Concern models like the Laguna, Pathfinder, Navara, and Infiniti crossovers were equipped with the 3.0-liter diesel Renault-Nissan V9X or 3.0 dCi between 2008 and 2015. This diesel has a contentious reputation for being extremely expensive to fix.
Renault-Nissan engineers decided to develop a V6-type power unit with an unusual camber angle of 65° when they started working on a large diesel engine in 2005. This motor’s design consists of a lightweight CGI cast iron V-shaped six-cylinder block, aluminum DOHC cylinder heads with hydraulic lifters, a timing chain drive, a variable geometry turbocharger, and a Bosch Common Rail fuel system with piezo injectors. Here, a unique metal oxide catalytic converter was employed to clean the exhaust.
This diesel engine debuted on Laguna in 2008, but it wasn’t until two years later that it started to become widely available. It was installed on the Pathfinder SUV, Navara pickups, and several Infiniti premium brand models for the European market. Such an engine was discontinued in 2015 because switching to Euro 6 was not feasible.
The engine was mounted on:
- Renault Laguna 3 (X91) in 2008 – 2015;
- Renault Latitude 1 (L70) in 2011 – 2012;
- Infiniti EX30d 1 (J50) in 2010 – 2013;
- Infiniti FX30d 2 (S51) in 2010 – 2013;
- Infiniti M30d 4 (Y51) in 2010 – 2013;
- Infiniti QX50 1 (J50) in 2013 – 2015;
- Infiniti QX70 1 (S51) in 2013 – 2015;
- Infiniti Q70 1 (Y51) in 2013 – 2014;
- Nissan Navara 2 (D40) in 2010 – 2015;
- Nissan Pathfinder 3 (R51) in 2010 – 2014.
Specifications
| Production years | 2008-2015 |
| Displacement, cc | 2993 |
| Fuel system | Common Rail |
| Power output, hp | 230 – 240 |
| Torque output, Nm | 450 – 550 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron V6 |
| Block head | aluminum 24v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 84 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 90 |
| Compression ratio | 16.0 |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Turbocharging | yes |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 8.3 |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | EURO 5 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Nissan Pathfinder 2012) — city — highway — combined |
12.5 7.5 9.3 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~250 000 |
| Weight, kg | 185 (without attachments) |
Disadvantages of the Renault V9X engine
The diesel engine is very sensitive to lubrication pressure because of the extremely narrow crankshaft journals, and any decrease in the oil pump’s performance causes the liners to turn. The network reports numerous instances of the oil filter sealing ring entering the oil pump directly, which frequently results in a wedge and power unit failure.
After 100,000 kilometers of operation, oil scraper rings can already lie down and lubricant consumption will show up. However, the worst case scenario is if the compression ring is squeezed out and leaves scratches on the wall. The cylinder bore cannot be completed and the repair dimensions of the pistons are not supplied.
Timing chains can extend up to 100,000–150,000 kilometers when driving actively. The kit is reasonably priced, but the power unit must be removed in order to replace it.
An intercooler distinguishes this motor, which has a very small resource and a very high cost. On runs of 50,000 to 70,000 kilometers, it can occasionally leak, and welding won’t help him for very long.
Although an EGR valve with a built-in cooler is expensive, it should not be cleaned because it clogs easily. That it can be turned off is a good thing.