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So whats the deal with the porous block VR30DDTT

180 wanabe
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180 wanabe Proficient

180 wanabe

Posted
Posted

SO whats the deal with this issue?

I've read a heap of posts from the infinity owners in the US having full engine swaps done under warranty. Most claims are done on earlier cars than 2019 but I'm sure I've come across claims of 2020 models also having this issue.

I like the 400r and Q50Red/S but can't fathom dumping close to 50k on a car with terminal issues!!! 

Duncan Grand Master

Duncan

Posted
Posted

Its hard to tell really. The Q50 owner's forum talks about it a lot and has quite a few people directly affected, but no idea what % of cars sold actually had the block replaced.

Also, there seem to be 2 distinct issues which both get diagnosed by Infiniti as requiring a block replacement (no wonder they are going broke)

1. "Porous block" where coolant mixes with oil through thin or poorly cast parts of the block

2. Head coolant gallery plugs not sealing.

If I was noticing engine coolant loss I'd start with cooling system pressure test (as always) and then I'd pull the cam covers and reseal the coolant gallery plugs on both side before worrying about a potentially porous block.  If neither of those did the trick it would be put in a second hand engine out of japan; I haven't checked pricing but I'm sure there are plenty around by now as they've been in production 10+ years

V35_Paul Veteran

V35_Paul

Posted
Posted
On 1/27/2025 at 5:42 AM, Duncan said:

Its hard to tell really. The Q50 owner's forum talks about it a lot and has quite a few people directly affected, but no idea what % of cars sold actually had the block replaced.

Also, there seem to be 2 distinct issues which both get diagnosed by Infiniti as requiring a block replacement (no wonder they are going broke)

1. "Porous block" where coolant mixes with oil through thin or poorly cast parts of the block

2. Head coolant gallery plugs not sealing.

If I was noticing engine coolant loss I'd start with cooling system pressure test (as always) and then I'd pull the cam covers and reseal the coolant gallery plugs on both side before worrying about a potentially porous block.  If neither of those did the trick it would be put in a second hand engine out of japan; I haven't checked pricing but I'm sure there are plenty around by now as they've been in production 10+ years

The water pump is know to leak as well. So if the coolant is low checking that first as well as hoses. 

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