Any updates on the VR30 head issue?

[trackratZ]

3. Post-2019 field data

• 2019+ VR30DDTT engines (both Luxe and Red Sport trims) still experience typical issues — sensor failures, turbo oil leaks, thermostat faults — but not the coolant-in-oil “porous block” failures.
• Tuners (AMS, SOHO, Z1, etc.) routinely push 2019+ engines to 600–700 whp without seeing any porosity-related block failures.
• No credible reports exist of 2019+ engines requiring replacement for that specific defect.

4. Summary

Model Year	Report Frequency	Nature of Issue
2016	High	Early blocks prone to coolant/oil cross-contamination; several “porous” diagnoses
2017	High	Peak of porous-block warranty replacements
2018	Moderate	Some late-2018 cases, fewer overall
2019+	Near-zero	No confirmed porous block failures; only unrelated coolant or head issues

So, not related to block porousness, but the jury's still out on cracking head bolt areas?

 

[haohmaru]

So, not related to block porousness, but the jury's still out on cracking head bolt areas?

Isn't cracked heads what AMS determined was the actual issue? The block was never porous?

ChatGPT is going off the diagnosis of the time.

 

[NocturnalEmber]

Isn't cracked heads what AMS determined was the actual issue? The block was never porous?

ChatGPT is going off the diagnosis of the time.

AMS determined it never was a porous block, but if I had to guess haohmaru had ChatGPT search for "porous block" because that's what it was referred to at the time by many; the AMS discovery was relatively recent, so if you wanted legacy data over the past few years that's the keywords you would have to go with I'm guessing.

I never believed for a second it was a porous block, but that's besides the point.

The terms in that chart ChatGPT referenced are very arbitrary and I've definitely read up on cases of post 2020 Q50/Q60's having the issue.

Keep in mind as much as ChatGPT can do things well, it can and does still hallucinate. In its message it says: "2019+ VR30DDTT engines (both Luxe and Red Sport trims) still experience typical issues — sensor failures, turbo oil leaks, thermostat faults — but not the coolant-in-oil “porous block” failures. " Leading us to assume zero known occurrences.

However, in the table below says its "near zero" for 2019+

I'm doing my part by getting a UOA done each time, but if I had to hypothesize, its an inherent design flaw in the heads and things like higher boost result in higher cylinder pressure which likely leads to the more likely event of these cracks happening.

I'd be curious as to if there is a reliable source that can confirm the manufacturing and head casting improvements.

 

[NocturnalEmber]

On engine #3 now....ugh.
Libbys bulls#it.
Sick of talking about it but wanted it to be known for other Z headz...
First went around 36,000 miles, coolent entered oil, sludge in pan, like the.
Second time wasn't high rpm or anything else (neither was first time) I was actually leaving a well known establishment, just grabbed a burger and a coffee shake, and it starts with the number after 4, and ends with GUYS......A camshaft piece cracked in half, not the wide lobes, the end one, probably 1/4 inch thick with a hole for a pin....looking for pic now

You personally have a Z on its third engine? Any service order paperwork you'd be willing to share?

 

[trackratZ]

Isn't cracked heads what AMS determined was the actual issue? The block was never porous?

ChatGPT is going off the diagnosis of the time.

Yep, that's what AMS reported exactly, not related to porous blocks. But what is the commonality, any more numbers to validate the cracked heads, and stock vs built (overboosted, wrong fuel, octane, AFR, etc?) Good topic to track numbers by, if a true design issue.

 

[chadhunley]

I did a search on how many Q50s and 60s were sold during 2016-2017 and over 50 thousand sold during that time. From 2018-2020 and towards the end of product only about 25 hundred sold. This might explain the lack of reported engine failures for the VR30.

Only time will tell with new Z sales.

 

[Foglandphil]

You personally have a Z on its third engine? Any service order paperwork you'd be willing to share?

No. Not really as I'd like to remain friends with the folks over at the dealership. Why the fuuuuuuk would I make a profile over a year ago on a Z forum, and now post fake shit? NO, NOT HAPPENING. LIKE I SAID, I WANTED TO LET THE OTHER Z OWNERS KNOW. ITS TRUTH, ALL OF IT. I FRIGGIN LOVE THAT CAR.
PHIL & LIBBY
2024 Z PERFORMANCE

 

[NocturnalEmber]

No. Not really as I'd like to remain friends with the folks over at the dealership. Why the fuuuuuuk would I make a profile over a year ago on a Z forum, and now post fake shit? NO, NOT HAPPENING. LIKE I SAID, I WANTED TO LET THE OTHER Z OWNERS KNOW. ITS TRUTH, ALL OF IT. I FRIGGIN LOVE THAT CAR.
PHIL & LIBBY
2024 Z PERFORMANCE

Never said anything about you posting anything fake, but seeing an authentic service order that shows this is a legitimate issue would help those that are concerned.

What does posting a service order have to do with being 'friends' with the people at the dealership you are referencing? You could just redact the dealer information if you are concerned for whatever reason. I don't think who individually worked on the car is the main focal point, but rather lending credibility to your claim.

When you make a claim like that then refuse to provide any proof, that can tend to increase the likelihood of people becoming skeptical of said claim.

 

[Apex_Z]

No. Not really as I'd like to remain friends with the folks over at the dealership. Why the fuuuuuuk would I make a profile over a year ago on a Z forum, and now post fake shit? NO, NOT HAPPENING. LIKE I SAID, I WANTED TO LET THE OTHER Z OWNERS KNOW. ITS TRUTH, ALL OF IT. I FRIGGIN LOVE THAT CAR.
PHIL & LIBBY
2024 Z PERFORMANCE

If you aren't lying, you sure are doing a good job making it seem like you are.

 

[NismoNed]

Yep, that's what AMS reported exactly, not related to porous blocks. But what is the commonality, any more numbers to validate the cracked heads, and stock vs built (overboosted, wrong fuel, octane, AFT, etc?) Good topic to track numbers by, if a true design issue.

This is key. You make a great point.

Lots of variables to this entire situation. Stock vs Modified? And, to what level of modification?

In most instances you aren’t sending a motor out to be fully built unless you’ve essentially exhausted what it’s capable of with bolt on’s and tunes. I presume someone sending the motor to AMS to be fully built is pushing the capabilities of a stock motor, hence why they are looking for more.

I genuinely find it hard to believe this is a legitimate and widespread concern, with an intake, exhaust, and a conservative tune. Much less a stock motor.

I’ll be interested to see actual data on this. In the meantime, I’m not losing sleep over this.

 

[haohmaru]

This is key. You make a great point.

Lots of variables to this entire situation. Stock vs Modified? And, to what level of modification?

In most instances you aren’t sending a motor out to be fully built unless you’ve essentially exhausted what it’s capable of with bolt on’s and tunes. I presume someone sending the motor to AMS to be fully built is pushing the capabilities of a stock motor, hence why they are looking for more.

I genuinely find it hard to believe this is a legitimate and widespread concern, with an intake, exhaust, and a conservative tune. Much less a stock motor.

I’ll be interested to see actual data on this. In the meantime, I’m not losing sleep over this.

That's my take too. Heads cracking definitely seems to have been an issue when the motor came out but Nissan addressed it. Probably can still happen on highly tuned engines, but highly tuned motors failing is not a problem unique to the VR30.

 

[Midz10]

AMS:

 

[NismoNed]

AMS:

Appreciate you sharing that!

 

[EuroMike]

Did anyone in this forum have this issue? I don’t think so. At the same time I’m wondering which member has most miles on Thor Z on this forum.
I’m planing to get 2026 or 2027 performance, planing to daily drive but I don’t put too many miles on my cars, I live around 10 minutes from my workplace.

 

[trackratZ]

AMS:

This is good to know. Always helps to ask for more details for context. AMS should've said that in the first place when testing OEM stuff, years, versions, etc. Major car manufacturers normally update stuff when there are design issues, but not always.