The 4 Most Common Nissan VG33E 3.3 V6 Engine Problems

The Nissan 3.3 VG33E engine was produced from 1996 to 2004. It’s a very old school SOHC V6 engine that uses a strong cast iron engine block and steel rods. Unfortunately, the Nissan VG33E engine is underpowered – by modern standards – with 170 to 180 horsepower. It is, however, a strong engine that offers good reliability and longevity. That doesn’t mean the engine is bulletproof, though. The Nissan VG33E still suffers from a few common issues including the timing belt, water pump, fuel sending unit, and oil leaks.

Most Common VG33E Engine Problems

• Timing belt
• Water pump
• Fuel sending unit
• Oil leaks

I break down each of the above issues in-depth in the rest of this article. Though, it’s important I add a few quick notes before moving along. These are among the most common VG33E engine problems. That’s not to say the problems are truly common. Rather, when issues occur these are a few of the common areas.

That said, the Nissan 3.3 offers solid overall reliability. Age and mileage are big considerations, though. Most of the VG33E engines on the road are nearing or beyond two decades old. That kind of wear and tear can have negative impacts on reliability.

1) Timing Belt Problems

We find ourselves discussing timing belts on older engines quite often. As is often the case, there isn’t a design flaw with the VG33E that causes common premature failures. Timing belts are standard maintenance that should be done every ~100,000 miles on the VG engine.

However, the Nissan 3.3 V6 is an interference engine. This means there is some overlap in the area where the valves and pistons travel. Should a belt snap or slip too far it may allow the pistons and valves to contact each other. In this case chances are the VG33E will bend a couple valves and potentially damage the pistons.

It’s not very common to see early timing belt failures, and most occur at 110k+ miles on the belt. If you stay on top of belt repairs it’s unlikely you’ll run into this issue. Regardless, timing belt issues are worth the mention due to the risk of severe engine damage.

Timing Belt Symptoms

• Weird engine sounds (ticking/slapping)
• Loose/worn belt
• Power loss
• Poor performance

The first two symptoms – odd engine sounds and a loose belt – are typically the only signs before the belt fails. As it wears and develops slack you may notice odd sounds similar to ticking or slapping. Visual inspections may indicate wear and tear or point to a loose belt. It’s not always evident before the Nissan VG33E timing belt fails, though.

Once the belt fails you’ll notice a ton of symptoms depending on the degree of failure. The Nissan 3.3 V6 belt may simply slip a couple teeth and you’ll notice power loss and poor overall engine operation. If the belt snaps or jumps more than a couple teeth the engine likely will not run at all until the belt is replaced.

2) Water Pump Failures

Alright – we’ll be quick on this section. It’s a little repetitive with the above timing belt discussion. Water pumps don’t often fail on the Nissan 3.3 V6 engine. However, that’s because they’re often changed alongside the timing belt around 100,000 miles. If you skip the water pump then problems become a lot more common.

It’s possible for the water pump to fail between timing belt changes, but they’re rare cases. Any overheating or visible coolant leaks may point to problems with the Nissan 3.3 VG33E water pump. Ultimately, don’t skip this repair during timing belt changes.

Most of the labor is overlap with the timing belt. Once you’re in there the water pump is a quick repair, and it’s also a cheap part. Again, timing belt kits usually include the water pump and t-stat and the all in price in less than $300.

3) Fuel Sending Unit

Fuel sending unit (FSU) issues might be the only actual design flaw with the 3.3 V6 we’re discussing in this article. The fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel pump and sends fuel readings to the gas gauge. Nissan issued an extended warranty for this part a long time ago, which indicates they were aware it’s a common issue.

In the grand scheme VG33E fuel sending unit problems are a pretty minor issue. It’s a cheap part and easy fix, but it can cause annoying issues. An incorrect gas gauge usually points to a problem with the FSU. In some cases it may be an issue with the fuel pump itself, but the sending unit is typically the best starting point.

Fuel Sending Unit Symptoms

• Faulty fuel gauge readings
• Bouncing fuel gauge

The symptoms are pretty simple here. Fuel sending units simply send the fuel level reading for the gas gauge to display. When the unit goes bad you may notice incorrect fuel gauge readings. In some cases the VG33E gas gauge may bounce around a little bit.

4) Oil Leak Problems

Oil leaks on the VG33E V6 engine are more an age related issue rather than a design flaw. All engines use a number of gaskets and seals that take a lot of abuse over the years. These rubber-like gaskets wear down, develop cracks, and begin leaking oil with time. Our main focus with Nissan 3.3 oil leaks is problems with the valve cover gaskets.

These gaskets seal the gap between the head and valve cover. They’re subject to lots of heat and those heat cycles take a toll on the valve cover gaskets. It’s one of the most common oil leaks on the VG33E as these engines continue aging.

Other areas for oil leaks include the front main seal, rear main seal, and oil pan gasket. These problems are also increasingly more common as the Nissan 3.3 engines age.

Oil Leak Symptoms

• Visible leak
• Burning oil smells
• Light smoke from engine bay

Of course, symptoms for oil leaks are pretty straight-forward. They’re not always very noticeable on the 3.3L V6, though. Visible oil spots on the ground is a dead give-away that oil is leaking from somewhere. With the valve cover gaskets, however, visible leaks on the ground don’t always occur.

Since the VCG sits up high oil often drips onto hot components and burns off. This may cause a burning oil smell and/or light smoke from the engine bay. If you’re noticing these symptoms it’s usually the VG33E valve cover gasket(s).

Nissan VG33E Reliability

Is the Nissan 3.3L VG33E engine reliable? Yes, we believe this engine offers solid reliability. There aren’t really any major design flaws or problems with the engine. However, age is a huge factor when looking to purchase one of these Nissan engines today.

All engines use wear and tear items that don’t always last as many miles as the engine internals. Age can be just as hard on an engine as mileage is when it comes to things like gaskets and seals. Point is – the Nissan VG33E was typically a very reliable engine when it was a bit newer. They can still be reliable, but older cars require a bit more attention.

Nonetheless, maintenance is a big key to ensuring the engine remains reliable. Look for a car and engine that have been well maintained. Quality oils, changing fluids on time, and repairing problems in a timely manner go a long way. Plenty of Nissan VG33E engines last beyond 200,000 miles without many significant issues along the way.

Nissan 3.3 VG33E Engine Problems Summary

VG33E engines were first released in 1996 and remained through 2006. With 170-180hp they’re certainly not going to deliver amazing performance. However, it’s plenty of power for most daily driving, on-road needs. Couple that with good reliability and longevity and the Nissan 3.3 V6 is still an appealing engine.

There really aren’t many truly common engine problems or flaws to discuss with the Nissan 3.3 VG33E. Fuel sending units are one design issue, but it’s a pretty small problem. Otherwise, most of the issues with the engine simply come down to age and mileage.

With proper maintenance it’s not uncommon for the VG33E to hold up well beyond 200,000 miles without major failures. If you’re in the market for one today just keep in mind the older engine might require some extra TLC.