Nissan Murano Engine Replacement in Phoenix
One engine across every generation removes the identification problem, and leaves the application question.
The Murano has used the VQ35DE across its generations, which removes the identification problem that affects most vehicles in this catalogue. If you have a Murano with a failed engine, you need a VQ35DE.
What still needs establishing is which application. Murano units differ from Altima and 350Z units in accessory layout and mounting despite the shared engine code, and the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions differ again.
As with the Altima, the CVT is the component to rule out before ordering. Murano transmissions have their own reputation and the same double-payment risk applies.
Same code, different part
Knowing you need a VQ35DE is a good start and not the end. Nissan fitted this engine to rear-drive sports cars and front-drive crossovers alike, and the sump, accessory drive and mounting differ between them.
A VQ35DE from a 350Z is not a Murano part, and an Altima unit is not automatically one either. Supplying the VIN is what turns "I need a VQ35DE" into an order a supplier can fill correctly.
The VQ35HR is not a substitute
The VQ35HR has a different deck height, different cylinder heads and a different accessory layout from the VQ35DE. They share a displacement and a family name, but the HR is not a replacement for the DE in a Murano. Fitting one requires changes to intake, wiring and mounting that go beyond a straight swap.
Some listings describe VQ35HR engines as compatible with VQ35DE applications because of the shared displacement. That is incorrect for the Murano. Confirm the stamped code on the engine is a VQ35DE before committing, and if a supplier offers a VQ35HR as an alternative, ask specifically what would need to change.
What to have ready when you request a Murano engine
Generation and drivetrain. The Murano was sold in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive form, and the sump configuration and oil pickup differ between them. Supplying the drivetrain prevents the kind of unit that fits the block but starves the oil pump.
The generation determines which revision of the VQ35DE was fitted. Both generations use the same family code, but the accessories, sensors and wiring were revised across the production run. The VIN settles all of these, and it is the single most useful piece of information on a Murano engine request.
Where Nissan Murano orders go wrong
- Confirm the CVT is healthy before ordering an engine.
- Murano VQ35DE applications differ from Altima and rear-drive applications in accessory layout and sump.
- All-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions differ in supporting hardware.
- Never accept a VQ35HR as a substitute for a VQ35DE. They are different engines.
None of this needs to be worked out on your own. The Engine Finder asks for the year, model and trim and does the identification from there. The engine code field is optional precisely because most people do not have it.
Check availability for your Nissan Murano
Year, trim and ZIP is enough to start. If you have the VIN it removes the guesswork entirely.
Common questions
Can I use an Altima V6 engine in my Murano?
Both are VQ35DE, but the applications differ in accessory layout, sump and mounting, and the Murano may be all-wheel drive. The shared code narrows the search; it does not confirm the part. Supply your VIN and let the supplier verify against your specific vehicle.
Related pages
- VQ35DE EngineNissan’s 3.5 V6 from the Altima, Murano, Maxima and 350Z.
- Nissan AltimaQR25DE or VQ35DE, and check the transmission first.
- Nissan EnginesNissan engine families, and why the transmission is checked first.
- Repair or Replace Your EngineWhether to spend anything at all, before deciding what to spend it on.
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