), piston stroke is 81.4 (3.205 in) mm and compression ratio rating is 10.0:1, 10.3:1 or 10.6:1. The Nissan VQ35DE motor has two compression and one oil control rings. The connecting rod’s length are 144.2 mm (5.66 in)

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloy		Aluminium
Compression ratio:		10.0:1, 10.3:1, 10.6:1
Cylinder bore:		95.5 mm (3.760 in)
Piston stroke:		81.4 mm (3.205 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil):		2 / 1
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 compression height:		30.1 mm (1.1850 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:		55.000 mm (2.1654 in)
Connecting rod center distance:		144.15-144.25 mm (5.68-5.68 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter:		59.975 mm (2.3612 in)
Crankpin diameter:		51.974 mm (2.0462 in)
Crankshaft center distance:		40.36-40.44 mm (1.5890-1.5921 in)

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of strong, light aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. The engine is equipped with hydraulically actuated CVTC (Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control) for intake cams. This mechanism hydraulically controls cam phases continuously with the fixed operating angle of the intake valve.

The camshafts are driven by single primary and two secondary chains. The primary timing chain transmits the rotational movement from the crankshaft to the intake camshafts, the secondary chains connects intake and exhaust sprocket on each head respectively.

The intake valve diameter is 37.0-37.3 mm (1.45-1.46 in) on early versions or 36.6-36.9 mm (1.44-1.45) on later versions and the exhaust valve diameter is 31.2-31.5 mm (1.22-1.24 in) on early versions or 30.2-30.5 mm (1.18-1.20 in) on later versions. The VQ35DE motor does not have hydraulic lifters, so special valve lifters are used to adjust the valve clearance.

Cylinder head
Block head alloy		Aluminium
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):		1: 230° 2: 238° 3: 240°
Exhaust valve timing:		1: 232° 2: 240° 3: 240°
Valve head diameter:	INTAKE	1: 37.0-37.3 mm (1.456-1.469 in) 2: 36.6-36.9 mm (1.441-1.453 in)
	EXHAUST	1: 31.2-31.5 mm (1.228-1.240 in) 2: 30.2-30.5 mm (1.189-1.201 in)
Valve length:	INTAKE	1: 96.12-96.62 mm (3.7842-3.8039 in) 2: 97.13 mm (3.8240 in)
	EXHAUST	1: 93.65-94.15 mm (3.6870-3.7067 in) 2: 94.67 mm (3.7272 in)
Valve stem diameter:	INTAKE	5.965-5.980 mm (0.2348-0.2354 in)
	EXHAUST	1: 5.945-5.960 mm (0.2341-0.2346 in) 2: 5.962-5.970 mm (0.2347-0.2350 in)
Valve spring free length:	INTAKE	1: 46.52 mm (1.8315 in) 2: 43.85 mm (1.7264 in)
	EXHAUST	1: 46.52 mm (1.8315 in) 2: 43.85 mm (1.7264 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)

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

• Step 1: 98 Nm; 10.0 kg·m; 72 ft·lb
• Step 2: Loosen all bolts completely
• Step 3: 34.3 to 44.1 kg·m; 3.5 to 4.4 kg·m; 26 to 32 ft·lb
• Step 4: Turn all bolts 90-95°
• Step 5: Turn all bolts another 90-95°

Problems and malfunctions

The Nissan VQ35DE is reliable and durable, but sometimes the following problem can happen:

• High oil consumption. The VQ35DE has a catalytic converter and they are very sensitive to the fuel quality. They produce ceramic dust, which damaging the cylinders sleeve and piston rings. As a result, the engine has low compression, high fuel and oil consumption. Such an engine requires repair or replacement. To prevent this problem, you need to change the upper catalytic converters for high flow catalytic converter. It will decrease ecological standard, but this problem will not happen.

The engine has three timing chains, their service life is about 150,000 miles of mileage (200,000-250,000 km). The valve clearance needs to be adjusted every 60,000 miles of mileage (90,000 km). The Nissan VQ35DE is the best motor in VQ-series and life expectancy is 200,000 miles of mileage (300,000 km), and sometimes more than 500,000 km.

Maintenance data

Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve	0.304-0.416 mm (0.012-0.016 in)
Exhaust valve	0.308-0.432 mm (0.012-0.017 in)
Compression pressure
Standard	13.0 kg/cm2 (185 psi) / 300 rpm
Minimun	10.0 kg/cm2 (142 psi) / 300 rpm
Compression differential limit between cylinders	1.0 kg/cm2 (15 psi) / 300 rpm
Oil system
Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles)	up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles)
Recommended engine oil	5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40
Oil type API	SG,SH or SJ, SL
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity)	With filter change 4.8 l (5-1/8 US. qt., 4-1/4 Imp. qt.) Without filter change 4.5 l (4-3/4 Us. qt., 4 Imp. qt.)
Oil change interval, km (miles)	8,000 (5,000)
Oil Pressure, kPa (kg/cm 2, psi)	Idle speed: More than 98 (1.0, 14) 2,000 rpm: More than 294 (3.0, 43)
Ignition system
Spark plug	Standard: PLFR5A-11 (NGK) Hot type: PLFR4A-11 (NGK) Cold type: PLFR6A-11 (NGK)
Spark plug gap	1.1 mm (0.043 in)
Spark plug tightening torque	19.6-29.4 Nm (2.0-2.9 kg⋅m, 15-21 ft⋅lb)

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of new adjusting valve lifter so valve clearance comes within specified values.

R = Thickness of removed valve lifter N = Thickness of new valve lifter M = Measured valve clearance

Intake: N = R + [M – 0.30 mm (0.012 in)] Exhaust: N = R + [M – 0.34 mm (0.013 in)]

Valve lifters are available in 27 sizes to range from 7.88 mm (0.3102 in) to 8.40 mm (0.3307 in), in steps of 0.02 mm (0.0008 in).

Example (exhaust valve): R = 7.90 mm M = 0.52 mm N = 7.90 + (0.52 – 0.34) = 8.08 mm, so we need a valve lifter with identification mark 808.

Cold	Hot
Intake	0.26-0.34 mm (0.010-0.013 in)	0.304-0.416 mm (0.012-0.016 in)
Exhaust	0.29-0.37 mm (0.011-0.015 in)	0.308-0.432 mm (0.012-0.017 in)

Vehicle applications

Model	Years Produced
North American
Nissan Pathfinder	2001–2004
Nissan Pathfinder	2012–
Infiniti QX4	2000–2004
Infiniti I35	2001–2004
Nissan Altima	2001–
Nissan Maxima	2001–
Nissan 350Z	2002–2006
Infiniti G35 Coupe	2002–2007
Infiniti G35 Sedan	2002–2006
Infiniti FX35	2002–2008
Nissan Murano (Z50)	2002–
Nissan Quest	2003–2016
Infiniti M35	2004–2008
Infiniti JX35	2012–2013
Infiniti QX60	2013–2016
Japan and other markets
Nissan Elgrand	2000–
Nissan Stagea	2001–2007
Renault Vel Satis	2001–2009
Nissan Skyline (V35)	2002–2007
Nissan Teana/Cefiro (350JM-J31)	2003–
Nissan Presage	2003–2009
Renault Espace	2003–
Tatuus Formula V6	2003–2004
Formula Renault V6 Eurocup	2003–2004
Nissan Fuga 350 GT	2004–2007
Nismo Fairlady Z S-Tune GT	2005–2006
Dallara T05	2005–2007
Renault Samsung SM7	2006–
Renault Laguna Coupé	2008–
Dallara T08	2008–2011
Renault Latitude	2010–
Dallara T12	2012–

Author: Sergei Wers About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years. ATTENTION! Dear visitors, this site is not a trading platform, an official dealer or a spare parts supplier, so we do not have any price lists or spare parts catalogs. We are an information portal and provide the technical specifications of gasoline and diesel engines.

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