Nissan ZD30DD

Nissan ZD30DDThe Nissan ZD30DD is a 3.0 l (2,953 cc, 180.2 cu·in) straight-four, water-cooled naturally aspirated diesel engine from Nissan ZD family. The engine was used on Nissan Caravan model from 1999 to 2012.

The ZD30DD has a cast-iron cylinder block, an aluminum cylinder head with DOHC (double overhead camshaft) with four valves per cylinder (16 in total). The Nissan ZD30DD compression ratio is 18.5:1. A 96.0 mm (3.78 in) cylinder bore and 102.0 mm (4.02 in) piston stroke give the ZD30DD engine a total of 2,953 cc (180.2 cu·in) of displacement. This engine used a direct injection fuel system.

The ZD30DD produced 105 PS (77 kW; 103 HP) at 3,800 rpm of maximum horsepower and from 209 N·m (21.3 kg·m, 154 ft·lb) at 2,000 rpm to 226 N·m (23 kg·m, 166.6 ft·lb) at 2,000 rpm of peak torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

  • ZD – Engine Family
  • 30 – 3.0 Liter Displacement
  • DD – DOHC, Direct injected

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine codeZD30DD
LayoutStraight-4, vertical
Fuel typeDiesel
Production1999-2012
Displacement3.0L, 2,953 cc (180.2 cu in)
Injection pumpDirect injection
Power addernone
Max. Horsepower105 PS (77 kW; 103 HP) at 3,800 rpm
Torque output226 N·m (23 kg·m, 166.6 ft·lb) at 2,000 rpm
Firing order1-3-4-2
Dimensions (L x H x W):
Weight

Cylinder block

The Nissan ZD30DD engine has a cast-iron cylinder block with a five-bearings supported system and an aluminum alloy piston and two compression and one oil control rings. The cylinder bore is 96.0 mm (3.78 in), piston stroke is 102.0 mm (4.02 in) and the compression ratio rating is 18.5:1.

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloyCast iron
Compression ratio:18.5:1
Cylinder bore:96.0 mm (3.78 in)
Piston stroke:102.0 mm (4.02 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil):2/1
Number of main bearings:5
Cylinder inner diameter:96.000-96.010 mm (3.7795-3.7799 in)
Piston skirt diameter95.950-95.960 mm (3.7776-3.7779 in)
Piston ring side clearance:Top0.050-0.070 mm (0.002-0.0028 in)
Second0.040-0.080 mm (0.0016-0.0031 in)
Oil0.020-0.060 mm (0.0008-0.0024 in)
Piston ring end gap:Top0.250-0.450 mm (0.0098-0.0177 in)
Second0.500-0.650 mm (0.0197-0.0256 in)
Oil0.250-0.450 mm (0.0098-0.0177 in)
Piston pin outer diameter32.993-33.000 mm (1.2989-1.2992 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter:70.907-70.920 mm (2.7916-2.7921 in)
Crankpin diameter:56.913-56.926 mm (2.2407-2.2412 in)

Main bearing cap bolts tightening procedure and torque specs:

Main bolts:

  • Step 1: 19.6 Nm; 2.0 kg·m; 14 ft·lb
  • Step 2: 98.1 Nm; 10.0 kg·m; 72 ft·lb
  • Step 3: 167-177 Nm; 17-18 kg·m; 123-130 ft·lb

Sub-bolts:

  • Step 1: 9.8 Nm; 1.0 kg·m; 7 ft·lb
  • Step 2: 19.6 Nm; 2.0 kg·m; 14 ft·lb
  • Step 3: 39-46 Nm; 4.0-4.7 kg·m; 29-33 ft·lb

After securing bearing cap bolts, make sure crankshaft turns smoothly by hand.

Connecting rod bearing nut

  • 78.5-83.4 Nm; 8.0-8.5 kg·m; 58-61 ft·lb

Cylinder head

The engine has DOHC design with two camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The camshaft is driven from the crankshaft by a timing chain. Intake valves are 32 mm (1.26 in) in diameter, and the exhaust valves are 32 mm (1.78 in).

The ZD30DD engine does not have hydraulic lifters, so special shims are used to adjust the valve clearance. The thickness of the adjusting shim ranges from 2.35 to 3.05 mm (0.0925-0.1201 in), where in the space of 0.05 mm (0.0020 in). There are 15 types of shims available.

Cylinder head (Almera N15 specs)
Block head alloyAluminium
Valve Arrangement:DOHC, chain drive
Valves:16 (4 valves per cylinder)
Head height:156.9-157.1 mm (6.1772-6.185 in)
Valve timig:INTAKE232°
EXHAUST232°
Valve head diameter:INTAKE31.9-32.1 mm (1.2559-1.2638 in)
EXHAUST29.9-30.1 mm (1.1772-1.185 in)
Valve length:INTAKE113.5 mm (4.4685 in)
EXHAUST113.5 mm (4.4685 in)
Valve stem diameter:INTAKE6.962-6.977 mm (0.2741-0.2747 in)
EXHAUST6.945-6.960 mm (0.2734-0.274 in)
Valve spring free length:INTAKE55.43 mm (2.1823 in)
EXHAUST55.43 mm (2.1823 in)
Camshaft cam height:INTAKE40.98-41.02 mm (1.6134-1.615 in)
EXHAUST40.98-41.02 mm (1.6134-1.615 in)
Camshaft journal diameter:29.931-29.955 mm (1.1784-1.1793 in)

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • Step 1: 98-103 Nm; 10.0-10.5 kg·m; 73-75 ft·lb
  • Step 2: Loosen all bolts completely
  • Step 3: 39.5-44.0 Nm; 4.0-4.5 kg·m; 29-32 ft·lb
  • Step 4: Tighten bolts at the angle of 90-95°
  • Step 5: Once again, tighten bolts at the angle of 90-95°

Maintenance data

Valve clearance)
Intake valve0.30-0.40 mm (0.0118-0.0157 in)
Exhaust valve0.30-0.40 mm (0.0118-0.0157 in)
Compression pressure
Standard30 kg/cm2 (29.4 bar, 427 psi) / 200 rpm
Minimun25 kg/cm2 (24.5 bar, 356 psi) / 200 rpm
Compression differential limit between cylinders3 kg/cm2 (2.9 bar, 43 psi) / 200 rpm
Oil system
Recommended engine oilAPI CE, CF
SAE Viscosity Number For cold and warm areas: 10W-30
For hot areas: 20W-40 and 20W-50
Engine oil capacity With oil filter: 6.9 l
Without oil filter: 6.4 l

Vehicle applications

ModelYears Produced
Nissan Caravan (E25)2001-2012
Nissan Elgrand (E50)1999-2002
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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6 Comments

  1. I have the same engine I am using in Nissan Terrano Regulas. But now it has a problem of killing Turbo. I tried to replace a new Turbo, it killed it in the same day. I replaced a used one it used for 3 days only. Please advice

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